The Dance

The Dance

Lynda and Tom had met three years ago in junior high when their two small town elementary schools combined for their junior high and high school studies. Up until then, Lynda had seen the same classmates since kindergarten. The same bratty boys had been pulling her hair and dropping worms down her shirt for years so they were the furthest from attractive in her mind. That fateful day in September of grade seven for Lynda, Tom walked in and that was it. Love at first site.

For Lynda and Tom their high school prom had finally arrived. It was never a question that they would be each others date, I mean, come on, they had been together since junior high! Love at first SIGHT! Lynda had been designing her dress for the last year, and telling Tom what tuxedo she would like to see him in. All was set except for one thing that would throw everything for a loop that would be announced at dinner.

“Hi Tom, I can’t wait for dinner tonight I made my Mom’s famous spaghetti” said Lynda bright eyed and bushy tailed as Tom entered the room. “Hey Lynda, I can’t wait” Tom replied before giving her a peck on the cheek. For Lynda, this was the night. This was the night that she was to profess her love for Tom and let him know that she was finally ready. Tom had never pushed her beyond making out in her bedroom, and some heavy petting but she felt like this was the next step. Would her mother approve? Not likely, but Lynda saw herself as modern day woman at 17 years old and confident that she wanted to make her own decision.

Now as for Tom, he had a different bit of news to announce. “Lynda, please sit” he said in a nervous tone as he gestured to the couch. “I’ve got something I need to share with you Lynda” said Tom. “Oh so do I!” said Lynda, “but you go first honey, I think my news might be a little distracting if I go first”. Lynda giggled. “Oh... Ok, ummm I guess I’ll go first then”. Tom started to go white. This is something he should have brought up years ago but this is probably one of the most terrifying things to share in a small town. “Ok, well Lynda, I love you very much, and I’ll still love you very much no matter what...”. Lynda’s eyes started to well up. “How could you do this to me just before prom! You’re such an asshole!”. Lynda ran to the washroom in tears and slammed the door behind her with more force that she had ever exerted in her life. Dust flew off the door frame and finally settled in front of Tom as he stopped in front of the door.

“Lynda, it’s not what you think... Trust me, it’s not what you think”. Although not positive, Tom really just wanted to grab her attention long enough to tell her what he had been waiting to all these years. “What do you mean it’s not what I think!?, what else could it be when you tell me something like I love you and I’ll still love you”. Lynda was sobbing heavily so Tom sat outside the washroom until he could hear that she had settled down a bit. “Ok Lynda, I’m just going to tell you, I hope you understand, but if you don’t, it’s ok because like I said I will still love you no matter what... I... I’m... gay...”.

Silence. Not one sound uttered between the two for what felt like forever, but was really about five minutes. “I.. Wha.. Um.” Lynda was struggling to articulate what she was feeling because he didn’t exactly understand what she was feeling herself. “Lynda, it’s still me, the same Tom from before, just a more honest Tom”. A sigh of relief sounded as Tom breathed in and out after that statement.

It was only two weeks till prom and it took a week before Lynda called Tom. “Tom, I’m so sorry for my reaction, and well, lack of reaction but either way you were breaking up with me, and you know how people are in this town about that kind of thing”. “Yes, I know, more than anyone I know” Tom said in a quiet soft voice. “Tom, it’s ok. I still love you, but...well prom. What happens to prom?”. Tom laughed lightly “Oh Lynda...”. “What!?, that’s a perfectly valid question Tom!”. “Lynda, just because I came out, doesn’t mean I already have a boyfriend!”. They both chuckled and shook their heads. “Listen, I still want to take you to prom, wear the tuxedo you’ve chosen for me, and dance with you until the sun comes up”. A single tear fell down Lynda’s face, and she ended their talk with “Yes, that sounds perfect”.

Prom was perfect. They did everything Tom described, dressed in Lynda’s selections and dancing till the sun came up. The great thing about dancing is that you can be loving, intimate, and have fun without revealing anything to the world. Did anyone know what Tom had told Lynda only two weeks before? Secretly picking out attractive men in the room that they would set each other up with if they could as they spun around the room, this was only the beginning of a new relationship for Tom and Lynda.

What I love is the romance of an empty dance floor at the end of the night. The energy coming from that floor. Secrets whispered between friends and couples as they shuffle around the floor knowing their voices are masked by the music wrapping around the room. Tom and Lynda would have many other dances in their lives, but none as memorable as that one.

Jennifer Hall.