Body Language - Chapter 14 (Part 1)

[mandygirl78]

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It was Tuesday night; Cindy was on her date with Greg. Natalie, Tootie, Sue Ann, and I were telling scary stories in the living room. Blair was out, probably with one of her many suitors, and as usual, Nancy was out with Roger. We had the lights off and a flashlight was the only source of light. Well, it was mostly Natalie and me, since Tootie really could not come up with any scary stories and Sue Ann was in a very foul mood, even though she was trying to hide it. She was smiling as usual, but her body language was tense. I think Cindy's date was having an effect on her.

Natalie was telling a boogeyman story. It was not scary, more just plain silly, but it sure beat watching Schneider talking about his tool belt on "One Day at a Time!"

"And out came…," Natalie paused for dramatic effect, "…the boogeyman!" Natalie exclaimed.

Her loud surprise got us and we screamed, but we thought it was more funny than scary.

Natalie heard a noise at the front door and shut off the flashlight. We tried to stay quiet as we waited for something to happen and then heard the front door open. It was Greg with Cindy. I thought they were back rather early from the game.

Before anyone could say anything to the couple, Natalie whispered, "Be quiet everyone, I don't think they know we are here."

"It's still early. I wonder why all the lights are off?" Cindy asked.

"Maybe they're all out?" Greg offered.

"No way, not everyone," Cindy said.

"We'd still be out too, if the Rockets weren't leading by twenty-five in the middle of the third quarter," Greg chuckled. Now I know why they were back this early.

"Could you flip the light switch on the wall?" Cindy asked. I heard footsteps and then Cindy squeaked, "Greg?"

"I think this is much nicer," Greg seductively whispered.

"Greg! Get your hands off of my…" Cindy growled.

Suddenly, light flooded the room. I kept blinking, trying to make the spots in front of my eyes go away. Once I could see without spots, I saw a very angry Sue Ann standing beside the light switch. Greg jumped away from Cindy and hid his hands behind his back.

"Hey…," Greg sheepishly greeted everyone.

"Did you have a nice date?" Sue Ann asked.

"Yeah, but we left the game early, because the Rockets were leading by twenty-five in the middle of the third quarter," Cindy answered.

"We heard," Sue Ann ground out and joined the rest of us watching the couple's post-date interaction.

Cindy was about to put away her coat, when Greg stopped her, "I hope you had a good time, in spite of the game."

"Yeah, I really enjoyed it. Thanks for taking me to the game. I had a lot of fun, even though the game was a blowout," Cindy answered him as she hung up her coat.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it. When can we go out again?"

This took Cindy by complete surprise. I think she did not expect him to ask her out again. Due to her lack of experience with boys, she really did not understand how serious he was about her. I have yet to tell Greg Cindy is gay and she likes Sue Ann. I am afraid to, because I do not want to betray either Cindy or Sue Ann. I also cannot let him get too involved with Cindy either. I have a feeling he wants to get serious with her, because I have never seen Greg act like this with Blair when they were dating. This whole mess put me in a bind, since Greg is one of my best friends. I feel like I am sort of betraying our friendship, but Cindy is more at risk here. She could end up way over her head with Greg and Sue Ann.

"Uh…, I don't know, but probably not before Christmas," she uneasily answered, not looking at him. I could see how nervous and awkward she felt. She looked like a fish out of water. I also saw the uneasiness on Sue Ann's face. She really disliked how this was going.

Greg unsuccessfully tried to get Cindy to look at him and finally gave up. "Yeah, I'll be busy studying for my midterms. How about New Year's Eve? I know a great place to celebrate. The crowd will be our age."

She looked at the floor, "I don't know, Greg...," and timidly answered, which was so unlike her.

"Oh, come on. It will be a blast. I've heard most of your friends are going. Unfortunately, one of them is Blair, because she rented the space for the event."

"Then I'm definitely not going!" Cindy angrily exclaimed and stomped her foot on the floor.

"That's why I need you to come with me, so I don't have to listen to Blair the entire night. You can bring Sue Ann if you want; since it seems you two are always together." Greg was practically begged now.

Cindy smiled brightly, "For sure I'm coming."

Natalie and my heads quickly whipped to look at Sue Ann. She scowled and growled at us, "No, it's not like that!"

"Great! Scott is coming too," Greg happily said. Cindy looked uneasy as soon as she heard Scott's name. "I know Roger and Nancy are also coming and a few other couples, I think. It will be a blast!" I thought Cindy was going to be sick when she heard the word 'couples.'

