by A M Heath
I want to especially thank Rachel Swander for opening up about her life with thyroid cancer. I’m praying for your happy ending, and I know Christ has you in His hands.
Another huge thank you to Krista Noorman for designing the paperback cover. You’re an angel to lend your talents to me as you labor on your own release.
1
Neil Fox:
2010; Marlow, Tennessee
A lifetime of ballroom dancing had not only earned me countless awards, but today it was also offering an interview and a grand party to celebrate. I opened the door and held it for Arleen.
She thanked me as she passed through, and together we stopped at the hotel desk, before being ushered into a private office.
Upon entering the office, a young woman stood with a bright smile on her face. We swapped handshakes and introductions before settling down on the offered couch.
Mackenzie Henderson typed out a few notes, then set up her recorder.
“Miss Henderson,” I started, but the woman waved me off.
“No, please just call me Mackenzie.”
I gave her a nod. “With a lifetime of dancing, I’m not even sure where to start.”
“I understand you were both competitors before 1959. I have a list of your accomplishments here in front of me. But what we’d really like to know is what happened in ’59?”
I flipped my gaze to Arleen. That was a loaded question.
Arleen sent me a look that said she, too, was still uncertain of how to begin.
We both looked to Mackenzie for direction.
“Why don’t we start at the beginning?” she said. “Can you share with me your early impressions of Arleen?”
I paused a moment.
Arleen laid her hand on my arm. “Go ahead,” she gently prodded. “I’m not afraid.”
I pulled in a breath and hoped I wasn’t making a mistake. “Alright, the truth is …”
2
Neil Fox:
1959; Marlow, Tennessee
The truth was, I knew better than to look twice at Arleen Thatcher. That gal was trouble, if there ever was trouble.
The temptress in heels sashayed past me, bumping me as she did so. She looked over her shoulder to be sure I’d noticed.
I had. I wasn’t dead. But I also wasn’t stupid, which was more than I could say for my chums.
Albert Jones groaned beside me, “That is some doll.”
I rolled my eyes–eyes that were fixed onto the dance floor and not on Queen Arleen. Like I said, I knew better than to look twice.
“If I had just one shot with her–”
“You’d choke,” I cut in.
Albert nudged my side with his elbow. “I betcha I could get farther with her than you.”
I snorted. “I got better things to do.”
“Well, I can’t think of any.”
“What are you fellas talking about?” Ed Dower asked, wedging between us.
“Arleen Thatcher,” Albert said, sounding more and more like a lovesick gal with each passing second.
I didn’t have to look at Ed to know that the mention of Arleen’s name caught his attention. Ed had been her fan for some time now.
“She purposely bumped into Neil a minute ago, but he’s still claiming he’s unaffected.”
Ed jerked his head to me.
I met his look.
“She bumped you?” He sounded more jealous than curious.
I didn’t have to work to downplay the moment. I knew what she was really after, and it wasn’t me. “You know how she is.”
“No, but I’d like to,” Albert said in a throaty moan.
I cut my eyes to him, a scowl tugging on my lips.
“She was just trying to get in my head.”
“I’d let her in my head,” Albert chimed in. “I’d let her in my bed–”
“Give it a rest!” I cut in.
Albert looked taken aback. “You got dibs on her or something?”
I clenched my teeth, nostrils flaring.
“Come on,” Ed said, gripping Albert by the shoulder. “You oughta know by now, he’s a square when it comes to talking about the babes.”
Albert eyed me for a moment. “Well, I’m not a square. I’m gonna go talk to Arleen.”
I watched him saunter off in her direction and rolled my eyes again.
Ed looked at me, at Arleen, then back to me. “I know what you’re thinking, but, foolish or not, I’m going with him.”
