Chapter 20

_

When prom night actually arrived, Luke had to admit he was a little excited. The gym, especially the mural, looked very nice, and Margaret’s sheer rapture was contagious. Annie insisted that he rent a tux with a white dinner jacket and order a pretty orchid corsage.

At the appointed hour, Annie came up to his room to see if he was ready. She fussed over him, fixing his tie and adjusting his cummerbund. She knew his brothers had been heckling him about his choice of dates because Margaret McDuffy was regarded as somewhat of a freak. But she was proud of Luke for finding a lovely swan hidden inside an ugly duckling. Annie had spoken to Margaret at Mass and found her to be quite sweet.

She stood back and surveyed her brother. “You look very handsome,” she smiled. “I wish Mama was her to see you. She always thought you needed to get out more and meet girls. And I think she’d approve of your choice.”

“Oh, you do, huh,” he grinned a little sheepishly. “Well, with Margaret I don’t have to worry about finding something to talk about. She’s real good at that.”

Annie gave him a nice, sisterly kiss, reminding him to grab the corsage out of the refrigerator on his way out. His chauffeur, Mack, was waiting to take him to McDuffy’s. Luke didn’t have his license so Margaret was going to have to drive. That was a little embarrassing, but he’d survive.

He knocked at her door. He was a little early but he supposed she’d be pacing by now. Miss McDuffy opened the door, smiling somewhat tersely, Luke thought, considering how friendly she was the other night when he came for supper.

“My niece is dressed but I think she wants to make a grand entrance or something,” she said, shrugging her shoulders. “Now you know she is a damn good driver and she’ll be doing all the driving tonight, right?” She took her shawl and sank down in her rocker. “Now you don’t seem the type, but I’m tellin’ ya’ anyway. Ddon’t try no funny business. This is her first date, ya’ know.”

“Aunt Betty!” Margaret shrieked from somewhere in the back of the house. She walked in then, trying to be elegant and graceful although those were by far the highest shoes she had ever worn. Her dress was lovely with a lacy jacket draped over her shoulders. Luke gasped appropriately which made her blush. He noticed right away she wasn’t wearing her glasses, which probably explained why she nearly walked into the coffee table as she came across the room. Luke stiffled his smile as he knew how self-conscience she was about needing such thick glasses. He remembered the flower and he felt her trembling as he pinned it on. She had a boutonnière for him but she asked her grandmother to pin it on. Considering her limited vision, he was just as glad she had chosen that route.

They drove to the high school. Luke’s earlier prophesy that they’d have no trouble talking proved false. She was too nervous. Perhaps the fact that she was driving on her first date bothered her more than it did Luke because she parked the car in the back corner of the lot. Unfortunately, that meant she had further to walk.

They, along with all the other young guests, were sent to the library where they mingled and drank some much-too-sweet punch. After much oohing and awing over dresses, hair-dos, and such, dinner was finally announced. The doors to the gym were swung open after weeks of secrecy. With the help of some well-placed lighting, cardboard Roman columns and plastic greenery, the place didn’t look so much like a gym anymore. There was a false ceiling of blue and white streamers shimmering above them and even a bubbling fountain wishing well in the corner. All of this was designed to magically transport the fashionable ladies and gentlemen to an unforgettable night on the “Streets of Venice”.

Luke and Margaret ate quietly. He noticed Margaret blushing from time to time when she saw her girlfriends who were un-escorted, whispering and looking her direction. No matter how much he tried to put her at ease, he could see ho nervous she was. The dishes were taken away and everyone turned their chairs toward the dais.

Raymond Harvey, the junior class president, was the emcee for the evening. He welcomed the faculty and senior class guests. Luke sat back and patted the carefully worded note tucked in his pocket. At the appropriate time he would have it delivered to the unsuspecting master of ceremonies. He put his arm around the back of Margaret’s chair.

An important part of the prom program was the prophecy, prepared by a committee of juniors in which the future of each of the seniors was predicted. Most were comical but some bordered on cruel. Luke’s name was mentioned in passing, something about him becoming a great artist who would be confused sometimes as to whether he should paint cornfields or skyscrapers.

