Cynthia and Teddy had me cornered. I was beginning to suspect that tonight was more about me meeting the matriarch of the family than it was about taking Jennie to the dance. I found it interesting that Tami was included in our discussion. Cynthia got right to the point.
“David, what are your future plans?”
“Funny you should ask that; I’m planning to take January off to figure that out. My immediate concern is my mom’s condition. Part of the problem is we got caught in that whole insurance debacle. Dad isn’t back to more than 30 hours a week, so his employer doesn’t have to provide him insurance. Mom is self-employed as a real estate agent. So right now I’ve made a commitment to cover the costs of her treatment.”
“Can you afford it?” Teddy asked.
“I believe so. I just negotiated a five-year deal with Ford Models. I’m now the face of Range Sports. I also work with Janet Hill’s dad to do most of his weekly newspaper flyer ads. The big unknown is how much Mom’s treatments are going to cost. I may have to go full-time modeling.”
“But what about baseball and football?” Tami asked.
“I thought he just played football,” Cynthia inquired.
“No actually, he loves baseball, and is a good shortstop. I think with his new arm strength he’d make a pretty good pitcher or could move to third,” Tami supplied, as everyone looked at me.
“My uncle talked me into playing football. I had planned on going out for swimming, but Tami and I have played baseball together since T-ball. Tami’s a better infielder than I am,” I said.
She had a goofy grin as we remembered how much we liked playing together.
“I want to play both, but I may need to focus on football after the year I had. There are still a lot of things up in the air for that. We should have a new coach come the first of the year. Coach Lambert is moving on to State.
“I guess the long-term is to go to college and major in some kind of business. I’m good with people, so maybe something in sales.”
“Do you have any interest in Jennie long-term?” Cynthia asked.
Talk about getting to the point.
“As of right now, the answer is ‘no.’ Can I be frank?” Cynthia nodded. “Jennie only seems to be able to think of what’s good for Jennie, consequences be damned. With that attitude, I can never trust her. Moreover, I’m too young to be thinking of anyone long-term. And, if I have plans for anyone, it’s Tami—we’ve been best friends for almost 10 years. So, it’s not just Jennie.”
“Teddy warned me you wouldn’t be interested, and why. I just wanted to confirm it.”
She had a pinched look of disappointment. I still couldn’t figure out why they were in such a hurry to get Jennie married off. We waited as Cynthia formulated whatever plan she has brewing, and I guess she needed to think about it some more.
“Teddy, let’s let these two get back to their friends. David, it was nice to meet you. Tami, I have had glowing reports about you too. You have the same offer we gave David: if you ever need anything, please ask us.”
Tami and I made our exit. Before we got back to the buffet, she asked me, “Do you know what that was all about?”
The rest of the group, including Tami’s date, joined us.
I shook my head.
“I wish I knew. I get the feeling we’ll be involved with those two at some point. I think Cynthia hasn’t quite figured out how, but something will happen.”
ALL TEN OF US WALKED over to the auditorium where the dance was being held. The theme for the dance was ‘Winter Wonderland.’ There was a fifteen-foot Christmas tree decked out in silver and white. Cranberry garlands gave the tree a punch of color. I thought we were going to be early, but the dance was already packed. There were no empty tables, so we all split up.
Jennie was intent on introducing me to everyone. After the first five minutes, I gave up trying to remember names. I found it interesting that she wanted them to know I was a model and stud football player. About halfway through the introductions, she talked me into giving her my sport coat. She put it on and rolled up the sleeves. She actually looked cute in her black dress and my red sport coat. Her true purpose was to show off my body to her friends. By the time the band started, I was feeling embarrassed by how Jennie was treating me.
I finally got a chance to talk to Jennie alone.
“What are you up to? I’m starting to feel like I’m your eye candy for tonight.”
“I guess you are,” she said after a moment. “Everyone votes on the Prince and Princess of the ball. Missy Stone always wins, but not this year.”
I could see the determination in her eyes. Then she looked at me sheepishly, as if she just realized she said it aloud.
“All you had to do was tell me,” I grinned at her. “Take me to the group of girls that are Missy’s biggest supporters.”
She gave me a nervous look, and then took me to where Missy was.
When I laid eyes on Missy, I thought ‘Oh shit!’ She was a dead ringer for Tracy, except she had red hair. Red hair was my weakness, and this goddess had the alabaster skin, freckles and green eyes. I was totally screwed. Jennie saw my reaction to Missy and growled under her breath.
“David, focus.”
I blinked a couple of times and shook my head to remember my purpose for coming over. I winked at Jennie and she introduced me to each couple one at a time. I turned on the Dawson charm and used every subtle seduction technique Greg had taught me. Little things, like stepping forward when shaking their hand so that I was in their personal space, which forced them to focus on me. I touched their elbow or arm when I talked to them. I also looked them in their eyes to make them think they were the only person in the room.
Jennie was grinning from ear to ear when she would see a slight blush creep up a girl’s neck. With the guys, I used some of the same techniques, except entering their personal space.
“It was nice to meet you all. Remember to vote for Jennie for Princess, I’d consider it a favor,” was my parting shot.
I said this as I nodded my head, and even Missy nodded back. When we left the group, you could hear the noise level go up from them as we walked to the next group.
Jennie was looking at me as if I were a rock star.
“Damn, you’re good. Even Missy’s going to vote for me.”
She pulled me into a searing kiss. I slid my hands under her jacket, pulled her into me, and kissed her back. We heard someone clear their throat. We looked up to find Teddy and Cynthia looking on with amused expressions. Jennie gave them a huge smile.
“David’s the best. He’s helping me become Princess of the ball.”
“I see you’re being a little charmer tonight,” Cynthia said.
“Why, of course. Teddy, who is this lovely woman you brought to the dance?” I said as I took her hand, pulled her to me and kissed her cheek.
The looks on Teddy and Jennie’s faces were priceless. Cynthia almost choked and then started laughing as she fanned her face.
“Dear God, there isn’t a woman here tonight that could resist that.”
“Come on before you embarrass yourself,” Teddy said to his mom.
She gave me a predatory look.
“You better save me a dance, Mister.”
I just winked at her.
“Quit hitting on my grandma. I need you to focus on helping me become the Princess.”
We made the rest of our rounds. We checked in with all the couples that came with us, and everyone seemed to be having a good time. Tami pulled me aside.
“You’re a bad, bad boy. I’m getting reports that you’re charming the panties off the girls.”
“I’m helping Jennie become Princess. She really wants it, so I decided to help,” I said with a shrug.