“Idiots,” I mumbled under my breath, as Ed jogged to join Albert. Couldn’t they recognize what was plain for everyone to see? Right this moment, Arleen stood on the arm of her current dance partner, Jett Finnegan, while she flirted and teased the throng of men surrounding them. Jett, as her boyfriend, should have been offended, but he wasn’t. The arrogant fool actually stood taller, knowing that everyone here wanted what he had. But he wouldn’t have her for long. She’d be bored of him soon enough, and she’d cut him loose, same as she had all the ones before him.
I didn’t see the logic in getting mixed up with a gal like her. You couldn’t tame her.
I strolled to the refreshment table, accepted a cup of water, and tried to put my focus back on the dance floor. It wasn’t much of a distraction, since we were between heats. A flurry of activity caught my attention from the right. And just like Moses parting the water, Queen Arleen parted the group of men and started in my direction. My instincts said to up and run like Joseph, but I liked to think I was made of stouter stuff, so I stood my ground. Who knows, maybe I was just dumber than Joseph.
Arleen reached the table. She cast me a glance out of the corner of her eye and requested a cup of water from the uniformed attendant. Arleen stood in heels and a calf-length dress. Lavender tulle made an impressive bell shape that started around her slender waist. A tight bodice topped it off. Her dark brown hair was swept back, curls pinned in sparkling clips, and tiny white flowers woven through her locks like a crown. She eyed me with–if I were willing to be honest–the sharpest, most stunning shade of blue eyes I had yet seen. Her makeup, thick around the eyes, forced the color to practically pounce on you from across the room, competing only with the most kissable shade of red lips known to man. It was little wonder she had a following, but I was determined not to be numbered among them.
“Where’s your partner?” she asked, eyes traveling across the room. I started to answer, but she added, “I sure hope she corrected that final spin.”
I laughed, a short sort of laugh with my mouth closed and lips only tipped up on one side. “You’ll find out soon enough. What about your partner?”
“What about him?” she asked, one brown brow perked up.
“He looked a little shaky on his feet during your jive. Do you think he’s ready to waltz?”
She snickered.
It might have been a musical sound if I was willing to let myself fall for her charms, which I wasn’t.
“Say, where is he anyway? I’ve never known you to be without male company for so long.”
Arleen eyed me coyly. “I’m not without male company. I’m with you, aren’t I?” She batted her long lashes at me.
“So you are. Why is that exactly?” Something sure smelled fishy.
She shrugged her shoulder, an innocent–overly innocent–look in her eyes.
My gut dropped. “They wouldn’t …”
She grinned and wagged her head. With polished nails, she patted me on the chest, her touch burning, not comforting. “Now, now. Don’t have a cow. You know we agreed never to prank during a competition. Finnegan’s Studio likes to win fair and square.” Arleen gave a slight nudge of her head toward the back door. “The guys are out back having a smoke, and I thought I’d take the water with you instead,” she said, raising her paper cup in the air.
Right. Smokes. That made sense. Arleen didn’t smoke. She was known for staying glued to a man’s arm the entire time, except when he smoked. I only knew that because I didn’t smoke either and often saw her when the room cleared. It
was almost comical, really. People often smoked in the room, but somehow Queen Arleen had coaxed them into smoking outdoors. For the past five years, there hadn’t been a single smoke at one of these quarterly competitions. Like the Pied Piper, she had entranced them all into doing her bidding, and they did it happily. Not that I was complaining. I sure breathed easier since they had changed their smoking locations.
I angled my cup to the attendant, and he refilled it and handed it back. “So, which one of you left the dead fish in our studio last week?”
Arleen’s eyes sparkled. “Couldn’t say.”
Despite myself, I laughed and shook my head. It was always the same between our studios. No one gave up the guilty. If we had lived in Chicago or New York City, our two studios might not have noticed one another. But in a small town such as Marlow, we couldn’t help but compete. Our rivaling studios were always trying to steal better dancers from one another, and, when that didn’t work, some other prank did.
Arleen set her paper cup down and turned to me, sucking in a sharp breath. “Good luck out there.” We were both up for the waltz next.
