Friday Night Antics

Annie Rochester parked her truck in the dirt parking lot across from the Grange.

            Or at least it was usually dirt.

            Tonight it happened to be mud. Raindrops the size of quarters pounded the hood of the truck mercilessly. Annie could barely hear the odd noises her truck was emitting as she turned off the engine.

            She glanced up at the rear view mirror and saw a set of brown eyes stare back at her. Those were her eyes of course. Her face was outlined by her blonde hair that was tied back into a loose ponytail at the base of her neck. She saw that the collar of her blue button up shirt was flipped wrong, so she fixed it and wished that she had had the time to iron it before she came.

            Annie sat in the truck and looked around the parking lot. No one else was there except for the blue car that belonged to the lady who sold the tickets and the old black truck with a heavily rusted cab that was used by the band to transport their instruments. But this was usual at eight o’clock. The square dance didn’t start until eight thirty.

            Right after work Annie had called her best friend, CC. CC’s real name was Clara Connor. She was repulsed by her given first name because it had been the name of her mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. At first CC’s mother was adverse to her daughter going by a different name, but soon she grudgingly accepted it. CC’s father owned the town grocery store, Connor’s IGA, which made CC one of the town’s “it” girls.

            As the youngest of six children and being the only girl of the bunch, it was needless to say that she was indeed spoiled by her parents. Most people were able to overlook this flaw because of CC’s quick wit, humor, and artistic abilities. There were kids at school that would say that CC only won the school’s Art Expo because of her father’s business, but only those who had never seen her work ever said this.

            At ten after CC pulled up her BMW besides Annie’s Ford pick-up truck. Together they raced across the street and under the awning that sheltered the door of the Grange.

            “Oh great! I’ve gotten mud all over my new boots!” complained CC. Mud had also splattered the hem of her one pair of jeans. She wore a blue and red plaid shirt that was fitted perfectly to CC’s body. Her hair was long and black and pulled into a ponytail. CC was about five foot seven, which was the perfect height at which she could accidentally whip her ponytail into her unfortunate partner’s face.

             “Let’s go to the restroom and you can use some paper towels to wipe those off,” suggested Annie, opening the door to let them in.

            “I’m all for that,” said CC, and she led the way inside and down the stairs to the right and into the restroom.

            “So what’s bothering you so much that I had to come early?” asked CC as she grabbed a few paper towels. Annie glanced at the stalls and was satisfied that no one else was there to spread gossip.

            “Trent,” said Annie. CC stopped wiping her boots for a moment to look up at Annie.

“Trent?”

“Yes. Trent.”

“Trent Bailey? About six foot three, two hundred pounds, with light brown hair and baby blue eyes?”

 “How many other Trents by that description do you happen to know CC?” CC considered this for a minute.

“Actually… none,” she answered teasingly. “So what is it about Trent that’s bothering you?” Annie took a deep breath.

“I think he likes me and might be planning on asking me out soon.” CC’s face lit up.

“Oh Annie! That’s great! I’m so happy for you!” Then she saw the look on Annie’s face. “That’s good right?” Annie gave a half-hearted shrug. “But you two are such good friends and all?”

“Yeah, we are,” said Annie. “And I would have to say that Trent is my best guy friend…”

“But you don’t want to go out with him because you think that would ruin your good friendship?”

“It’s actually a lot less complicated than that, but a lot harder to explain.” CC shook her head.

“Just help me understand this. Why don’t you want to go out with him?” Annie sighed.

“Trent and I have known each other since forever, mostly because we both grew up at the square dances here.”

“Right…” said CC, encouraging Annie to go on.

“We’ve been really good friends the past four years because we both work at Lakeview Farm.”

“Yes…” CC probed.

  “Well… I’m really comfortable talking to him, and he’s comfortable talking to me. In fact, we both have a lot of fun just talking, joking, square dancing, and playing cards together during our breaks.”

“Is there a point to this?”

“The point is, CC, that we’ve been very happy being friends. And that’s all I’ve wanted to be with him and up until very recently I thought that the feeling was mutual.”

“So what makes you think that the feeling isn’t mutual?” questioned CC.

“Two weeks ago I was talking to Trent while we were feeding the calves. I was telling him how that guy from English class, Brian, kept trying to come on to me. So Trent said ‘What if you already had a boyfriend?’ I told him that I didn’t think that would stop him from bothering me and continued on to the next calf.”

