Gwen had caught enough of Steve’s threat to Governs to realize how angry he was. His voice had sounded more like a growl than anything human. The speed at which the color drained from Governs’ face reinforced her impression that Steve had issued a very strong threat and was more than willing to back it up.
Suddenly, everyone was laughing as they told their impressions of Steve’s meeting with Mort Governs. The ladies carefully watched Steve and Gwen demonstrate s few steps. Steve was amused that a few simple steps seemed so impressive to the ladies. Soon he was taking each of the ladies through the basic steps. It was one thirty when Angela Walker explained that the students needed to return to class. There was a lot of back slapping as Steve thanked the Rotary for its support.
“Holy crap! I thought you were going to slap that stupid little shit!” exclaimed Ms. Walker as they drove out of the parking lot. “That would have complicated things, but no one would have blamed you, Steve. He sure had it coming! Imagine speaking like that to a girl like Gwen, in front of a guy like you! As it turned out, I think your reaction actually benefited our goal. You are now known as an athlete, dancer, and defender of lady’s honor. The latter will go a long way with the wives of the male Rotarians, not to mention the females in the Rotary.”
Gwen had explained to Ms. Walker that she was not returning to school since she had to change her clothes. Her dress was not appropriate for the classroom. Her mother was descending the stairs as Gwen entered the house. She watched as Gwen dropped into the recliner and let out a sigh. Paula stood in front of Gwen waiting for her report of the day’s events.
“Well, Mom, the cat’s out of the bag,” Gwen stated simply as Paula sat down next to her and waited for Gwen to continue. “For some reason, it never occurred to me that Mort Governs would naturally be a Rotary member. He’s a mover and shaker in the community. He make some comment about how he’d be glad to discuss his so-called ideas for fund raising with me anytime and I told him, in no uncertain terms, that it’d be a cold day in hell when I had anything to do with him.
“Then he said that I had approached him and told him that I’d do “anything” to meet our project goals. Then he started to reveal what he called my not-so-admirable side,” recounted Gwen.
“Started to, Gwen?” asked a worried Paula. “Did something prevent Governs from smearing your name in the dirt? Was that something well over six feet tall and pretty angry by this time? Did Steve get into a lot of trouble?”
“You think you’re so smart, Mom!” groaned Gwen. “Steve moved in real close to Mort and said a few things that I couldn’t make out very well. No one else was close enough to hear a word of it. I did hear something about Mort being ‘the one’. Then there was something about ‘Ripping a heart out’. ‘Shoving it someplace’. Things like that, but Steve snarled it so low it sounded more like a rumble than human speech. For some reason, Mort turned on his heel and practically ran from the room.”
“I think, Gwen, that you’re getting to see the difference between the good guys and the bad guys. What did the other Rotary members say? Was there a problem?” questioned Paula.
“Truthfully, it seemed to make their day. They kept us there showing them the few simple dance steps that we do. You’d think we’d invented the moon walk or something. It was mostly the ladies and they couldn’t wait to have Steve take them in his arms and show them the simple steps. I’ve never seen so many sexually repressed women in my life. Ms. Walker called an end to it before they managed to get Steve to show them some other moves that he’s probably already used on that redhead.”
“That reminds me. Diane said that she would be happy to help you and Steve perfect a few more dances for that Firemen’s benefit,” remembered Paula. “I think my little sister wants to see how it feels to be in Steve’s arms, if just for a little while. You’ll probably think she’s another sexually repressed woman. Your boyfriend seems to do that to us mature ladies.”
“Did you just include yourself in that group, Mom?” demanded Gwen. “Do I have to worry about you and Diane now?”
“Honey, every woman that sees that boy is a potential competitor, if you’re intending to keep him as your boyfriend. If you’re going to break up with him, it shouldn’t matter. As far as Diane and I are concerned, we’re older and married, and want to stay that way, so we’ll limit ourselves to a few harmless actions and fantasies,” laughed Paula. “But if you want to keep Steve, there isn’t a girl or woman around that can steal him from you. I’ve seen the way he looks at you. He’s yours if you want him.”
“Then why was he out with that long legged redhead?” asked Gwen. “Why do I feel totally out of control here?”
“I can tell you the answer to that second question, but you won’t want to hear it, at least not yet,” responded Paula. “Ask Steve about the redhead if you really want to know. It isn’t rocket science, Gwen. It’s called communication. You sometimes seem better versed in rocket science than in relationships.”
The football team continued to win. Steve managed to post very impressive statistics. The regular season ended with Sparta undefeated, and league champions. The team needed to win three more games to claim the school’s first ever state title. The first Saturday in November was the district championship against Carver High. Then would come the regional championship game the following Saturday, if Sparta beat Carver. The state title game was scheduled for the Saturday before Thanksgiving.
The team had developed a strong fan base and a great deal of press coverage. Sparta was buzzing with talk of a state title. Never before had its football team reached the big game. Many of the articles in the local paper featured Steve and mentioned the videos Dave Kite had posted on YouTube. Views of the videos eclipsed ten thousand by early November. Donations to the hospital fund, many unsolicited, had begun to arrive in the mail.
Steve had always been the hardest working team member in the weight room, but half way through the season, Billy Marsh came alive. He worked harder and longer than Steve. By the last league game, Billy was obviously thinner around the middle and wider in the chest and shoulders. He and Steve had become fast friends. Billy always gave the same answer when Steve asked what had happened to cause such a drastic change in Billy’s attitude.
“Somebody has to block and make you look good. I want to be part of a state championship team, and saving your ass is the way to get there. When the college recruiters come to see the famous Steve Hammer, they’ll have to notice the no-longer fat putz that centers the ball, and pass blocks like a pro. Those guys are smart and they’ll see the real reason for your success,” grinned Billy.