Tracy was very wary of dating a coworker. Working at a big office she’d seen many of her friends begin romances just for them to end in difficult situations, seeing an ex every day.
But as a shy girl Tracy didn’t have a lot of prospects in or out of work.
Then Tony started working only a few cubicles away from her. He was cute and every morning when he walked by, he smiled at her and said “hope you have a nice day.” It wasn’t obvious, but something about it made her smile too.
Then in the break room one day he offered her an extra bag of chips he had. It was no big deal, but she felt they had a little moment.
A few days later in the break room, he asked her if she’d ever heard of The Beach Boys. For some reason Tracy just cackled awkwardly. “Everybody’s heard of The Beach Boys.” Then she immediately regretted it her tart retort.
Idiot, she said to herself, he was trying to ask you something and all you could do is be pithy with him?
“I guess that’s true” he said, nervously admonishing himself, but he did not avert his gaze or grin from her.
“Well, I got these tickets to The Beach Boys concert and thought it might be fun. Would you like to go?” He was nervously shaking so much she thought he would drop his coffee cup.
This time without question Tracy immediately said yes, without a thought.
“Great, I’ll pick you up.” He said, relieved, filling up his coffee cup, and hastily leaving the room.
Elated, Tracy went back to her desk too, but as soon as she began typing, she realized they made a fatal error.
Oh no, he didn’t say when it was. And he doesn’t know where I live, Tracy thought to herself. Now what was she going to do? Did she give him some time to realize his error? Or did she ask him?
Deciding to wait till the end of the day she obtrusively passed his cubicle several times, seeing if it would prompt an answer, but at the end of the day nothing came.
The next morning, he slowly went by her desk with his head hung low.
“I’m sorry. I forgot to tell you it’s Saturday at 7 o’clock. Does that work? The concert I mean,” he said apologetically.
“That’s great,” she said. “Here’s my address. She scribbled on a piece of paper and handed it to him as they both grinned at each other.
Tracy was so excited. Saturday could not come fast enough, but finally it did.
After he picked her up, there was a gaping silence in the car. Each time either of them began to speak; they stopped themselves, cold. But when they arrived at the concert, all the uncertainty seemed to melt. It was a real party atmosphere.
The lawn area of the venue was massive. Some people brought chairs, but most laid blankets down to sit on, but a few people sat. From the moment the music started, everyone was dancing around. Then out of nowhere, rubber beach balls filled the air and everyone tapped them up traveling back and forth, all over the audience.
When the ball came to them, they both reached up at the same time and hit the ball. Glancing at each other, they laughed.
As the night went on, they danced and sing-along, having a great time. Such a great time didn’t feel the raindrops coming down sporadically.
Soon as the rain became a steady mist, so they could no longer ignore it. But looking around at everyone else, they shrugged. No one seemed to care about getting wet, so they continued singing and dancing along with the band. Since the band was undercover, they didn’t stop.
Then the rain morphed into a steady drip, but still no one left. Those with blankets pulled them up and held them over their heads like a shelter.
Without a blanket or jackets, Tracy and Tony looked at each other silently asking each other if they should leave.
Then Tony spotted a guy selling hefty bags for a dollar. He cut out the head and arms to wear it like a poncho. He ran over and grabbed a couple before they were gone and gallantly put hers over her head and arms first, then did his own. Tracy smiled at him with gratitude, impressed at his chivalry and his quick thinking.
Luckily, the rain ebbed and everyone kept going, balls hanging time in the air once again.
When the concert was over, everyone dispersed. She felt Tony gently take her hand as they walked to the car without a word.
Theresa parking was a log jam of vehicles, all trying to get out one exit. Looking around they soon realized they were trapped.
For the first time that night, Tony spoke.
“I don’t think we’re going anywhere for a while,” he laughed and strangely opened the car door, tilting his head toward the outside.
Unsure of what was going on, she exited the car and curiously watched him open the trunk and pull out a small cooler, then walk to the front of the car and sat on the hood of the car, placing the cooler next to him.
“I have some beer and chips,” he said. “I brought them for the concert, but then saw the sign that said no outside food or drinks. Guess they won’t go to waste now.”
Smiling Tracy was impressed with his fast thinking and preparedness.
For about an hour, they watched everyone else manically trying to maneuver around the parking lot, cutting each other off, while stressfully beeping. Tony and Tracy sat calmly laughing.
Again he reached over and gently held her hand, smiling at her.
Sitting there looking up at the sky, she couldn’t remember the songs the band played, but she remembered the fun, the rain and the start of something wonderful.
SUZANNE RUDD HAMILTON 