Next was the senior class will, a tongue-in-cheek listing of gifts banqueted to lower classmen from the seniors. Again, some were funny, but many were less than kind. Luke sensed Margaret becoming increasingly tense as she waited for her name to be mentioned. She had warned Luke that it might be a zinger. Then it came: “Annette Applegate wills the entire school library and her title as ‘Class Brain’ to Margaret McDuffy. Also, Annette would like to leave her the name of the optometrist who fitted her contacts.” The two girls looked at each other across the room and shrugged their shoulders – it could have been much worse.

As the program appeared to be nearing completion, Luke excused himself and walked to the rear of the room where the underclassmen waitresses were hugging the wall, listening. He approached one he knew not to be at all shy and whispered something in her ear. He passed the note to her and returned to his seat to watch his bit of drama unfold.

Raymond waited for the applause to die down after the will was read, preparing to make a few closing statements. Just as he was about to speak, the note was delivered. Luke felt no pity whatsoever as Raymond struggled to regain his composure as half the school looked on. Luke hated these egotistical types who always seemed to get their kicks by putting down others.

Raymond was destined for great things -- everyone said so. His father had some political pull in the area and was quite proud that his son was headed for West Point after high school. It was generally felt that the young man was well suited for such an honor. He excelled physically and scholastically. Well then, wondered Luke, why was this future general cheating in chemistry class – not once, but twice. The first time was a quiz and Luke thought he was probably mistaken. But the second time, he looked over to see Raymond staring at his answer sheet. Luke waited for him in the hallway after class.

He grabbed Raymond’s arm as he went by. “I’m surprised at you, Raymond,” he said, smiling deceptively calmly. “Why would you cheat on a chemistry test?”

“Cheat? Are you crazy?” the felon protested.

“I’m sure it would be easy to prove if the teacher compares papers. Too bad for you, I made a few really stupid mistakes.”

“Hey man, I didn’t have a chance to study,” Raymond pleaded. “We got home real late from the track meet last night. Just ask your brother.”

Luke considered his options carefully. Since he was the new kid in town it probably wouldn’t be real smart to get one of the school’s stars in trouble. “Alright, I’m not going to fink on you, not now at least,” he said. “But just remember, you owe me big. And don’t ever cheat off me again!” Later that night, when he and Margaret were working late on the artwork for the prom, he realized he had the perfect opportunity to collect on Raymond’s IOU.

Raymond thrust the note into his pocket and began reading the long list of committee’s and individuals responsible for the success of the evening. Luke knew the suddenly sweating host was going to have to be careful because his date, Cheryl Swanson, who had been the chairperson of the art committee, was sitting nearby. Raymond hesitated for a moment and drank a sip of water. Then he said, “And we are certainly impressed with all the art work on display here tonight. I am told that much of the credit goes to Margaret McDuffy who coordinated and designed the murals and wall decorations that you see here tonight.”

Many people looked at each other like they thought Raymond must have made a mistake. Others, who knew he was telling the truth, applauded enthusiastically. Margaret smiled, but Raymond’s date was not amused.

“You had something to do with this, didn’t you,” exclaimed Margaret, her face beaming. “What was in that note?”

“Wouldn’t you just love to know!” laughed Luke.

The program was over, and the tables and chairs were cleared away. A little four-piece band was now ready to take over the show. Luke and Margaret found a corner table where they could sit and observe the festivities. A full half hour after Raymond’s announcement, Margaret’s smile had not faded. She seemed to have recovered some of that old spark.

The band opened with a loud, albeit barely recognizable, version of Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline,” followed by a softer, slower “Crystal Blue Persuasion.”

“Would you like to dance, Margaret?” Luke asked. He hoped she could manage a slow dance with those shoes. He led her onto the dance floor, feeling her tremble as she touched her hand to his shoulder. Luke sang along as he gently propelled her around the dance floor.

Crystal blue persuasion
It’s a new vibration
Crystal blue persuasion
Crystal blue persuasion

Maybe tomorrow when He looks down
Every green field and every town
All of his children, every nation
There’ll be peace and good brotherhood

Luke thought the music might start Margaret talking about pollution or world peace, two of her favorite topics, but she was concentrating so hard on dancing that she couldn’t speak. The dance floor filled with the slower song so the band launched into another ballad, Peter, Peter, and Mary’s “Leaving on a Jet Plane.” Luke and Margaret limped their way through it, but were happy to return to their table when the band exploded in a raucous rendition of “Mama Told Me Not To Come.” Luke watched the adult chaperons to see if anyone objected to the lyrics. Mr. Rausch and his staff were so busy standing guard over the punch bowl and making sure that no couple was dancing too close, that they weren’t listening.

