Welcome to Episode 27 of Dancing at The Orange Peel, a 1960-70s serialized historical novel. Just getting started? Episode 1 | Full Episode Guide | Extra fun content in THE MAILBAG
Go here if you missed Episode 26, Break-In. Or keep scrolling to read the next installment.
Recap: Episode 26, Break-In. Easter Sunday, April 14, 1968. With Libby off to Aunt Sivvy’s and the house finally quiet, Gwen is ready for a rare afternoon to herself—and the plans she’s been anticipating. But when the phone rings, the evening she imagined begins to slip away, leaving her alone with too much time to think.
Episode 27: An Invitation
Monday, April 15, 1968
The next morning, Gwen’s head throbbed. She wasn’t accustomed to drinking and clearly had made those two gin and tonics too strong. Before getting on the bus for work, she downed two Bayers. Only an hour later, as she settled at her desk, she considered taking two more. She rubbed her temples to ease the pain, but more to soothe her dread. If Grant made his usual Monday morning appearance, she’d need her wits about her.
Just as she expected, the Chamber door swung open promptly at 8:30 a.m. Bolden greeted Grant at the door, reaching for the Krispy Kremes. He opened the box immediately and the sugary sweet smell of glaze, normally so enticing, hit Gwen’s nose. She swallowed to quell the nausea. When he extended the box toward her as he passed, she groaned and held up what Libby called a ‘stop sign’ hand. He raised his eyebrows, but thankfully, didn’t question her rejection of the pastries.
Grant approached her desk, his head cocked. “You don’t look so good.”
She swallowed hard. “Headache. That’s all.”
“Must be a doozy.” He dropped into the chair beside her desk, eyes glued, clearly assessing her.
She swiveled her chair away and immediately wished she hadn’t turned it so fast. “Uh-huh.”
He chuckled. “Libby wouldn’t let you get away with saying that around here.”
He was right. She fussed when her daughter used “lazy” talk and, typically, she was careful not to use it herself at the Chamber. “Uh-huh,” she repeated. She busied herself with a folder of paperwork, hoping he’d take the hint and leave. She swallowed hard against the awful taste lingering in her mouth even though she’d brushed her teeth before work. Clearly, she and liquor were not a good match.
He slid to the front edge of the chair and leaned toward her. “Without our girl here, there’s no need for you to cook. How about we go out for supper Wednesday? Then we can grab a bottle of wine to take back to your place.”
She winced at the thought of drinking wine, but her disgust was quickly overtaken by bewilderment. How in the world could he assume that, after last week, they would keep their usual Wednesday supper plans? But that was Grant, never taking a hint, even the obvious ones. Clearly, she had to be more direct with him, but with this hangover, she didn’t have it in her right now.
“Fine,” was all she could muster.
“Take care of that headache,” he urged, standing.
After a short chat with Bolden, he finally left, and Gwen felt like she could breathe. He would return, though. Too soon. Was she going to be trapped in this place forever?
Her morning dragged. She’d still not heard from Nate and not knowing why made her head pound even more. Just before noon, she retrieved her purse from her bottom desk drawer to get out of the building before Grant came in on his lunch break. She was about to set out down the block to Clyde’s Sandwich Shop when Nate walked in instead. She caught her breath and tried to hide her smile.
“Oh, are you off to lunch?” he asked.
“Soon.”
Assuming he was here about business, she slipped her purse back in the drawer. Or maybe he came to explain about last night. A wave of panic set in. He had shown with his visit to the church last week that he had no regard for Kent Creek’s unwritten rules between white people and colored people. Panic met with anxiety and her eyes darted to find Dorothy. Thankfully, her co-worker was behind the info counter, too far away to hear.
Even with Dorothy’s distance, Nate acknowledged Gwen’s discomfort by whispering. “Sorry I didn’t call.”
The tightness in her throat eased. She sat and motioned for him to sit, as well.
In his normal voice, he explained, “The club was far worse than I thought.” He shook his head slowly, then added, “Shambles. I was there most of the night.”
“I’m so sorry. Do they know who did it?”
“No idea.”
She pursed her lips, unsure what to say.
He stood. “I have to get back now, but I wanted to—” When she shifted her eyes toward Dorothy, he lowered his voice again. “I want to make it up to you. Let me take you to dinner.”
She wrinkled her brow.
“On Wednesday,” he added.
In addition to all the reasons they had to be cautious, she’d known from the start that his late-night hours would make seeing him a challenge. So his offer was puzzling. She cocked her head.
His eyes widened as he explained, “Clean-up will take us a few more days so we’ll be closed until Friday.”
She sucked in a breath. Even with this catastrophe at the club, he was making time for her. She was flattered and pleasantly surprised. Then, like falling dominoes, doubts and excuses cascaded through her mind.
Could they be seen together?
Where would they go?
Was she ready?
What if her family found out?
Then . . . Grant.
She was supposed to see him Wednesday. Why hadn’t she thought about that first? There was no choice but to say no to Nate. She’d have to try to make him understand. If there was really anything to this—whatever this was between them—she’d eventually have to explain Grant to him anyway.
She must have appeared confused or worried because Nate rushed to assure her. “You don’t have to answer me now. But think about it.” He paused and raised his left brow. “The Green Tree Restaurant.”
She grinned at the way he said it, like an enticement. “Nice.”
No, no. She couldn’t. Plans were set. Her shoulders drooped. Why, oh why, hadn’t she told Grant no?
Nate seemed to sense her reluctance. “If I come by your place later, we could talk about it then.” Before she could answer, he added, “If that would help.”
Excitement rippled up her back. She straightened. “Okay.”
“It might be late.”
She smiled.
“Very late.”
“That’s all right.”
Seeing him later would buy her some time, give her a chance to think through how to explain things to him. She had no idea if he would understand the situation she was in with Grant. Damn Carter for putting her in it. Worse yet, with Grant’s persistence, she still didn’t know what could get her out.
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So am I! Sometimes our characters keep us in the dark until the last minute.
I'm looking forward to seeing how you and Gwen untangle her mess. :)