Saturday Night by Caroline B. Cooney

Author:Caroline B. Cooney [Cooney, Caroline B.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-4804-5175-9
Publisher: Open Road Media
Published: 2013-09-27T02:06:00+00:00

Chapter 14

BETH AND GARY WERE dancing slow. He circled, shifting his weight more than dancing, and gradually Beth was swung into a different position and she could see Con and Anne behind her. They couldn’t hear a thing because the band played so loudly. I can lip read, she thought, laughing to herself.

“Con, say something,” came from Anne, and some emotion made her purse her lips more than usual, so that the words were as clear as written letters. “Con, I’m pregnant. It’s our baby. You and me. What are we going to do?”

Beth nearly fainted. Not for a moment had she given Molly’s rumor any credence. Molly was horrid; anything she said was lies; Anne was perfect. Blood rushed from Beth’s head and she sagged against Gary more than dancers do. Gary simply moved closer to her, supporting her more.

She could still see Anne clearly. Anguish crossed Anne’s face, and tears shone like jewels in the half light of the dance floor.

Beth Rose, who knew little, knew that Con would hate a public display. Although it meant she had to detach herself from Gary, Beth Rose straightened so she would have a better view of Con’s face.

Blank as a piece of typing paper.

Does he really feel nothing? Beth thought. Or does it take all his self-control to hide what he does feel? Anne is crazy, bringing it up now. Why did she come to the dance at all? Why didn’t she tell him before, or after?

“What’s the matter with you?” Gary asked.

She had forgotten to continue dancing, but had come to a full stop to stare at Con, as if watching a freak show at the circus. Flushed, Beth mumbled that she had something in her shoe. Gary looked skeptical. She bent over to take off her shoe—and she was not wearing them. Like half the girls there, she had kicked her shoes off under the benches and was dancing barefoot.

“Pebble on the floor,” Beth said desperately.

“Uh huh,” Gary returned dryly.

Beth did not know what to say next. I haven’t had enough practice, she thought. I haven’t been around boys enough. Oh, if I were anybody else in this room I’d know what to say next.

She gave him a silly little smile, which she knew made her look like somebody cringing before the dentist’s drill. They stood still. “Well, I’m really in a dancing mood, Beth,” said Gary. He smiled at her. A sweet smile. Her heart flipped again. She started to say, “Me, too, Gary,” but he said first, “So maybe I’ll dance with Jennie; she’s sitting this one out.” He smiled again. Identical smile. Beth found herself reflecting the smile, as if she were his mirror.

He’s going to leave me here, right out on the floor in front of everybody, she thought. She wanted to throw up, or cling to him, but there were too many witnesses.

And then he was gone.

Like the sun behind a cloud.

Beth stood very still, trying to look as if she enjoyed standing alone, as if Gary had gone on an errand of her choice.

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