Darkness Before Dawn (15 page)

“Has he ever told you he cared about you?” Jalani asked instead of answering my question.

“Well, no, not exactly,” I stammered. “But I can tell by the way he looks at me and touches me and talks to me. He told me he thought that I was very mature and very special. He calls me his butterfly!” I smiled with pleasure as I remembered.

“I could say the same thing about a bug stuck with a pin in an insect display,” Jalani countered. “Just keep your eyes open, OK?”

“I'll be fine. I can't wait for graduation! Thanks for the ride home.” After she dropped me off at my house, I made myself a snack and waited for Jonathan to call.

When the phone rang, I picked it up on the first ring. “Hello?” I said, trying to make my voice sound sexy and mature.

“May I speak to Keisha?” It wasn't Jonathan's voice.

“Speaking,” I replied, disappointed. I returned my voice to normal.

“This is Leon. What's up?”

“Just finishing my homework. What's up with you?” I relaxed and glanced at my math book while I sat on my bedroom floor.

“Well, since there are no more dragons to slay or unicorns to capture, I just have to do ordinary stuff like finish reading
Macbeth.
That dude had some serious issues!”

“You got that right!” I laughed.

“Hey Keisha, I guess you already have a date for the Valentine Dance, right?”

“Not really. I was just going to go by myself.”

I could hear Leon taking a deep breath. “You want to go with me? I promise I won't stick anything in my nose or ears all evening!”

I thought of my secret date with Jonathan after the dance, and how going with Leon would make it easy for my parents to let me stay out late. So I said, “That sounds like fun, Leon. They're having a dance contest. I heard you were dynamite on the dance floor!”

I think he was shocked that I agreed so quickly. He had probably expected me to make excuses. He stammered, “That's what some say. I bet we could win it.”

“Hey, I can dance, but I'm no Judith Jamison!” I told him. “Now Angel, Gerald's little sister—that girl can move! You gotta check her out.”

“That sounds cool, but it's
you
that I wanna dance with!” he managed to say.

“I'm looking forward to it, Leon,” I told him, then I
said good night and hung up the phone. For sure I was looking forward to that night. I felt a little guilty that I was using Leon, but the thought of Jonathan seeing me all dressed up, and maybe even dancing with me—that made all those negative thoughts float away.

The Valentine Dance was
second only to prom in importance. We jokingly called it prom practice. Dates were lined up for the prom in May depending on what happened and who it happened with at the Valentine Dance in February. This one wasn't formal, however. Dressy casual, we girls called it. Leather, slacks, or silk. Something new to show off, whether a new outfit or a new date. Brand-name hookups looking obvious, yet understated. Hair done perfectly, shoes just right—a night to remember.

The Valentine Dance was also one that all grades could attend, not like the prom, which was reserved for juniors and seniors. Joyelle and Angel told me they had stood in line after school the very first day the tickets had gone on sale, anxious to be sure they had them in time. Neither girl had a date, but they probably had their eyes
on a couple of the unattached sophomore and junior boys who would be there as well, so they planned their outfits down to the exact color of the nail polish they would wear.

My parents were overjoyed that I wanted to go to the dance with Leon, a high school boy who didn't make them feel threatened. He stopped by my house the night before the dance to drop off a Valentine's Day card for me. It was funny, with a fire-breathing dragon on a front, pleading with the lady dragon, who held a giant fire extinguisher, to be his lady love. I laughed, introduced Leon to my parents, who liked him as soon as he walked in the front door. Mom chatted about her job, Dad showed him his new fishing reel, and I thought only of Jonathan the entire time.

When he left, Mom asked, “Where has that one been all this time? He's not bad.”

“Oh, Mom, he's just a friend. That's just Leon. It's not like a real date. Leon is just fun to hang with. You know how it is.”

“Well, I'm glad you've decided to rejoin high school for these last few months. I like this Leon kid, even if he just a friend. What time is the dance over?”

The dance was over at midnight, but I told my mother, “It's over at one.” That way, I knew Mom wouldn't be expecting me until at least three or three-thirty. That gave me more time to be with Jonathan. “Then we'll probably go to Waffle House to eat. Or we might go to a movie. I don't know. Just me and Leon and Rhonda and Tyrone,
and probably Gerald and Jalani, too. Is that OK?” I knew it would be.

