Lady in Red Ch. 03

"I don't know what you've heard about me, Steve, but I'm not going to have sex with you, if that's what you're after. I guess all males are, and you're certainly all male. Now for the weird part. I won't have sex with you, but I won't be with you if you're having sex, or any type of intimate relationship, with some other girl, or woman. I know that sounds crazy, or selfish, but that's how I feel. I'd rather not have a boyfriend than feel pressured to do something that I'm not ready for, or don't want. I have long range plans and I'm not going to do something stupid and screw them up. Now that you know all of that about me, maybe you'll want to find somebody else. I'll understand."

Steve had listened to Gwen with great interest. This was the first time they had actually shared real feelings and hopes. He felt like he had just learned more about her in a two minute conversation than in the previous two months.

"Gwen, I realize that you're right. I haven't been totally honest with you, and you've been keeping things from me. You just laid it out there for me to see. I need to start telling you the truth and not hold things back. It really isn't fair. I didn't realize how determined you were to become a doctor. I didn't know how you felt about sex, dating, honesty, and fidelity. Now I do."

Just then, Charlotte rushed up to Steve. "Have you said anything to him? Did he say anything about me?"

Gwen gave Charlotte a puzzled look as Steve grinned. "Okay, so I'm a little desperate, Gwen. Steve probably told you already. I'm kind of, sort of, in a way, interested in Billy Marsh. I know he's not exactly another Steve Hammer, but he's a pretty good guy, comes from a good family, and I think he likes me, at least a little. We can't all be beautiful, voluptuous sex goddesses like you, so don't be making fun of me!"

"Charlotte! I like Billy. He's a cool guy. I never knew that you two had anything going on, and Steve never mentioned it. I certainly won't make fun of you. In fact, I'll do whatever I can to help. Were you expecting Steve to do something to advance this budding romance?" asked a very surprised Gwen.

"I thought that the two of you would have a plan, or a scheme, or something like that by now. What the heck were you two talking about, if not my problems," wondered Charlotte. "Don't tell me that you're working on your own romance! How selfish, Steve!"

"Charlotte, they're getting ready to open the doors. Let me figure out something to get Billy moving. In the mean time, use that smoldering sexuality of yours to persuade the patrons to spend more money on games of chance," finished Steve.

"Smoldering sexuality? Me? I like the sounds of that. What do you think, Gwen? Should I use my smoldering sexuality to lure some suckers into spending money in a good cause?"

"By all means," laughed Gwen. "I see you have 'your girls' on display tonight, Charlotte. Don't be giving me any crap about showing off my assets from now on. Just get out there and smolder!"

"We have to get ready for our part of the show, Steve, but you've got to tell me how this thing between Charlotte and Billy got started and your part in it. We can still dance together, can't we, even if you decide that you want a different girlfriend?" asked a suddenly worried Gwen.

"No, Gwen! We can't dance together if I get another girlfriend! I may not understand much about the fairer sex, but I do know that no girl on the planet will have the confidence and faith in me to let me hold you in my arms on a regular basis," proclaimed Steve with certainty. "But I haven't given up on you, so be warned."

Gwen felt relief at Steve's so-called warning, but disappointment that he did not confess his date with the redhead. She had made it pretty clear that she wasn't going to have sex with him, yet she expected Steve to forsake other girls if they were going to be dating. She wondered if that was even possible. Girls everywhere fell all over Steve, and who could blame them? He was the epitome of what a girl looked for in a boyfriend, or a lover for that matter. Would Steve give up his chances with so many pretty girls for a pretty much platonic relationship with her? Would she be able to believe him if he said he would? She knew that she would not, at least until he disclosed that he was dating another woman. It was up to him to correct their relationship now. She had been completely honest and now it was his turn to do the same.

It was another night of firsts for the seniors. Perhaps the most surprising thing for many of the students working as the waiters and waitresses came as the evening wound down. A few kids from the local community college had shown up. It was obvious that they had been partying before they arrived. Every now and then one or two of them would leave the fire hall for a few minutes and then return. It seemed likely that they were outside drinking since they were not yet twenty one. They knew the firemen would never allow them to buy any drinks inside without proper ID.

One of the bigger college guys had targeted Charlotte. He constantly asked her for drinks and tried to chat her up. For her part, Charlotte made it clear that he needed ID and that she wasn't interested in an inebriated community college party animal. Steve was talking with a couple EMT's when Gwen rushed up to him.

"Steve! That dumb ass college kid is really bothering Charlotte. He just dragged her into the men's room! You've got to help her!" urged Gwen.

Steve wasted no time rushing to the bathroom to help Charlotte. When he pushed through the doorway, he stopped in his tracks. Charlotte was standing by the sinks, holding the top of her dress up and sobbing softly. Across the room, Billy Marsh had her attacker pinned to the wall by the urinals with one hand. The other hand was pulled back in a fist. Quickly, Steve grabbed Billy's fist and held it.

"Not here. Not now, Billy!" cautioned Steve. "He isn't worth the trouble it'd cause. Let him go and let the firemen handle this. Charlotte needs your attention. Help her get out of here. Take care of Charlotte, Billy!"

