Footloose (13 page)

Chapter 23

The black bow tie was more of a struggle than Ren expected, but he won out in the end. He gave it one last tug and slipped into his maroon jacket. It wasn't a traditional tux by any means, but it suited Ren.

He was ready as he was ever going to be for this night. Somehow, it had turned into more than a dance, and not just because of what it meant to the town. It was important for Ren, too. His classmates embraced him for getting them this night. Now everything had to be perfect.

With a spring in his step, he left his bedroom out in the garage to join the rest of the family in the backyard. He'd been planning to skip dinner entirely, but Lulu wouldn't let him. He'd been too busy to eat any real food all day. He needed something in him if he was going to dance all night.

He approached the picnic table to the sound of cheers and the adorable catcalls of his young cousins. His aunt Lulu was very impressed. “Look at you! Oh, Ren, you look
fantastic
.”

“Wow! You lookin' sharp, Ren!” Sarah cheered.

Amy danced on her chair. “I wanna go to the dance.”

“Careful, Amy,” Ren warned as he took her down off the chair. “You're still in Bomont. No dancing.”

Ren caught his uncle giving him the once-over. “I see what you're doing,” Wes said. “Two-color suit. That wouldn't work on me. People'd think I just wore the wrong pants.”

Now Ren was concerned his choice may not have been right. “What? You don't think it works?”

“You make it work,” Wes said with a proud nod. “Just like everything else. The car. The council. That bow tie.”

“I like the bow tie,” Amy said.

Ren had barely sat down before Lulu wrapped an enormous bib around his neck. The girls cackled with laughter. Even Wes was amused. Ren modeled the look for Sarah and Amy. “What do you think, girls? Should I wear this to the dance? The bib with the pink hippos?”

Wes laughed along with them now. “Well, no one else will be wearing it.”

“I don't want anything getting on your clothes,” Lulu said. “You look so nice. Don't let me forget to take your picture.”

He'd be sure to remind her. No one had asked to take his picture in a while. He couldn't remember the last time he had a night he wanted to remember.

Wes held out his hands. “All right, Amy. Why don't you say grace?”

The family all held hands, but Ren interrupted before the little one could say anything. “Hey, uh, Amy? Sorry to interrupt, but I think I got one in me. You mind if I give it a go?”

Amy sighed with melodramatic relief. “It's about time.”

Ren closed his eyes and searched for the right words. The thought had come up on him suddenly. He hadn't planned anything to say. Of course, he'd heard enough of their prayers around the table over the past few months to know the basics, but he had something more personal in mind.

“Dear God,” he began. “Thank you for the food we are about to eat. I know that I haven't spoken to you in a long time. And the last time I did, well, I may have said some things that weren't so nice. But things are better now. I'm living with my family. I got two little partners in crime that help me every morning with my hair. But I help them with their braids, so we're even.” Sarah and Amy giggled.

He paused to gather himself. The last thing he wanted to say wasn't easy to do out loud in front of his family, but he had to do it. He needed them to hear. “And, God, if you ever get around to seeing my mother, tell her she was right. I belong here. I belong in Bomont.”

The silence around Ren told him he'd done it right. But that silence stretched on a bit longer than comfortable. He leaned over and whispered to Amy. “What do I say now?”

“Say ‘amen,' ” she replied.

“Amen.”

•  •  •  •  •

She should've gone with the purple. Or the silver. Something flashier that hugged her body better. And the hair—why'd she put it up? She hardly ever wore it up. For a girl who was usually sure of every move she made, Ariel was having the hardest time getting ready for a simple dance.

Not that there was anything simple about this dance. It was probably the first and last of its kind—at least for her. She wouldn't be surprised if Andy Beamis rented out the storage room to the high school every year. Maybe even open up a hall for weddings and such. But this was the only time she ever imagined she'd be going to a dance before graduation. This one had to be special.

In the mirror, she saw movement over her shoulder. How long had Momma been standing in the doorway watching her? Probably long enough to think her daughter had lost her damn mind. “You look stunning,” she said.

“Is it okay?” Ariel asked. “Is it too simple?”

“Darlin', simple and elegant is something to strive for, not retreat from,” Momma said. Ariel took a good look at herself. The pale pink dress really didn't look so bad. The spaghetti straps made it feel almost delicate and sexy at the same time. But the hair?

“Should my hair be up?” Ariel asked. “I've got it pinned up in the back.”