“That could have just been a mere suggestion Annie,”

“That’s what I thought too! But then two days later we were talking again while loading corn seed into the truck and he asked me what I was doing this Saturday. I told him that I was going to a Basketball camp at the University, and then I was going to baby sit my brothers while my parents went out with friends. Then he asked about the following Saturday. I told him that I was working all day and was hoping to finish my Physics project so that I wouldn’t have to worry about doing that the next Saturday because I would be at the state FFA Convention then. So then Trent said ‘Annie, don’t you have time to do anything normal, like dating?’ I just laughed and said no and then changed the subject.” CC frowned.

“I’m still not convinced.”

“Well then, how about last week he asked me what I was doing Thursday night. I told him that it was my grandma’s birthday and asked him why he wanted to know. He said he wanted to see if I wanted to go with him to the movies with his cousin and her boyfriend, but it was okay if I couldn’t go.” CC’s eyebrows perked up.

“That almost sounds like a date to me.”

“But wait, CC. There’s more.”

“Hit me.”

“Today Brad came by with his little sister, Angie. Poor Angie had a really bad sunburn. Anyhow, while she was petting the farm cats Brad, Trent, and I were talking. Brad mentioned how Angie and I looked alike; almost like twins. Trent said there was no way we could be twins because Angie looked like a lobster. ‘I think she’s still very pretty, Trent,’ I said.” Then Annie’s voice went deep to imitate Trent’s voice. “‘I wasn’t saying that she was ugly.’ ‘Oh, you think she’s a hottie then?’ I teased him.” Annie’s voice went deep again. “‘I wasn’t going that far either! I would if the two of you were identical twins, but that’s not the case here.’ I just tried to laugh it off and told him that he had a nice save.” CC nodded thoughtfully.

“I think I might be convinced, but I have to see this for myself.” CC looked down at her watch. “It’s eight twenty, so let’s go back up and see who’s here. I’ll see what’s going on with Trent.”

“Thanks a million CC.” CC smiled.

“Annie, this stuff is what I live for!” The two girls laughed and went upstairs and entered the dance hall. At the table by the door they paid for their tickets and looked around the room. The band was busy getting their instruments and music out, and standing off to the right of them were the only two other people in the room.

“Hey Brad! Trent! What’s up?” greeted CC as the girls crossed the room together to join the boys. The two boys turned around.

“Guess what CC? You need to tell your dad that Brian’s going to quit tomorrow,” said Brad. Brad Timberall was tall standing a full six foot two. His hair was dark brown in color, as were his eyes. On his face there were the tell-tale signs of a beard trying to be grown.

“Why should I have to tell him about that?” inquired CC.

“So that your dad can have something to celebrate about,” answered Brad. CC laughed.

“I think my dad will jump up and down with joy!” We all laughed because we knew how glad Mr. Connor would be to get rid of Brian. It was suspected that Brian had been stealing groceries from the shopping carts of old ladies.

“But isn’t he trying to earn enough money for college?” piped up Annie.

“His grandfather died two days ago and left him a load of money,” said Trent. Prior to this statement by Trent Annie had been trying to avoid looking at him, but now her attention was forced to him.

Trent Bailey was exactly has CC had described him. He was taller than Brad and instead of trying to grow a beard, Trent had his sideburns. His blue eyes were something that girls everywhere yearned that their boyfriends had. Indeed, even Annie would involuntarily imagine going out with Trent whenever he looked down at her with those eyes of his.

“His grandpa died? That’s so sad!” exclaimed CC.

“I actually think he’s a lot better off now. Brian was his only family,” remarked Trent.

“I’ll second that,” said Annie. Annie briefly caught the glance that Trent gave her.

“So how much did he inherit exactly?” asked CC.

“Around 500,000 dollars,” answered Trent. “But I know he’ll blow all of that in only a month.”

“Looks like he’ll still need his job then,” said CC. “But I don’t think he’ll ever get it back.”

“Serves him right,” said Brad.

“So did you all get your applications turned in for the Fireman’s Scholarship?” asked CC of the group.

“Turned that one in yesterday,” said Brad. “I hope I get at least 500 dollars there. If I do, I’ve got my whole freshmen year at Liberty all paid.”

“That’s great!” said Annie. “I’m glad I don’t have to fill out any scholarship application forms.” Annie couldn’t help but to smile.

