Caroline & Michael & Scott

Chapter 14

It was the 2nd of February, the first Wednesday of the month. It was snowing lightly, but not enough to close the Peshtigo schools that day. Caroline, a conscientious student, wasn't sick, and normally would not allow anything except the school's closing to keep her from attending. Today was different. Fred and Margaret allowed Caroline to skip school that day because they knew it would be impossible for her to concentrate.

The first Wednesday in February every year was football National Letter of Intent day. High school seniors to receive football scholarships signed letters of intent to attend the college of their choice on the first day that the rules allowed. Hundreds of colleges and thousands of students were involved. For the vast majority, the letter was a mere formality, a legal expression of their previous unofficial oral commitment. For a few others, good enough to have offers from several schools, and undecided 'til the last minute, actual suspense was involved – both for the student and the colleges involved.

For others, like Scott, there was a different kind of suspense – the suspense of not knowing if he had gotten a football scholarship. His future lay in the hands of another student – who Scott was praying would not select Wisconsin University. Then Scott's conditional scholarship would become reality. Scott sat anxiously by the phone in the Aldrich living room. Caroline sat by his side, holding his hand.

"Would you like some Danish, dear?" Mrs. Aldrich asked, offering a platter of pastries to Caroline.

"No thank you, Mrs. Aldrich. I'm so nervous, I don't think I could keep anything down."

"Alright." She then gestured towards Scott. "Scott?"

Scott, without even looking up, silently shook his head.

"So…" Mr. Aldrich asked, trying to make small talk to break the tension "…you two have any plans?"

Scott and Caroline both looked up blankly at Mr. Aldrich. How could they have any plans when their whole future was on hold?

"For this weekend, I mean."

"Oh… uh, no sir, I'll be looking at prom dresses this weekend."

"Oh, that's right" chimed in Mrs. Aldrich. "That's only two months away now, isn't it dear?"

"Yes, Ma'am."

"Oh I remember my prom like it was yesterday… Enjoy yourself, Caroline. I hope you'll make memories you'll treasure forever, like I did."

"Thank you, Ma'am."

Riiiiing…!

Everybody froze in place. Now that it came, it seemed nobody could answer the eagerly awaited call.

Riiiiing…!

Scott made a move to answer the phone, but couldn't get off the couch.

Riiiiing…!

Finally, Mr. Aldrich said "I'll get it" and picked up the phone.

"Hello… No, this is his father… You can tell me, I'll relay the news…" Then it seemed Mr. Aldrich's entire body transformed. He was positively beaming. "Yes…! Yes I will, don't you worry about that…! And thank you, thank you!"

Scott's father put down the phone and announced "Congratulations, Mr. Wisconsin Badger!"

Everybody in the room screamed for joy, then joined in a group hug. Both parents and Caroline said over and over "Congratulations" and "I'm so proud of you, Scott". After the group hug, Caroline kissed Scott several times.

"Now I know at least part of what the future holds!" exclaimed a happy Scott.

"Our future" responded Caroline.

"Our future" agreed Scott.

******

As Caroline entered the house, Margaret, her mother, announced from the living room "You got a letter today, dear. It's on the table."

"Who would write me a letter" wondered Caroline. "Maybe it's from Anke. I haven't heard from her in awhile."

Caroline's hands started to tremble when she saw the return address of Milwaukee. She ripped open the letter and read:

"Dear Ms. Caroline Duffy,

This letter is to inform you that you have been accepted into the Milwaukee Ballet School summer program…"

Caroline could read no further before she dropped the letter and screamed.

Alarmed, Margaret asked "Oh my. What's the matter, dear?"

"Nothing… nothing, Mom…! Everything's great! I've been accepted to the ballet summer program."

"Well now, that's wonderful dear."

Grinning ear to ear, Caroline thought "Everything's falling into place. Our dreams are coming true."

******

Every year, every high school girl all across America marks a particular day on her calendar months in advance. It's always in the spring, always on a Saturday. But it's not on the same Saturday for every girl, for it's not a national holiday. Nor is it a state holiday, nor even a local holiday. It's the date of her high school prom.

Every girl, with a boyfriend or not, angled to get a date to the prom. It may be with just a friend. It may be a group date with boys and girls who have known each other for years and have no particular romantic interest in one another. All want to attend because it is the dance of the year. In many small towns such as Peshtigo, it is also the social event of the year for the entire community.

The theme and the song for Peshtigo High School's prom that year were both "Up Where We Belong", from the movie "An Officer and a Gentleman". Caroline had helped make that selection. She and Scott considered "Up Where We Belong" "their" song, and Caroline had joined the prom committee for the express purpose of steering the prom theme and song selection to what she wanted. Caroline had no trouble in getting her wish, for there was quite a bit of sentiment in favor of "her" theme and song. "An Officer and a Gentleman" had not made yet it to Peshtigo (and maybe never would), and no one would admit to driving to Green Bay to see an R-rated movie, but apparently several students had. Any student (including Caroline and Scott) who was asked would simply reply "I liked the song when I heard it on the radio." For two weeks, Caroline and the rest of the committee had decorated the gym with blue and white balloons, large paintings of blue sky, clouds, and mountains on paper taped to the walls, and cotton "clouds" and toy airplanes on the tables.

Weeks would be spent selecting the proper attire, quite possibly to end up sitting in the closet, after being worn only once. Prom dresses could (and usually did) end up costing in the hundreds of dollars. Caroline spent all day Saturday fixing her hair (which she put up for the occasion), applying make up, and dressing. Her prom dress was a strapless aqua gown that puffed out with sheer overlays at the waist and came down to her ankles. Caroline's shoes bared her feet except for the straps, but did compromise with practicality somewhat, having chunky heels. Three hours of dancing would be impossible otherwise.