I was rather impressed at how fast Cindy recovered, "It sounds like it will. Where is it being held?"

"In Times Square," Greg proclaimed.

Cindy could not hide her shock when she heard that, "Times Square? Wow! How did Blair pull that one off?"

"You know her, she's got connections, thanks to her daddy," Greg laughed and imitated Blair's haughty tone whenever she spoke of her father, "Daddy can get me anything I want." Cindy smiled and chuckled at his frighteningly accurate impression of Blair. "Spoiled brat!" He scoffed. We did our best not to laugh too loud. Greg beamed at the sight of an amused Cindy. He looked deep into her eyes. When Cindy stopped chuckling, Greg finally caught her eye. To me, she looked like a deer caught in headlights. She was visibly shaking a bit. I knew since our tomboy had no clue about romances with guys, Greg staring in her eyes completely unnerved her. Then again, she was able to flirt with Sue Ann without any nervousness, so maybe he being a guy was why she was so awkward. "But enough about Blair. I only care about you. You are so beautiful," he stroked Cindy's cheek. I quickly looked over at Sue Ann and saw her trembling in anger.

"I…I…I am?" Cindy stuttered and swallowed hard.

"Yes, very. You're like a young Goldie Hawn," Greg smoothly said.

The interaction fascinated me. This was a completely different Greg in front of me, putting the moves on my friend.

Sue Ann growled, "Cindy's way better looking than Goldie Hawn! How could he compare her to that tramp!" Natalie started giggling. Sue Ann barked at her, "Shut up! It's not like that!"

Cindy was seriously panicking now. You could hear it in her voice, "W…w…well, it sure beats being compared to Goldilocks. Thanks for the compliment, b…but Greg…," Cindy took a step back, trying to put some distance between her and Greg, "I think I need to…"

Greg took a step towards Cindy, "Ssshh…," he put his finger against her lips. "Let's not waste this opportunity." I wondered if he completely forgot about us, until he said, "There's no one here but us." I knew he did. He bent his head down and leaned in for a kiss.

"Apparently!" Sue Ann shouted, "You forgot we were still here!"

Greg screeched to a halt, quickly straightened up, and took a couple of steps away from Cindy. He looked like a little boy who just got caught with his hand in the cookie jar. I guess if Sue Ann did not speak up, he would have put his hand in Cindy's 'cookie jar.'

"Sue Ann!" Tootie shouted and pouted. She wanted to see them kiss.

Natalie and I watched in shock as Sue Ann stormed over to Greg and invaded his personal space. "WHAT were you trying to do?" She growled, like a lioness protecting her cubs.

Greg was trapped and he knew it, "Uh, uh, uh, nothing. It's not what you're thinking. I was just saying 'good night' to my date."

"Bull crap! You'd better find a better explanation," Sue Ann demanded.

"For someone who claims to have no feelings for Cindy, she is all up in Greg's face," Natalie softly said to me, so Tootie could not hear.

"You four were here all this time?" Cindy asked in surprise.

"Were you so lost in lover boy's eyes you forgot?" Sue Ann accused.

Cindy's eyes grew as large as saucers and she stared silently at Sue Ann.

"I think Sue Ann's trip down that river in Egypt has finally docked," Natalie chuckled and put her arm around my shoulders.

"What trip?" Tootie asked.

Natalie and I looked at each other. "I'll explain it to you later, okay?" Natalie answered.

"Okay, but you'd better not forget," Tootie turned her attention back to the drama in front of us.

"Well?" Sue Ann demanded, drawing Natalie's and my attention back to her.

"Uh, I think we'd better call it a night Cindy," Greg sputtered and quickly made his way to the door, "I'll call you," Greg said and slipped out the door.

Sue Ann opened the door and yelled, "Not until you learn some manners!"

Mrs. Garrett came in from the kitchen and asked, "What's going on here?"

"Nothing really, just Cindy and Greg coming back from the game," I told her.

"If it was nothing, then why did I hear loud shouting?"

"We were telling scary stories and scared ourselves," Natalie explained.

"Oh, you girls," Mrs. Garrett laughed, "So it wasn't anything serious?"

"Nope," Cindy replied.

"Good. You and Greg came back early. Did something happen?" Mrs. Garrett asked Cindy.

"Oh no, nothing bad…well, unless you count the Houston Rockets winning the game," Cindy joked and Mrs. Garrett laughed. I was stunned Mrs. Garrett actually bought Natalie's explanation for the shouting.