“Yeah yeah, we know,” said CC wearily. “You’ve got your big full ride scholarship to Huron. I almost hope you break your leg in your first ever college basketball game.”

“Or better yet,” said Trent with a smile. “How about your first practice?”

“Come off it Trent,” said Brad. “You know you don’t wish that on Annie.” CC and Annie shot each other quick looks. “But Annie isn’t the only one here with a full ride, now is she?”

Everyone turned to look at Trent, who was looking a bit sheepish with his gaze suddenly directed at the floor.

“Well Trent?” questioned CC. “Is there anything that you would like to tell us?” Trent sighed and rolled his eyes.

“I have no idea how,” he said as a disclaimer. “But somehow I had the best Tenor Sax tryout. Liberty gives out full scholarships to musicians who are at the top of each section.”

“Oh Trent! I’m so happy for you!” said CC.

“But I have no idea how I got it!” said Trent. “I felt as if I did amazingly horrible in my tryout!” This time it was Brad who rolled his eyes.

“Come off it Trent,” he said wearily. “You are a lot better than you give yourself credit for.”

“For real Trent,” said Annie. “You should have heard yourself at the Jazz Band concert. You did amazing on your solo!” Trent’s eyes immediately lit up. It seemed to Annie that he was going to say something about her that she didn’t want to hear, so she spoke up first. “So how are your scholarships coming CC?

“I’m not really applying to many,” CC answered. “Daddy says he’ll pay for my college education no matter what the cost.”

“Isn’t Carver University suppose to be one of the most expensive art schools in the country?” asked Trent.

“Yeah, so?” she answered. The other three friends looked at each other and shook their heads.

“I still can’t believe you’re going all the way to California to study art CC.” commented Brad.

“What’s wrong with studying art?” asked CC.

“It’s not what’s wrong with studying art necessarily,” replied Brad. “It’s that you’re going so far away to do it!”

“What makes you think that I can study art better here in Ohio?”

“Because I’m here in Ohio and my body is a work of art!”

“Oh dear,” remarked Annie sardonically. “Looks like Brad’s going to have to stay here tonight.”

“Why do I have to stay here?” asked Brad.

“Because you’re not going to be able to fit your head through the door to get out!” exclaimed Annie, and everyone started laughing at Brad’s crest fallen face.

“Okay folks! Looks like we’ve got enough couples for a few squares, so let’s get started!” said the Caller over the microphone by the band. As the friends had been talking, at least thirty other people had come into the dance hall and paid for their tickets. At this announcement by the Caller people began to form squares around the dance hall with their partners and friends. Brad turned to Annie.

“Just for that I’m going to have to be CC’s partner and leave you to dance with Trent,” he retorted, and offered his arm to CC. She took it with a smile and they walked over to a square with only two other couples. Trent turned to Annie.

“Looks like you’re suppose to dance with me as some sort of cruel punishment,” he joked. Annie laughed.

“Little does Brad know that a worse punishment would be to dance with him!” answered Annie. Mentally she kicked herself when she realized that what she had said might have encouraged Trent’s affection for her. She tried to laugh it off with Trent as the two joined Brad and CC in their square.

Music: any square dance tune.

Formation: four couple square.

Steps: square dance walk.

Introduction:

All join hands and circle left

The other way back

Swing your partner and promenade

Figure:

Ladies to the center and back to the bar

Men to the center and a right-hand star

Change to left hands and do the other way

Go by your partner and pick up the next

The ladies swing in, and the gents swing out

And form that Texas star again…

And swing the lady round and round

…and promenade…

Repeat from the beginning picking up a new partner each time (“go by the last and pick up the next”) until original partners are reached.

Ending:

Allemande left

Grand right and left (all the way around)

Promenade your partner home.

“Wow is it hot in here!” remarked CC. “How about we go and see if it’s still raining or not outside?” There were nods all around and the four friends went outside with the girls in the lead. “Your truck. Chap stick,” whispered CC to Annie under her breath.

“Hey guys,” said Annie over her shoulder. “I need to get some chap stick from my truck. CC and I will be right back!” Together Annie and CC crossed the road and reached the driver’s side of Annie’s truck.

“It’s a nice night now that the rain has stopped,” said CC conversationally.

“Yeah,” said Annie as she unlocked the door and hopped into the driver’s seat. “So what’s your diagnosis Dr. Connor?” she asked as she took a swig from a bottle of water.

