Black Dress

THE BLACK DRESS

JoycePeterson

Marybeth decided to stop watching the New Year's Eve Celebrations on TV, when the ball rolled down in New York but decided to take one final look in the mirror at the black party dress that had cost a small fortune. Last year she had worn a blue dress that had been expensive, too, but it had been her first date with Al. He had taken her to a party at Sadie's where she had first met the group of people who, in the past year, had become good friends, so, she was included in their activities. Naturally, she always went with Al. Since she hadn't received an invitation to this year's party, she assumed it was because she and Al were no longer an item. She drank the last bit of beer before putting the empty champagne glass down on the coffee table. What if she did drink her beer from a champagne glass, she hadn't thought she would need to pour anything into anything here, tonight. She almost tore off the apron she had put on as a safeguard for the dress.

Taking one last glance in the mirror, she ran her hands down the sides of the dress and thought, "Blond hair does go well with black, just like the saleswoman told her." Then, confiding to the image in the mirror she said, "Too bad I didn't get a chance to show it off. I refused three invitations, waiting to be asked to Sadie's. Now this little black dress will celebrate the New Year hanging in my closet. Damn."

She wondered why she hadn't been asked to the New Year's Eve party at Sadie's house, if Sadie had asked her, she would have gone, solo. She and Al had always gone, as a couple, to all the group gatherings but he had dumped her two weeks ago. He hadn't given her a reason, just said he thought they should see other people. The image in her mirror told her that she was still attractive, even if she was forty, or thereabouts, she still had a good figure, had often been told that she could pass for, perhaps, 35. She was so small that most men found it hard to dance with her. She was 4'9, Al was 6'1. But she couldn't remember ever dancing with him, not even at that New Year's party. He had always danced with someone else when the group went any place where there would be dancing. No, it was that short guy, Sidney, who had danced with her when she needed a partner. Maybe Al had told
Sadie not to invite her this year. Even though she had been dating Al exclusively, for a while, she hadn't really liked him that much, but she liked belonging to group and, no matter how she felt about him, she didn't think Al was such a jerk that he would ask Sadie not to invite her.

"Oh, well," she said as she pulled the expensive black dress over her head , "That's life. I hope he finds someone so tall she'll make him feel like I do now."

She was hanging the dress in the closet, wondering if she could return it, when the ring of the phone pulled her back to reality. Who would be calling at this time of night?

"Hello?" the question in her answer must have fooled the caller.

"Marybeth?" Liz's voice had an unsure ring to it.

Realizing who it was, Marybeth grumbled, "Yes, Liz. It's me. Why are you calling me at" she looked at her watch, "12:30 in the morning?" She could hear music in the background and the buzz of conversation.

"Are you sick?" Liz sounded really concerned.

Marybeth's answer sounded angry, even to herself, "Why would you think I'm sick?"

"Well, you aren't at Sadie's party. Everyone is asking about you. We were all afraid you were sick. Then I realized that no one had called to check on you, well…" Liz tried to explain.

Marybeth was gratified that she had been missed but still felt unhappy that she hadn't been asked. "The reason I wasn't there was because I wasn't asked."

"Asked?" Liz started laughing. "No one has to be asked to Sadie's parties. We just go."

Marybeth began to feel the anger swell within her. "Well, I have to be asked. I don't go to any party unless I've been invited," she almost shouted. "Damn, "she said to herself. "I could have shown off my new black dress."

"Well, you're missing a good party. Why don't you come now? It doesn't look like this party will be over for some time." Liz sounded like she meant it.

Marybeth thought about the black dress. It was the kind of dress that needed a special occasion to be worn and she didn't have that many of those. She suddenly felt like the New Year was going to be a good one. "OK," she told Liz. "Keep the lights on for me."

"You bet, "Liz said, as she hung up.

Marybeth was glad she hadn't washed the makeup off. She had actually got ready for the party hoping that the invitation would come at the last minute. She laughed to herself, she had been "asked", but later than the last minute. As she put the dress on, again, she hoped Al would be there to see what he was missing.

Sadie lived close, so Marybeth was there in less than 15 minutes. When she rang the doorbell, Sadie came to the door, "Come in, sweetie, I apologize for not extending the invitation, personally, but I thought that everyone knew we would be celebrating here, just like we always do. I did mention it when we all went bowling last week." As Sadie took her coat, she looked at the dress and gave a soft whistle. "Go in and mingle. You look gorgeous."

Last year had been her first New Year with the group. She had gone with Al so she hadn't worried about an invitation. "I'm here now," she thought, "And I am damn well going to get my money's worth out of this black dress." She walked confidently into the room that had been cleared for dancing.

The music was playing a love song and everyone was dancing close together. She saw Al dancing with a woman that was taller than he was, he must have brought her this year. Marybeth knew she wasn't one of the regulars. As he danced by, Al whispered, "Save a dance for me." She smiled as she looked away.

Just about every one of the group told her how good it was to see her and how fabulous she looked.. She felt like a member, not an outsider. When Sadie told her to be sure to get some refreshments, Marybeth realized , now that the anger had died down, the emptiness she felt was hunger. She loaded a plate and looked for a vacant chair, so she could sit down to eat, but Al walked up behind her, put his arms around her, took the plate and put it down on the table.

"Dance now, eat later," he told her as he started to try to find a comfortable way to hold her for a new slow dance that was playing. "You look gorgeous."

She backed away and picked up her plate. "Why don't you dance with your date? I'm hungry," she told him and thought to herself , "God, that felt good."

Al hesitated before moving away, asking, "Later, maybe?"

Marybeth didn't answer him but found a seat. She hadn't realized how hungry she was and was stuffing her mouth with more than it could hold, when she felt the drool oozing down her cheek. Feeling around for her napkin, she saw a hand holding one out to her. She looked up to see Sydney smiling down at her.

She mumbled, "Thanks" around the food in her mouth.

"I hope you haven't sworn off dancing. I saw Al ask you and get turned down." Sydney was still smiling at her as she swallowed so she could answer him.

"No. I'm still in a dancing mood. I guess I was waiting for someone the right size. Let me finish this first." She tried to eat more gracefully.

Sydney sat down beside her. "Take your time," he told her, "I've been waiting for you since you joined our group. When I heard you and Al had broken up, I thought I might have a chance. By the way, you are outstanding in that black dress."

Marybeth remembered how good it had been to dance with him. She could even remember how it felt to have his arms around her. She saw, now, that he was rather handsome with his curly brown hair, and green eyes. He was, maybe, 8 inches taller that she. She wondered why she had ever thought of him as short. Remembering his embrace, when they had danced, she could almost feel the strength in his body. She smiled all the time it took to finish the contents of the plate.

When Sydney saw the plate was empty, he took it from her. "Wait right here. I'll take this. I know where it goes."

Marybeth took a mirror from her purse and looked to be sure all traces of the refreshments were gone. When she saw Sydney returning, she stood.

Looking up at him, she asked, "Did I hear you say something about taking a chance with me?" When he nodded, she kissed him as she told him, "Put your money down. It's a sure thing."

End

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