"But did you two at least enjoy your time together?" Mrs. Garrett asked Cindy.

"Absolutely, we had a great time," Cindy answered. Her body language contradicted her words.

"That's good. So when are you two going to see each other again?"

"Probably on New Year's Eve. Blair has a reserved space in Times Square," Cindy volunteered.

Mrs. Garrett was astonished, "Times Square?"

"I don't know all the details yet, so you'll have to ask Blair about it." I smiled as Cindy threw Blair under the bus.

"I will, thank you," Mrs. Garrett said and walked towards the kitchen door. As she left, she smiled and said, "Good night girls. Remember, tonight's a school night."

Reluctantly, we all headed upstairs to our rooms. Sue Ann sprinted up the stairs before anyone had a chance to talk to her. Cindy and I headed up the stairs behind Tootie and Natalie. I heard Tootie say to Natalie, "Don't forget to tell me about Sue Ann's trip to Egypt." Cindy shot me a questioning look and I choked down a laugh.

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Time for kissing under the mistletoe, Christmas bells, the Christmas colors of red, gold, and green, exchanging gifts, the Yule log…yes, the holiday season is here once again. The reason why we celebrate the twenty-fifth of December as the day Jesus was born, is because Pope Julius I wanted to replace the pagan holiday with a Christian one. Corporate America then turned the Christian holiday into a thinly veiled promotion of the three 'Cs': Capitalism, Commercialism, and Consumerism. Christianity has almost completely vanished from the celebration for most people, but there are a few, like Mr. Bradley, who disagree with me.

While we were engaging in our traditional pastime, watching TV in the living room, Mr. Bradley arrived with some so-called 'important news.'

"Hello girls…," Mr. Bradley paused when he noticed me glaring at him, "…I mean women…I would like to know who will be participating in the upcoming Eastland Christmas Festival? Eastland and Bates Academy will be putting on the play "The Little Drummer Boy." I am looking for someone to play Mary. Any volunteers?"

"What about Joseph?" I asked.

"Let me see," Mr. Bradley pulled out a sheet of paper from the folder in his hands and read it to us, "Bates Academy has chosen Scott Dunbar to play Joseph."

"What about Jason?" Blair exclaimed, "He's Bates Academy's best actor."

"Mr. Hoffman left Bates Academy," Mr. Bradley informed a surprised Blair.

'She really doesn't keep in touch with past dates,' I bitterly thought.

"I'll try out for Mary!" Sue Ann jubilated after hearing Scott would be playing Joseph.

"That's the spirit!" Mr. Bradley chimed. At this moment, Cindy walked in from the bathroom.

"I have an idea Mr. Bradley," I said to him. Mr. Bradley gave me the 'Oh no, it might be something I don't like' look.

"What is it this time, Molly? I'm not going to have you ruin Christmas like you tried to last year, when you replaced the baby Jesus doll with a black doll. Do you know how embarrassing that was? Most of the parents were outraged."

"I just wanted an accurate portrayal of baby Jesus," I stated. I remembered how memorable the scene turned out. Last year, since I was part of Stage Crew, I was easily able to replace the baby Jesus right before the curtain went up. That year, Michelle Talbert played Mary. Blair was her understudy. Back then, I could not believe how much Blair looked up to that self-absorbed twit, but looking back, now I understand why Blair spent so much time with Michelle. There were rumors about their late night rehearsals in Michelle's room. She had the room to herself after her roommate asked for a mid-term transfer. Michelle picked up the baby Jesus, cradled him in her arms, and then started cussing a blue streak! It was a hoot! I almost got suspended for it, but I got lucky and was given detention. I had to write, 'Baby Jesus was not black' seven hundred times. I was also banned from Stage Crew.

"My parents didn't have a problem with it," Tootie responded with a smile.

Mr. Bradley sighed and told her, "Besides your parents, Tootie."

"But Mr. Bradley, Jesus could not have been white. Well, definitely not like someone from Europe. People in the Middle East don't typically have white skin and blue eyes. In the Bible, it said he had hair like wool, who else has hair like wool, besides black people?"

"Molly, everyone knows Jesus was white. However, we live in a democratic country, which means you are entitled to your differing opinion," Mr. Bradley reluctantly conceded.

"And because I am, I think we should be allowed to express those differing opinions, such as where each of the Christmas customs originated from."

"No! I'm not going to let you turn into Scrooge and turn the Christmas Festival into a travesty like last year!"

"But people have the right to know!" I complained.