“That sounds like fun. I'm glad you've got friends to hang with. You need to laugh more. Stay out as late as seems reasonable, but remember to call me on your cell phone to check in every once in a while, OK?”

“I will, Mom.” I leaned over and kissed her. I couldn't believe how easy this was going to be. I only felt a little guilty about deceiving her.

The next night Leon arrived dressed in black silk slacks and shirt. When I answered the door, he stood there looking excited and nervous. Even though most of the girls would probably be wearing slacks and a casual shirt, I decided to wear a short silver dress, not dressy, but classy and sleek. It had a V-neck front, tie back, and slim cut. Around my neck I wore the silver butterfly necklace.

“You look good, Keisha—that silver really makes you ... shine,” Leon managed to say. “I hope that doesn't sound dumb.”

“I like your outfit, too,” I told him honestly. I could see his muscles under his shirt and noticed with pleasure how really good he looked. In a couple of years when he's outgrown his high school immaturity, I thought, he'll be dynamite. Mom snapped pictures like cameras were going out of business the next day, but I just smiled and let her take as many as she wanted.

Leon finally led me to his car, after Mom insisted that I take an extra jacket, and we both laughed as we sped down
the street to the hall where the dance was being held.

“Is your mother always that nice?” Leon asked.

“No, she can be a real pain when she wants to be,” I told him, “but you're lucky—she likes you!”

Leon laughed and relaxed noticeably as we drove. The air was very cold, but clear. Silver stars glittered in the sky. Leon kept grinning at me, and I smiled back, but my smile was really for Jonathan.

We got to the dance, where the music was loud and the crowd was already mixing it up on the dance floor. Joyelle and Angel sat giggling near the potato chips, not dancing, but looking like they were really glad to be there. Gerald, who kept his eye on Angel, danced with Jalani, who wore a copy of a designer outfit that she had seen on the cover of
Vogue.
She looked better than the model who had worn it.

I saw Rhonda, who saw my dress and screamed, “Girl, that dress is the bomb!” Rhonda wore white silk sweats which Tyrone said looked as dynamite as she had promised. Leon stood to one side, seeming to enjoy it all.

I glanced around the room, looking for Jonathan, but I didn't see him in the crowd. I danced with Leon, then Tyrone, Gerald, and even B. J., who didn't bring a date. I was having a good time, but only half my mind was concentrating on the dance. The rest of me searched for Jonathan in the corners of the room.

B. J. casually walked over to where I stood with Angel and Joyelle, who were watching the others dance. Angel wore a long, slim dress which made her look fragile—like a
bendable straw. Joyelle, who had slimmed down a bit, looked comfortable in her jeans and sparkle tank top. “You want to dance?” B. J. asked Joyelle.

She looked up in surprise. “Me?” she asked.

“Yeah,” he said casually. “I know Angel can dance. That's all Gerald talks about. Let's see what
you
can do!”

“Go on,” Angel encouraged her, giggling. “Dance with him!”

“Do it, girl!” I said, giving her a little push.

Joyelle took B. J.'s hand and they danced the next three dances together. Angel watched with excitement. The fourth dance was a slow number, and I was dancing with Leon. B. J. looked like he was dancing in heaven, but I guess Joyelle couldn't take the intensity. She pretended to be tired and out of breath and went to sit down.

“Why didn't you keep on dancing? Punk out?” I heard Angel say.

“You got it!” Joyelle replied. “I need a soda to cool off!”

When Jalani went with Rhonda to the bathroom, Gerald danced with Angel. Watching her move was like looking at a breeze through the trees. Gerald grinned as he complimented her. “You're good, girl!”

“I know!” she teased him. She didn't really need a partner—she moved with the music. Tyrone danced with her a couple of dances; so did B. J. and a couple of boys she didn't even know. She told me that she had never had so much fun.

Everybody in the room jammed the floor for the stomp dances. Angel and Joyelle joined all of us while we let the music take us way beyond the gym.