“Up. Definitely up.” Momma tamed a few stray hairs for her. “After a night of dancing, it's going to all come down anyway. But you can't really go to a prom without a corsage.”

Ariel hadn't noticed the flower in her mother's hand until she held it up. Tears welled in both their eyes. The pink roses went perfectly with the dress. “It's beautiful. You didn't have to do this.”

Her mother smiled. “I didn't.”

Now the tears really threatened to flow. She couldn't let that happen; it would ruin her mascara. Ariel took a few deep breaths to calm herself, then went to see Daddy. He was in his office at the old electric typewriter that he sometimes used to type out his sermons. The look on his face when he saw his daughter threatened to bring her tears right back. He hadn't looked at her that way in a long, long time.

“No red boots?” he asked.

“Not tonight.” She held up the corsage. “Could you help me pin it?”

Moore stood up. He took the corsage, but held on to her hand. “It's not that kind of corsage. It goes around your wrist.” He slipped the band around her hand. “There.”

This close, Ariel could smell her daddy's cologne. The scent always reminded her of Bobby. He used to sneak into Daddy's stash back when they were little and pour on way more than any one person his size would ever need. Daddy would yell at him for wasting the cologne, but always with a laugh in his voice.

“You don't understand how hard it is for me to let you go out that door,” her father said. “I just want what every parent wants. I want my children to come home safe.”

Ariel could see in his eyes just how much he was struggling. But she also recognized that he was beginning to understand that she could never come home safe if he didn't let her go in the first place.

“I know it's been hard for you,” she said, with a catch in her voice. Her tears flowed freely now. “And I know I haven't made it any easier. I just don't want you to be disappointed in me anymore.”

Her daddy took his handkerchief and carefully wiped the tears from her face. “Not at all. You're my angel. And I will always love you.
Always
.”

He took his daughter into his arms. She breathed in his scent to keep it with her as they held tightly to one another, swaying gently.

“Hey, Daddy, guess what? We're dancing.”

This brought a smile to his face. They swayed a bit longer, enjoying their shared moment that had to end too soon.

“Okay,” he said, reluctantly letting her go when he looked through the window and saw Ren's beat-up old car pulling up. “We can't keep your gentleman waiting.”

She kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you, Daddy.”

They walked out to the foyer together and Ariel said good-bye to both her parents. She was out the front door and closing it behind her even before Ren made it up the walk.

He was surprised by her sudden appearance. “I was going to come up and …” Then he really saw her, and stopped short. “Whoa.”

“What?” She checked her dress to see if there was anything wrong. “What's the matter?”

“You're beautiful.”

Oh.
Ariel had been told that before. But this was the first time she ever really believed it. “Yeah?”

“Oh, yeah.”

Ren took her arm and escorted her to the VW. It was a refreshing change from what she was used to. With a flourish, he bowed and went to open the passenger door for her.

It didn't budge.

“Is it locked?” Ariel asked.

Ren struggled with the handle. “No … it just sticks. I thought I fixed it.”

He looked like he was going to hurt himself. “Ren, it's okay. I can go through your door.”

He yanked harder. “No, I don't want you to.”

Ren was so sweet, but it was starting to get really awkward. Luckily, Ariel saw a solution. “Okay, stop. Give me a hand.” She held out her hand and nodded toward the open car window.

Ren picked up on the message. With a bright smile, he gently took her into his arms and lifted her feet through the window.

Ariel slid into the car effortlessly, taking care not to let her dress snag on anything. Once she was firmly in the seat, Ren ran around to the driver's side and hopped in behind the wheel.

They were on their way.

Chapter 24

Lit up as it was with white mason-jar lanterns around the entrance to the storage area, the Beamis Cotton Mill looked nothing like it did the day before. It was as if Ren and Ariel had been transported someplace else entirely when they pulled up in front of the building. Someplace magical.

Inside, the students of Bomont High seemed even more magical, transformed by elegant dresses and snazzy tuxedos, fancy as in any big city. A slow song played over the speakers: “Almost Paradise.” It was almost perfect.

Except that not a single person was on the dance floor. They were all clustered in groups along the edges of the room, avoiding the center like it was a minefield. The only movement was the spinning disco ball overhead.

Ren feared the worst. Did the town council get to them? Their parents? Was something wrong? “What's going on? Why isn't anyone dancing?”

“They're scared. I bet it's their first time ever at a dance.” Ariel tugged at his hand. “C'mon. Let's show 'em how it's done. Dance with me.”

