Truth or dare

Silent tears rolled down his face. She loved him too. Dear God was it true? They had known each other less than a month. Was it too soon to be spewing the L word? Out of loneliness, he had jumped too quickly before.

Should he tell her the truth? Should he tell her what really happened 10 years ago? He gave up. That’s what happened. He gave up. The beating they were dishing out became too much. He just wanted to die. ‘God, take me home.’ He pleaded night after night. But morning after morning, he woke up. Still feeling lost, alone, hurting (mentally and physically). He was too big of a coward to commit suicide. Didn’t want to pull someone else into a world of misery by stepping out in front of a train. From his friendship with Chet, he knew how finding a dead body made Chet feel. He couldn’t do that to another person.

God had a plan for him. Right? There was a reason he was still getting up every morning? There had to be. The last 50 years of his life wasn’t the pinnacle of his existence?

This was his cross to bear. His lot in life. How do you fight your parent? He was beat down with ‘honor thy parents so your days on this earth will be longer’. Don’t talk back to your elders. Don’t correct your elders, even if you know they are wrong. His mom had back handed him across the face off the porch one day. His Granny was telling one of the smaller grandchildren that God was the reason the sky was blue. While Oscar agreed with her, he started telling them about what his 6th grade science teacher had told the class that week in school about distance and light. Why the sky appears blue. He landed in the yard. In the mud. The adults didn’t even look at him. They just kept on talking. From that point on, he kept his head down and rarely spoke.

Esther hadn’t discovered the scar on his leg. He had gotten cut working with his dad. Probably should have gotten stitches. When he took the bandages off to check it, his mom punched him in the mouth for wasting good bandages. ‘You’re not even bleeding!’

His breathing increased as his stomach seized again. He jerked alerting Esther that he was not okay.

His family was jealous? Maybe Esther was right. Did it not dawn on them how much piss and fecal matter he had cleaned up over the course of his life? He wasn’t complaining. His uncle, aunt and in the end his dad; he couldn’t imagine them being alone in a home. But his aunt giving him the house. That was her choice. She could have sold it to him. She even told him, ‘my boy you earned this’.

“O,” she whispered.

He rolled over, burying his face in her shoulder sobbing.

Jealous family

She about jumped out of her skin when there was thunderous pounding at her front door. She found a furious Oscar waiting on the other side. He didn’t speak. He didn’t have to. It was written all over his face. He thrust his cell phone at her as he started pacing across her living room floor. On his phone was text after text from his mother; pictures of the evening that obviously his brother had taken.

The first picture was of him helping Esther out of her coat. The first glimpse he had gotten of her dress. The message under the picture was ‘WHORE, looks like a stupid fat Christmas Tree’. Next was a picture of them with Santa. ‘What grown adults have their pictures made with SANTA? Jesus is the reason for the season.’ Their first dance, ‘OH, so you think you can dance? Dancing is Satan’s instrument for temptation.’ Them just sitting at the table, Oscar had his arm around Esther and he looked so happy. ‘Maybe you have already had you a little taste of temptation?’ A picture of the state troopers, ‘my hard earned tax dollars at work!’ There had to be twenty five pictures of them throughout the evening and each picture had a nasty comment with it. When Esther looked up, Oscar was gone. But she knew where to find him.

He was standing on the back porch. She slid her arms around his waist and laid her head on his back. He put his hands over hers.

“How long has your family been jealous of you?”

“Jealous?!” He laughed.

“Honey, it’s obvious to me that they are insanely jealous of you.”

“Please explain that one to me.” She could feel his insides tighten.

“Okay, I will. Come with me.” They went back into the house and got her laptop. She had e-mailed all those pictures to herself. “I will say this,” as they waited for the pictures to load. “Your brother would make a fine photographer.”

Oscar raised an eyebrow, “how so?

“I’ll show you.”

The picture of them with Santa, “look at this picture and tell me what you see?”

“My brother being a son of a bitch asshole rat bastard jerk face dick wad cock sucking jerk,” he hissed.

She laughed, “aside from that.”

“What’s so funny?”

