CHAPTER EIGHT

At The Dance

Tina drove to the dance hall and parked the car, Terry turned to open his door but before he could some guy was opening it for him. gorgeous! Welcome, welcome, welcome,"

"Howdy,

he said in

She

a country accent. Another guy, who had opened Tina's door for her, asked, "Who's your beautiful friend?" "Boys, I'd like you to meet Terry. is new in town. Terry, this is Bob and that's Jim." Tina introduced them. Figuring that it was all in fun Terry said, "Pleased to meet ya'll" in as feminine a voice as he could muster. "I can't wait to dance with you tonight, baby," Jim said him. "Don't forget about me either!" Bob called "Never," Terry said as he smiled demurely.

out.

to

Terry and Tina walked toward the dance hall and caught an occasional whistle from the guys in the parking lot. They bought their tickets and stepped into the main dance room. The room was packed with people all decked out in their dancing best. He quickly scanned the room as a bunch of young men approached them. Reality struck him a harsh blow as he realized that no one else was wearing a costume. Angrily he turned to Tina, "You told me that lots of other guys would be wearing dresses!" he practically shouted at her. "I did

not say guys, honey, I said people. And they are! Just look at all of the women with gorgeous dresses on! The guys were almost upon them and she spoke before he could respond.

"Don't worry, you

look great! I drove and I'm not leaving until the dance is over. If you yell at me everyone around here will know that you are a boy wearing a dress and there are men here that will punch you in that pretty red mouth of yours and pull every curl out -30-

So shut up

of your head if they find that out. and enjoy yourself or you'll really be sorry! finished just as the men got there.

"1

She

"Howdy fellas! How you all doin' tonight?" she asked. A big handsome guy spoke, "We came over to meet the pretty new girl in town I hear you brought with you. "Of course! This is Terry. Terry, I'd like you to meet Jed, Stan, and Chuck." Terry said nothing and the big guy, Jed, spoke a"It gain. "Hey, little buttercup what's wrong?" is her first dance and she's a little scared, "Tina answered for him. "Well don't you worry about a

α

thing. Big Jed will see to it that you have a good time tonight! Come along and I'll buy you nice cold root beer." He offered his arm and with a nudge in the ribs from Tina he took it and they headed for the bar. "Shy ain't she," Stan commented. "Not once you get to know her. How about buying a thirsty gal a coke big fella?" Tina joked "Sure, honey. Let's go."

As the evening moved on Terry began to loosen up. He figured he had to! Guys were buying him soft drinks and standing in line to dance with him. He was glad that Cindy had shown him some dance steps so that he didn't trip all over himself. Even the women were extremely friendly. Eventually it was time to go home. Stan and Jed were walking him and Tina back to her car and trying to convince them to drop over to Jed's place for a little while. "No boys," Tina said firmly. "I promised Mrs. Borden that I would get Terry home at a decent hour and a promise is a promise." Before he closed the car door Jed leaned in to kiss Terry goodnight. Terry shifted his face that the attempt missed his lips and landed on his cheek. "You are a shy one ain't ya," he laughed. "Goodnight boys," Tina said firmly.

So

As they drove home Tina laughed again and again at the fuss the men had made over Terry. "They're crazy about you sweets!" she said between chuckles. "I don't think it's funny at all," he said angrily. "You all tricked me into this!" "Aw

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