Excerpt: "Cusp Of The 80's"

EXCERPT THE FIRST:
[Protagonist, Debbie, and best friend, Sue, go shopping together.]

"You are such a killjoy. I thought we could try on formals together."

Deb barely magaged not to let her shudder show. The mere thought made her queasy. Ruffles and sashes and lacy necklines plunging down to reveal her lack of bosomage – no, not going to happen. Unless she caved in and let Sue talk her into it. That had been her doom on more than one occasion in high school. But she was a grown woman now, in college, on her own more or less and not prey to any old manipulative tactics. Unless of course Sue used the Pout Of Doom, or threatened to tell The Group some of her deep dark secrets.

> First Store: JC Penny's, or as their dads said, Jacques Penne'.
Total outfits tried: 8
Total outfits tried once, then again, and once more: 5
Total outfits about which she asked Deb "does it make me look fat?": 9 (this included the one she was wearing when they went shopping)
Total outfits purchased: Zip (0)

> Second Store: 5-7-9
Total outfits tried: 3
Total outfits deemed sized too small for real people: 3
Total sales clerks miffed by constant questions about accessories to outifts already put back on the racks as rejected: 4
Total times Debbie wanted to crawl under the door of someone else's changing room and exit on another planet: 16
Total outfits purchased: Zilch (0)

> Third Store: Fuzzy Peach's
Total outfits tired: 12
Total times Debbie sent from changing room to showroom floor to get another size or even two different sizes: 27
Total times Sue asked Deb to try on "just this one" of her outfits, with the result that Deb was about to cry due to her own lack of a figure: 3
Total outfits purchased: Nada (0)

[ ... interlude at KMart ... ]

>Fifth Store: Casual Cottage
Total Outfits Tried: 3
Total times Deb's eye bugged at price tags: 7
Total number of sales clerks circling like vultures whose next meal depended on a commission, even from two downtrodden college chicks: 4
Total outfits purchased: your best guess, that's right: (0)

>Sixth Store: Trendy Ticklesmith's
Total Outfits Tried: 7
Total number of times Deb reminded Suze that she had promised on Statue Of Liberty Bicentennial Souvenir Mug that she would not have to go to more than five stores: 14
Total number of times Deb had to help Sue peel out of an outfit way too slinky for anyone but Karen Carpenter to wear: 7
Total Outfits Purchased: Absolutely none (0)

> Seventh store: JC Penney's (Yes, again)
Total outfits tried: 8
Total times Deb threatened to leave Sue there without so much as a dime to call her mom to collect her: 3
Total times Sue tried on the very first dress she had looked at earlier in the day: 3
Total Outfits purchased: 2*
* total includes the first dress she tried on, plus two others, one of which she returned the next day
Total times Deb swore she would never in a million years ever go shopping with Sue again: innumerable

"Whew! That was fun, wasn't it?" Sue's eyes sparkled with the victorious conquest of finding a perfect dress at half price, plus talking them down a few dollars further due to an almost invisible smudge on the inside wrist of one of the cuffs.

"Exciting as a ride on the Titanic," Deb answered, swerving as she barely missed a guy on a motorcycle who lateralled in front of her.

EXCERPT THE SECOND:
[NB: Sorry, dear Reader, I did not have time to put all the italics in correctly, but you can probably figure out which are her thoughts if you use your imaginaiton. Enjoy!]

"Sue? Susan [surname]?"

Sue turned around, curious but not eager to confront the face whose voice she couldn't quite place. "Oh, hi, how are you doin'?" Name, name, name, tip of my tongue ...

He held out his hand, and she took it, not expecting the vibrant pumping. "Paul. Paul Marshall. From tae kwon do class a million years ago."

"Sure. I remembered you. Wow, it has been a long time. You keep it up?"

"For a while. Got to brown belt but then football intervened. What about you?"

Football. Hmmm, either a dumb jock or a sought after hunk. "Oh, no, I only did it because my parents wanted me to be able to defend myself." Not that I'd ever fight off a doll like you though. "But I am so grateful for the self-confidence and discipline it gave me." At least that's what people always say when they talk about dropping out of martial arts class. She gestured to the stone bench by the fountain. "Do you have a few minutes? We could catch up, or I should say, start catching up." Dazzle with the smile, blink the eyes and be glad you remembered to use the peacock shadow and golden mascara. I bet he'll be a pushover. Look at those shoulders! Wonder what he drives? "I'm waiting for a ride so I have a little time."

"Where do you need to go?"

"Burger King. My friend works there." Boyfriend, but he doesn't need to know that. Possbily soon to be ex-boyfriend. "We were going to study when he gets off work." Holy crap! I let the "he" slip. Let's see how Mr. Fine Looking Paul reacts.

"I'm impressed at finding such a studious person here at Fleming U! What's your major?"

Good. He sat down, so he's probably interested. Or at least not
scared off. Too bad I'm wearing jeans, not as good effect compared to that midi skirt. "I'm still taking basics." Til I quit bombing out on them. "A little of this, a little of that." What did he used to talk about all the time? Think-think-think. Bingo! Model airplanes.

"Have you had Haddock for Twentieth Century America?"

"No, I tend to kind of zone out in history classes. But I'm impressed that a lovely lady like you is taking such deep stuff."

I swear his eyes twinkled like Tony Curtis's in "The Great Race." And that dimple! It's about enough to make me forget what's-his-fart. "I bet you say that to all the girls." Kick self! What a corny thing to say. Of course, "lovely lady" is pretty high on the corn index too.

"Only the ones with class, brains, and looks. I hope that doesn't sound too corny."

