Chapter 5 -The Dance

Friday, The poster at Momma McGhee's Café and General Store intrigued me. The Methodist Church sponsored a back to school dance for juniors and seniors.

When: Saturday, 7 pm till 11 pm

Where: Fellowship hall

Angelica deliberated whether this presented the opportunity to meet and interact with new people. Will they like her? Is a good friend about to be discovered?

She desired for Henry to ask her to go with him. The night of the dance he came by her house and asked, "Are you going to the Dance?"

"No one asked me."

He gazed at her but remained silent for a minute.

He said, "I hope to see you there." He opened his mouth as if he was about to ask her to consider going with him. She grinned at the possibility of going to the dance with him, but he turned his body and departed. Tears flowed as she watched his truck back out from the driveway.

Angelica gave him the opportunity to ask her, but he failed. Her stomach churned and a foul taste inhabited her mouth. She shrugged and her body slumped into the swing. She grabbed a stick laying on the porch and began hitting the arm of the porch swing

A few minutes later she sat on the porch swing listening to Elvis Presley on the Radio singing, "Love Me Tender." Hector skid to a squealing stop in his Ford Quad cab. He strutted toward her. He dressed in a black tailored silk mohair suit, a white dress shirt, solid black tie and mirror shined black dress shoes. He emerged like a men's fashion model in Look Magazine. A smile spread across his face. He asked, "Are you going to the dance.?"

"No one asked me. It's too late, I imagine I'll stay home and listen to the radio."

"It's not late. Will you do me the honor and go with me? Sorry, I did not ask you earlier. I was in a meeting with a store owner who sought to buy vegetables from me. I drove by here hoping no one asked you."

I blurted out, "YES! It will take me a few minutes to change. I have to ask Daddy for his permission first."

I stepped into the living room. Daddy smiled and assured me he heard the conversation and said I could go. He walked to the porch and said, "She is my precious little girl. Take care of her."

I listened as Hector said, "Yes sir! I guarantee you I will. She is my princess this evening." My heart increased beats, my face tightened while my smile broadened.

Monica fumed when Hector and I entered the Fellowship Hall. She stuck her foot out to trip me. I kicked her in the ankle. She fell on her behind. The sequence happened fast, but no one saw the kick. I reached my hand out to pull her to her feet.

I said, "Be careful, you might slip and hurt yourself. She glared at me and jerked her hand. She leaned her mouth to my ear and said, "I'll smash you."

I whispered, "You and a gang would not be able to injure me. I can and will take care of myself. You will fall. The kids at school will laugh at you"

I did not touch her, but I lunged at her, and she almost fell again. Hector was the only one beside me who caught on to our interactions.

He said, "She terrifies most of the girls at school. She is vindictive, and pure evil."

At Home

Hector brought me home after the dance. Dad and Mom sat on the sofa holding hands. Daddy brandished a smirk and said, "Marcy called."

"What did she want?"

"I don't know. She said it is important. It's about Roger and dating."

"What about Roger?"

"I don't know. She was vague."

"Daddy, can I use the phone?"

"Yes, remember, we are on a party line. Others can eavesdrop."

Ring Ring Ring

"Hello!"

"Hi, Mrs. Williams, is Marcy home?

"Yes, she is. I'll get her – Marcy, Angelica is on the line."

"Tell her I'll be right there."

"She's coming."

"Hey, Angie, missed you."

"I missed you also. My new high school has one hundred twenty-nine students in all four grades"

"How's Roger?"

"He's helping me with calculus, and I'm assisting him to write papers for senior English." Marcy's voice quietened. She said, "I'm sorry, Roger has a new girlfriend." Her sobbing gushed forth like a tornado, and she blubbered to the point words turned to grunts. Her breathing labored and issued in gulps.

"You don't have to be sorry. It's not your fault." The bawling stopped. A few seconds later the howling increased.

"It is my fault. During our study time last night he kissed me, and I kissed him back. A burning attraction tugged on us until we surrendered. Neither of us intended for this to happen but it did. Please don't hate me."

I hesitated. Neither of us spoke. A laugh exploded and I said, "It could not have happened to a couple of better people. Two cousins attracted my attention since my arrival in Tennessee. The problem whacked me in the face -- which one to choose."

At School

My first day at Peabody, Monica patrolled the hall with five other girls. She stopped in front of several girls who gave her money. Trish said, "They pay her for protection. Otherwise, her gang will beat them. I heard she is going to pick a fight with you. She fights dirty. Watch out."

I asked, "Are you one of the girls who pay for protection?"

"How did you know? Many days I go without eating lunch at school because she steals my money."

"I witnessed you paying her money this morning."

"I'm sorry. I am not as strong as you. What can I do?"

"Go tell the principal. Hector has already contacted other girls today who are in the principal's office reporting Monica."

Trish went to the office, and Allie joined me. We were in a creative writing class together. It was taught by an Adjunct Professor from the local church college. We went up the stairs to the last hallway which was reserved for Advanced Placement Classes.

Monica stood by the door to mine and Allie's classroom. The teacher had not arrived. Five girls stood with Monica chatting.

Monica expressed to Allie, "Give me my money."

I said, "As of today no one will be extorted at Peabody."

Monica and her enforcers circled me. All six drew back a lower leg to kick me to the floor. Monica snarled it your turn to fall, bitch.

"I pointed the index finger of my left hand upward and twirled it around. All six focused on the finger. I spun my body kicking the six girls in each leg. They collapsed. I revolved again kicking their upper arms. I didn't hurt them, too bad, but left bruises that would last long. They rose and attempted to hit me with their fists which I slapped away. The force of my swat redirected their punches to hit themselves and they fell to the floor.

Allie told me the five girls at the corner of the hall are part of Monica's crew. They fled. Two minutes later they returned with the principal, two police and a sheriff's deputy.

Monica pointed at me and said, "That girl beat us up."

"You have to be kidding. One person against six. A student witnessed the fight who claimed the six of you fought each other. Angelica is a sweet girl."

I fluttered my eyes, folded my hands on my chest and smiled.

The police handcuffed the six on the floor and the five who were at the corner of the hall. The Chief of police said, you eleven girls are charged with extortion, stealing and assault. Your parents have been called. They have been informed you will need an attorney.

School bustled. Three months flew. Amber Abernathy was tried as an adult and sentenced to two years. Her guilt escalated as the other ten testified against her. They proclaimed her charismatic leadership sucked the worst from them. Monica and the remainder sobbed and maintained Amber deceived them. The Judge released them on probation and one hundred hours of community service.

Hector pounced his fist on the table and said, "Damn that witch." Joey and I trotted in Momma's Café and General Store. He said, "Monica left before you and your brother strode through the door. My rage exploded every time I met or perceived her voice. She and the other nine lied when they blamed Amber for their misdeeds. Monica deluded Amber as much as the other girls. Amber wanted to disclose the truth, but the nine lied. Their lies threw Amber in prison. She was blinded by what seemed to be a fun alliance. She just wanted to belong and fit in with a group in her school. One bad choice condemned her.

"I'm sorry. It is my understanding the families moved after their daughters finished the community service. Most transferred to private schools and faded into other parts of Tennessee.