I Love Dialogue from Under the Western Sky by Dellani

"Oh, Bobby," Grace Marshall said suddenly. "I saw something at J.C. Penny's you might like to see."

"Oh? What's that?"

"In the music section. There's a new album out by Carlos Santana. It's called Amigos."

"Really?"

"Yeah, it's on promotional sale. I can get a discount on it for you too."

One of Grace's part time jobs was stocking the records at J.C. Penny's department store. She always kept her eye out for things the kids would like.

"How much? Ramon is supposed to pay me tomorrow."

"It will be a little over five dollars once I get my discount."

"Cool! I can get you the cash tomorrow."

"How about I buy it, and you pay me back?" She produced a bag from under the table.

"You didn't! For real? Thanks, Grace!" He kissed her cheek, giving her a hug. "This is too cool! I love this guy."

"We know that, silly," Maria said with a laugh. "You tell us often enough."

"You wait," he said with confidence. "Some of these other groups will be long gone, but Santana, he's going to last."

"You just like him cause he's Mexican," Rico said in a superior tone.

"I like him because he's the most talented guitarist around," Bobby countered.

"Jimmy Page is better."

"No, but he's as good." He ruffled Rico's hair. "One day you'll look back on this conversation and say, 'You know, my crazy cousin Bobby said Santana was here to stay.'"

"No, I'll look back on this day and think, 'My cousin Bobby is crazy'. That's all I'll think."

"We should take it to Toni's and listen to it later. She's got the best stereo system," Libby suggested.

"Good idea."

Grace and Consuela Menendez exchanged a curious look.

"Is there something going on here we don't know about?"

"Like what?" Bobby tried to look innocent, but the smile kept breaking through.

"You two aren't dating, are you?" Grace asked, looking at them both. "Are you? Oh, Connie!" She clapped happily, jumping up and down like a teenager. "I'm so happy!"

"Yeah, Mom. Is it such a big deal?" Libby was puzzled by her mom's behavior.

"But it's marvelous! We were hoping, weren't we, Connie? We saw it a long time ago, but we wondered when you would realize it yourselves."

"It's wonderful, Grace. So, when is the wedding? I want lots of grandchildren."

"Whoa," Bobby held up his hands like a traffic cop. "Who said wedding? We're dating and I'm taking her to prom. This doesn't mean we're choosing China patterns and stupid shit like that."

"Roberto," his mother chided.

"Sorry, Mom. 'Stuff' like that. I just asked her to go steady."

"Are you two being careful?" Grace gave them a penetrating look, then her eyes lingered on Bobby making him want to shrink into the ground.

"Mother! Oh, my God!" Libby turned six shades of red.

"It's not like that, I swear!" Bobby looked flustered. "I just asked her to go steady. Why do you assume? Can I die now?" He asked Libby, taking her hand to comfort her. "Is it okay if we both just like melt away? When did we become the center of attention?"

"About five seconds ago," Maria chided him. "So that's why Sister cornered you? She has a sixth sense for when kids are being bad. I swear she can smell it."

"We're not being that kind of bad. We kissed, that's it!" Bobby wanted it clear he was behaving himself.

"Not entirely true. You were playing a game of tonsil hockey on the porch last night."

"Mia, I don't tell your secrets."

"You don't know my secrets."

"Steve Gutierrez after the football game, under the bleachers."

"You wouldn't dare!"

"Steve Gutierrez? Oh, he's cute," Libby added. "Isn't he dating Bonnie What's-Her-Name?"

"No, he's with Suzie Thingummy," Bobby countered.

"Oh, her." Libby made a nasty face. "Slut." She coughed.

Bobby patted her on the back and the two of them left quickly while the attention was on Maria instead. As they were leaving, they heard Grace say, "So, what's this about Steve Gutierrez?"

"What about Steve Gutierrez?" Libby asked him as they walked to Toni's.

"You remember what we were doing on the porch last night?"

She remembered, blushing vermilion. "Yeah. So?"

"So, that, only under the shirt."

"Ooh. Um.... Not my business."

"And what we were doing wasn't Maria's either."

"Maybe not, but we should be more careful. If she could see, what about Bitch Lady?"

"So, next time, invite me in." He laughed, putting his arm around her waist as he gave her a playful kiss.

© 2016 Dellani Oakes 

To Buy Under the Western Sky 

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I Love Dialogue from Under the Western Sky by Dellani

It's small town Nebraska in the late 1970's and life in the small Midwestern town is quiet and uneventful. That's what Libby Marshall and Bobby Menedez think until Bobby's cousin, Ramon is beaten by a group of white boys. Racial tension is high after the beating and it's soon revealed that something quite evil lies hidden Under the Western Sky.

Once they had their tickets and popcorn, they went into the theater and found a good spot. The boys liked to sit in the back because there was more leg room, but the girls liked the middle. To compromise, they sat somewhere between the two and let Danny have the aisle seat since his legs were the longest. Toni snuggled next to him as he put his arm around her shoulders. Libby sat next to her, not really looking at Bobby, although they shared the popcorn.

"Are you mad at me or something?" he asked her quietly, not wanting to bring their friends into it.

The others were so wrapped up in one another, they didn't hear him. Libby scooted a little closer, lowering her voice as she took a bite of popcorn.

"No, I'm not mad, Bobby. I'm just not sure I'm comfortable with this whole arrangement, that's all."

"We're a couple friends going to a movie. You got a full social calendar I don't know about?" He tried to make light of it, but his feelings were hurt.

Libby nudged him, nearly spilling the popcorn. "Don't be a goof. Of course not."

"I really like you, Libby. If you can't see that, I'm sorry."

"I thought maybe you were going out with me because of what Toni said to Danny. That she wouldn't go if I didn't have a date."

"All this time you thought that's what this was? A mercy date? Baby, I think you're the greatest!"

"You do? For real?"

"Yeah, for real. Hey, would I make comments about your ass if I didn't think you were cute?"

"I dunno, you're a guy. I mean, Danny's always drooling over my tits."

"Danny's a goober. He drools over any tits he can see. You have to admit, you're killing us both with the no bra thing."

She looked at him, raising an eyebrow. "I'll remember you said that, Roberto."
"What, are you my mom? You have to scold me into behaving? I want to date you, Libby. If I wanted just to jump your bones, I'd have done that already. You know, some women actually find me very attractive."

She giggled, tossing her hair. "Yeah, I can see the appeal. You've got that whole Latin Lover thing going. The dark hair and bedroom eyes. You're cute, for sure."

"Then why won't you let me kiss you?"

She looked at the screen as the movie started. By the set of her shoulders, he could see that she didn't know how to respond. Taking a chance that he was right, he blundered on.

"Is it because all this time you thought I didn't really like you? How could I not? You're wonderful. I've had a thing for you like—forever," he whispered as the cartoon started.

Libby gave him a curious stare as the lights dimmed, her popcorn halfway to her mouth. She couldn't believe his admission was real. He didn't really want her, did he? He was taking her out so Toni would go with his best friend. That's what friends did for one another. Was he kidding? She was too inexperienced to tell.

Libby knew a lot of girls her age had already lost their virginity. She and Toni were among the few left in their graduating class who had never been with a guy. If Danny got his way, that was going to change and soon. He was so hot for Toni, he got a boner every time he talked to her. Bobby, on the other hand, couldn't possibly mean it. Or did he?

© 2016 Dellani Oakes 

To Buy Under the Western Sky

For More About Dellani