As usual, Mr. Bradley dismissed me and what I had to say, "Molly, the next thing we know, you'll be saying there's no God," Mr. Bradley laughed.

By then, I was very angry with Mr. Bradley and wanted to tell him off, but we all were surprised by a comment from a least likely source.

"She would be right, there is no God," Blair calmly stated.

Everyone was shocked into silence, especially Mr. Bradley. When he found his voice, he asked, "Blair, why would you say something like that?"

"Mr. Bradley, I have long held the belief there is no God. There are children, even in this country, dying from starvation. If this benevolent loving God exists, why doesn't he help? Where is he? Where was God when over nine hundred people died in Jonestown last year? Where was God when my parents divorced? No matter how hard I prayed, he didn't do anything to stop my parents' divorce. It's all a lie! He doesn't exist!" We all silently stared as she held Mr. Bradley's dumbfounded stare. For the first time, I saw conviction and fire in her eyes. No one said anything, until Sue Ann spoke.

"So when are the auditions?"

Mr. Bradley quickly looked at Sue Ann. His body language and facial expression screamed of the relief he felt, "Tomorrow at 5:00, after school in the auditorium."

While Mr. Bradley spoke to Sue Ann, I watched Blair go upstairs.

"Cool, I'll be there."

"I'm looking forward to it, because I think you will make a wonderful Mary. You're the perfect image of Mary."

I opened my mouth to say something, but Mr. Bradley silenced me with his pointed finger and warned, "Not a word, Molly."

He turned back to Sue Ann and smiled, "So I'll see you tomorrow at five, right?"

"You bet!" Sue Ann beamed.

"That's great. So, if I don't see you girls again until next year, have a Happy Holiday and a MERRY CHRISTMAS," He emphasized while looking directly at me, before leaving.

After Mr. Bradley left, Cindy blasted me with both barrels, "Jesus Molly, why do you have to be so damn difficult about Christmas? Just because you don't believe in it, doesn't give you the right to take the fun out of it for everyone else." I could tell she was really pissed at me, because she rarely used swear words.

Apparently, Nancy was pissed at me too. "Yeah! Maybe it's not real to you, but the rest of us should be allowed to enjoy it!" At that moment, I wished Natalie were here to back me up. She does not buy all the Christmas hype either, because she is Jewish.

Even though I saw their point, I needed to make my point as well. "I'm "difficult" about Christmas, because people need to know the real meaning of it, instead of buying into this 'birth of Jesus' crap. Every thinking person knows Winter Solstice is celebrated around the twenty-fifth. Christmas is really the celebration of the Winter Solstice and the traditional name of the celebration is Yule or better known as Yuletide. The Yule celebration is when the pagan Goddess gives birth to the God as the reborn Son. It begins before dawn on the day of the Winter Solstice, so they can witness the 'rebirth of the Son'. They use candles to celebrate his rebirth. Families cut down a tree and bring it to their homes to keep the wood spirits warm. They decorate it with food and treats, so the spirits have something to eat. There is usually a star on top of the tree, which symbolizes the five elements, like a pentagram. Does it sound familiar to you? It should, because it is common Christmas tradition still going on today."

"The birth of our baby Lord Jesus is not crap!" Sue Ann barked at me, like an angry German Sheppard. "Jesus was born on this Earth to die for our sins, especially for heathens like you. Besides, every scientist knows Winter Solstice is not always on the twenty-fifth, because the Earth rotates three hundred sixty-five and a quarter days each year, thus the reason for the leap year, and the reason the solstice is not consistent with the Gregorian calendar." I thought Sue Ann looked like one of those 'televangelists' on Sunday television. The only thing missing was the bible in her hands…the one she would be 'thumping' on as she preached.

"Gregorian calendar?" Nancy asked.

"It's the calendar system we use today, named after Pope Gregory XIII. The solstice falls between the twenty-first and twenty-second of this month in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, it's between the twentieth and the twenty-first. So in that respect, Christmas is not based on the solstice; it's an original Christian holiday!"

I opened my mouth to reply, but Sue Ann held up her hand to stop me, "I know you're going to tell me Jesus could not have been born during the winter. I agree, it was most likely around spring, but that's not the point. The point is we are celebrating the life of our savior, regardless of whether you believe it or not, and we should be living our lives for Him. I might not be the true image of Mary, but that's not the point either. The point is people have the right to celebrate the birth of Jesus, whether you like it or not, just like people have the right to know about alternative Christmas traditions. So, why don't you practice what you preach for once and show some tolerance for Eastland's chosen Christmas Festival!" She directed a furious scowl at me. I just silently stared at Sue Ann.

