Prom Night

The Barn sat just outside of town. Painted all white now, it had been fairly run down before a new set of owners converted the guest house on the property into a bed and breakfast cabin and the barn into an event venue. The entire area was locally known as The Barn, now.

He drove his late model, midsize luxury sedan down a winding road. As he passed over the narrow bridge covering a flowing creek, he could see it. The Barn. The Barn itself was strung with lights, and there were lights illuminating a path to the entrance.

He was late and he knew the others would be upset. It had been one of his busiest weeks of the year at work that week, so he was not able to help. Andrea had called him on Tuesday and let him know he was letting the team down. He was angry with her and called Sarah to let her know Andrea was out of control. The thing is, Andrea was right. Alex should have been doing more. Sure, he had helped start the group five years before. All alone. Yes, he did a lot of the writing that made things move forward. But, this was a team event. A big event, a fundraiser. The money raised was going to fund the group for the next year, maybe more. All week, he’d been busy. The week before? Also busy. He had done basically nothing but approve the work of the rest of the group.

Now, he was late. He could tell much work had been done once he arrived. A volunteer helped him park, another walked him to the entrance. Once inside, he saw them. Amy, Sarah, Stephanie, and Jason. Amy just walked away. She couldn’t look at him without being angry. Stephanie and Jason smiled and Sarah moved in for a hug. The four of them laughed and shared anxiety about the event to come. Would enough people be there? Would this concept work?

The idea was this: A Prom. A prom for adults. Middle-aged moms and dads who wanted to raise money for a nonprofit. The Barn was the perfect choice. A relatively new space just far enough outside of town.

After Stephanie and Jason walked off to find Amy and get direction on what to do next, Sarah and Alex were left alone at the entrance. Sarah opened her purse and pulled out a silver flask. Maker’s Mark. Just like high school prom days. The event was just beer and wine, but Sarah wanted something more and knew Alex was a bourbon fan. She poured some into a cup and he poured in some cola. Alex waved Amy over. He’d be staying up front, he told her. To greet the guests as they entered. He would need Sarah’s help.

As guests began to arrive in their best renditions of high school prom attire, an increasingly giddy Sarah greeted them. Despite the alcohol, Alex was as composed as ever. Sarah feared her plan wouldn’t work. Still, she relished each minute of her time next to this man.

Sarah and Alex were neighbors, had been for about seven years by prom night. Sarah was a PTO President, Alex a professor at a nearby college. Both had families and kids and lived very typical, responsible lives.

Together, they’d built the organization from scratch. Yes, it had been Alex’s idea. But, without Sarah, it never would have gained the traction that made it a community powerhouse. The people coming through the doors and paying for tickets? They were there because Sarah was great with people. Now, they were seeing the fruits of years of labor together.

Truth was, Alex was completely into Sarah. She was bright and dynamic and eager to work and she made it clear she thought he was brilliant and handsome. Sarah admired the fact that Alex focused on their work, not getting distracted by her frequent overtures that something more was possible. What she didn’t know was that when he was alone late at night or early in the morning, he thought of her. Dreamed of tasting her kiss, dreamed of even more. Maybe they’d both go out for a late evening walk and “run into” each other? Maybe he’d stay home from class one day and invite Sarah over and kiss her before she even closed the door behind her?

Alex was lost in thoughts of Sarah and all the things he could do to and with her if they were ever really, truly alone. Then he looked up from the empty plastic cup and realized The Barn was full. Completely full. There were people outside waiting to get in and the inside was packed. The event was a huge success, the money would be more than they’d planned.

He texted a message to the DJ and the haunting sound of U2’s “With or Without You” filled The Barn. He grabbed Sarah’s hand and they got lost in the crowd. He placed his hands around her waist and she did the same, just like the somewhat awkward high school kids they both had been so many years ago.

Sarah’s smile was coming from deep inside her. Seeing Alex lose himself in her eyes, seeing him let go right there in front of all the people they both knew so well. He didn’t care at all, he wanted this, wanted to dance with her, and he was. Yes, the bourbon had helped. A lot. Now, Alex could have this dance, this woman, this moment and truly appreciate it.

A softer, slower song followed and Sarah leaned into Alex, let her head rest on his shoulder. He looked down at her, looked into her eyes, and felt himself truly letting go, felt the desire, the hunger, the need to kiss her.

At that moment, at the exact second before his lips touched hers, an owl hooted eerily just outside the barn. Right after, another joined in. The softer music meant the sound penetrated the building and everyone just stood still and listened for a few seconds.

The music started back up, louder and faster now. Sarah and Alex went back to their station, poured another bourbon drink.

She asked if he wanted to leave, he just nodded in affirmation. The others would be pissed now, but they didn’t care at all. Her mommy SUV quickly navigated the turns leading to the grove of trees near the lake. While she drove, his hand found its way up her inner thigh.

Parked and truly alone, windows down, they let desire take over. He left bourbon-scented kisses over her soft flesh, tasted the skin of her neck, felt the wetness of her desire. As their bodies became one for a moment, he looked straight into her eyes and they kissed. Electric, hungry, desperate. Not knowing when they’d have this chance again.

Driving back, both of them were beaming. Cigarettes dangled from their hands out the window. They passed The Barn and noted all the trash was bagged and the lights were low. Alex walked alone up the driveway and got in his car. His text told her he’d had an incredible evening. Her response told him she wanted another one.

Prom night was, indeed, a great success. Money was raised, passions were ignited, and two lovers explored a desire that had been building for years.