This work is my own and not to be republished without my permission.
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THE BAR
"Come on, Gwen, it'll be fun."
"It's Wednesday." I have a test to study for tomorrow and a presentation on Friday to prepare for.
"And we don't have class until one tomorrow. It's a slow night. That's why they make it such a big deal. Ladies night. The first two drinks are on the house. Last week there were guys all over the place and they couldn't wait to buy us drinks either. Heather and Lisa are going too. It'll be fun. Come on... please." You'd think guys were the only important thing in the world. Gwen sighed more in resignation and Gina smiled in satisfaction. "Heather is calling for a cab to meet us down front of the dorm at eight. I'll come get you a couple minutes before. Don't forget your sister's ID."
Nora's ID was in Gwen's graduation card along with a note. "Put it to good use." Even though there was four years difference in their ages and Nora had two kids, they could pass for twins. Gwen had never been challenged.
At 7:50 Gwen surveyed the results of her efforts in the full-length mirror on the door. Tonight she wore makeup, but it was rare for her, and it failed to hide her natural beauty and vitality. She had her father's dark hair, skin and eyes, and tanned without even trying. The other three girls, she was sure, would be far less modest, but the mini skirt she had borrowed from Gina was more revealing than she was used to wearing. She had her hair pulled up in a playful bun and earrings, Gina's again, that dangled almost to her shoulders. She wore a spaghetti strap tank covered by a sheer blouse and her long legs were perfectly set off by the skirt. She was glad her mother couldn't see her now. Not that her mother would have expected anything more from her anyway.
Her mother. Her mother was a throw back from another era. She didn't even work. Prim and proper. Never wore jeans. Never went out without makeup and her hair done. PTA, church, social clubs, hospital volunteer. The house and yard were clean and well kept. The meals were fixed on time. Proper etiquette was observed. She maintained the perfect façade. It wasn't until Gwen was thirteen though, that she realized there was something missing. That was when her sister, then seventeen, got pregnant and was kicked out of the house. Then she realized how little interaction she had with her father or her mother and how much she relied on Nora.
Nora's boyfriend was twenty-six and she moved in with him. Gwen visited after school, before Nora went to her waitressing job, but as much as Gwen needed Nora, she was uncomfortable around Kevin. He couldn't keep his hands off Nora even while Gwen was around. She wondered if she was becoming her mother. She wondered if her mother even allowed her father to touch her when no one was looking.
Kevin left when the baby was two months old. Gwen helped Nora out babysitting while she worked, but when Nora started staying out all night with different guys Gwen told her she would have to find another babysitter. Nora was pregnant again just before her nineteenth birthday. She drank as a younger teenager, but now she was drinking fairly heavily and though she didn't do drugs in front of Gwen, she knew Nora was involved with them too. Nora didn't want to become their mother. Gwen knew she wanted more in a relationship than her parents had, but she also didn't want to become like Nora. Still Nora had been there for Gwen when she needed her.
And Gwen had definitely needed her. Even now it was a rare day that she didn't think of Brian.
Gwen opened the door at Gina's knock, grabbed her purse and locked her room. "The make-up looks good! You ready for some fun!"
Gwen smiled, "I am!" Once she had decided to go, she hit the books in earnest so that she wouldn't feel quite so guilty about partying on a weeknight. Now she could let herself have a reward for all her hard work, knowing that she was prepared for the next day.
They joined Heather and Lisa in the cab. She didn't know Heather well, but Gwen liked Lisa. She had a great sense of humor and an honesty about herself that was refreshing. She was her own person and if people liked her for who she was, fine. If not, she wouldn't change to suit them. Gwen admired that trait because she frequently found herself giving in to others in order to feel accepted by them. Like tonight. She had only given in because of Gina's persistence. By the time they got to the club she was feeling considerably more light-hearted.
The second look the bouncer gave her when she showed him her sister's ID was a full body appraisal. He smiled approvingly and she smiled back. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all. They chose a high table and settled themselves on the stools. A waiter came to take their drink order.
"That's two bahama mama's, a coke and rum, and a daiquiri." Gwen got the same appraising look from the waiter. "Mmmm-mmm! We are going to be cooking tonight!" Lisa laughed as he walked away.
They barely finished their drinks and ordered seconds when Lisa and Gwen were asked to dance.
Gwen's partner said his name was Mike. Blonde and cute, but he tried to put his hands all over her. She parried his advances glad it was a fast dance.
The waiter nodded to a tall Italian standing in the corner as he carried his tray with the order on the counter. The Italian followed him casually to the bar and leaned against it. "The rum and coke. Did you see her dancing with Mike?"
"I already had her picked out."
"She needs a little loosening up, but she's got some moves on the dance floor. I would love to see that one in the contest."
The waiter pretended not to notice as the Italian added powder to the rum and coke. The Italian pulled up a stool to the girls' table just before the waiter delivered their second round. He was strikingly handsome. "Do you mind if I join you?"
Heather was ready to roll, "Do you like to dance?"
"I love to dance. Would you like to join me?"
"Sure!"
Gwen and Gina watched them on the floor. He was graceful and a masterful leader. He placed his hand on Heather's hip and gradually it moved lower as she responded. They ended the dance close together smiling, eye to eye. He took her hand and led her back to the table.
"And are there any other takers?"
Gina jumped up and turned around smiling as he took her hand and led her to the floor. Gwen was having more fun than she thought she would. She turned around in surprise as someone else asked her to dance. She was on the floor before she realized it and moving to the music.
When the music ended the Italian was behind her. He touched her lightly on the small of her back and she turned. He was smiling down at her. "Would you care to dance?" She nodded. "My name is Dominic, by the way. Dom."