“You don’t have to pretend with me,” I said with a smirk.
“Oh, I wasn’t pretending.” She leaned in. “When I beat you, I want to know I was beating you at your best.”
I tipped my head back and laughed. “Darling, we’re about to sweep the floor with you and that lavender gown of yours.”
Her trilling laughter followed after me as we parted ways, both to our respective corners and back to our partners. I had a competition to win.
2010; Marlow, Tennessee
Mackenzie stared at me, mouth agape. Clearly, that wasn’t what she was expecting.
Arleen grinned. “He’s only telling you his half of the story, don’t forget. I’m here to tell you the rest.”
Mackenzie nodded her head numbly. “Well, let’s hear it.”
3
Arleen Thatcher:
1959; Marlow, Tennessee
I put a cheery smile on my face and sailed into the house through the kitchen door.
Momma was at the ironing board. Seeing me, she set the iron aside and dabbed at her sweaty face with the hem of her apron.
I suppressed a groan and hugged her, my smile not slipping a notch.
“How did it go today? Sorry, I couldn’t be there, but–”
I laid a hand on her arm and cut her off. “I’m not angry, Momma. You did what you had to do. I’m proud of you.” I said it, and I meant it.
She nodded her head and looked at me expectantly.
I beamed all the brighter for her sake, and stuffed aside any sting that I felt for losing first place on the waltz to Neil. “It was wonderful. Jett and I took first on the quickstep and the tango. And second on the waltz and jive.”
Momma clapped her worn hands together and rested them against the chest of her cherry-printed apron.
My focus slipped from her, and I eyed the stairs.
She nudged me. “Go on up,” she whispered. “I know you’re tired after a competition. We’ll visit tomorrow. Should I send supper to your room?”
I sure wanted her to, but I couldn’t bring myself to give in. “No, I’ll come back down and eat with you. Is … Daddy coming home for dinner?”
She looked wary. “He hasn’t called to say otherwise, but he still may. It’s early yet.”
I nodded my head and bent to kiss her on the cheek, breathing in the familiar scent of yeast bread, laundry soap, and Momma.
She patted my shoulder and sent me upstairs. I felt her loving gaze on my back.
I slipped off my shoes at the base of the stairs and carried them up. The moment I entered my room, I shut the door with my toes as I made a beeline for the bed. I flopped down on my stomach, shoes falling to the side of the bed and onto the floor with a thud.
Finally. I was here. I was done. For the next two hours, I could stay locked up in my room. I didn’t have to smile. I didn’t have to pretend here. Every muscle in my body groaned, as I slowly melted into the mattress.
~~~
I had a quick dinner with Momma, then went back upstairs to bed. It was still early, but I was long overdue for a good sleep.
I could have slept for days, but an hour and a half later, Momma was at my side, tapping my shoulder.
I stirred and blinked back the sleep in my eyes.
“Jett is downstairs. Wants to know if you’d see a flick with him tonight.”
Dread gathered in my middle. “Oh, I don’t think so, Momma.”
Her eyes skittered to the door, and she bit her lip. “Oh, don’t worry about me. I wouldn’t want you to disappoint your fella.”
My gaze dropped to Momma’s lap, where she twisted the ruffled edge of her apron. Momma was always fearful about disappointing a man, but I wasn’t. She wouldn’t have to answer to this one. Besides, I had already told him on the way over that I didn’t plan to see him tonight.
I slid my feet out from under my covers and dropped to the floor. “I’ll tell him myself.”
Momma started to protest, but I didn’t listen to her and strode out of the room and down the front stairs.
Jett stood there, hair slicked back, his collared gray shirt and slacks showing a more relaxed version of the man I had danced with only hours earlier. His face lit up when he saw me.
I stopped before I was within arm’s reach and put my hands on my hips. “Just what do you think you’re doing here?”
“Come to take you out. Thought we should celebrate our wins today.”