Just then the DJ announced “Dance Contest—Swing Dance!” Leon glanced at me, and said, “Let's win this thing, Keisha!”

But I had just seen Jonathan walk in the door, so I said, “Ask Angel instead. She's probably the best dancer in this room—including you!” Leon probably thought I was showing sensitivity to Angel—I just wanted to get rid of him for a few minutes.

So Leon said to Angel, “I hear you're the best dancer in the room.”

She answered shyly, “I like to dance, but I don't know how good I am.”

“You want to be my partner for the swing dance contest?” he asked her.

Surprised, Angel asked, “What about Keisha?”

Leon grinned and said, “No, kid, this one's for you.” I nodded at her to go ahead and she and Leon glided on to the dance floor. Nineties kids dancing to forties music. The teachers loved it. Angel and Leon moved to the center of the floor and stayed there, winning round after round. The crowd cheered as Angel and Leon danced in the spotlight spinning and twisting. Angel was light on her feet and seemed to move as if the music flowed through her. Leon, instead of the falls and rolls and slapstick comedy he usually did in the halls at school, used
his body to move with the music and dance with style. They were perfect dance partners. While they danced, I hid in the noise and confusion and moved around to the other side of the room where Jonathan stood, not far from his father.

“Hello, Mr. Hathaway,” I said to the principal, but Jonathan knew the greeting was for him.

“Well, good evening Keisha, you look magnificent, my dear. That silver really becomes you. Don't you think so, Jonathan?” he said to his son a bit distractedly. He was watching the swing dance competition.

“Oh, of course,” Jonathan said quickly, pretending to have just noticed me. But he had watched me approach, had glanced with a nod of approval as I got closer, and I know that he liked what he saw.

“I'm going to watch the dance contest,” Mr. Hathaway told Jonathan and me. “That little freshman, Angel, is quite a dancer! Wow, look at that!” Mr. Hathaway loved the Valentine Dance. He left Jonathan and me standing there in the shadows to watch the dancers.

“You look beautiful,” Jonathan said sincerely.

“Thank you,” I murmured. My heart was pounding.

“I especially like the butterfly necklace. It's just perfect!”

I was about to thank him for giving it to me, when a great cheer went up and Angel and Leon were announced as finalists in the dance contest. Instead I said quickly, “Are we still going out to eat tonight?”

“Oh, yes,” he said. “I'll follow you home, and as soon as
I see your date leave, I'll whisk you off to a place where dreams come true.”

I looked away from him and toward the crowd that surrounded Angel and Leon. I tried not to show the giddy excitement I felt. “Do we have time for that dance you promised me?” I asked shyly.

“It's probably not a good idea,” he answered, glancing around. “Let's save our dance for tonight when we can be alone, OK?”

I nodded and smiled at him with anticipation. “See you soon,” I whispered quickly. I hurried back to where Leon and Angel, sweaty but triumphant, held the trophy for winning the dance contest. Gerald made Angel sit down and eat some pizza and drink two glasses of water. She fussed, but she ate it all.

“I'm taking you home,” he told her. “Joyelle, you ready to go? Your mom told me to get you home early.”

Joyelle nodded, but glanced back at B. J. He waved and grinned at her. “You got it together, Joyelle! We'll have to do this again when your mama will let you stay out after midnight!” She laughed as she found her coat and Angel's and they left with Gerald.

I put my hand to my head and told Leon, “I knew you were good, but you were really something else out there!” I frowned as if my head was hurting.

“It should have been you dancing with me,” Leon complained mildly. “Even though we won the contest, I would have much rather danced with you and lost.”

“I can't dance like Angel,” I told him. “Besides, my head is killing me. I think I'm coming down with something. Can you just take me home?” I rubbed my temples and made my face look like I was in real pain.

“You don't want to go out to eat or anything?” Leon asked me. I could see he was really disappointed.

“Not this time,” I replied. I was starting to feel a little guilty. “Maybe we can do something this weekend,” I added, trying to give him a little hope.

It worked. He looked fairly cheerful as he found my coat and we headed for the door. I noticed that Jonathan was already wearing his black leather coat as he stood by the door, saying good-bye to the couples leaving early.