Want some whiskey in your water?
Sugar in your tea?
What’s all the crazy questions you’re asking me?
This is the craziest party I’ve ever seen
Don’t turn on the light cause I don’t wanna see.

Everyone seemed to be having fun, so the band tried “Eli’s Coming” and “Proud Mary.” When the band finally took a break after the first set, a Simon & Garfunkel album played softly over the loud speaker, leading off with a much more subdued, “Bridge Over Troubled Water.”

“That band is awful,” Luke said. “I can’t believe those kids are actually enjoying it. If my brother was here he’d probably march up there, take that fat drummer’s sticks right out of his hands, and have him arrested for impersonating a ‘percussionist’.”

“I’d definitely agree with Thomas. But they were cheap which was one of the main criteria for hiring them. And I don’t think it’s the music that has everyone all giddy. It’s whatever is in those little flasks they’re passing around. And there’s probably a woodsey later on tonight, too.”

“A ‘woodsey’? What’s that? A local colloquialism, no doubt.”

“Oh yes, very local. I don’t think you’d find it in Webster’s. But let me see. Hmmmm.” She thought for a minute, trying to assimilate a proper definition. “It is when a person or persons, usually minors, procure large quantities of liquid refreshment, usually cheap beer. And said persons meet at some pre-arranged site, usually in some secluded, wooded area, and consumes said beverages and engages-- er, well-- in whatever extracurricular activities which might ensue.” She finished a little red-faced, but Luke was laughing.

“Beer, huh? You ever tasted it?”

“Beer? Oh, no. Aunt Betty would have a fit. Her father drank all the time and she’d kill me if she ever found out I came near the stuff.”

“Well, it is pretty foul. My dad lets us taste a little sometimes. He claims it’s an acquired taste, whatever that means.” They sat and watched a little longer until suddenly Luke stood up, took her hand to lead her out. “C’mon, I know where there’s more beer than these punks could ever dream of, and it’s not cheap, either. My dad won’t miss a can or two. Miss McDuffy, how would you like to taste your first can of beer? What your Aunt Betty don’t know, won’t hurt her, right?”

Margaret knew she should protest, but she didn’t want to. Luke escorted her to her car and motioned for her to slide over. She handed him the car keys without a second thought. “It can’t be too much different than driving a tractor, can it? I’ll be careful, honest!” She didn’t care. He could have said let’s hop a jet to Tahiti and she would have said yes. She felt him sitting close to her, flashing that wonderful grin of his. She hoped there was at least someone who noticed them speeding away, sitting there side-by side, like all the other couples.

They drove out of town talking easily about beer and beer drinkers they have known. When they arrived at Luke’s place, he turned into the driveway slowly and turned out the lights as he drove up the hill. He whispered for her to wait while he ducked inside his dad’s office and took out a six-pack from the little refrigerator. When he came out, he took her hand again and lead her to the gazebo. Leaning on his arm, she hopped along, taking off those awful shoes. The cool stone felt refreshing to her tormented feet. Luke made a big show of dusting off a place for her to sit, and then popped open a can for her and one for himself.

“We should make a toast,” he said in mocked solemnity, lifting his can. “To new experiences! To ‘Springtime in Venice’!” They clicked cans, saying, “Here! Here!” and then Luke leaned back against a post with a cute little smirk and watched her take her first swallow. He laughed when she gagged and nearly spit it out.

“Oh, that’s awful!” she cried. But she took another sip, determined to drink the vile stuff.
They both looked up and noticed the moon, which was nearly full and shining so brightly that they could see the outlines of the buildings and the timber shrouded in a hazy glow. It seemed to Margaret that the whole world was enchanted. It was a warm evening, but her nervousness and the cold beer made her shiver a little. He took off his coat and wrapped around her shoulders.