From her room, at six o'clock, Caroline heard some noises from downstairs, signaling that Scott had arrived. She opened her door and descended the stairs. As she did, Margaret Duffy cooed "Oh, my little girl is all grown up" and took several pictures.

Scott, in the living room, talking with Fred, wore a traditional black tuxedo. He had considered renting a colored tux, but soon found, because of his size, that his choices were limited. He did break with tradition in wearing a light blue shirt, which complimented Caroline's dress nicely.

When Caroline entered the room, Scott was awestruck. "You look… beautiful…"

Caroline smiled and nodded towards a small box that Scott was holding. "Is that for me?"

It took a few seconds for Scott to come back to his senses. "What…? Oh yeah." He opened the box and took out a wrist corsage. "My lady" Scott said as he placed it on Caroline's left wrist. He then opened another box, took out a boutinere, and handed it to Caroline. "Would you do the honors?"

"With pleasure" she replied, as she pinned it on Scott's left lapel.

"Alright, stand by the fireplace you two" ordered Margaret. "Time for some pictures."

As they posed, Scott and Caroline looked quite the pair. At six foot four and 230 pounds, Scott towered over five foot four, 94-pound Caroline. But when they gazed into each other's eyes, there was no doubt that they belonged together.

After taking the pictures, Margaret said "Alright you two, go on ahead to dinner. We'll see you in a couple of hours."

Scott escorted Caroline in his GTO to the nicest restaurant in town (and site of their first and almost last date). Several couples had the same idea, the place was filled with boys in tuxes and girls in their finest gowns.

After dinner, Scott and Caroline headed towards the high school. When they got to the gym, they saw a crowd of students and onlookers slowly making their way in. The doors had opened at seven and everybody had to be in place by eight, when the grand march began.

The grand march of the prom was quite a spectacle. It was entirely different, but in its own way, bigger and better than the Independence Day parade. Couples, some going out for the first and last time together, were decked out in their fanciest finery. Arm in arm, each couple made the long slow march around the perimeter of the gym not once, not twice, but three times, while proud parents snapped picture after picture. Considering their footwear, it was a miracle every girl actually completed all three laps around the gym, and none ended up tripping and spraining an ankle. The joke was, prom night kept three types of people in the black for the year: dressmakers, photo developers, and orthopedic doctors.

Nine o'clock came, and the teachers, administrators, and chaperones quickly shooed all the onlookers away. The prom-goers could relax - no longer on display, they could just have fun and dance. Music was provided by Peshtigo's best garage band, who could cover all the latest rock hits - from slow romantic ballads to catchy pop tunes and hard driving dance numbers.

The band started its first song, but before they started dancing, Scott grabbed Caroline by the hand and said "C'mon - let's have our picture taken before there's a long line."

They hurried off to the corner, where a professional photographer had a booth set up and couples were lined up to have their special prom picture taken. For 15 dollars, a couple could have their picture taken against a background of sky, clouds, mountains, and eagles, with the theme "Up Where We Belong" and "Peshtigo Prom 1983" on top, and get one 8 by 10 inch, three 4 by 6, and 6 wallet sized photos in either glossy or matte finish.

Because Scott lacked confidence as a dancer, Caroline had practiced with him for weeks prior to the prom. He practiced, not because he liked to dance, but because he knew how important the prom was to Caroline. By the time the prom came around, Scott could dance passably well. He actually enjoyed slow dances, which involved contact and didn't require rhythm. Despite his reluctance, Caroline and Scott were on the floor for dance after dance.

Several kids got caught up in the excitement of the vote for the "King" and "Queen" of the prom and their royal court. Not Caroline and Scott, though. All their thoughts were about each other.

...

It was almost midnight and time for the last dance. Caroline, being on the prom committee, knew that the program called for the band to play the prom's theme song, "Up Where We Belong".

Scott took Caroline by the hand. "C'mon Caroline, let's go up front, by the band."

Standing by the band, Caroline and Scott saw the bandleader take the mike and say "Ladies and gentlemen, it's been our pleasure playing for you tonight. We hope this year's prom will be one that you'll remember always... We have something special for you to start off our last song for the night."

On cue, Scott released Caroline's hand and hopped onstage. To say Caroline was in shock would be an understatement. Unknown to Caroline, Scott had bribed the band 50 dollars so he could give a special surprise to his love. The bandleader handed the mike to Scott. Scott looked out to the audience and gulped. His eyes took on a glazed look, like a deer caught in headlights.

"Go on, man" encouraged the bandleader.

Scott took a deep breath, nodded towards the band, who started to play as Scott croaked out:

"The road is long
There are mountains in our way
But we climb a step everyday
Love lift us up where we belong
Where the eagles cry
On a mountain high"

Scott handed the mike to the bandleader and quickly retreated offstage.

"Ladies and gentlemen, let's give a hand to Mr. Scott Aldrich."

There was a brief smattering of applause as the band continued the theme song.

Caroline was already bawling by the time Scott reached her.

"Don't cry, Caroline... Was I that bad?" Scott tried to joke.

"Oh Scott... you're so shy... getting up on that stage... was the sweetest thing anyone's ever done for me..."

"Shh, shh, shh..." Scott quieted Caroline. They kissed, then Caroline put her head on Scott's chest and they slowly finished the last dance of the night.

It was the perfect ending for a perfect evening.