She couldn’t stop laughing, “I’m sorry.”

He finally smiled, “what?”

“Want to spew a few more cuss words together?”

Oscar blushed but was still smiling as he looked at the picture again.

Santa Claus had a big ole jolly grin on his face. Oscar was looking at Esther, and she at him. From the profile view, they were both smiling. The next picture she pulled up was the one where he had is arm around her sitting at the table. The smile on his face was undeniable. The next photo was the King and I dance. You could actually see Oscar’s teeth he was smiling so wide.

“Well,” she asked.

“You’re beautiful.” She noticed that he had his arms curled around his stomach. The smile was gone from his face.

“Thank you, but that’s not the answer I was looking for. Look at you. Look at that smile. When Otis followed us out and kicked snow on your shoes; that told me volumes. And these pictures; honey, they are so jealous of you they can’t stand it.”

“But I don’t understand there’s nothing special about me?”

She pulled up the picture of Oscar extending his hand to her when they were getting ready to dance, “really?”

“Then why make me so miserable?” He choked on the words.

“Because it works.” He just stared at her, not knowing what to say next. She slid her hand under his arms to where he was hurting, “it works.” He was about to throw up. But he knew she was right, it worked. He was always a mess inside. “May I ask you something?”

“Shoot.”

“In her head, does your mother have you married to Doris? Is that why in one photo she said that you were committing adultery? That she already has the two of you playing house and adding to that bigger family she wants?”

“I wondered about that. It confused me.” He ran his fingers through his hair before trying to lean back on the couch. But wasn’t able to.

She sat the laptop on the coffee table. “Oscar, honey, don’t let your family destroy you.”

He just shook his head. It was now almost morning. She stood extending her hand to him. He took it. At first he couldn’t get up. He was in too much pain. After several minutes, he was able to stand. She could lead him anywhere she wanted. To his delight she led him to bed. The warmth of her arms carried him to sleep.

“O,”

He moaned more than spoke.

“I love you too.”

She held him even tighter.

Dancing shoes

‘Shall we dance’ started playing. There were a few couples on the floor. Oscar stood. “Shall we dance?”

She was floored. “I can’t dance to this song.”

He smiled a smile bigger than she had ever seen. “I’ll guide you.”

“Okay.” They took their stance body to body. So this is what Deborah Kerr felt as she was being swept off her feet? Oscar was so graceful as he moved across the gym floor. Who would have thought he was so talented? And they really did dance the way they danced in the King and I.

Someone shouted over the music, “Go Mr. P.”

Esther had forgotten that anyone else was in the world. When the music stopped, the whole gym erupted in applause.

“That was amazing.” She held her chest, out of breath.

“I love you.” He kissed the top of her hand.

Bell was shocked. “Oscar, you’ve been holding out on us. I had no idea you could dance like that.”

He just smiled. “I haven’t had anyone to dance with.” He kissed the top of Esther’s hand again.

Around midnight, the crowd was starting to get louder and wilder so they decided to go home.

As they were walking to the jeep, a voice called from behind them, “well I be gol danged.”  

“What Otis?” They stopped walking and just waited. Oscar held on to Esther for dear life.

Otis staggered in front of them. “Wheeee doggie. What was dat? Sum fine foot work.” He kicked snow on Oscar’s shoe.

“May I help you?” He held Esther tighter still.

“Nah, just wannen to see more fancy foot work.” He kicked more snow on his shoes. “See what maws money paid fur.”

“Mom didn’t pay for my education. It was all grants and loans.”

Oat staggered back and forth, “you callin’ maw a lar?”

“If she did, I know nothing about it.”

Chet showed up just in time patting Oscar on the shoulder. “Nice work.” He smiled.

Otis cussed under his breath and walked off.

The ride home was quiet. Neither of them said a word. Oscar opened the door for her, took her coat and hung it up. She got a Coke Zero out of the fridge. “Okay, let’s talk about the elephant in the room.” He took his coat off and hung it next to hers. “Would you like something to drink?” She kicked her shoes off and they lay by the coat rack.