It was obvious that Billy Marsh was in a rage. Steve knew from experience how difficult rational thought was at times like that. He held Billy's fist and kept repeating that he needed to look after Charlotte. Reluctantly, Billy released the guy and made his way over to Charlotte. He gently wrapped his arm around her shoulders and led her from the bathroom.

"Thanks, Steve," spoke the EMT behind him. "That was close. I wouldn't have blamed Billy if he clocked this bozo, but he'd probably be crying to his mom and lawyer before he hit the floor. Billy's the one that would be in trouble. I told Kim to call the cops. They'll be here pretty soon. I'll handle it from here."

Steve left the bathroom to see his classmates huddled around Billy and Charlotte. She was wearing Billy's suit jacket and looked very small in it. Gwen gave Steve a big smile as he approached the group.

"Thanks, Steve. It sounds like you arrived just in time. Charlotte told us that Billy looked like he was going to kill that jerk. What a mess that would've been. I told Billy to take Charlotte home. I promised that you and I'd double as wait staff when we weren't dancing. I don't think you have to make any plans to get those two together. She won't let go of him now!"

"Kids, we're sorry about that situation. The police are outside talking to those college kids now. They won't be any further problem," promised Nancy Burns, the ambulance captain and best EMT on the squad. "Do you feel up to finishing the night with us? We have another half hour left, at least. That little bit of excitement has stirred the crowd up. We want to get every nickel we can tonight. Will you kids stick with us?"

"Nancy, we're Spartans," laughed Gwen. "Billy's taking Charlotte home, but the rest of us will stay until the end. We made a promise and we'll keep it. Steve and I'll fill in for Billy and Charlotte, until we do our last dance."

"That would be great, Gwen! You guys have done a great job for us tonight and we'll be sure to let the school know how much help you've been. I know for a fact that quite a few of the people remaining here tonight are waiting for you two to deliver that last dance. They can't wait to see what you're going to show us. What a great idea it was to have you two perform here tonight! Can you tell me what you have planned so I can whet the appetite of the crowd?" asked Nancy.

"We're going to finish with a tango, Nancy, but I'm not sure that it'll be as well received as that last dance, or the first dance, for that matter. The crowd really seemed to love those dances. They may be expecting something better than we can do," worried Gwen.

The fire company had Gwen and Steve wait until the night was officially over to perform their tango. The reason was simply to hold the crowd as long as possible. There was a loud round of applause when their choice of dance was announced and then complete silence as Steve and Gwen performed it under a soft spotlight. Gwen was concerned that it was a flop when they finished and no one applauded. She and Steve stood still to take a small bow as they looked over the audience with some trepidation.

Then the hall erupted into cheers, whistles and loud applause! Gwen saw her mom, Kate, Diane, and Ms. Walker standing to one side clapping and whistling with the best of them. She hadn't even known that they were there. She wondered if they had watched all three dances without Gwen ever seeing them. Gwen and Steve gave their best smiles and bowed to the crowd. The applause was almost embarrassing for Steve. They had to remain on the small stage and bow several more times as the crowd yelled its approval.

"Saturday was one of the best days this class, and this school, has ever had, in my estimation," began Ms. Walker. "For the first time in Sparta's football history, we're the district champions. Congratulations to the seniors on the team and good luck in your next game on Saturday. Your efforts Saturday night on behalf of the fire company were greatly appreciated. You all impressed our local volunteers no end. They almost doubled the take from last year and the crowd left the building in awe of the final performance by our own Gwen Anderson and Steve Hammer. I received several promises for donations and many promises to spread the word about our efforts to raise money for a children's wing to the hospital.

"I have to once again thank our videographer for his amazing work. His football highlights were extremely well done. His coverage of casino night was unbelievable, including, but not limited to, his short clip of Mr. Marsh giving a rowdy patron a lesson in etiquette. I have no idea how you manage to be around everything interesting or exciting that happens the way you do, Dave. It's a knack, that's for sure."

As Sparta's success increased, so did Amber Stahl's exposure on the local television channel. She was assigned to every game and finally had her own camera man during those tilts. Everyone in Sparta knew her by name and appreciated that she reported the team's successes so well. She was given ten minutes of broadcast time on the Saturday evening that Sparta won the regional title and qualified to play for the state championship. She had interviews of the coaching staff and players, including Steve. After a few football related questions, she sneaked a question about Gwen and their popular dance routines.

Steve tried to remain calm and listen carefully to the questions so that he wouldn't sound like an idiot when he responded to the reporter's questions. He was somewhat surprised by the question but managed what turned out to be a great response. "That was something that just sort of happened. Gwen Anderson is a brilliant student, destined to become a great surgeon. She's not only a great dancer but she's the chairperson of our class fund raising project. She's working really hard to raise money for a children's wing for our local hospital, at which she'll someday practice medicine and save lives. If my dancing with a beautiful woman helps raise money for a great cause, I'll do it as long as she'll allow me that honor."