“He’s madly in love with you,” Annie choked on the water.

“Come again?” she asked, looking wildly at CC.

“Trent’s in love with you big time sista,” answered CC.

“I wouldn’t say he’s completely fallen for me.”

“Oh! My dear Annie, but he has!”

“How can you tell and be so sure?” asked Annie incredulously.

“By the way he looks at you when you two were dancing. I only ever saw such a look at my cousin’s wedding whenever he looked at his bride. Trent’s got it bad for you!” Annie sighed deeply.

“Wonderful.”

“Annie, what’s the problem with going out with Trent?” asked CC. “I know a dozen girls who would love to be with him.” Annie glanced back across the street at Trent and Brad talking together. Trent was doing most of the talking, and he was using his hands a lot. Brad seemed to just be listening.

“You heard our conversation before we started dancing CC,” said Annie.

“What about it?”

“Trent’s going to New York City in a few months to study music. I’m going to be staying here and basically play basketball.”

“So?”

“Trent knows exactly what he’s doing with his life! Me? I have no clue. All that I know is farm work, square dancing, and basketball.”

“I’m not quite getting it yet. Are you saying no to Trent because you don’t think you deserve such a nice guy or for some other psychotic reason?”

“What I’m trying to say is that I want to figure out what it is exactly I want for myself before I throw another person into the picture.” Realization seemed to dawn upon CC’s face.

“Oh,” she said. “I think I see what you’re getting at here.” Now it was CC’s turn to glace back across the street. “We better get back before the boys get suspicious.” Annie laughed.

“I think they figured out a long time ago what we mean when we say we’re getting Chap Stick CC.”

 Once again the two girls dashed across the road and rejoined the boys by the Grange doors.

“We thought you two died,” remarked Brad.

“Yeah,” chipped in Trent. “We were about to go back in and try to find new partners.”

“Ha, ha, ha,” said CC with dry humor in her voice. “We are so amused by your little petty joke.”

“But feel free to find new partners if you think you can do better than us,” said Annie.

“Nah, I think I’ll keep you,” said Trent as he looked down at Annie with his blue eyes. Annie felt herself go red and hoped that nobody would notice.

“Hey, isn’t that Randy and Claudia over there?” said CC. Annie was glad for the change in subject.

“Well, what do you know,” said Trent as he looked over the top of Annie’s head. “There they are.”

“Didn’t they just break up?” asked Annie.

“Yeah, but that was only yesterday. That doesn’t really mean anything though with those two,” answered Brad.

“Why did they break up this time?” asked Trent.

“He forgot their one month anniversary,” answered CC.

“No way!” exclaimed Annie.

“How is he supposed to know when their anniversary is? They break up and get together so often no one knows what’s going on with them,” said Brad. Every one laughed.

“That’s a good point,” said Trent. “How is a guy supposed to know when their anniversary is in a situation like that?”

“If they’re stupid enough to stay in that situation, they should be expected to know when their anniversary is,” answered CC.

“That’s ridiculous!” said Brad. “The things that women expect men to do!”

“The things men expect women to do!” exclaimed CC. “Seriously! You all expect us to care that you’re doing something as trivial as trying to grow a beard!”

“For real,” chimed in Annie. “Like we care about the silly things you all do to prove your manliness!”

“But trying to grow a beard is cool!” said Brad.

“Earth to Brad?” said Annie. “The world doesn’t care to know. Even CC doesn’t care that much, hearing about your quest for facial hair!” By this time Annie felt that she could safely gander a guess that Brad and CC had developed a thing for each other. Her guess proved right, as CC giggled and Brad blushed to the roots of his stubble.

“Score; Annie two, Brad zero,” said Trent and the friends all laughed.

“Okay all ya’ll! Let’s see how many squares we can get in here!” called the Caller. Indeed, more people had arrived since the break between dances, and the dance hall was starting to fill up with people.

“You’re stuck with Trent again,” said Brad as he and CC walked back over to their square. Trent and Annie followed behind them.

Music: any square dance tune.

Formation: hollow square. Four couples in a square facing the center.

Action:

First couple out and circle four hands round

On to the next and circle six hands round

Take in two and circle eight hands round

There’ll be a hot time in the old town tonight

Allemande left the lady on the left (corner)

Allemande right with the lady on the right (lady to right of the partner)

Allemande left the lady on the left

And a grand right and left all around

You meet your partner and do-si-do around

Step right up and swing her round and round

Promenade home, the sweetest gall in town,

There’ll be a hot time in the old town tonight.