Ren almost laughed. After all he'd gone through, he never imagined that anyone else in this town could simply be insecure about dancing. But tonight was so much more than a dance—it was an event. An event these kids had absolutely no experience with.

Ren escorted Ariel to the dance floor, stopping briefly on the way for a word with Woody. “By the looks of things,” Ren said, “I'd say your offensive line doesn't have any backbone. Now move your team down the field, Captain.”

Woody smiled. “Copy that.” He turned to Etta, who was standing by the punch bowl, and formally bowed to his date. “If you'll excuse me, I gotta go crack some heads.”

“By all means,” Etta replied with a dainty wave.

Ren and Ariel stepped onto the dance floor alone, while Woody worked on getting them some company. He walked over to eight of his football players.

“Okay, huddle up.” They did what their captain said, getting into a tight circle as though they were on the field. “Y'all see those women over there?” Woody pointed over at their dates, who had separated themselves from their guys the moment they'd gotten into the hall. The girls all pretended like they didn't know they were being discussed from across the room. “They're not looking for a first down or even a touchdown. They want some men to take charge and ask them to dance. Now, are you gonna sit on the bench, or y'all gonna man up?”

The huddle broke as the offensive line crossed the dance floor to their girlfriends. Woody held his hand out to Etta. “My lady?”

Etta accepted his hand. “My man.”

Ren and Ariel shared a smile as more couples joined them on the dance floor. Once the football team was on the field, other people straggled out in twos and fours, slow dancing to the music.

•  •  •  •  •

Outside the dance, Willard held out his hand to help Rusty out of his truck. She'd always been the kind of girl he could pal around with, but tonight was the first time she seemed like a woman to him. It had nothing to do with the dress or the makeup or the hair; it was actually more the change in Willard. He finally saw her through the right eyes.

He was kinda smokin' himself, in his Western-style tux with the black bolo tie and matching cowboy hat. “You know,” Rusty said as she dropped down from the truck, “when you told me you were going to wear a cowboy hat, I didn't know how I would feel about it.”

He stepped back so she could take in the full picture. “Well, now that you've seen me in it, what's the verdict?”

She moved closer to him. “I think you're sexier than socks on a rooster.”

Willard was almost speechless, but he managed a reply. “That may be the nicest thing you ever said to me.”

“Well, I mean it.” She held onto him and added, “Stud.”

The rumble of an engine ended their moment. A familiar truck pulled into the parking lot. Chuck was behind the wheel. His followers, Rich, Russell, and Travis, hopped out of the back as soon as he stopped. None of them were dressed for the dance.

“Remember, you promised,” Rusty whispered to Willard under her breath. “No fighting.”

“Hey, Willard,” Chuck said as he got out of the truck. “You look pretty tonight.”

Willard clenched his teeth and refused to lose his temper. “What can I do for you, Chuck?”

It was Russell who answered. “We got some business to take care of with our friend McCormack.”

“C'mon, guys,” Willard said, trying to contain his anger. “Cool it. No fights tonight.”

Chuck stepped up to him. “I get it. No fights.” His hand flew up to Willard's face, flicking the hat right off his head. “But we sure as hell didn't come here to dance.”

Willard clenched his teeth to bite back the things he wanted to say. Insults wouldn't help. He picked up his hat off the ground and dusted off the dirt. “Well, fellas, that's what we came here to do, so you'll have to excuse us.”

Willard took Rusty gently by the arm and started to guide her to the door, but Russell and Rich blocked their path. He took a deep breath and released Rusty's arm, not wanting to get her caught up in whatever was about to happen. He had no intention of fighting, but he couldn't say what Chuck and his buddies were going to do.

“You know what?” Willard said. “That doesn't mean y'all can't have a good time. Seems to me like you all got a foursome here on your own.”

Chuck's sucker punch to the gut caught Willard off guard. The jackass laughed as Willard went down hard on his knees.

Rusty raced to his side, but Rich and Travis grabbed her. They pulled her away as Russell cracked him across the face.

“Stop it!” Rusty screamed as she struggled against them. “Let me go! Willard!”

Willard was on his knees. The world spun, but he had promised he wouldn't fight. “What do you want me to do?” he asked her. “They started this.”

“Finish it!” she yelled. “Kill the sons of bitches!”

That was all Willard needed to hear. He slammed his fist between Russell's legs and launched himself at Chuck, pounding the loser into his truck.

