Page 19 of Second Time Around

“There’s more to life than work,” Jim declared as he slathered butter on a roll.

“Cholesterol, dear,” Barb gently reminded him.

He sighed and skimmed off some of the butter.

“I have hobbies,” Beck said, sounding more defensive than he wanted to.

“Running isn’t a hobby. It’s torture,” Maggie proclaimed. “And before you say I should try it sometime, just don’t.”

Maggie preferred yoga instead, and he often teased her that he already knew how to breathe.

“I read too,” he huffed.

“Notice how none of those activities involve another person,” Maggie pointed out.

“Okay, Mags. That’s enough,” Jim said.

Finally, someone had come to his rescue.

“We’ll stop interfering,” Barb said and patted his arm.

They ate in silence for a while, but Beck knew it was too good to be true. As his mom was clearing the dishes, she said, “Maybe I’ll make a hair appointment with Jenna too. I could use a trim.”

Later that evening, he lay in bed, doing the very thing Jenna had been avoiding—revisiting that fateful night…

He’d been so excited to take her to prom that he’d been nervous even though they’d been dating for over a year. Like a bride on her wedding day, she hadn’t allowed him to see her prom dress until that night. He’d never forgotten how she’d looked when she’d come outside to greet him in a peach-colored, floor-length gown that had made her look like a princess. It had been strapless, and the bodice had showcased her subtle curves while still managing to look demure.

Her hair had been longer then, and she’d worn it up in an intricate bun, which showed off her slender neck and shoulders. She’d worn more makeup than usual, but it only accentuated her big blue eyes and flawless complexion.

As she moved toward him, the dress swished around her legs, and he saw a glimpse of her high heels underneath. He swallowed hard and was rendered speechless by her beauty and his good fortune. During the requisite picture taking, he whispered, “You look beautiful,” and she blushed. He wanted to kiss her, but they were surrounded by family and friends, so he decided it would have to wait.

With eight of their friends, they piled into a rented limousine and took off, anxious for the night ahead. Then there was dinner and dancing, and his mood was high as he held her close on the packed dance floor. Afterward, they were going to a house party at his best friend’s house on a lake. He didn’t know it yet, but that would never come to pass.

After a while, he excused himself to use the restroom, but on his way there, he was waylaid by Jenna’s friend Katherine (or Kat, as she was known). Her eyes looked glassy, and she gave him a bright smile as he came closer.

“What’s up?” he asked.

“Not much.”

She swayed on her heels, and he reached out to steady her, clasping her by the elbows. “Are you okay?”

“Mm-hmm. Feeling good.”

It struck him that she seemed intoxicated, though there’d been strict rules against alcohol and drug use at prom. He assumed she’d found a way to smuggle something in.

“Are you sure? Should I go get Cody?”

“No. Can you just stay with me for a minute?”

He glanced down the empty hallway, hoping that Jenna or one of Kat’s other friends would magically appear. Then he heard strains of a popular dance song and shouting from his classmates as they undoubtedly crowded the dance floor. He was on his own.

“I always thought you were so hot,” she said, leaning closer to him.

He took a step back, but she bobbled again, and he was afraid she’d fall. “Why don’t you sit down, and I’ll go get Cody?”

“I don’t want Cody. I want you,” she protested. Then she placed her hands on his chest.

“Kat…”