He started to step forward, but I held up my palm as a warning for him to stop.
“I already told you; I wasn’t planning on going out tonight. I’m tired. I don’t like going out after a competition.”
He huffed. “I danced every bit as much as you did, Arleen, but I’m still ready to go out. I don’t see why you can’t. Your folks aren’t keeping you hostage.”
I glared at him.
He relaxed and eased closer to me. “Look, I’m sorry, alright. You told me, and I was just being foolish. You know I’m crazy about my girl. Will you … walk me out at least? See me off, and I’ll take a rain check on that flick, alright?”
“Alright,” I said on a sigh. I finished the rest of the steps between us and let him grab my hand when I was close enough. His strong grip held on to me like he was afraid of letting me go. The idea wearied me even more, and I had to fight the urge to shrink back.
I followed him to the porch. The sun was gone and the street lights were on. One kiss, and I could return to the comforts of my room.
~~~
An hour later, I was in my bed but unable to sleep. Daddy still wasn’t home, which meant he wouldn’t stumble in until the wee hours of the morning. I pulled on the skirt and blouse I had worn before the competition. I grabbed my cardigan and flats and slipped out the back door. The moon was nearly full and the night was clear, so I let the night’s sky light my way. Cutting through the woods behind the house, I followed a foot path that led down to a pond. I often took this trek when I wanted to clear my head. I liked to see the moonlight dancing across the water and often skipped rocks just to watch it sway. If Momma heard me leave, she’d know where I was. I had been slipping off to the pond since I was a little girl. I felt safe here. It was secluded. I didn’t know where the path led, because I never bothered to follow it past the pond.
I rounded the bend and came to a halt. A truck was parked in front of my pond. There was something or someone in the bed of the truck, but I couldn’t make it out.
A moment of confusion and disappointment led way to wariness. I started to back away on tiptoe, but I misjudged where I was standing and rustled in the bushes instead.
The figure in the back of the truck rose and separated. One figure, in the span of a single breath, jumped over the side of the truck, landing with a thud on the dry ground, leaving the second figure in the truck.
Panic stole my breath, and I started to shoot out of there like I was
doing the quickstep across a dance floor, but the branches entangled my sweater.
The figure threw his hands up. “Arleen.”
My heart froze.
“It’s me, Neil.”
In a whoosh, I let out the pent-up breath. And just like that, anger rode in again. “What in the world are you doing here?” I asked as he drew closer.
He stopped in his tracks for a moment. “Don’t you know?”
I eyed him skeptically, but I didn’t know if he could read my gestures or not, seeing as how I stood in the shadows.
Neil joined me. With his thumb, he pointed to the end of the path on the other side of the pond. “The other end of the path leads out to my place.”
“Oh.” I felt small. I vaguely recalled knowing that he lived on a road behind me, but it never occurred to me that our properties might line up.
“I come here a lot to see the stars. That’s what I was doing tonight.” He paused and pointed again, this time toward his truck. “I brought my telescope out here.”
Ahh. The second figure. I could see it more clearly now, but I didn’t know what to make of it when I first happened upon it. “If you come here all the time, how is it I’ve never seen you here before?”
Neil shifted his weight. “I’ve seen you here before,” he whispered.
My face heated. My moments here were private. I certainly never thought I was being spied on.
“I always check before I drive back here. I don’t stay if I see you.”He shrugged. “I suppose that’s why you never saw me.”
I was still trying to digest this news, and the concept that I had been unknowingly sharing my pond with none other than Neil Fox, when he reached for me. “Here, let me help you get out of there.”
His arms circled me as he felt around in the bush, trying to make sense of my tangled mess. I should have been embarrassed. I should have pushed him away. But the truth was, I was a dancer. I was used to being in the arms of a man. I couldn’t blush over the matter now. Besides, Neil had never given me the impression he favored me in any way, not like the rest of the male dancers did.