Rusty put up a fight of her own, kicking and stomping at the guys holding her. She bit Rich's arm. He screamed like a little girl.

•  •  •  •  •

The high-pitched screech broke through the silence in between songs. Something was wrong outside. Ren quickly and quietly went to check what was happening. Even though he told Ariel to stay behind, she was with him every step of the way. They both had no doubt what they'd find.

Their suspicions were confirmed as soon as they were through the door. Willard and Rusty were holding their own, but they were outnumbered.

Ren evened up the odds a bit, calling out to Chuck.

“What's up, Twinkle Toes?” Chuck said. “Come on over and get your ass kicked.”

Ren ran right for him. “Yeah, you're a hero when it's four to one.”

He collided with Chuck, taking them both to the ground, rolling in the gravel. Rich and Travis let go of Rusty so they could jump into the fight against Ren and Willard.

Chuck grabbed a crowbar and swung it at Ren, who dove out of the way, avoiding each blow from the metal with fancy footwork.

Willard beat Rich to the ground with his bare hands before slamming Travis into a nearby car, knocking the wind from him. Travis fell to the ground. He didn't get up.

“There you go!” Rusty cheered on her guy. “Kick his ass, Willard!”

The girls were distracted by the fight and didn't see Russell grab a loose brick. He was about to pound Ren from behind when a fist came out of nowhere. Andy Beamis knocked him out with a single punch.

“Play fair, you punk,” Andy said as he stood over the groaning teen.

With Chuck's minions out of commission, the fight was finally even. Just Chuck against Ren. Or it would be, if it weren't for the crowbar.

Chuck threw the crowbar at Ren's head, then rushed him. Ren ducked the flying metal and met Chuck halfway with a powerful kick to the jaw.

Chuck dropped to his knees. He could barely keep his eyes open as he tried to focus on his opponent.

Ren grabbed the back of Chuck's head and lifted him to his feet. He pulled back his fist. “The race is over, Chuck. You want stars or a checkered flag?”

“Eat shit, you son of a—”

“Stars it is.” Ren let his fist fly, clocking Chuck on the chin with a punch that sent him reeling backward. He landed on the ground with a spectacular thud.

Ariel and Rusty cheered, leaping into their boyfriends' arms and showering them with victory kisses, much better than anything they would get in the winner's circle.

Ren broke free of Ariel's embrace and extended a hand to Andy. “Thanks, Mr. Beamis.”

Andy gave Ren a gentle shove toward the party. “How about a little less boxing and a little more boogie? It's like a morgue in there.”

Ren took Ariel's hand in his. “I'm on it.”

As Ren got to the door, his excitement took over, fueled by the adrenaline from the fight. He let go of Ariel and rushed onto the dance floor. “Hey, what's going on? I thought this was a party. LET'S DANCE!”

The DJ served up just the right song, and a familiar beat came through the speakers. The couples who had been swaying slowly broke apart so they could move. The ones who had abandoned the dance floor came back, stomping to the music. The dancing was wild and frenetic.

Willard confidently led Rusty onto the dance floor, put his dusty black hat on his head, and shot her a grin. “You might wanna back up, sweetheart. I don't know how big this is gonna get.”

He busted a dance move that was part line dancing, part hip-hop bounce, and maybe a bit of little-girl enthusiasm, courtesy of Sarah and Amy. Rusty couldn't believe what she was seeing. “Shit-howdy!” she exclaimed.

Willard calmed himself down and grabbed Rusty, spinning her onto the dance floor. The room erupted into exactly what Ren said it would be, a joyous celebration of life.

Everyone was having a great time, moving to the music, dancing, and cracking each other up laughing at their crazy moves. And yeah, maybe there was a little lewd and lascivious mixed in, but only a touch.

Ren had one more surprise up his maroon sleeves. “Willard, you ready?”

“Let's do it!”

They each grabbed a bucket filled with colorful confetti and dumped it into the exhaust chute. Ren hit the switch that turned on the fans and sent the confetti shooting out over the dance floor. It rained down on the dancers like magic dust—the perfect way to top off an evening they'd never forget.

Everyone shouted and cheered. They started a line behind Ren as he danced his way down the length of the floor, slapping hands with Willard and Woody, saving a huge smile for Ariel when he reached her on the other side.

Ren was no longer a stranger in Bomont. He was an outsider no more.

The song that had started the tragic story ended it with joyous abandon. Everyone in the place knew the words and sang along.

Everybody cut—Footloose!