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"Tonight's the night…we'll make history…honey, you and I…" Brett sang the words in Shannon's ear, his breath hot on her neck. He pulled her closer to him as they swayed to the music playing loudly from the speakers above them.
Shannon closed her eyes, trying to block out the intended meaning of those words. Although part of the song, she knew Brett was sending her a message. Tonight was the night. At least that's what he had been telling her since he'd asked her to the prom, six weeks before.
They had been dating for almost seven months now and the pressure was definitely on. It didn't seem to matter to Brett that Shannon had told him - repeatedly - that she was waiting until marriage. He'd laughed and said, "Yeah, right. Whatever." She was upset by his attitude of not taking her seriously, laughing at her like she was a silly little girl. Her virginity was very important to her and she wanted Brett to understand.
Another slow song started and Brett began to sing again. "Almost Paradise…we're knockin' on Heaven's door…almost paradise…how could we ask for more…" He held her tighter and she kept her eyes closed, wishing they could stay here forever. She didn't want the prom to end. For more reasons than one.
The lights came on and Brett grabbed her sweaty hand. "Come on, babe, let's go." Brett winked. Shannon swallowed and wanted to run for cover.
They climbed into Brett's Red Fiaro and as they pulled out of the parking lot, he reached an arm around Shannon, pulling her close. "Well, we have an hour until we meet everyone at the beach. Whatever will we find to do?" Brett asked, feigning innocence.
"Brett…you know how I feel about this. My faith…it's very important to me. We've talked about it."
"But I love you, babe. We've talked about that too. It'll be okay. I promise." He massaged her shoulder, as if trying to force her to relax.
Shannon bit her lip and wanted to cry. She felt like Brett really loved her. But if he loved her, would he force her to do something she didn't want to do? Maybe she should just give in. They WERE in love…
The words from a song they sang in church last Sunday invaded her thoughts, each word illuminated in her mind, convincing Shannon that God himself was sending her a message.
Don't look at me that way…
Your eyes beg me to stay…
You say that I'm the one…
That we're not too young…
Everything will be okay…
Your words they draw me in…
I feel myself begin…
To feel that it's alright…
To be with you tonight…
There's no one else…just me and you…
But we're not alone here now…
There's someone else here too…
Watching, waiting patiently…
To see what we will do…
Doesn't matter if we're in love…
Or how long we've been together…
What we decide to do tonight…
Determines our forever…
Your arms they pull me close…
How easy it would be…
To close my eyes and float away…
To lose my sanity…
The promises you're making…
You whisper in my ear…
You'll love me always…
Never leave me…
No one else can hear…
But we're not alone here now…
There's someone else here too…
Watching, waiting patiently …
To see what we will do…
Doesn't matter if we're in love…
Or how long we've been together…
What we decide to do tonight…
Determines our forever…
There's no moment worth the risk…
Of letting down the very one…
Whose love for me was worth His Son…
True love waits - it doesn't press..
'Cause God knows we deserve the best…
Tears streamed down Shannon's face and she suddenly realized she was reciting the words out loud. She hadn't even noticed Brett pull over to the side of the road. She turned toward him and saw the anger in his eyes.
"Get out," he said through clenched teeth. "I don't know what I ever saw in you anyway. You're nothing but a tease…You said you loved me but obviously you don't have a clue what love is." Brett looked away, disgusted.
Shannon struggled out of the car and stood alone on the sidewalk in her beautiful Cinderella gown. Tearfully, she watched Brett peel away, tires spinning on the gravel.
Oh, Shannon knew what love was. And now she knew even better what love was not.
742 words
Lynda Schab
Copyright 2004
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