Slow Dance in Purgatory

As she climbed into her car,and he lifted the rolling garage door that separated him from real life, she leaned out to him, extending her hand. He clasped it in his and crouched down beside her open window.

“This has been a perfect day,” she said sweetly, and touching his cheek she asked hopefully, “There will be more, won’t there?”

His heart broke a little, and he kissed the tips of her fingers. “I hope so,” was all he could say.

***

Maggie was both exhilarated and exhausted when she pulled the Cadillac into Irene’s garage and shut off the old girl. It had driven perfectly on the drive home, without a hitch or a jerk. Irene would think it was a miracle wrought by the angels. Maggie supposed it was. Angel more closely described Johnny than anything else she could come up with.

She shut the door to the garage and skipped along the little path leading to the front porch. The night was brisk and cold, and Maggie was ready for a hot bath and the oblivion of deep sleep. It wasn’t until she had reached the door and was fumbling for the key that she noticed the figure huddled on the swing. Crying out in surprise, she gripped the keys like a weapon and pressed herself against the door.

“Shad?” Maggie’s heart was in her throat as she peered over at her unexpected visitor. “What are you doing here? You scared me to death!”

“I see the car’s workin’ just fine,” Shad replied sourly.

Maggie approached him, heartsick, and reluctantly flopped down beside him on the swing. He scooted over as far as the swing would allow, clearly communicating his current low opinion of her. She didn’t speak but swung gently, waiting for him to vent his bruised feelings.

“I rode my bike to the school. I didn’t see any cars out front – no cars in back. All the doors locked up tight. I rode around to the side door closest to the dance room, thinking I would see your bike. No siree.” Shad waited for her to respond. When she didn’t, his voice grew harsh and accusing.

“I rode my bike around back, thinkin’ I could practice hoop on the outdoor courts. Then I heard you, Maggie. I heard your voice. I got up close to the service door, and I could hear you talking to someone. It must have been a guy, ‘cause you were laughing and flirting.” Shad did his female impersonation, complete with wiggling and giggling, batting his eyelashes, and fluttering his hands. But neither of them were laughing.

“I tried to see through the slats on the sides of the door, but I couldn’t see much – lucky for you, huh? I could just make out your aunt’s car, though. Imagine that.”

Maggie sighed deeply and pillowed her face in her hands. This was a disaster, and she had no way to explain herself without lying even more. She had to say something, though.

“I’m sorry, Shad. I didn’t want to lie to you. I just didn’t know how to tell you the truth. Irene’s car really wasn’t working well. She and I took it to the shop yesterday morning, and the mechanic told us it was probably the transmission. My aunt doesn’t have money for a new transmission. I wanted to help. I knew somebody that I thought could fix it. He helped me. I could have gotten in trouble, being in the school like that, and I didn’t want you involved, so I lied about the dance rehearsal.” It was as much of the truth as she could spare.

“What friend, Maggie?” Shad protested, the hurt still evident in his voice. “Last I checked, you have about as many friends as I do, and none of them are handy dandy mechanics.”

Maggie groaned. There was no way she could tell him about Johnny. “What?” Shad persisted, “You got something goin’ with the mechanics teacher, Mr. Blaney?” Shad snickered rudely, and then his eyes widened, and he wheeled on her, pointing. “You do, don’t you? That’s just sick, Mags!”

“Shad!” Maggie cried, flabbergasted. “Ew! No! Mr. Blaney is, like, thirty-five, and he’s married and…bald!”

“Fine, Mags. You don’t want to tell me, fine – but I don’t think I’m gonna be able to watch a movie with you tomorrow. You’re gonna have to work to get me back.”

Maggie tried not to smile at that. Shad persisted in telling himself there was some grand romance brewing between them. She resisted the urge to grin and nodded seriously at her injured friend.

“You’re right. Friends like you don’t come along very often. I deserve to be punished. Maybe you and I can watch a movie next week, after I’ve apologized and groveled a lot more.” Maggie turned her mouth down into a sad little frown. Sighing loudly, she stood up from the swing and with her head bowed in deep remorse, walked slowly to the front door.

Shad muttered to himself, “You know it girl. I am one in a million. You can’t treat me that way. You better grovel.”

Maggie bit back the laughter rising in her throat and rattled her keys, taking her time opening the door. Shad remained stewing on the front porch swing.