Yearbook (32 page)

“I haven’t any left,” Guy said in all seriousness.

“Well then,” Corky suggested, “let’s just break down right here on the floor.” Forcing a laugh, trying to keep things light, Corky smiled. He smiled his guaranteed dazzler for them and they each felt even worse because they knew how hard he was trying and it just wasn’t there. The sparkle in the green eyes, missing. The controlled nonchalance, gone. The wavy hair seemed straighter, receding a bit.

When he happened to turn to look at the band, they all noticed. The surgeons had done an amazing job. The plastic work, the cosmetic surgery and the planing of the skin; all of it done wonderfully well, almost covering the remaining scars.

“How have you been?” asked Amy.

“Never better!” Corky winked, praying to devastate as before.

“What’cha doing?” Ro-Anne wanted to know. “I mean with your life?”

“Things couldn’t have worked out better!” Corky beamed. “Buffalo’s a terrific place. Real sports-minded. Play everything from ice hockey to tetherball. Can’t get their fill. My dad got himself transferred after the accident to a big Sears just outside the city. Beautiful store, smack in the middle of a giant shopping center. Turned out to be a real step up. Anyway, some guys in the sporting equipment department knew about a big firm looking for a rep, someone to cover the tri-state area. Who was better qualified? So I took the job. Love it. Harley Sports. We make skis, basketballs, baseball mitts, all that jazz.”

No one said anything. The band started a slow number.

CORKY TOOK OUT HIS WALLET. “I’LL SHOW YOU MY CARD! LET YOU SEE WHAT ABIGDEALLAM.”

TRYING TO APPEAR EXCITED, EACH ACCEPTED: harley sports equipment carl henderson, jr. sales representative

“Very nice,” Amy said quickly.

“Yeah. I was selling over in Hempstead this morning, so I figured, why not drive by, catch the Homecoming.”

“I’m glad you came,” said Guy.

“Me too!” Corky lied. “I see nothing’s changed.”

“How can you drive?” asked Ro-Anne. The icy reception of the question made her realize what she’d said. An open hand covered her face. “I’m sorry. Always putting my foot in my mouth!”

Guy and Amy looked away.

“I didn’t mean … “

“Relax, huh?” Corky told her. “First of all, I drive with my right foot, like most
normal
people. And second, outside of running the hundred-yard dash in record time, I can do most anything.”

Ro-Anne breathed in relief.

“I’ll prove it. Let’s dance.” He reached for her hand and led her to the dance area.

Guy looked at Amy. “ Shall we ?”

“With great pleasure. How nice to be able to put
my
head on
your
shoulder.”

Guy and Amy danced.

Corky and Ro-Anne danced.

Someone lowered the lights further and switched on the spinning mirrored ball. A blizzard of snowflakes circled the gymnasium.

“You look beautiful,” Corky told Ro-Anne as they danced. “More beautiful, if anything.”

“I’m not so sure.” She frowned. “It used to take me three-quarters of an hour in the morning to get ready. Now almost an hour and a half.”

“You’ll never lose your looks.”

“I better not. I’ll kill my self.”

Corky smiled.

“You look wonderful too, Corky. Handsome as ever.”

He moved closer. “It’s easier meeting new people who didn’t know me before. They don’t expect as much, if you know what I mean.”

Ro-Anne kissed his cheek. “You ever miss the old days?”

Corky shrugged. “Yes and no … can I tell you something crazy? Remember some of those touchdowns that made people go crazy up in the stands?”

“Ofcourse I remember.”

“It made me feel so … well, so high inside that I got depressed.”

Ro-Anne didn’t understand. “But why?”

Corky stopped dancing. “I think it was because I knew that no matter whatever came afterward, I was never going to be happier than right then.”

Ro-Anne said nothing. She rubbed the small of his back and they resumed their slow dance.

Guy whirled Amy around in a fast spin and then leaned her over into a French dip. She giggled and looked at him. “And what about you, tall stranger? What’s going on in your life?”

Guy shrugged. “Not much.”

“No romantic interest?”

“Naw. I’ve got plenty of time for that once I sort out the rest of me.”

She looked at him with affection. “Still confused?”

Trust Aunt Amy to get right to the bottom of things. Guy hugged her tighter. “Let’s just dance, okay? I didn’t come here to be analyzed.”

“Right you are!”

“I can tell you one thing.”

“What’s that?”

“I do what I want nowadays.”

“Smart boy.”

“Yeah. I guess I have you to thank for making me stop living for the neighbors.”

“Did I convince you of that?”

“You started it.”

“Splendid. Now how do I convince myself?”

“Jeez, you feel good next to me,” Corky whispered into Ro-Anne’s ear.

“Mmm.”

“Hey! Can I take you to dinner tonight? Name the spot. I got a nifty expense account.”

Ro-Anne couldn’t. It was just too upsetting. “I’m sorry, Corky. Wish I’d known. Made other plans. I’ll take a rain check, though.”

Corky couldn’t look at her, so he pressed her head into his chest. “You got it!”

A student, sixteen and cynical, disapproving of sappy old-timers laboring over lost history made his way to the top of the bleachers with his camera and, looking down, snapped for the coming yearbook a picture of the elderly gathering.

Amy watched Corky dancing with Ro-Anne. “Tell me, Guy, who was the villain of our piece?”

Guy looked at her and said softly without sarcasm, “The villain was growing up. “

Amy lowered her head. “In a way, I’m sorry I came.”

Guy kissed her forehead. “Me too.”

Above them the shining mirrored ball spun, fragmenting reality.

Below, couples danced into the fourth dimension.