Lady in Red Ch. 01

"Gwen, you only went to a couple home games last year. Kate went to everyone that she could, and I attended a few with her," pointed out Paula. "It isn't all that unusual for Kate and me to go to a football game, and Lisa was a cheerleader when she was a senior, so I can understand her wanting to go. How is it that you're going to an away game now?"

"I'm a senior this year, Mother," replied Gwen somewhat testily. "You're the one that told me I should enjoy my senior year more. That's all I'm trying to do."

"Sure. You just want to watch Gifford kick our butts up and down the field. It has nothing to do with a certain stud football player that's blinded by your beauty," teased Kate.

"I don't know if I approve of you going out with this young man, especially under these conditions. No woman should be forced to do something like this against her will," reasoned her father. "Maybe I should have a talk with this Steve person and nip this situation in the bud?"

"Yeah, Dad! Every girl wants her father to "speak" to her hot date. Have you not been listening? He isn't taking advantage of Gwen! If anything, Gwen is toying with him. He'll chase her until she decides to let him catch her. Protecting Gwen from the best looking guy in her school is hardly necessary, and certainly not wanted," replied Kate with vigor.

As the teams warmed up, Kate turned and spoke to Gwen, "Well, at least Dad decided not to come, so you don't have to worry about him giving Steve a talking to. Mom and I won't embarrass you too bad, but you know Lisa. When she sees Steve, she won't be thinking about how she's three years older than he is. Don't let her steal him away."

"Kate, I don't know where you developed such a low opinion of me, but I would never go after any of my sister's boyfriends, and I expect the same from you. We're family and we support each other, and that certainly includes keeping boyfriends!" insisted Lisa.

"I overheard Bill Johnson talking to Ken Bradley at the refreshment stand a little while ago. Their sons are on the team and both fathers felt that this was going to be a very good year for the football team. They have a new coach, a new quarterback, and a very new offensive scheme according to those two. They said tonight's game will be different than any game the team has ever played," recounted Paula. "I asked them why and they just grinned. They said that they were sworn to secrecy, but I should be ready for a lot of scoring."

Sparta won the coin toss and elected to defend on the first possession of the game. After the kick-off, Gifford had the ball on the forty-two yard line. Their senior halfback, Will Jauron, had won the league rushing title as a Junior and immediately picked up where he had left off the previous season. Sparta's defense worked hard, but Jauron managed to average five yards with every carry. Then he carried the ball in for a score from the fifteen yard line. They tacked on the extra point and after five minutes of play, Gifford had a 7-0 lead.

"Uh-oh, Gwen! You may be home reading your novel tomorrow night after all," worried Kate.

"I just want to know what position your Prince Charming is playing," complained Lisa. "So far, I'm not very impressed with any of the Spartan players."

Gifford kicked off and the nervous sophomore returner fumbled the ball. By the time the dust had settled, Gifford had recovered on the five yard line. Jauron ran it in for the score on the very next play. With just over five minutes gone, Gifford led 14-0. Again Gifford kicked off, but this time the kid on the receiving end managed to hang on, although he lost five yards on his attempted run back. Sparta had the ball on the 27 yard line when its offensive unit took the field.

"There's Steve!" yelled Kate. "He's number 12. He must be the quarterback! He looks hot even with a football helmet on."

Paula glanced over at Gwen to see her reaction. Gwen had her pocketbook straps twisted in knots. She was staring intently at the playing field as she tortured her purse. Paula smiled to herself and returned her attention to the game. It was pretty plain that Gwen had not been exactly truthful about her feelings for the young man that had asked her to the dance. As that thought crossed her mind, a roar went up from Sparta's section.

Sparta's running back had managed a pretty good season the previous year. He was third in the league in rushing, and that was with a mediocre team. Everyone expected him to be the workhorse of the Spartan offense. On the first play from scrimmage, Steve took the snap and turned and tucked the ball into the halfback's stomach. The back hit the line hard and managed to gain some positive yards. That was when the fans, as well as the Gifford defense, realized that Steve still held the football. He looked left and pulled his arm back. Then he suddenly turned to his right and lofted a pass deep down the right sideline. Billy Harris was at least ten yards beyond the defender as he gathered the ball in full stride at the twenty yard line and raced into the end zone!