Of all the students at Eastland, Sue Ann was the last one I expected to shut me down like that, but she did. I wisely chose to remain silent, because I did not want Sue Ann to roar at me like the MGM lion again.

"Uh…I'm going to check on Blair."

As I headed upstairs, I heard Cindy tell Sue Ann, "Don't let Molly get to you like that. You know she acts self-righteous, because she's not religious."

"I'm sorry, but what I heard was pure heresy," She fumed.

Midway up the stairs, I bumped into Natalie, who was heading down. I pulled her out of sight of Cindy and Sue Ann, "I need you to take over downstairs, because I can't be in the same room with Sue Ann right now, okay?"

"Why? What happened?"

"Let's just say we had a 'difference of opinion' and leave it at that, okay?"

Natalie shrugged, knowing I was not going to elaborate any further, "Okay."

When I got back downstairs, Cindy and Sue Ann were intimately chatting near the couch, so I sat at the table, making sure to face them, and picked up one of the many magazines discarded on it. I figured I should at least pretend to read, while I listened in on their conversation.

"Don't worry about it. I hope you get picked to be Mary. You'll be an awesome Mary," Cindy cheerfully said and placed her hands on Sue Ann's shoulders to show her support.

Sue Ann replied, "It sure would! I played Mary back at Farmington Junior High in Kansas."

"Really? Tell me about it."

The seductive tone in Cindy's voice made me blush, so I wondered if Sue Ann felt the same.

"Sure. Robert Berry played Joseph. He wasn't very good looking and had a lot of pimples on his face. We used to call him "Pizza Face," Sue Ann laughed.

It seemed Sue Ann either ignored the tone in Cindy's voice or she really was 'clueless' about sexual innuendo. I figured it was the latter.

"Ewww, gross!" Cindy squirmed.

"Yeah, it was rather gross. The play was nothing special. The baby Jesus doll was white, unlike last year's!" They both laughed. "The only mishap was when the star on the manger fell on the baby Jesus."

"What?" Cindy exclaimed.

"Yeah! The star fell right down. I guess it wasn't nailed on very well. Thank God it wasn't real!" Sue Ann laughed and Cindy joined in a second later. The laughter died down and it was silent for quite awhile, so I looked up from my magazine. They were looking deeply into each other's eyes. Oy vey!

"I may not be Joseph, or Scott, but my feelings for you are just as deep, if not more," Cindy softly expressed, as her fingers played with the tips of Sue Ann's long blond hair draped over the front of her collarbone.

Sue Ann stared at Cindy in stunned silence. She looked like a deer caught in headlights and was clearly terrified, yet she never looked away from Cindy. They continued to stare deeply into each other's eyes. Oh my, there they go again. They continued this for quite a while. Their feelings were palpable in the room.

When Mrs. Garrett entered the room, I thought they would jump away from each other, but they stayed put. She stared at them for a bit. I could tell she was studying them. Judging by the look on her face, I can confirm to Molly Mrs. Garrett now knows there is definitely serious chemistry between Cindy and Sue Ann.

Mrs. Garrett cleared her throat to break the couple's reverie and asked Sue Ann, "I hear you're going to audition for the role of Mary in the play?"

Those two jumped away from each other with such force, you would have thought they got struck by lightning. Sue Ann, now broken out of her 'lover's haze,' sputtered, "Oh hi Mrs. Garrett. What did you say?"

"I asked if you are going to audition for the role of Mary in the play," Mrs. Garrett said.

"Uh…yes, I sure am!" I was impressed by how quickly Sue Ann recovered.

"That's great news. I heard the boy you're dating, Scott, is playing Joseph."

The reaction on Cindy's face was a total Kodak moment. Darn, I wish I had my camera!

"What?" Cindy inadvertently exclaimed in anger at first, but quickly covered up her anger, "I mean, yeah…Mr. Bradley told us." I could tell Mrs. Garrett was not buying Cindy's 'happiness.'

"Well, good luck Sue Ann, I know you'll get it," Mrs. Garrett encouraged her and left the room.

Sue Ann looked at Cindy and pleaded with her, "I know you don't like Scott, but please, don't interfere in this."

I could see the hurt and sadness on Cindy's face. "I won't. If this is what you want, then I'll stand by you. All I really want is for my friend to be happy."

Sue Ann smiled and softly said, "Thanks," and went to the kitchen, leaving a crushed Cindy behind.