Here With Me by Louise Tia

Author:Louise, Tia
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: TLM Productions LLC
Published: 2020-04-17T16:00:00+00:00

19

Mindy

“And a-one and a-two and a-one, two, three, four…” Bouncy piano music blasts through the civic center speakers, and Madelyn Gamble stands in front of a group of twelve female octogenarians, clapping her hands and leading them through the opening dance.

“How’s it looking?” Mrs. Irene is at my side, holding my arm.

“Tense.” I watch as Ms. Turner and Ms. Wilson break the line doing their best to stay on opposite sides of the stage from each other, even though they’re the freedom and the reign parts of the production.

“Ms. Debbie, you need to pass across the center of the stage. You’re the light of freedom.” Maddie waves her arms and infuses her voice with optimism.

“I’m not standing by her.” Ms. Turner casts a withering glare at Ms. Wilson.

Ms. Wilson holds an oversized American flag on a pole. “As if I want to stand by a hussy like you, Debbie Turner!”

“Oh, this is good.” Mrs. Irene puts her hand over her mouth to hide her chuckling. “Maddie Gamble should get a medal of freedom if she manages to pull this off.”

“I’m just glad it’s not me.” I bite my bottom lip to keep from laughing. “She only has two more days.”

The inaugural Ms. Silver Peach pageant will be the closing event of this year’s festival on Sunday afternoon.

“And to think they used to be best friends.”

That pulls me up short. “You’re kidding!”

“Well, not so much best friends as best rivals. If Olivia dated the captain of the basketball team, Debbie had to date the quarterback of the football team.” She leans closer. “You’ve heard the expression ‘keep your friends close and your enemies closer’?”

“Is that friendship?”

“Not any I’d like to have. Not like you and Noel.”

The mention of my bestie makes me jump. “Oh, I’ve got to run. I promised Noel I’d pick up her stock for Ma’s table this afternoon.”

“You’re a true friend.” We walk arm in arm toward the back of the room. “Did you talk to Sawyer?”

“I did.” My chest has been heavy ever since our afternoon at the pond.

“How did it go?”

“We’re still going to the Peach Ball together.”

“That’s good.” Her eyebrows rise with her smile. “Did he tell you what’s been troubling him?”

“No, and he said he wouldn’t.”

Her lips tighten, and her blue eyes cast down. She basically says with her expression everything I’m feeling. It sucks, and it’s no basis for a relationship. Still, I was strong. I said what I needed to say, but I also reminded him what he had last weekend. I used my sexuality as a weapon, and I don’t care. He’s got a much stronger advantage, if you ask me.

We take a few more steps, and her hand tightens in the crook of my arm. “The Peach Ball is a magical time. Who knows what might happen when you’re there together, dancing in each other’s arms. Your aura is bright red, which means your attraction is strong. Use it.”

I pull her close and kiss the top of her head. “I love you.

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