The Gifford section was dead silent, but the Spartan side made up for it. High fives, loud cheers, and whistles swept through the stands. Gwen realized that she was one of the loudest fans as she yelled and screamed her approval. Her sisters and mother were right next to her, showing their excitement over the turn of events.

"My God, Gwen! He must have thrown that ball fifty yards! He sure seems serious about winning this game and keeping his date," laughed Lisa. "Kate, let me have those binoculars so I can get a good look at our hero."

Lisa focused in on number twelve as he and his team mates slapped each other on the back. She quickly determined that Steve was a very popular man at the moment. He was taller than all but a couple linemen and looked every bit as strong. Then she saw him scanning the Sparta cheering section, obviously looking for someone.

"Wave ladies," Lisa instructed as she held her free hand high and whipped it around. "Our hero is looking for Gwen to make sure she saw that great play. Let him know what we think!"

With that, Kate and Paula stood up again and began waving frantically toward the Spartan bench area. Almost reluctantly, Gwen stood up and gave her best imitation of the Queen of England by moving her hand back and forth a few inches in front of her face.

"I don't know how, but he found you, Gwen! His smile just doubled in size. Maybe Kate, Mom, and I helped a little by being such boisterous fans," suggested Lisa. "Holy cow! He's a gorgeous looking man, Gwen! You started right at the top!"

The score was tied at half time at 28. The Spartan offense managed to score every time it had the ball. Steve passed on most plays, but they did very well every time they handed the ball off to the running back. The Spartan defense had begun to stiffen and once they began to slow down Jauron, Gifford had no alternatives. They tried a few passes, but their quarterback showed poor decision making and a rather weak arm.

Sparta scored on the first possession of the second half to take the lead and never looked back. The final score was 49-31. When the game ended Sparta's faithful poured onto the field and mobbed the players. Paula could see Steve smile as fans and players slapped his back and shook his hand.

"So, Sis. Should we go down and congratulate our newfound hero?" teased Kate. "It looks like the cheerleaders are doing just that. Look at those shameless hussies hugging Steve and kissing his cheeks! We need to get you down there to stake out your claim! Let's go."

"No, Kate. I'm not going to make an ass of myself in front of those bimbos. I told you that he'd have all kinds of pretty girls after him. It just happened faster than I had anticipated. I never dreamed he'd be such an athlete. Let's go home," added an obviously dejected Gwen as she started down to the exit.

In order to leave the stands, they had to descend down almost to the playing field, then turn and go out a runway under the bleachers. Gwen was just beginning to make the turn when she heard her name called. Surprised, she looked over her shoulder to see Steve standing near the bleachers. He was looking directly at her and pretty much ignoring all the well-wishers around him. Gwen felt hands push her toward the railing. Her feet seemed to move on their own accord as she shuffled up to the railing and looked down at Steve.

Steve smiled, reached up and grabbed the rail and vaulted up so he stood on the platform near Gwen, with the handrail between them. Those fans that had been headed for the exits all seemed to stop, and suddenly became very quiet.

"I'm going to need directions to your house so I can pick you up for the dance tomorrow night, Gwen. What time should I get there? What's your phone number? You aren't going to back out on me, are you?" quizzed Steve as a beautiful blonde girl suddenly stepped up to him and hugged him tightly over the railing.

"Give me your number and I'll get you all of Gwen's information. I'm her sister, Lisa, and you've made my day. Look at all of those cheerleaders with their mouths hanging open," whispered Lisa directly into Steve's ear. "You be good to Gwen. She's really, really smart about a lot of things, but she's new to this. Please don't hurt her."

With that, Lisa stepped back and declared, "Kate, you weren't kidding. Gwen's new boyfriend is a hunk! It makes me wish I was three years younger. Steve, can you ride back to Sparta with us, or do you have to ride the team bus?"

"Coach wants us to ride the bus. Otherwise, I'd take you up on that offer, Lisa," replied Steve as he placed his hands on the noticeably silent Gwen's elbows and smiled. "Thanks, Gwen, for giving in and letting me take you to the dance."

Gwen felt like she was in a dream. Who knew how many people had just listened to the star quarterback practically beg her for a date! Steve's hands on her arms made her skin tingle where he touched her. She saw Lisa hand Steve her phone and he punched in some numbers and returned it to Lisa.