“I didn’t know this little gazebo was here,” she said. “I’ve lived next to this place all my life and always imagined that the inside must be beautiful.”

“Nah, it’s pretty old and creaky, but it’s home sweet home. Everything needs work – everything. My poor sister has lists of things that need fixing. But Pop and Sonny just keep putting her off. All they’re concerned with right now is getting the planting done.” He reached up and shook loose a board that was hanging above him. “This should be white with thick green vines growing all over it, don’t you think? Well, maybe someday.”

“So, you’re staying? I mean, the talk around town is that you’re a bunch of discontented, rich people who came out here on a whim. Everyone’s wondering if you’ll stay.”

“Ha!” laughed Luke. “Anyone who says that has never met my father. He’s serious about staying, all right. And he’s stubborn enough to pull it off. Oh sure, this place is a dump right now but he’s decided it’s what he wants whether we like it or not!”

“But you do like it here, don’t you, Luke? I mean, I’ve never heard you say anything like you hated it or that you wanted to go back East – right?”

“No, no, I like it here, really. But I’m in the minority, I think. Not that it really matters what any of us think. My dad’s not listening to any noe,” he said, sounding resentful.

“Didn’t you know? My aunt and your father belong to this exclusive club – the I-know-what’s best-for-you-club. At least you’re lucky cause you’re graduating in four weeks. What are you going to do then? You’re not going away to school or anything are you?” Shy, wistful hope was ringing in her voice, although she was trying to sound casual.

He didn’t answer at first. The sudden clouded look on his face frightened her. “I’m not sure I have much choice,” he said. “I’ll be eighteen in two weeks.” The reality of that didn’t need explaining.

Margaret’s heart seemed to skip a beat at that instant. Vietnam had always seemed unreal to her. But here it was, crashing down into this night of nights. “Oh Luke, not you!” she cried. “You couldn’t do it, could you? Go to war?”

“Somebody had to do it, don’t they? Isn’t it like a duty? That’s what my old man says. Where would we be now if his generation hadn’t fought World War II?”

“It’s not the same, and you know it. We have no business over there.”

“I don’t know what I believe. Here’s my dad constantly preaching all this patriotism stuff, but Mack says its all a bunch of bull. He’ll never go. And Andrew – he can’t go. He’s going to be a priest. So that leaves me, I guess.”

“So all of this is because of your dad? What do you want, Luke?”

“I have no idea. Guess that comes from being born into a family with money. I don’t have any driving ambitions. Or at least I didn’t think so until we came out here. I really like the idea of farming, living out here in the country.”

His mood changed suddenly then and he leaped to his feet. “Hey, you want to see a really cool spot I found back in the timber? This is supposed to be a woodsey, isn’t it? C’mon,” he insisted, pulling her to her feet. “What about your dress?”

“I have some jeans and sweater in the trunk. And sneakers.” She got her things out of the trunk and soon her dress was laying in heap on the backseat.

He started up the car and drove down the bottom road until he spotted his secret trail. He lead her down the pathway until they came to a creek. He flashed the light on the plank bridge he had built. Bowing deeply, he announced, “The draw bridge is down, my lady.” She curtsied and danced across. He took her hand and helped her up a short, steep incline until they stood in a large clearing.

“See, it’s a huge rock surface,” he said, pounding his foot to punctuate what he was saying.
“Guess some glacier dumped it here. I found it one day when I was looking for those damn cows. I don’t know if you can see it but there’s a wide break in the trees so you can see all the way to the river.” He took the blanket he brought from the car and spread it out so they could sit. He opened two more beers. “I think this would be a great spot for a cabin -- a nice A-frame cabin with lots of windows and fireplaces.” He knelt on his knees and stretched his arms out dramatically. “This could be my private kingdom. Wouldn’t need to go anywhere or do anything else – just live out my days right here and live happily ever after.”

“King Lucas, aye? Just live here in your castle and slay any dragons or Trojan horses that try to cross your moat. Well, let me tell you, sir, the local aristocracy does not look kindly upon strangers laying claim to parcels of our kingdom. First, you must be deemed suitable. Come hither and be knighted.” She picked up a nearby stick. With a great dramatic flourish, Luke knelt before her. “Sir Lucas, because you have proven yourself to be a Doer of Good Deeds, rescuer of maidens in distress, and chivalrous and kind, I pronounce you King Lucas, King of the Realm of the, er-- Rocky Castle.” She touched his shoulders softly as she spoke. And the deed having been completed, they both collapsed onto the blanket, laughing. “Oh God, I’ve never acted so silly in my whole life. You got another beer?”