“For those of you who want to, let’s do a little two steppin’ here,” said the caller and the band struck up a tune.

“Hey Annie,” said Brad. “Let’s kiss and make up and do a two-step together.” Brad led Annie out to the middle of the dance hall and flashed Trent a quick, significant look. It was very reminiscent of looks that CC and Annie would sometimes give each other.

Brad took Annie’s right hand in his left and put his right hand on her waist. Annie’s left hand went to Brad’s right shoulder.

“Why did you give Trent that look?” asked Annie. Brad looked bewildered for a moment.

“What look?” he quickly asked defensively.

“That one that basically says, ‘don’t worry. I’ve got you covered,’” explained Annie. “If you must know, CC and I have used that look more than enough to recognize it anywhere.” Brad took a deep breath.

“Fine. I gave him ‘the look,’” he answered her reluctantly, and continued. “I’m supposed to find out what you’re looking for in a guy and who you’re interested in and, if I have a chance to, recommend Trent as a possible boyfriend. But you knew all of that before, right?” Annie nodded her head.

“Yeah, I figured that much out.”

“So…” started Brad. “Just what are your thoughts on the subject?” Annie paused for a moment.

“I just don’t feel that way about Trent,” she answered. “I like him and care for him very much as a friend, but I just couldn’t go out with him or feel that way about him.”

“Because you two have been friends for so long?” Annie shrugged.

“I don’t think so,” she answered. “I think that if I had only met him tonight I would still feel that way.”

“What, you don’t think he’s good-enough looking for you to have even a mild crush on him?”

“Oh no!” exclaimed Annie. “No, that’s no it at all! He’s definitely good-enough looking. More than good-enough actually. I might even go so far as to say that I’m physically attracted to Trent! I’ll give him that much. I just don’t feel any romantic chemistry between the two of us. Do you get what I’m saying?”

“Yeah,” said Brad nodding. “I understand what you mean. Going out with Trent would be like going out with a brother or cousin?”

“Yes!” said Annie. “That’s it. That’s exactly it!”

“Okay then. Glad I got that straightened out.” There was a long pause.

“So what are you going to tell Trent?” Annie asked. Brad scratched his head for a moment.

“Um… good question Annie. Should I just tell him that you hate his guts?”

“No! Don’t say that! It’s not true and that would really hurt him!”

“Telling him that you don’t like him as more than a good friend will probably hurt him just as much. Any other suggestions?” Annie thought for a long moment.

“Tell him that I just don’t want to be in any relationships at the moment.”

“Is that true?” Brad asked. Annie nodded.

“Yeah.”

“How come?” Annie gave him the same reason she had given CC.

“I don’t know what I want to do with my life at the moment and I don’t want to further complicate things.” Brad nodded and the music ended. The Caller announced that it was now intermission.

“One order of ‘she doesn’t want a boyfriend’ coming right up!” teased Brad as he started to walk away from Annie.

“Hey Brad!” called Annie. Brad turned back around as Annie caught up to him. “What are your thoughts on CC?” Brad smiled.

“She is an angle sent straight from Heaven for my heart alone!” he said whimsically, and continued on his way to Trent to confer with him. Annie smiled and motioned to CC to meet her in the restroom.

“So what happened?” asked CC anxiously as soon as the door closed behind Annie. “What did you two talk about?”

“We didn’t talk about you, it that’s what you wanted to know,” said Annie. CC’s smile faded. “Okay, so we did in the end.” Her smile lit right back up again.

“What did he say! What did he say?”

“What were his exact words now… Oh! Right… ‘CC is an angle meant just for me!’” CC’s mouth dropped.

“No way!”

“Yes way!” Right there in the middle of the restroom CC started her own little victory dance.

“So what did you two talk about then?” CC asked once she had calmed down somewhat.

“Trent wanted him to find out if I liked him or not. I told Brad that I didn’t feel that way about Trent and that I didn’t want to be in any relationships right now.”

“So what’s he going to tell Trent then?”

“I’m not looking for a relationship at the moment.” CC nodded.

“So what now?”

“What now?” questioned Annie. “This whole affair is done and over with. I’m home free!” CC shook her head with a smile.

“Annie, love is never as simple as that. It will never end so long as Trent sees even a glint of hope.”