"Thanks for coming to the game," added Steve as he bent close to Gwen. "I'll see you tomorrow night. Call me with the time."

Steve turned and stepped back down to the field and trotted past the stunned cheerleaders and headed for the showers. Gwen felt hands turn her around and gently push her toward the exit. As she walked, she once again became aware of her surroundings. Lisa held her hand and was smiling like the cat that ate the canary. Her mother and Kate were right behind them, laughing and chatting with fellow fans. Gwen began to catch parts of the conversations going on around her.

"That kid sure took the school by storm!" laughed Ralph Smith, president of the local bank, as well as father of Tyler Smith, the team's starting tight end. "He plays quarterback like a pro, and then sweet talks the school's prettiest girl into going to the dance with him tomorrow. I'd better keep an eye on this boy or he'll have my job before Christmas!"

"Paula, did you see the look on the faces of all the cheerleaders when that boy made a beeline for Gwen? It was so funny to watch, even though my daughter, Dawn, is one of the cheerleaders," added Dorothy Fields. "This just might help curb that entitlement attitude the girls have developed. The team quarterback going out with the class valedictorian! That is just priceless!"

The ride home was one of the best trips the family had ever experienced. All four Anderson women were laughing as they recounted various incidents that had seen and heard at the game. Gwen had been nervous and embarrassed, but the absolute joy her family felt was infectious. She couldn't help smiling as she recalled the way Steve spoke to her and the reactions it created.

"Gwen, I have to admit I had some serious doubts about Kate's evaluation of your boyfriend, but I've got to tell you, he's the real deal. Maybe you didn't notice, but I hugged him while you were in your trance. I didn't want to do it, but I had to make the arrangements for your date and you sure weren't helping. Boys do like girls that don't talk too much, but take my advice and speak to him once in a while, okay?" chuckled Lisa. "So anyway, when I hugged him, it was like wrapping my arms around a piece of steel and squeezing, except way better! He's tall, dark, very handsome and what a body!"

"I can't wait for the dance tomorrow night," added Kate. "I just want to see the faces of everyone when they see my sister with the best looking guy in the place. Maybe he'll dance with me a few times. You won't mind, will you, Gwen?"

"Please don't get all carried away, Lisa and Kate. Steve was nice to me today. I admit that it made me feel pretty darn good. But he isn't my boyfriend. You saw how those girls looked at him. What are my chances of keeping him interested for more than a week or two? I never had a boyfriend, let alone one like Steve. I'm not good at playing games, and using sex to keep him isn't even on the table. I'm not going to take a chance on ruining my reputation, or my future over some boy," insisted Gwen.

"Gwen, sex should never be used to control a partner, so I can't argue with that attitude. But it doesn't have to ruin your reputation, or your life, if you're mature and responsible," counseled Paula. "It can be a wonderful experience that adds to your life and relationship. It should never be used for revenge, control, or anything else really, except love."

"Thanks, Mom!" quipped Kate. "I think I'm in love with Gwen's boyfriend. Can he spend the night with me?"

"You know the answer to that one, young lady! We will not be having any young men spending the night with any of our daughters before they are married to them. Believe me, your father will see to that," added Paula.

While Paula and her two younger daughters had been talking, Lisa had been active on her smart phone. Suddenly she burst into laughter.

"Gwen, I just texted your boyfriend with all of your information. I'm just not sure if you're a B cup or a C cup? I don't want to mislead the guy, but he needs to know. So which is it, Gwen?" quizzed Lisa.

"Mom! Lisa can't do that!" cried Gwen. "Nice girls don't tell guys their bra size. Now he thinks I'm some kind of desperate slut. Thanks a lot, Lisa!"

"Sweetheart, you know your sister's teasing you. Remember how she stepped in with Steve when you were temporarily unable to speak to him this evening? You really need to learn to lighten up and laugh a little, as well as to trust your sisters to always be on your side," admonished Paula. "She's definitely a C cup, Lisa. Steve will have no complaints."

"Mom! That's no way to talk in front of your daughters, especially Kate! She's not even 16 yet. You're making it sound like you encourage that sort of behavior, and besides, he'd never complain about "the girls" for any reason," laughed Gwen.

