EPILOGUE

Amanda King and Lee Stetson danced close together under the bleachers as the final strains of the Righteous Brothers floated on the air. Their bodies swayed gently from side to side. No words were spoken. None were needed. For long moments after the music ended they stood close, heads together, hands entwined.

Finally Lee pulled away fractionally. He stared deep in her eyes and nodded toward the gym floor. "We should get back." His words were low and reluctant.

Amanda agreed, "Yes, we should." Her voice was equally unconvincing.

They moved together toward the bustle of the dance floor. Just before stepping out of the protective shelter of the risers, Lee grabbed Amanda's arm and swiftly turned her into his embrace.

Immediately Amanda lifted her face and stood on her toes to fit herself against him completely. She wound her arms around his neck and lightly ran her fingers through the hair at the nape of his neck. She closed her eyes and waited for his kiss.

Lee felt the light play of her nails against the flesh at the base of his skull. He felt her slim form molding against his body. He looked into her face and watched her eyelids drift down. He wrapped his arms around her waist tighter and pulled her up to his kiss. His lips crushed hers briefly, then softened and coaxed her response.

Amanda felt the change and moaned under his mouth. Just as Lee shifted his head to deepen the kiss, a bright light slanted over their faces. Brisk footsteps rang out on the hardwood gym floor. A shrill voice called out, "Now kids, you know you shouldn't be under here. What are you doing?" The voice grew nearer and was identified as Mrs. Penrose's. She stopped a short distance away and gasped audibly. "Mrs. King, Mr.

Stetson, really!" The flashlight she held clattered to the floor.

Amanda groaned and rested her head briefly against Lee's shirtfront. She could feel his answering groan echoing through his chest. She attempted to explain, "Uh Mrs. Penrose, you see, well we were just talking and umm…." She looked to Lee for help. Before he could respond the strident voice of the shocked teacher cut off the explanation.

"I really think that you should just return to your duties as chaperone now Amanda. Perhaps you might pay a little more attention to them from now on!" With a sniff and a toss of her poodle skirt the educator retrieved the lost light and stalked away.

The thoroughly chastised pair returned to the rest of the gathering only to be stopped short by the shocked stares of a group of kids, with Phillip in front of the pack.

Phillip looked from his Mom to the vaguely familiar man beside her. He had known she was bringing a date, but geez. He walked closer to the adults and asked in an embarrassed whisper, "Mom what are you doing under there? Never mind I don't want to know! Just behave all right?" He returned to his friends and with one last warning glance, walked away.

Amanda and Lee looked rather sheepishly at each other. Lee shrugged his shoulders and offered, "I'm sorry?"

Amanda grinned impishly and grabbed him by the hand. "Don't be. Come on big fella, I need a glass of punch."

Lee returned, "Yes ma'am."

THE END