“Whatever you’re drinking?” He replied.

She handed him a Coke Zero as he sat down on the couch with her.

“I’m not real sure there’s anything to talk about.” He sighed.

“Then why are you being so quiet?”

“I guess I’m a little floored that’s all. I have no issue with women being in dangerous jobs. But I’m just not used to the concept. We have a hand full of women volunteer fire fighters; we’ve had one female deputy. I’ve seen one female state trooper, though I’m sure there are more. It’s just different for me.”

“But you have no issue with it?”

“No, none. It’s just different that’s all.” He stared at his pop can for a moment. “I can’t imagine those soft hands of yours that have caressed me, holding a gun. Or breaking bones.”

She smiled, “I don’t think I’ve ever broken a bone.”

“So tell me about those guys.”

“Daniel Jones, the one that asked me ‘what I was doing back in Kentucky?’ We went to college together. He was my best friend, study partner and then ended up being my cop partner. Chaz Buchanan, the biggest of them, is just a big ole teddy bear. We met on a stake out. Phillip Davis taught me how to dance. Everyone called him the Dancin’ Lawman. And Martin Suzza is Phillip’s best friend. We all just clicked.” She smiled. Missing the backyard BBQ’s, late night stake outs and just the camaraderie with friends.

“Why did they call you Trick Pony?”

She smiled a wicked grin, “I’ll show you some day.”

It was about three when Oscar went home. Esther had gotten ready for bed. This had been a wonderful evening overall.

Who called the cops?

As they were walking back to their table, Crash My Party started playing. “Wanna test those dancin’ skills again?” Oscar looked around. No one else was dancing. “We were the first adults to have our picture taken with Santa, now look.” There was a huge line.

“You’re gonna keep me on my toes aren’t you?”

“That’s my job.” She smiled.

He drew her close and they danced. Soon he forgot about everyone else in the gym and it was all about her. She was, he felt, his Christmas present. He wasn’t sick when she was around. The pressures of his life weren’t nearly as bad when he thought that she was on his side.

There were all kinds of games. This young man came to their table giving them tickets.

“What are these for?” Chet asked.

“If you checked your coat, the Cheerleaders kept half the money and they are going to give away the other half.”

“That’s sweet.” Bell smiled.

Esther wouldn’t take her ticket when it was offered to her.

“Why?” The boy asked with surprise.

“There are other people who need that money more than I.”

“Wow!” He just stared at her for a moment. “You ain’t from ‘round here are you?”

She laughed. “No.”

He moved on.

Oscar kissed the top of her hand. “You’re something else.”

All of a sudden everyone’s attention was drawn to the front entrance of the gym. As the noise inside died down, it became clear it was feet stomping and hands clapping to the rhythmic beat of We Will Rock You was coming from that direction. This went on until there wasn’t another sound to be heard. Four, in full uniform state policemen marched in to the beat, singing the song. However, where the lyrics called for a male gender, they changed it to a female. Esther started laughing. They were marching in the direction of their table. The closer they got, the harder she laughed.

When Oscar looked at her, her hands were over her mouth and tears rolling down her face. At the end of the song, they stood in a circle around their table pounding their feet and clapping their hands. Then, in unison shouted, “Esther’s back!”

Everyone started applauding. Who wouldn’t applaud the state police? They each one had a turn hugging her.

“What are you doing back in Kentucky?” One asked.

“Yeah,” they all chimed in.

“Didn’t even call?” One pouted.

One pointed his night stick at Oscar, “this one, is he buggin’ you? I saw that arm around your shoulder.”

“Guys,” she smiled. “You are amazing. What are y’all doin’ here?” She hugged each one of them again, “I’ve missed you so much.”

“Checkin’ up on you, Trick Pony.”

“Everybody, guys,” Esther smiled. “This is Chester Longworth, he’s the sheriff and his wife Bell. This is Oscar Patterson my date.”

“Sum bitch,” the trooper growled that had pointed his night stick at Oscar. “Date as in for tonight or dating?”

“Chaz,” she smiled. “Dating.”

