Steve and Ms. Walker were seated when Gwen arrived. Steve immediately stood and helped Gwen with her chair while Ms. Walker smiled her approval. Gwen once again wore the amazing red dress that Lisa had loaned to her. Steve wore a sports jacket over a dark mock turtleneck that emphasized his broad shoulders and powerful chest.
Ralph Smith addressed the group. “Folks, we’re in for a real treat today. In case any of you’ve been living in a cave for the past couple of months, you need to know that our high school football team is undefeated, and much of the credit for that goes to this young man, Steve Hammer, team quarterback.
“Even more amazing, at least to many of us men, is the fact that Steve has teamed up with this truly beautiful young lady, Gwen Anderson, who happens to have the number one GPA in her class, to entertain and amaze people with their dance skills. If any of you haven’t already done so, I encourage you to search for Dave Kite’s YouTube page. That young man has done a very impressive job recording and promoting senior class activities this year. For obvious reasons, the videos featuring these two class members have received the lion’s share of attention; over four thousand views on a couple of them and the counter is going up daily.
“The fact that these two have agreed to give us a private audience today is the reason that so many of our wives have decided to attend. I know that’s all that my wife, Nancy, could talk about the past two days. Enjoy your lunch. Then Miss Anderson and Mr. Hammer will trip the light fantastic,” concluded Ralph Smith.
The luncheon was extremely well attended with as many, or more, women than men. Gwen, Ms. Walker, and Steve had seats at the table with the Rotary officers and their wives and had a pleasant meal as they listened to Ms. Walker extol the virtues of building a children’s wing on the hospital. Everyone agreed that it would benefit the area, but more than a few questioned the feasibility. Could a town of less than twenty thousand support such a hospital?
That was when Gwen joined the discussion. “Why would we assume that only the people within the city limits would use the hospital? If we had a strong, reputable hospital with good staff, people from the entire area, well beyond the town limits, would gladly use it for their health care. There are no really good medical facilities within a couple hours drive. This hospital should emphasize that it’s for the entire area’s benefit and draw from all of the outlying areas for support. This cannot be a “Sparta only” hospital. Maybe they should change their name from Sparta General to something that embraces a much larger target area. Look at all the how big an area the school district draws from. Our school teams are called the Spartans, but that covers more than this town. It’s the entire district.”
Ralph Smith nodded his head as he listened to Gwen’s reasoning. Then he turned to Ms. Walker with a big grin. “Angela, you sure knew what you were doing when you put Gwen in charge of this project. Seldom do I see such maturity and sound logic from anyone, let alone a high school student.”
When it came time for them to dance, Gwen seemed a bit tentative at first. “Gwen, relax!” whispered Steve. “You look fantastic and everyone loves you. Let go and feel the music. We can do this right.”
Gwen looked up at Steve as he spoke. She was again struck by his rugged good looks and engaging smile, and she felt his eyes could look into her very soul. Without conscious thought, Gwen moved closer and allowed herself to follow Steve’s lead, trusting that her partner wouldn’t make any mistakes. By the end of the dance, Gwen was relaxed and smiling. The applause was surprising in its duration and volume.
“That was beautiful!” gushed Ralph Smith’s wife. “You two look so perfect together and move so well. I’ve been after Tyler to take some lessons with Gwen’s Aunt Diane, but he always claimed it was for sissies. Now I’ve got some new ammunition. Steve sure doesn’t look like any sissy-boy, and look at the beautiful woman he gets to hold in his arms when he dances.”
Steve and Gwen knew that they were there to make friends and tried to greet everyone warmly. Steve saw that suddenly change when Gwen came face to face with the guy that bid against Steve for that first dance. She tensed up noticeably, and clung tightly to Steve’s arm.
“Gwen, that was beautiful. You dance so gracefully,” praised Mort Governs. “Have you given any thought to my suggestions for fund raising for your project? I’d be happy to discuss them with you anytime.”
Everyone within hearing was stunned by Gwen’s terse response to one of the area’s leading businessmen. “I’ve given it a lot of thought, Mr. Governs. I’ve decided that it’ll be a cold day in hell when I have business of any kind with you!”
The silence was deafening as everyone waited for Mort Governs response to Gwen’s brutal dismissal of his offer. “If that’s the way you want it, Gwen. You’re the one that came to me asking for ideas and suggesting that you’d do anything to meet your goals for the project. I really hate to reveal your not-so-admirable side, but I…”
Steve had heard enough and stepped in front of Governs and put his mouth down close to Governs’ ear and spoke as quietly, and with as much intensity as he could. “So it was you! Say one more word about Gwen and I’ll rip your heart out, and show it to you right before I shove it up your ass! If you don’t turn around and leave right now, I’ll have to assume that you want to mix it up with me, and there’s nothing I’d like better. You decide, Asshole. Fight or flight?”
Mort Governs lost all color as Steve snarled into his ear. No one else in the room could actually hear what was said, but everyone watching knew exactly what Steve was telling the young dealership owner. Mort had said enough to embarrass and offend those within hearing. He turned quickly and strode from the room.
“I apologize to everyone for my display of temper,” offered Steve, “but no one will speak to Gwen like that as long as I’m near enough to prevent it. If I’ve offended anyone, I’m sorry. I’ll leave now.”
“I don’t think so, young man!” stated Nancy Smith as the rest of the assembled group remained silent. “I want you and Gwen to demonstrate some of your skills in slow motion so that we can watch and see exactly how you two move so gracefully. Don’t give another thought to that spoiled little pompous ass. I’m not sure what you said to him, but I strongly suspect it was direct and appropriate for the situation. A man should always defend his lady’s honor, and you did an admirable job.”