Frank Downey - Dance of a lifetime

"I beg to differ."

"Yeah, right."

"Warren. She’s in love with you."

"Naah. That’s friendship, and gratitude. Why would she be in love with me, for goodness’ sake?"

"Oh, I dunno. Some of us think you’re all right, you know." Alison smirked at him.

"Yeah. For friendship. Not for dating."

"In my case, you’re right. Of course, I amtaken." They both chuckled. "But any girl that gets you is getting one hell of a catch, and even a friend like me can figure that out. Trust me. She’s just about to figure it out, too. Because she’s in love with you."

"Alison, you are nuts."

"Let me ask you a question, War. Are you in love with her?"

"Yeah. I have been for some time."

"Well, TELL HER, you goof!!!"

Warren sighed. "Ally, I know you mean well, but rejection gets real old, real fast."

"You will notget rejected."

"Easy for youto say."

"Alison, it’s Sophia Daniels."

"Oh, boy, am I glad you called. I had an interesting conversation with Warren while Jay and I were waiting for our ride last night."

"Really?"

"The boy has got it badfor you. And doesn’t think you’ll go out with him in a million years."

Sophia stopped. And said, firmly, "He’s wrong about that."

"He is?"

"Yup. No need to surrender your right arm in a bet, Alison-you were right. I realized it last night. That’s why I want to talk to you. I’m in love with him. Great. Nowwhat do I do?"

"I told him you were. And I told him to tell you hewas. And he didn’t believe me."

Sophia sighed. "Oh boy. So, I fall in love with the most unlikely guy I could have ever picked. And now I can’t get him to do anything about it."

"You know Warren. He’s got about as much experience with girls as I do with nuclear physics." They both laughed. "If I know Warren-and I do-he’s keeping himself up nights trying to figure out a way to tell you how he feels. And, if I still know Warren-he’s not going to be able to do it. Sophia, he is terrified."

"Oy veh. So, where does this leave me?"

"With the ball in your court."

"Um…meaning…"

"Meaning you are going to have to take the first step, here."

"Me? Ask himout?"

"You got it."

"Oh boy. I’ve never done that before."

"That’s fitting, because I’m sure he’s never been asked out before, either."

Sophia chuckled, and then got serious: "I don’t know if I can do it. I know I’ve had more experience than he has, but I’ve never been aggressive. I was never allowed to. I’ve always been passive."

"Didn’t Warren tell me that was one of the things that you were working on-making your own decisions, going after things, being more aggressive?"

"Yeah."

"So, show the boy what you’ve learned!"

Sophia laughed.

"Look," Alison continued. "I know he’s shown some serious courage on your behalf recently."

"Standing up for me with Scott."

"Exactly. And, not to be blunt, but it is yourturn. You know how he feels. He hasn’t said it, but he’s shown you. But he does notknow how youfeel. And somebody’sgot to say it, dammit!!"

Sophia laughed. Alison was right. Sophia said so.

"I always am," Alison replied cheerfully.

It took until Tuesday. Sophia spent the whole day at work with Warren on Monday paralyzed with fright, and spent the whole day-including their customary walk home-without saying a word about it.

And then spent Monday night kicking herself for not saying anything.

They walked home Tuesday. Warren insisted on carrying Sophia’s bookbag-like he did Monday-to save her injured torso. He prattled on the whole way home, while Sophia muttered "hmmm" and "yeah".

They got to her house, and she grabbed his hand and led him to the seat on the porch.

"Sophia. Hello, Earth to Sophia! Are you in there?"

"Hmmm? Oh!…Warren, I’m sorry."

"You haven’t heard a word I’ve said, have you?"

"Not really. I’m sorry. I’ve got something on my mind."

"AAA. I thought I saw the smoke coming out of your ears." Sophia giggled. "Anything I can help you out with?"

"Nah, War, I’m alright. Just something I have to work out in my mind. I made a decision about something, and now I have to figure out how to put it into action."

"Hmm. Sounds weighty. Maybe Warren the Magnificent can lend a hand?"

"I don’t think so, Warren. This is something I haveto do. And I have to do it myself."

"Another self-improvement mission?"

Sophia giggled. "You might say that."

"Well, then, Sophia. Just do it. You gonna let me in on it, at least?"

Sophia thought about that for a moment. Just do it. What the fuck, right? He was right. Just do it. She laughed to herself-little did he know what he was talking about.

"Yeah, Warren, I think I will let you in on it. I’ve made up my mind. I have to do something. And what I have to do, is this…" and she put her arms around him, reached in, and gave him a long, slow, beautiful kiss.

And Warren couldn’t have been more shocked if Paul McCartney had strolled down the street strumming a guitar and singing "Hey Jude".

Sophia broke the kiss-and wished for a camera, because the look on Warren’s face was priceless. And then she said it: "Warren Kelleher, will you go out with me?"

Warren blinked. Then he shook his head, because Paul McCartney was still walking down the street, but now Ringo was playing tambourine along side. He looked at Sophia, and said the only thing that came to mind: "Are you SERIOUS?"

Sophia laughed. "Let’s see…I just gave you the greatest kiss of your entire life…"

"True. Not that there was much competition, mind you."

"…forget that part. Like I said, greatest kiss of your life, then I ask you to be my boyfriend, and you have to ask if I’m serious??"

"Well, it was unexpected."

"Only because you’re horrible at picking up subtle hints. And because I’m perpetually confused. I should’ve done this a while ago."

"You should’ve?"

"Yes, I should have. Is it so inconceivable? Me asking you out?"

"YES!"

"Why?"

"It just is. We have completely different lifestyles. We have different friends. Shit, Soph, your friends are going to hound you mercilessly for going out with someone like me. Plus, you’re beautiful-and I’m just plain ol’ Warren."

"I happen to think plain ol’ Warren is pretty hot. You might be Prep Boy, but you’re still good looking. Besides which, inside, you are the most beautiful person I know. We can integrate our lifestyles, because mine is changing with or without you anyway. As for my friends-the ones I really care about will get over it, and as for the rest, fuck ‘em. Warren…I love you. More than I everthought I could love another person."

Warren looked down at her. She had the most incredible smile, and was looking at him with complete adoration. He realized he had seen that look before, but didn’t know it for what it was. Maybe shehadn’t known it for what it was, either, but she had figured it out. She’d figured it out, and taken an enormousleap of faith. He knew being aggressive wasn’t one of her strengths-but she had taken the initiative. And he was sothankful that she had.

"Sophia, I love you, too. Yes, I will go out with you."

They spent a few minutes sitting on Sophia’s porch, cuddling and kissing a bit, not saying much of anything. Sophia couldn’t believe how happy and relieved she felt, and Warren was plainly looking like the cat who had eaten the canary. She was reclining on the seat, the back of her head against his chest, his arms around her waist, both of their legs spread out on the bench. She could hear his heart beating. It was a very comfortable place to be.