“Sum bitch.” He slid his night stick back in its holder with force.

She started with the trooper that asked what she was doing back in Kentucky, “this is Daniel Jones,” the big dude that wanted to whoop Oscar was “Chaz Buchanan. Phillip Davis, and Martin Suzza. We go way back,” she just kept smiling.

“So,” Daniel Jones asked again. “What are you doing back in Kentucky?”

“I’m living here now.”

Chaz asked, “New York too big for ya?”

“Too many burrows. It was hard to keep them all straight.”

They all laughed.

“Are you going to come back to work for us, Trick Pony?” Douglas asked. “We miss you bad. And we always need good cops.”

“We’ll see.” They all hugged and said their goodbyes. She called after them, “feel free to serenade me anytime.”  

They all bowed.

Santa

Saturday arrived and it was party time. Oscar was a little more than nervous. This was the first time he had actually been to a public function in his home town with a date. He jumped when his doorbell rang. Upon opening the door, Esther smiled and tossed him her keys. “Shall we Mr. Patterson?” There was that wiggle again.

When they pulled into the parking lot, who were the first people they saw? Otis and Priscilla.

She rubbed his knee. “You’re with me and we’re gonna have a ball.”

“You think?” He scoffed.

“No,” she smiled. “I know.”

As they walked into the high school gym, his brother had already started making a scene. “Naw, hell naw.” Otis was shouting at a little girl behind a counter.

This little teen age girl seemed relieved that someone else had walked in. From the expression on her face, she didn’t care who it was. “Mr. Patterson, how are you tonight?”

“Good Emily.”

“Would you like to check your coat sir?”

“Two please.” He took Esther’s coat. It was the first time he had gotten to see what she was wearing; an absolutely amazing green dress with red heels and jewelry. She was breath taking.

Oscar forgot where he was and was staring at Esther. “Mr. Patterson,” Emily called to him. He remembered where he was and gave Emily Esther’s coat, then his.

Otis was watching him and hooted at him. “Fan-see, ain’t it.”

“Thank you Mr. Patterson.” Emily smiled.

Esther ignored him.

Oscar smiled at his brother, “the cheerleaders are raising money. I prefer this over a bake sale.”

“I thought this was fur char-I-dee?”

“It is.” Oscar pointed to the wall behind Otis where Pricilla was standing. The wall was lined with coats of every shape, size, and color. “You can leave your coat along the wall.”

Emily smiled again. Oscar and Esther walked off.

The gym had been turned into Christmas Valley.

“Wow!” She giggled. “This is amazing. It’s like being lost in Christmas. I am so thrilled that egos could be overcome to make this night happen.”

Santa was sitting in the corner taking pictures with the children. People were running around dressed like elves. There were stockings hanging all over the place. A light dusting of fake snow was on the floor. Pine trees of all shapes and sizes were in every corner. A life size sleigh and reindeers had been made. Lights had been hung across the ceiling to look like stars. In the middle of the gym floor was a nativity. And over it in the man-made sky was the Christmas Star. “Wow.” She sighed again.

Oscar couldn’t help but smile at her wonderment. She seemed like a little kid lost in Christmas. But wasn’t that what this was all about; forgetting the sorrow of the day, and living in the moment of Christmas. He felt her squeeze his arm. But when he looked, she had both her arms wrapped around his.

“Esther?” Big tears were rolling down her face. “Esther, honey what’s wrong?”

“This is amazing.”

They sat with Chet and Bell in the corner of the room where they had a good view of everyone.

Esther stood, “come with me sir.” She extended her hand to Oscar.

“Where we goin’?”

“To have our picture made with Santa.” She giggled. They started a trend. Up until this point, it had only been children and teens who still liked Santa taking their picture with him. They were the first adults.

Santa laughed, “what do you want for Christmas little girl?”

She smiled a great big smile as she looked at Oscar. Then Santa looked at Oscar. He was grinning from ear to ear. “I’m good Santa.”

Santa laughed again, “and what about you little boy?”

No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t wipe the smile from his lips. “Me too.”

Bell and Chet were right behind them.