Joanie Piper: Sneak-Peak Chapter
By: May Overmyer
Tags: Family Dinner, Short Story, High School, Journal

September 21st, Graham’s Big Dance

As I’m sure you’ve gathered by now, Graham is quite shy. But this week, timidity is going to be a major problem…

Washington High, Graham’s school, is having their Homecoming weekend in five days and the weather is supposed to be great! Last night at dinner, Graham told our family that the fun begins on Saturday morning with a huge football game. All the students dress in the school colors and cheer in the stadium while eleven big guys crouch, grunt, then slam into each other over and over again for about two hours.

My dad smiled cheekily and said, “Aw that’s great! But, isn’t there something after that?”

Graham hesitated for a second, then quickly explained, “Yes, actually, afterwards there will be hotdogs and burgers in the parking lot.”

Then my mom chimed in, “And is there another event after that…?”

My parents were hinting at something and I could tell Graham was becoming embarrassed — his cheeks changed color. He looked down at his plate, shuffling his spaghetti with a fork. We all continued to stare at him until he finally raised his head and expressed exasperation, “Yes! There’s a dance. Okay?”

I decided to stay silent, but Ty felt like this was a good time to ask Graham if he had a secret girlfriend and Ruby accompanied his question with kissy noises. Graham put his head in his hands and pushed back his bangs. He seemed too stressed to be upset with Ty and Ruby’s immaturity. “That’s the problem,” Graham grumbled, “I don’t have a secret girlfriend, or really any girl-friends.”

“Well what about Sarah?” My mom offered politely. “You guys are like cousins! You could ask her to go to the dance with you, couldn’t you? I’m sure she’d say yes.”

“Mo-om!” Graham said, turning redder, as if this was the world’s worst suggestion. He lowered his voice, but heightened the emotion, “She’s taller than me!”

It was quiet for just a moment, as even Ty and Ruby felt our brother’s turmoil. “Well,” my dad piped up, “this may be hard to believe, but I haven’t always been this tall.” This lightened the mood, as my dad’s head brushed the light hanging above the table. “In fact,” he went on, “I was your height all through high school, so I came up with a little trick. But — it’s going to involve getting in touch with your roots!”

“Roots?” Graham asked, partially nervous, partially hopeful. “But dad…you’re from Texas?”

Halfway through the week, a big package arrived in the mail from Houston, Texas; it was for Graham. Before any of us could sneak a peek, he intercepted it and brought it up to his room.

The next couple days went by slowly for Ty, Ruby, and me. Clare told me that Graham had indeed called Sarah and asked her to the dance; Sarah said yes and asked him to pick her up at 7 PM.

At 6:45 PM the night of, our family waited for Graham to come down the stairs. We heard a clunk as he took each step. Then, there he was, in a grey suit and tie and a brand new pair of manly leather cowboy boots with three inch heels at least.

“Howdy partner! Ready to roll?” Our dad warmly exclaimed.

“You betcha!” Graham responded as he confidently clunked out the door.