"Did you hear that, Gwen?" asked Kate as the Anderson family watched the local news. "I didn't hear Steve mention any long legged redhead. He talked about you and smiled all the way through it. He has it bad for you."

"So you claim, but he still hasn't mentioned that woman or why he was out with her. He's keeping it from me for a reason. That's why I'm home tonight. I told him I didn't feel like going anywhere, even through there's several parties celebrating the team's victory today. He says he's being more open, but there's an awful lot that he's not telling," reasoned Gwen. "He always seems to clam up when anyone asks questions about his family or where he went to school or what he studied. He never mentions other girls."

"I can tell you from experience that mentioning other girls is never a good idea," laughed Ted. "I made that mistake when I first started to date your mother, and I never made it again. But I wasn't dating anyone else when I was with your mom, either."

The football team was scheduled to travel Thursday afternoon to the state capital for the title game on Saturday. The plan was to have a Friday morning and an afternoon practice in the big stadium that was the scene of the tilt. The coaches felt the team would be less nervous if they were more familiar with their surroundings. To that end, school was canceled Thursday so that the students could assemble for a huge rally and send off for the team.

The rally was to be held on the grounds of a large trucking company working out of Sparta. There was a huge amount of parking space and everyone anticipated a large crowd, far more than would fit in the school's gymnasium. It was a sunny day with the temperatures in the 40's when people began arriving. By noon, the team members were standing on a large flatbed trailer waiting for the activities to begin. A microphone and speakers were in place for the various dignitaries to orate. That was the scene as Barbara Tucker pulled into the entrance of the parking lot with her twin sons strapped into their car seats in the back of her SUV. Her younger brother, Glen, was a defensive back on the team and she was anxious to show her support.

Because it was rather chilly, Barbara made the decision to leave the twins in the car where they would be warm and comfortable. She would only be a little ways away and for a short period of time. In her haste to hear the entire program, Barbara failed to put the transmission all the way into Park. As she started toward the impromptu stage, she heard the crunching of gravel. Turning, she saw her SUV backing down the incline and gaining momentum! Barbara broke into a run but soon realized that she would never catch her vehicle before it struck the rail barrier at the bottom of the hill. Beyond the barrier was the Emerson River. Not knowing what else to do, she dropped to her knees and screamed her agony to the world.

Gwen was standing with her friends waiting for the festivities to begin. Almost every kid in the school was there, along with a great many adults. It was looking to be a real hoe-down! Gwen watched the football players climb onto the flatbed trailer. She saw Steve look over the crowd until his gaze fell on her.

"It looks like that two-timing Romeo only has eyes for you," whispered Charlotte into Gwen's ear. "He kept looking at the crowd until he found you. You really need to tell him what's bothering you, Gwen. For a smart guy, he's clueless on this one. Look at his cute friend up there. He's waving to me!"

Steve and Billy were standing next to each other as they scanned the crowd for Gwen and Charlotte. They knew that where they found one girl, her friend would be close by. Billy was grinning and waving to Charlotte and she waved back. Steve watched Gwen look back at him and offer a small smile, which he found encouraging. Gwen had been distant lately and Steve wasn't able to determine the reason. Then they heard the scream. The crowd turned as one to determine the source.

Steve turned in time to see a black SUV appear to back rapidly down the incline, cross the highway and strike the guardrail with considerable force. The vehicle slowed down noticeably but still disappeared over the edge and out of sight. Everyone knew that the river was some eight feet below the protective railings and the car had to have gone into it. The river made a wide bend at the point where the car entered. The area was known as Jones Eddy. The current was slow on the curve, and many a fisherman had caught their limit from that river bank.

Amber Stahl had managed to get her camera man a good position to film the rally. She was going to be reporting live from the scene and was excited about the opportunity. They were just setting up when Amber heard the scream and saw the crowd turn. She watched in horror as the car hit the barrier, then crashed through it and dropped into the cold waters of Emerson River. Years later, people would still recall the icy chill that went through them as the young mother began screaming that her babies were in the car!

Gwen, like everyone around her, was horrified when she heard the young mother cry that her babies were in the car. The crowd rushed toward the river bank and she and Charlotte were swept along. As she ran, she noticed the TV reporter next to her, along with a large man carrying a big camera.

"Get over to the side!" directed Amber. "We need to be able to see the water and the crowd. Set up on the back of that parked pickup. The extra height will help. I'm calling the station. We'll be going live in the next couple of minutes, so get things set up quick."

The crowd reached the area where the vehicle had gone over the bank. Nothing was visible but water! Groans and cries became common as more than a few spectators broke into tears. Gwen heard the cameraman swear and point his camera farther upstream. Gwen's heart stopped when she realized what he was videoing. Steve Hammer stood on what appeared to be an observation platform. As she watched, he stripped off his coat and shirt. Then he kicked his shoes to the side and peeled his jeans off. It was obvious to Gwen what Steve planned, and suddenly her fear increased tenfold.

By this point, all of those assembled realized Steve's intent and suddenly went silent. Steve said something quickly to Billy Marsh, then strode to the edge of the platform, and dove into the icy waters of Emerson River!