It does. But with a smile like that, who needs originality? Sue patted his strong, uncalloused hand with her perfectly manicured one. "Of course not. I think it's sweet. Do you work anywhere?" Please don't say McDonald's.

"Sportsman's Lure. Do you know where that is?"

Egad. In the industrial section. "Um, I think so. Are you the manager?" I can always hope.

He chuckled, shaking his head, which caused the sun to glint on the natural golden highlights. Sue's heart fluttered and she had to remind herself to breathe. She straightened up; good posture shows off a woman's best parts, according to Seventeen magazine, not the kind of thing her mother had ever told her.

Paul said, "No, I repair things and stock things and generally get in everyone's way. But I've been there close to four years now, so the pay is pretty good."

Good enough to take me out every week, I wonder? "That's just great, Paul. I know everyone must be so proud of you. And going to college, too. I don't see how you manage." Bobby does – shut up! I'm not thinking about him and his stupid wrecked car and all his dumb jokes and his adolescent attitudes towards me—
She realized Paul had said something. How should she get him to recap without giving him the idea that she wasn't listening? A glance at her watch should do the trick. "Oh, I'd better get going so my ride won't leave without me." Clever, good girl.

"I don't mind taking you. I have a little time to waste. Wait, that didn't come out right."

"I know what you mean, silly boy." Okay, so outright flirting works, not a turnoff. Good.

"The Burger King at Center and Fourteenth? Or at Camp and Herald?"

"Center and Fourteenth. Near the Kmart. Are you sure it's not too much trouble?" As foxy as I look, of course it won't be.

"No trouble at all. It'll be fun to catch up." He stood, then placed his palm on her books. "Would you like me to take these for you, lighten your load a little?"

"I think I can manage ... unless you absolutely must for reasons of macho manliness." I hope that was cute instead of too much.

He smiled, a warm, easy smile. "Never let my manhood come into question. I have no doubts about it, and neither will you if I'm lucky." Books tucked under one arm, he held out his other hand to help her rise.

Lucky? If I play my cards right, I'll be the lucky one and good-bye Bobby.

"Do we need to wait and tell your ride that you don't need them?"

"If we scuttle real fast to the Student Union, I can call her before she leaves her house." I should have thought about it; Deb would not be amused if she made a trip out here and I stood her up. What's wrong with me?

"Et's-lay uttle-scay, bay-bay ."

"Okay. Maybe that was a bit on the corny side."

"One ham with a side of corn, coming up."

He is so cute! I hope this works out. I deserve some good luck with men for a change. "I'm so glad we ran into each other, Paul."

"Me, too."

The twosome walked toward the largest parking lot for students; Sue scanned the drop off zones for Deb's little Brat. Sometimes Debbie came early to hang out at the library or hobnob with the teachers, but today Sue's luck seemed to be holding.

"I'll duck in the Student Union and make that call. Why don't you go over to the cafeteria and have a Coke or a quick snack? It shouldn't take long to get hold of Debbie."

"Debbie ... oh, you had a best friend. Y'all still together?"

She nodded, digging in her purse for a dime. How embarassing; he'll think I never grew up, hanging around my old grade school buddies.

"That is so cool. Long term friendships prove that a person is stable and thoughtful."

Well, goodie. Two points for me. Sue gave Paul a miniscule shove to the small of the back, pointing him toward the far end of the Union. He doesn't need to hear this call, for sure. "I'll meet you over by the Canteen in a [smidge]."

"I didn't know people were wearing smidges nowadays." He looked over his shoulder as he walked toward his designated [area]. "Hope that wasn't too stupid. I really do have a brain, sometimes."

He is sooo funny! "I like a sense of humor."

"Then see you in a few, sweet little Sue."

She didn't need to use the phone book; BK was a number she had dialed so many times that she'd probably remember it in the nursing home after she forgot the names of her own grandkids. A quick glance told her that Paul was in his assigned spot, paying the cashier and soon to be sitting down, possibly watching her. She fumbled the dime, hands sweating, groped on the greasy carpet til the coin's serrated edge scraped against her fingertip. She listened for the dialtone, then to the coin as it tinkled into the slot. Come on, come on, be the one to answer.

"Welcome to Center Street Burger King, where you always have it your way. Bobby speaking, how may I help you?"

"Hey, Bobby, how are things going?" Sue tried to sound breezy, carefree, innocuous. Good thing Bobby was too dense to read her mind. Most men were. They didn't notice things, didn't take the little hints, didn't read body language. All the guys in The Group had bombed out of "Non-verbal communication" section of Speech 1300, well, except for Steve, but he tended to pay attention to people.

"Doing all right. You running late?"

"Um, no, I ... won't be coming to study tonight. Ran into an old friend."

"From Mimosa Heights?"

"No, from tae kwon do class. You wouldn't remember it."

"Okay, so are we still on for watching the game at Debbie's folks?"

"I don't think so. I have so much catching up to do." With Paul, that is. But dodo Bobby will assume I mean housework and homework like a classic female drudge.

"Alright then. Let me know if I can help you in any way."

Subservient little brown nose. "Thanks. That's real sweet of you. I'd better let you get back to work." And when the cat slings burgers, the mice will play. Or something like that.

"Bye sweetie. Love you."

"Um, love you too. Later." Whew. She hung the phone up with a clunk and leaned against the booth for a moment, gathering her strength as relief flooded through her marrow. This might work. I hope it does. Anybody would be better than ol' Booby-prize. Debbie was right about not inter-dating in The Group. Not that she needs to hear it out loud so she could crow and say I Told You So, but for my own personal reference, it's a good lesson learned. Unless Paul wants to be part of The Group ...