1

As Jim and Stan rode together to the dance Stan wouldn’t stop talking about this girl.  Her name was Marianne but everyone just called her Mary.  “Wait until you see her” he gushed.  “She’s a knock out.  Blonde hair with green eyes and she’s got nothing to worry about in the figure department, if you know what I mean.” He gave Jim a nudge with his elbow. 

Jim sat quietly listening to Stan rambling on but his own mind was on a girl.  He’d seen her at Pop’s ice cream shop on Thursday.  He’d never seen her there before and this girl he would have noticed.  She sat quietly in the corner reading ‘The beautiful and the damned’.  He liked intellectual girls and they seemed hard to find in today’s age. All night he had kept an eye on her, she even smiled once, but he was far to shy to approach.  That’s usually where Stan came into the picture.  He was the bold one. 

            As they pulled up to the dance hall Stan said “You know what I mean?” Jim realized he had no idea what had just been said but he responded “Uh-huh” anyway.  He learned to tune Stan out sometimes because he talked too much. 

2

            Mary went to the dance that night with her cousin, Tonya.  Tonya could always be counted on for a good time.  She liked to dance and was a lot of fun to be around.  They were going there to meet a boy named Stan that Mary recently met and one of his friends.  As they pulled in the car lot was already full.  People were walking into the hall and you could feel the buzz of excitement in the air.  She immediately knew that tonight would be memorable. 

            Stan spotted Mary as soon as she and Tonya entered the main hall.  He’d been watching for her.  Jim had just made the first of what would probably be many trips to the restroom.  So Stan went over to Mary and Tonya alone to say hello. 

            “Hey there pretty lady” he said to Mary, looking her up and down.  “Wow do you look beautiful”.  Mary blushed. 

            “This is my cousin Tonya” she said. 

            “Hiya Stan” Tonya said in her casual manner.  Mary always admired her cool with men. 

            “Do you wanna dance?” Stan said to Mary.

            “Go on” said Tonya “I’ll be right here”

            “Jim will be back shortly, he’s in the restroom.  You’ll notice him right away he’s wearing a white t-shirt with jeans.” The jeans and t-shirt made him easy to identify in this sea of men wearing slacks and button downs. 

So Stan and Mary headed for the dance floor.

            They made their way through the crowd, which by this time was considerable.  Settling on a spot near the center Stan twirled her around once then they began to dance.  Mary noted that Stan was a very good dancer.  He had a lot of confidence on the floor.  As the danced in time with the music Stan spoke.

            “I couldn’t stop thinking about you all day, Mary.  You know I think I could get serious with a girl like you” he was flirting and not entirely serious.  But Mary could tell he liked her and wanted to get to know her better.  She laughed and continued dancing. 

3

            Tonya watched as the two of them disappeared into the crowd.  She thought Stan was cute and wondered why Mary hadn’t mentioned that over the last few days.  She decided to wonder over to the drink table for some punch, thinking she could use her flask to add some kick to it.   As she finished spiking her drink she saw what she presumed had to be Jim heading in her direction.  She walked over to meet him where he stood looking around confused.

            “You must be Jim” she said.

Jim turned around to see who said his name.  He was surprised to see a very attractive redheaded girl standing beside him.  She was wearing a tight black dress that showed off her plump figure and red pumps with a red handbag.  In her hand she held a glass of punch that she offered him.  “I’m Tonya” she offered.

“Do I know you?” Jim asked. 

“No” she responded “but I think we’re meant to be dates tonight.  Mary and Stan took off to dance” she nodded her head in the direction of the dance floor.  She again tried to hand him the glass of punch.       

“No thanks” he said. 

“It’s spiked” she winked at him and Jim took the glass with a smile.  She wasn’t his type but he could tell he was going to like Tonya. 

“Could I have one of these?” Tonya asked tugging free the pack of cigarettes he had rolled up in his t-shirt sleeve.

“Sure” Jim replied “let’s go out back”

4

As they started toward the door Tonya said “Wait, here’s Mary and Stan” Jim looked up to see coming off the dance floor Stan and behind him was HER.  It was the girl from the ice cream shop. 

            “I see you two have met” chirped Stan. 

            “Yes were old friends now” said Tonya smartly.

            “Jim this is Mary, Mary this is Jim” said Stan proudly. 

Mary stuck her hand out for Jim to take but he just stood there.  She thought he looked familiar but couldn’t quite place where she knew him from.  She left her hand out for some time before Stan finally said “Jim, shake the lady’s hand already”

Jim realized he’d been staring and blushed.   He looked down to find her hand jutting out in front of him. “Nice to meet you” he mumbled and limply shook Mary’s hand. 

            “We were going out to have a smoke” Tonya piped up “care to join?”

            “Let’s have a drink first” said Stan “would my lovely date like something?’ he said as he turned to Mary.

            “No thanks” she responded.

            “I need another” said Tonya.

            “Ok then” said Stan and off they walked. 

            Jim and Mary stood there for a long time.  Mary watched Jim as he stared at the floor.  He seemed bored or stuck up, she couldn’t really tell.  “So are you having fun tonight so far?” she asked, trying to draw him into conversation. 

            “Sure” Jim replied, giving her a sideways glance. 

            “Do you like to dance” she ventured

            “It’s alright I guess” he grew bolder and raised his eyes up to meet hers.  She smiled and he immediately looked back at the floor with a blush.  He brought the glass he’d been holding to his lips and Mary noticed his hand shake a little just before he took a sip.  He again looked at the ground then her and back at the ground. 

            “Here we are” Stan bellowed as he and Tonya approached.  “How’s the most beautiful girl here?” he said to Mary.  She laughed again.  “You know Tonya I think your cousin here is the cat’s pajamas.  You’d better put in a good word for me tonight”

            “Not on your life” Tonya joked

            Mary laughed again and looked at Jim.  They made eye contact briefly but Jim looked away quickly.  He shifted his weight from one foot to the other and cleared his throat.  His cheeks flushed. 

            “Well, shall we?” said Stan and stepped aside “ladies first”. The girls walked past them and Stan whispered to Jim “Isn’t she fantastic?” Jim didn’t reply but continued studying the floor.