“Sure do. Here you are, madam. Sure didn’t take us long to acquire the taste, did it?” He rolled over onto his back and stretched out, looking up at the heavens. Margaret was looking up, too, thinking that if she had wished upon a million stars, she could never have wished for anything more wonderful than tonight.

“What about you?” he asked after a long pause. “Now that my future has been settled and I’ve been solidly installed as Lord and Master of my kingdom here, what are your plans?”

“Me?” she said hedging. “I do think about it a lot. I want to go to college, obviously. I’d love to go to someplace like Berkeley or Radcliffe – just go as far away from here as I possibly can. But I won’t, of course. I have to stay close to my Aunt Betty. I’m all she has. She raised me, you know, so I have to take care of her now.”

“You big hypocrite! You give me hell because I feel I have to do something for my dad. But you’re doing the same thing. It’s a bunch of bull anyway, you know. If you were free – totally and completely free, to do anything or go anywhere you wanted, where would you go? You’d be scared shitless – we all would.”

“I would not! I’d go to some exotic place, let my hair grow and walk around bare-footed. I’d follow my instincts and be open to new experiences and ideas.”

“How come you can’t do all that here?”

“It’s not possible. Nothing spectacular could ever happen to me here cause I could never get out of the rut I’m in. None of the kids here like me cause I’m too smart. But school is easy for me and it’s the only thing that keeps me from being totally bored. I can’t change my hair or anything cause I’ve looked like this for so long everyone would just laugh at me if I tried to change now.” She sighed deeply. He seemed interested, so she continued.

“And besides, you can’t believe how strict my aunt is about everything. I mean, I love her dearly but she just doesn’t understand. I’m always gonna be remembered as the girl with the thick glasses, dumb clothes, and sensible shoes.” Her exasperation was almost comical, and she knew it. She started giggling again, the beer making her feel a little giddy and dizzy.

“God! I must be a real creep to even be seen with you!” Luke teased. “But you know what I think? I think you’re probably suffering from the grass-is-greener syndrome. It’s not an uncommon phenomenon, you know. It’s like your life is on hold. You just can’t wait to get out in the big world and prove something – to yourself, mostly.”

“How come you aren’t anxious to get out on your own and try out your wings? You’re so sensible and practical all the time. I thought artists were supposed to be romantics.”

He laughed softly. “So, that proves it once and for all – I’ll never be a great artist. I’m the down to earth sort. I paint only what’s real.” He shrugged his shoulders, still smiling. “Well, anyway,” he said. “It’s getting late. We probably should go, Maggie – you don’t mind if I call you that, do you?”

“No, I don’t mind,” she purred softly. “That was my dad’s pet name for me when I was a baby. Just don’t say it around school. I think ‘Margaret’ probably fits my image better.” She gathered up her things as she talked. But when she looked up, he was suddenly very close and she realized he wanted to kiss her. She could scarcely breath when he reached out and drew her nearer. And then their lips touched. It was not a long kiss, but a kiss just the same. She felt a wild flutter in her stomach like she had just gone over the top of a Ferris wheel.

She didn’t know how she was supposed to react or what to say, but he handled it masterfully. He took her hand and helped her to her feet. They both laughed as they found they were a little drunk. He put his arm around her quivering shoulders and they stood for a moment, gazing out over the misty countryside. It was bathed in silky moonlight, looking like a still-life painting of some mystical place. But then they returned to the real world.

_ _ _ _


Maggie was so happy and excited that she hardly slept that night. She played the wonderful events over and over again in her mind, trying to memorize every word and gesture. It was the night her first love had given her a first kiss and taken her to a place every young girl dreams of going. And for days and weeks, even months afterwords, whenever she thought of their night together in their stony kingdom, there was one special song that kept playing in her mind:

In truth there’s simply not
A more congenial spot
For happily ever-aftering
Than here in Camelot”

Chapter 21

_ _ _ _