"What happened to our Rhodes Scholar and super nerd?" demanded Kate. "Suddenly she's bragging about her "girls" and how much her date will enjoy them? I think Dad needs to have "the talk" with Gwen instead of Steve."

"Getting back on my original subject," interjected Lisa, "I sent Steve our address and Gwen's phone number, so you may want to keep an eye on your phone for texts, and keep it close enough to hear it ring. Did you know that Dave Kite has appointed himself senior class historian and videographer, Gwen? He's already begun his duties. Not only does he have some great pictures of the game on his "official" senior class Face Book page, but he has a clip of Steve thanking you for agreeing to go to the dance with him on YouTube! It already has 32 views."

"I didn't even know he was there," admitted Gwen. "This is pretty embarrassing."

"Are you kidding, Gwen?" demanded Kate. "How can that be anything but extremely cool? Of course you never noticed Dave Kite. You didn't even know what planet you were on when Steve stopped you in the bleachers. I've seen zombies with better reflexes."

Suddenly Gwen's phone rang. Her face turned red as she answered it while her mother and two sisters watched and listened closely to her side of the conversation.

"Hey. Yeah, we're almost back to Sparta. I suppose six thirty would be good. Nothing too special, I guess. It's in the VFW hall and a benefit, so people won't be in gowns and black ties. I'll wear a nice dress and you can take it from there. On Willow drive, the last house on the right. I was glad to come. We all really enjoyed the game and you were really good. In fact, I think you tricked me with that bet. You knew you'd win that game. Well, if our date helped inspire you, I'm glad we agreed to it. Maybe coach will give me the game ball?" chuckled Gwen. "Okay, see you then."

Gwen finished the call and then turned to her silent, but intent family, and smiled as she shrugged, "Wrong number".

Gwen could not believe how things had gotten out of hand. Her mother's sister, Diane, along with her 16 year old daughter Stephanie, had insisted on "stopping in" at six o'clock. Then Dorothy Fields, her husband Bob, and her daughter Dawn just happen to stop by on their way to the benefit, which wasn't scheduled to begin until seven. On top of that, her mother and father decided that they were going to attend the dance. They hadn't gone to a function like that in forever, and now they had to go? Of course Lisa and Kate were planning on spying on her every move that evening as well. Gwen decided that she just couldn't be any more embarrassed, but she was wrong.

At six thirty, the door bell rang and the living room suddenly became silent. Gwen had been listening to the chatter from her upstairs bedroom as Lisa put the final touches on her coif. The sudden silence, she realized, was very unnerving. How would Steve feel about such an obvious attempt by so many people to give him the "once over"? She heard Kate welcome Steve and then she introduced him to all the characters perched in the living room. Gwen could hear Steve greet each person warmly as he repeated their names. Then it happened.

Gwen's father, normally a very quiet, intellectual sort, decided to give Steve "the talk" right in front of everyone! Gwen loved her Dad, but being a CPA, he was far better with numbers than with people.

"Steve, I understand that you're taking my daughter to the dance because she lost a bet to you. Do you think a woman should have to do something against her will simply because of a foolish wager? I understand that she declined your first request for a date to the dance. How do justify your wager, and placing Gwen in such an awkward situation?" asked Ted Anderson somewhat pompously.

Gwen was certain that Steve would be insulted and leave the house. For her part, she had never been so mortified!

"Dad!" cried Kate.

"It's okay, Kate. Your dad has a good point there. I'll tell you this, sir. I never intended to force Gwen to do anything against her will. I would never do that, unless it was done to save her pain or injury. I asked her out and she declined, but her reasons sounded hollow to me, so I decided to press Gwen a little. I've always heard that faint heart never won fair lady. If Gwen simply tells me that she truly does not want to go with me tonight, I will leave and never bother her again. However, Sir, it is my belief and hope, that Gwen is more than willing to accompany me to the dance. Let's ask her when she comes down, shall we?"

"Okay, son. You stated your case well. We'll do that, but there are a couple other things that you need to know," continued Gwen's father. "You'll never go out with Gwen again if you use alcohol, or tobacco. If I hear that you drive unsafely, you'll lose any privileges I may have allowed. If I learn of any questionable behavior on your part, Gwen will be forbidden from seeing you. Do you understand me?"