Prom Night pt 2

The time is now 4:15. I am pumping gas in my car at the 7-11 in town. I’m driving a 98 Chevy Cavalier that has a white exterior and a grey interior. I’ve had this car for over three years; it is my favorite car. After pumping the car, I pay the cashier and head out to Claudia’s house.

Claudia lives in a split level house. Her front yard is a pretty good size with trees dotting the yard. In the front, there is a hammock swinging freely in the breeze. There are three cars parked on the side of the house: an ’01 Toyota Camry, an ’00 Chevy Suburban with pewter metallic, and a beat up ’82 Oldsmobile. Claudia’s car is the Camry.

I pull up behind the Oldsmobile.

I step out of my car and inspect myself before I head to the door and ring the doorbell. As I press the button, Claudia’s mother answers the door.

“Hey Victor! You look devastating in that tux. Claudia will be down in a minute. Is there anything I can do for you?” she inquires.

“Ummm no thanks Mrs. Banks. Is it okay if I wait out in the living room?”

“I don’t have a problem with that,” smiling, Mrs. Banks steps aside and lets Victor into the living room. Mrs. Banks is petite—she is shorter than Claudia by one feet. Mrs. Banks works at the local mall in Athens, GA.

“Hey Victor! Did you watch the playoff game last night?” a booming voice asks.

“Ah man, I wasn’t able to watch it,” I reply back.

“Why not?” the booming voice manifests himself in a tall, imposing figure, Mr. Banks.

“I was busy watching the Tony Awards,” I say blushing.

“Ah! You missed a great game. The game went into overtime but the Lakers won,” Mr. Banks says matter-of-factly.

“That’s a shame. I was hoping for the Kings to win,” I say.

“Oh well, there’s always next year right? Anyway, you look good in that tux. Now, you remember the rules about tonight right?”

“Yes I do: no excessive kissing, sex, drink and drive, have her home before her curfew, and not take advantage of her. Did I cover all the bases?” I ask.

“Affirmative maggot! Now drop down and give me 20!” he barks.

“But…I’m in my tux…”

“Haha!”

“What’s so funny?”

“I meant $20. You are my favorite young person and you know I wouldn’t ask you to give me 20 pushups,” he grins widely.

“Ah I knew that,” I say.

“Sure you did champ,” he winks and playfully punches my shoulder. “Look, the princess has arrived!” As if on cue, Claudia walks in with a commanding presence and grace. Her head is forward as if she’s marching in a parade; her glide is powerful and confident. She walks down the stair with a professional touch in her legs, almost as if she has transcended our earthly realm and was transformed into an angel.

“Wow! You look strikingly beautiful,” I say.

Blushing, Claudia puts her hands behind her and sways from side to side.

“Hey my beautiful daughter, you look absolutely amazing!”

“Thanks daddy,” she kisses her father’s cheek. “Hey Victor, sorry for keeping you, but this dress is a pain in the butt to get on. I can tell from your facial expression that this dress is perfect on me,” Claudia smiles widely.

“Uh…yeah…your dress…you…” I am normally good with words, but a huge dam has built up in my throat; the words are trapped behind the dam.

“Don’t just stand there,” Mr. Banks slaps me powerfully on the back. I stumble forward.

“How come I can’t go into Cladi’s room while she’s gone?” a young, irritating voice demands.

“Kim honey, you know you’re not allowed in her room unless she gives you permission,” her mom responds.

“It’s not fair!” Kim pouts.

“Hey Kim, it’s okay, you can go into my room. Just remember to stay out of my stuff.

“Yayyyy!!!! Hey Victy! Bye Victy!” Kim runs up to Claudia’s room.

“Now that the Tasmanian devil is gone, how about taking some pictures?” her mom proposes.

“Sure mother. Is that alright with you Victor?” Claudia looks at me seductively.

“Well,” I look at my watch. “we really need to get going. It’s 4:45 and I promised Troy we would be there at 5.”

“Okay Victor. Where are you two going to meet up with Troy?” Mrs. Banks asks.

“We’re going to meet him in the “Square”. We are going to take pictures there. Hey! I have an idea. Why don’t you come with us and then you can take pictures of all of us?”

“Why, that would be a great idea!” Mrs. Banks eyes light up. “I’ll be right back, don’t go anywhere.” After Mrs. Banks leave, Kim wonders back into the living room. Kim is a Tasmanian Devil at 5 feet. She has black hair and brown eyes; she wears glasses. As she saunters into the living room, she plops on my lap.

“So Victy, where are you taking my older sister,” she asks intelligently.

“I am taking your sister to a big dance,” smiling, I reach over and grab my girlfriend’s hand.

“Ooooh, are you two going to kissssssssss and get cooddddddies? ‘Claudi and Victy sitting in a tree/first comes love, then comes marrmmmmmmm,” Kim is interrupted as I cover her mouth. I release her a split second afterwards.

“Hey Kim, why don’t you go back upstairs and watch television in your sister’s room,” her dad asks. Mr. Banks is a Marine vet and has been retired for 5 years now. He stands a little under six feet and wears reading glasses.

“Daddy, I wasn’t bothering victy and claudi. I was being a good girl,” she bats her eyes at her father.

“Well I insist,” Mr. Banks takes his disappointed daughter upstairs. On his way up, his wife hurries down the stairs. She is wearing a red dress, with black heels.

“Mom, you’re only going to take a few pictures, not going to Prom with us,” Claudia states.

“I know that dear, but I can’t help but look my best. What are we waiting for? We must go!” Mrs. Banks leads the way while Claudia and I bring in the rear.

“Hey baby,” I whisper in her ear.

“Yes?”

“I have a surprise for you,” I put my fingers to her lips. “Later.”

“Okay,” she nods and we head out to my car.

The drive to the “Square” takes 20 minutes. We arrive shortly after five. I quickly park the car. Mrs. Banks, Claudia and I get out where we immediately spot Troy. I walk up to Troy where we exchange the same handshake we came up with during our Sophomore year.

“Hey man,” I say.

“Hey bud. What took you so long?”

Looking at Claudia and Mrs. Banks, I reply, “You know how it is when women decide to take forever to get ready.”

“Ah man, cut that crap out. My honey was ready before I was! I mean, she calls me and asks me, ‘why is it taking you so long to pick me up’. I can’t complain though. Oh yeah, the limousine will be here at 5:30. My parents are here and they are planning to take ‘a thousand pictures’ of us four.”

“Claudia’s mom is here and she wants to take a lot of pictures as well,” I said.

Troy looks around. “Where is your parents?”

“Oh, they aren’t the type to take lots of pictures and I was running a little late anyway. Hey Elizabeth,” I say warmly.

“Hey,” she smiles and gives me a hug. She turns around and gives Claudia a hug as well. “I’m so nervous. I have been pacing around all day. I must have checked my watch 500 times.”

“Hey calm down liz,” Claudia goes to comfort Liz by putting her hand on Liz’s shoulder. “I am nervous too, but I’m starting to feel tranquil right now.”

“Now that we’re here, let’s say we get the cameras rolling,” I eagerly suggest.

“Good idea!” they echo.