Making Varsity

"What?"

"It's too late to worry about it now."

"Oh."

She sounded so defeated, that for a moment Walt considered leading her from the dance floor. So they could talk. He didn't like the idea that she was worrying over nothing. At least nothing that could be changed and really didn't matter anyway. Before he could settle on a course of action the song came to an end. They joined the others in clapping for the band. Walt studied Vic while they all were clapping and then scanned the crowd quickly; no one was paying them any mind. Without making a conscious decision, he took hold of one of Vic's hands and led her from the dance floor as the band started an up tempo song. Couples were exiting and entering the dance floor and no one really seemed to notice Walt holding Vic's hand; except Vic. She expected him to release her hand once they were on the grass but he didn't. Instead, Walt laced his fingers with hers and brought their hands up along the lower edge of his rib cage, so they were essentially walking arm in arm. Vic stole a glance in his direction and saw his jaw was not clinched but definitely set; something was on his mind and he had them moving as though they were on a mission. Walt led her across the grass, then the street, halfway down one block and around a corner to a side street. About 15 or 20 yards down he ducked into a darkened doorway, pulling her with him.

The shadow was heavy, especially in the back of the doorway, where it was as black as ink, but near the sidewalk where they stood a small ray of light, from a distant street lamp, filtered minimal illumination into the shadow. Walt had stopped them, in this small faintly lit patch, near the front of the doorway.

"What bothered you so much about people knowing you picked that song?"

"I told you, it's a small town."

"People will talk?"

She nodded.

"Like I said it's too late Vic. People are already talking."

"Lizzie can be dismissed as an angry ex-girlfriend." There was enough light in the edge of the doorway that Vic saw Walt flinch at the term 'girlfriend'. So she added a quick, "Sorry," and without thinking she placed a hand on his chest.

Walt immediately covered her hand with one of his and held her gaze, "She never was a girlfriend Vic. It never developed that far." Before she could reply he added, "But she's not the only one talking."

Vic gave him a curious look, "Who?"

"Quite a few people."

"Shit! I'm sorry, I didn't think. I just wanted to rescue you from being forced to dance with that, that woman." The last word was said as though she found it bitter in her mouth.

"Thank you."

"Yeah. For giving people more to talk about?" She was working up to angry quickly.

"No, for looking out for me."

They stood in silence for a minute or two, before Walt braved a question.

"Doesn't it bother you if people talk about us?"

"I hate that they gossip, especially about you."

"I'm asking about them talking about us, not just me, and I don't mean gossip."

"What else is there?"

"The truth."

"I don't think I understand."

"Just the truth Vic. Like we played around together with that song; truth. We each constantly look out for each other; truth."

"Well no, not if it's the truth."

"Okay. Then can I ask you an even more important question?"

"Sure."

"What's our truth Vic?"

"I don't follow."

"We look out for each other and that causes rumors to start. We were playful with each other on the dance floor, that's bound to start more rumors. It's too late to change that fact or worry about those situations. But what is our truth? What part of the rumors and gossip and talk, is our truth? Your's and mine."

"We don't want to see each other get hurt."

"Okay. We care about each other?"

"Absolutely."

"I guess what I'm asking is how much?"

"How much...?"

"How much do we care about each other?"

She was silent and he left her a little time to think before he spoke again. "Vic this is not the time or the place I thought we would have this conversation; but here we are and here it is."

He saw her nod her head and reflexively squeezed her hand. That was when they both realized her hand was still on his chest and he was still holding it. They both looked at their joined hands and then at each other. Walt reached out with his other hand and cupped Vic's face, pivoting them both into the darkest part of the doorway shadow. Vic leaned her back into the corner and reached for Walt's waist as he stopped their turn. He moved in slowly not wanting their faces to collide.

When he felt the warmth of Vic's exhale travel down the valley between his nose and cheek, he adjusted his head a little to the side and whispered against her lips, "My truth Vic, is that I love you."

He felt her fingers roll into the fabric at his waist as the others at his chest laced between his.

They found each other's lips in the next breath and explored the depth of 'their truth' in mutual agreement.

More Than a Half an Hour Later

As they slowly walked back toward the square Vic asked, "You think anybody will suspect anything? We've been gone awhile."

"Well anybody who didn't suspect anything before probably has a good idea now, especially if they saw us come out of that doorway."

"Why?"

Her confusion made him smile, "Varsity Sports has always closed no later than 4:00PM every day. This time of day, this time of the year, it's the darkest most abandoned doorway off the square."

She was beginning to become suspicious, "And?"

He bounced his eyebrows up slightly.

Vic realized her suspicions were correct, "And it's a popular, secluded, little intimate spot?"

"Yep."

"Just how popular?"

"Well anyone who's grown up here and is over the age of 35 to 40 would have no doubt why we were down here. It gave a whole new meaning to making Varsity when I was in high school."

"I bet. And just how many girls have you taken to that doorway?"

"One."

"Besides me?"

"Including you."

"Really?"

"Really."

As they rounded the corner back to the square Walt explained a bit more, "Actually Vic, uhm,…"

"What?" She smiled at him. His embarrassment said he was about to confess something else, but she had a feeling it really wouldn't matter much.

"Anybody seeing us come back from this direction," he turned to her and feathered his index finger across her lips, "with swollen lips, is likely to figure out where we were and why."

Vic leaned into him and smiled slowly, "I see you waited to mention that until we were where we could be seen coming from this direction."

He shrugged a bit sheepishly.

"That's what I thought." She pulled him to her and boldly claimed his mouth, not caring who might see, as she purposely prolonged her plundering of his mouth.

It didn't appear Walt was too worried about being seen either when he wrapped his arms firmly around her and eased her back against the nearest shop wall. He slipped his arms up and cradled her head to keep it from hitting the wall as he matched her passion filled kiss.

When they broke for air, Walt hugged her to him, turned them so his back was to the wall, closed his eyes, and spoke against her hair, "Are you done getting even with me?" His voice was husky with his desire for her but held a hint of humor.

Vic breathed against his neck, just below his ear, "I don't know. You got any more little disclosures about how we may have been found out?" She challenged lightly.

"Nope, except that last kiss, right here in view of the folks over on the square, might have clued a few in." His smile was evident in his words.

"You sound proud of that."

"Mmm I guess maybe I am."

"There's a surprise." She honestly sounded shocked by his admission.

Walt chuckled a little, "Yep. You ready go home or you wanna dance some more?"

"Depends. You really okay with everybody seeing us together?"

Lifting his head and opening his eyes, Walt looked across the square to the assembled crowd; most of the town was out that night. Some people were subtly glancing their way and others were openly staring in their direction.

Vic leaned back to look at him and noticed his gaze. She turned her head to follow his line of sight, "Maybe we should just head home."

Walt looked down at her, and took his index figure to guide her chin toward him and draw her eyes back to his, "I was just thinking, I'd like to spend time with my lady at the Twilight dance." He leaned a little closer and lowered his voice to a whisper, "That is if she wants to dance with this strictly slow dancing old man."