Strokes

Anne stared at the perfect male specimen reclining on the hard floor next to her. He fumbled with the blue ribbon of the box, allowing her to reflect on the change of plans. She spied a sullen Gil escorting Minnie Mae near an unoccupied corner, but a muffled laugh focused her wandering mind onto her newly acquired date. Her eyes surveyed the young man, and she sat enthralled with a vision that Rembrandt would have relished. Roy Gardener's sly grin and sparkling brown eyes were a rich combination causing her skin to quiver. The yellow aura of the over hanging light gleamed in his blonde hair, which was stylishly combed back behind his ears. His square chin and high cheek bones framed his symmetrical face, just as if Michaelangelo had sculpted him with his chisel. Roy was a work of high class art and Anne appreciated her private viewing with great secracy.

Roy moaned in frustration and flashed his dark gaze her way. Anne's cheeks blushed and immediately she wished Diana had revealed more about flaunting and flirting. Anne laughed at Roy as he ripped open the side of their box and daintily placed the ribbon upon his head.

"That was definetly undignified means to an end," teased Anne to the humbled man.

"Yes, but was that an end to the means?" retorted Roy as he revealed the meager feast.

One by one, he revealed each item just as a magician pulling a rabbit from his top hat. His twists of the wrists and grand theatrical kept Anne's attention on him and the chicken that had been prepared for Gilbert. Soon laughter, sly smiles, sparkling eyes, and delightful conversation engulfed the two. Neither one of them noticed the other couples mulling about or the constant glares coming from a dark corner near the old piano.

Gilbert's blue eyes darkened and a fog overtook his sight. Minnie Mae innocently chattered away as her partner silently gnawed on a chicken salad sandwich. Gil's insides seamed with anger and self-pity. Tonight was supposed to be his with Anne. He hadn't foreseen Roy Gardener swooping in and snatching his girl. His Girl! A sudden epiphany for Gil- she was the guardian of his heart. His shoulders slumped in defeat and he absent mindedly nodded to Minnie Mae's cookie offering. Gardener had all the luck, money, and charms any man could want. Why did he need Anne? Gil snagged a sugar cookie and mindlessly nibbled on the sweet fare.

Behind the table displaying the last remaining baskets, Fred sat hidden with Diana leaning her back into him and holding his hand. Fred tapped Diana's fingers with his thumb and shrugged his shoulders in the direction of Anne and Roy. Diana couldn't believe how into each other the pair was. Maybe Anne had found the true love that she always dreamed about? Roy was a looker and his pockets weren't empty. Anne and Roy... that is a smart match for her. Fred whispered a sweet nothing into Diana's ear, derailing her train of thought and refocused them on him. It wasn't often that he could be close to her and he was savoring this opportunity.

Fred placed his hand on the soft sleeve of Diana's dress and nuzzled his nose in the crook of her neck causing goose bumps to pop along her skin. His caress felt so right and his breathe on her neck made her long for a more intimate touch. They loved each other deeply, but it wouldn't matter to her family or his. It would cause a scandal and cloud the families' reputations if they would date, let alone marry. When they were together, they were at peace with their souls and able to put all the nagging voices of their family and church behind them.

How could love be wrong between two christians? Why was everyone against a Catholic marrying a Lutheran, or vice versa? Would God or the fates misdirect them? Diana's mother would say it was the devil tempting them into sin, but Diana had never believed that. The passion was growing between the hidden lovers, making it hard to stop each other's advances. At each encounter, their lust would grow and thrive with each kiss or touch. Diana had deliberated whether it was lust or love, maybe just the fact that Fred was considered forbidden fruit. She finally came to the conclusion that she truly did love Fred and would stay with him no matter what that entailed. Diana shook her head in protest of the disturbing ideas, causing her dark curls to shake and tickle Fred's nose. A loud "Achoo" echoed in the hall making a few heads turn and Diana giggle under her breath.

Fred whispered, "Diana, shhhh... We don't want to draw attention to ourselves."

"Like that sneeze?" jabbed Diana as she ran her fingers over his emerging stubble. She turned her cheek accepting the warmth and wet of Fred's kiss.

"Diana, I see heaven when I look into your eyes," mooned Fred as he nibbled on her ear lobe.

Diana felt herself slip away and become encompassed by Fred's body. She now faced him, propped on her knees, and leaned her pounding chest against his. The sensation of her endowments pressed so closely made Fred pull her close. Their lips locked in passion and his hands instinctively began a migration to the back of her blouse to attempt the "one handed" bra maneuver his brothers had talked about. Soft moans escaped from Diana's mouth as the metal clasps released and the restricting confines of the bra were loosened.

Fred wasted little time with her back, as his hands traveled to a foreign region of Diana's body. He tugged at the ends of her prestinely tucked blouse, creating an entry way to her perky mounds. The rough farmer's hands became a lover's, as he gingerly slid his shaking fingers over the soft tissue and onto the hard ends. A moan and shift in his seated position let her know he approved of the small bumps he was massaging. She sat there, enjoying the pleasure his touch brought her and the light in his eyes. For a moment, they were the only two in the world or the auditorium.

"Diana! Diana!" yelled an eager Minnie Mae as she dashed about the crowd looking for her sister.

Diana pulled away from Fred's heated kiss and wiped her mouth. Fred did the same, but he was attempting to remove the tattling red lipstick she had just bought from the Dime Store last Saturday. The two attempted to put their appearances back in order before anyone noticed the action behind the table, but it was too late. Minnie Mae stood, with her Mother in tow, at the head of the table peering down at the surprised Diana who was buckling her bra back in place. A look of despair and shock hung on her mother's face as the innocent Minnie Mae waved their father over to the scene. Diana stopped with her arms bent back and looked at her family. Fred and Diana had been outed by her over zealous little sister.

"Diana Barry! Get yourself into the car at once!" bellowed her father, almost loud enough for the remaining citizens to hear.

Mrs. Barry put a hand on her husband's shoulder and whispered, "Please don't make a scene. We can deal with this at home."

"Very well," stammered Mr. Barry as his eyes locked in on Fred, "Mrs. Barry seems to feel a need to take Diana home. Since we have discovered this... this...this...scene, you will understand why Diana will not be allowed out or near the likes of you."

Fred began to say something in his defense, but the Barry's backs were already disappearing out the door and into the dark. Fred slumped over and ruffled his hair. Now what am I to do? I need her, she is my everything. How can I get her back into my arms?

A soft knock from the table top behind him aroused his attention. Anne stood next to Roy, and both looked bewildered at their distraught friend. Roy bent over the red checkered cloth and put out his hand to help the stunned Fred up.

"Anne, Anne, I have lost her," said Fred as he looked into the orphan's worried eyes.

"Don't be silly, Fred," explained Anne, "Diana just went home for the evening. You two will be back into each other's arms in no time."

"No Anne. Diana's father forbid it," nodded Fred.

"Chin up!" exclaimed Roy as he put his arm around his buddy's slumped shoulders, "It will work out. You'll see."

Anne looked at the friends and knew that Diana must be reeling from heart ache. Somehow, someway, Anne was going to make things right again for Diana. Her mind began churning ideas around, she was even distracted as she bid Roy farewell for the night. She was silent for the drive back to the farm as she pondered over a notion worthy of a novel or Shakespearan play. It was a masterpiece of an idea and tomorrow she would unveil it for her friends.