“You could have been a pancake,” I told him. “And all because you danced with his girlfriend.”
“Oh, please. She told me about Larry. Mandy there has been trying to get dear old Larry to make a commitment for months, and maybe now that Larry is jealous, Mandy will get what she wants. Though she could do better than him.” Alan put his paper napkin on his lap as Grace brought their food.
“I can never figure out how you can walk into a room, and in ten minutes, be up to date on all the latest gossip and happenings.” It was Alan’s superpower.
“All you have to do is listen and treat the ladies with a little attention. Mandy was a fountain of information. Like good old Dell here has a million admirers, and half the town has wondered about the kind of girl he wants. Then he shows up with you and all the tongues are wagging.” Alan took a bite of his chicken. “So I guess the word is out on you. Though apparently most people suspected you batted for the pink team.”
Poor Dell. He swallowed wrong, coughed, and drank from his beer. “Good God. I know I wasn’t hiding, but I didn’t want my business blasted around town on a billboard.”
Alan sighed. “Don’t worry about it. According to Mandy, it’s fine with most people.” He went back to eating, and I worried my lower lip on Dell’s behalf.
“I’m sorry. I had no idea that….”
Grace checked on them, watching Dell. “Don’t pay any attention to those gossipy old ladies. They talk and talk and none of it means anything. In a few hours, they’ll be talking about the next poor girl to get pregnant by some slovenly slug.” She patted Dell gently. “None of them knows shit about what they’re talking about anyway.” She left the table, and Dell seemed to regain some of his composure.
“I never thought people were that observant.”
I didn’t know what to say to Dell. Being outed in any way wasn’t something I believed in. “You have a right to your privacy.”
“Yes, he does,” Alan interjected. “But it seems that you haven’t dated in a long time, even though a lot of the ladies have shown an interest, and they were peeved. I guess you showing up with me and Clay here struck fabulous on the sparkle meter, and they put things together.” He set down his fork. “Is it really that bad? So, people know.”
Dell shrugged, but I could tell he was bothered by it. I didn’t think Dell was ashamed or anything, just that he liked his privacy. But in a small rural town like this, privacy was often in very short supply. That was another reason I left. I found that living in a fishbowl was often more trouble than it was worth.
“Why don’t we finish eating and then we can leave.” I didn’t see any need for us to hang around so Dell could be the object of gossip and supposition. I should have known that people would draw their own conclusions. I just didn’t think they would hit the nail on the head right away.
“It’s fine.” He returned to his dinner as another of the women approached Alan, and as soon as he was finished eating, he was back out on the dance floor with a full card.
“You know, I always wanted to be able to take you to dinner. I just didn’t think it would turn out like this,” I told Dell softly. “I’m truly sorry.” I felt terrible.
“You have no reason to be, because I guess in the end, it doesn’t matter. I’m gay, and if people know, then they know. If that means that I don’t get work, then I’ll have to figure something out.” He lifted his gaze, his eyes shining with determination. “So if these people are going to talk, then how about you and I give them something to talk about. Do you dance?”
“Yes,” I answered, a little confused until Dell took my hand and half pulled me out onto the dance floor for a country two-step. I felt all eyes in the room on me, and to tell the truth, I didn’t care at all. Dell caught my gaze, and I was transported in the warmth and care of his eyes. That was all that mattered in that moment.
Alan and his partner danced near us, and when I looked over, she smiled at me and nodded. Then she broke away from Alan, left the floor, and returned with a woman, probably one of her friends, and they started dancing. Other women joined up, and it was like they formed a wall.
I slipped my arms around Dell’s neck and moved closer, resting my head on his shoulder. “We’re going to be the talk of the town for weeks.”
He tightened his hold on my waist. “Who cares? All that matters right now is you.” He smiled, and I closed my eyes. “I always wanted to be able to dance with someone I really cared for. Let the town self-destruct and the assholes flap their gums. I’m tired of living my life to suit other people.” He grew quiet, and we continued dancing until the song ended. Then I stepped back, figuring he and I had been on display long enough. Most other people in the room had returned to their drinking or eating. Dell led me to the table, and we sat down. Alan was still out there dancing and having a good time. Then the lady he was dancing with departed, and he left the floor as well.
“What do you know about the cowboy-hat guy over in the corner?” he asked Dell. “I swear he’s been watching me all night. I get this interesting vibe off him, so I’m wondering if he maybe plays for our team.”
Dell shrugged. “I don’t know. That’s Haley Martin. His dad owns the grain elevator and is the distributor for all the crops grown in the area.” He leaned over the table. “Kelsey Martin is one pain in the ass if you get on his bad side, and I can tell you that Haley being gay would get on his dad’s bad side real fast. Kelsey is one of the patrons of the church, and he likes to think that he’s the one who’s in charge there. I swear that the sermons are run by him before each Sunday.”
“I see,” Alan said as he finished his drink. “I wonder if I should shake a few leaves to see what falls out.” He made his way over, and I shook my head.
“That poor kid isn’t going to know what hit him.” I reminded myself to have a talk with Alan when we got back to the house. “This is so very different from Chicago. There, people were often anonymous. You’d see someone one day and that was it. It was easy to talk to someone, chat them up, maybe take them somewhere, and then never see them again.”
“Is that the type of thing that you like?” Dell asked, biting his lip again.
“No.” I lowered my voice. “Why do you think it’s been years since I was with anyone? I’d talk to a guy, and as soon as he opened his mouth, I’d realize he wasn’t smart enough or interesting enough, or that he wasn’t tall enough or too… something.” I swallowed. “None of them lived up to the image of you I had in my mind all this time.” I guess it was time to be honest. “Going out for a quick hookup just isn’t my style. I want more than that. Unfortunately, in Chicago, I haven’t been able to find anyone. Then just before I left to help Dad, I was laid off from my job. So, if I’m honest, it’s more than just my love life that’s a complete mess.” I shrugged. “I don’t know what I’m going to do when I return, other than apply for unemployment and try to find another job.”
“Have you ever thought about returning here? I thought of leaving so many times, and then I had Archie and I don’t think I could do that now. He has my parents and his friends. His life is here, and it wouldn’t be fair to him to rip him away. My parents have just retired, and they live for Archie. Taking him away would break their hearts.”