Handsy

Joe- 16 Years Ago-3

Holly Bice was one of the other chaperones, and she and Luke’s dad spent the entire ride talking. According to Luke, his dad liked her, like really liked her.

“They talk on the phone almost every night, for hours. She’s nice enough.” He shrugged his shoulders and leaned against me. The car was a small VW, so we didn’t have a lot of space to spread out. It didn’t matter, because I liked the feel of his weight pressed into my side. Then I laid my hand on his leg. When I turned to see his reaction he was blushing, and looking out the window. Finally, he turned and I felt his leg pressed against mine.

“Do you want to play with my Game Boy?” He whispered and pointed to it on the floorboard. Normally I would, but I was too distracted by the feel of Luke so close to me. I shook my head no, then allowed my thoughts to wander.

Mr. Taggart and Ms. Bice were laughing for most of the trip, and I noticed the way her eyes lit up when she glanced in his direction. Is that what it meant to really like someone? If it was then I knew my parents didn’t really like each other. Heck, when Mom said she was meeting Dad for drinks at the club I’d known she was lying, and didn’t want me to know where she was going.

“What do you think of Cotillion?” Luke whispered in my ear, causing the hair on the back of my neck to stand up. “Because I hate it.”

“Yeah, it sucks. My grandfather makes me go. At least I get to hang out with you.” I whispered, then felt Luke’s body go stiff against mine. Out of the corner of my eye I saw him biting his lower lip.

“You boys okay back there? It’s awful quiet.” Mr. Taggart yelled back at us. Instantly we moved apart, and I took my hand from his leg and put it in my lap. Luke’s eyes were like saucers, and I had a feeling he couldn’t say anything so I spoke up.

“Yes, sir. Just tired from all the,” my eyes locked on Luke’s. “Dancing.”

“Luke, sorry about Miss Aspinall. All the other kids have been going to Cotillion since the sixth grade, so I think she was trying to teach you all the dances as fast as she could, so you wouldn’t feel left out.” Holly smiled back at us. “She can be a little pushy.”

“Tell me about it.” Luke muttered, then our eyes met, and we cracked up laughing at the same time.

“What’s so funny guys?” Mr. Taggart asked, and then I saw that Holly’s fingers were laced through his, resting behind the gear shift.

“Nothing, just you know, thinking of Miss Aspinall.” Luke said, between snickers. We were almost to my house, and it hit me like a sledgehammer that we were acting like Mr. Taggart and Holly, except that somehow it wasn’t right. Like they shouldn’t know about it, and they might not approve. Was that what it meant to really like someone? And was it wrong for me to like Luke?

“Is this where I turn off?” Mr. Taggart asked. I could see the sharp turn on to our property coming up.

“Yes sir, on the left through the metal gate. It should be open. Then it’s a couple of miles up the driveway.”

Luke’s hand was flat against the seat between us, and the thought of holding it possessed me. I lived out in the country, and there were no streetlights, so unless Luke’s dad or Holly turned in their seats, they wouldn’t be able to see anything. My heart raced, and I felt my throat beginning to close up. I took a deep breath and laid my hand on top of his.

“This is a beautiful estate.” Holly murmured, though I didn’t know how she could see anything in the dark. I felt Luke’s hand turn over and his fingers lace through mine. Moments later the lights from the house became visible, so reluctantly I let go of Luke’s grasp.

“Thank you for the ride, Mr. Taggart.” I said, my voice breaking.

“No problem.” He said, then parked. Mr. Taggart had to get out of the car and move the seat forward, so I could climb out of the backseat. Quickly, I leaned in close to Luke and squeezed his knee.

“See you tomorrow.” I whispered, then the moon broke through a cloud and his face was lit up by silvery light. Luke looked like an angel, or an otherworldly creature I’d only ever seen in books or my imagination. Something in my chest expanded, and I knew this had to be what really liking someone was all about.

“Goodnight,” Luke whispered “Handsy.”