The Game of Denial by Brenda Adcock Page A

quickly."
    "Okay."
    Charmaine returned to her seat after stopping and whispering something to Tucker.
    "Are you enjoying yourself?" Evey asked, dragging Joan's attention from the mini-drama involving Meg.
    "So far, so good," Joan answered.
    "You seem distracted. Is everything all right?"
    "Just observing people. It's a hobby of mine."
    A few minutes later, Evey excused herself and threaded her way toward the restroom. Joan's eyes followed her and admired the way Evey's body moved inside her jeans. She took a long drink of her beer to cool her thoughts as she returned her attention to Meg and the conversations around her.
     
     
    EVEY STOOD IN the relatively short line for the women's restroom and leaned back against the wall.
    "Havin' a good time?" Millie asked as she stepped into line next to Evey.
    "I'm just a little tired is all," Evey answered. "I'm getting too damn old to work from dawn to dusk and then party the evening away. I can't believe I ever did that."
    "How are things goin' at the house?"
    "Nothing new there either. Just more mouths to feed. Joan's girls have been very helpful, especially Giselle, her daughter-inlaw. She loves to cook."
    Millie lowered her voice. "And what about, you know, her, the queer one?"
    "What?" Evey asked, stunned by Millie's question.
    "Everyone's curious about what she's like," Millie went on.
    "She's just like you and me, Millie," Evey said. "She's a normal woman with four normal children."
    "There's nothing normal about a woman like her," Millie huffed. "I know Beth's tryin' to be nice and all, but she didn't need to dance with the woman."
    "Beth's a grown woman. I don't make decisions for her anymore." Evey pushed away from the wall and glared at her friend. When the next restroom visitor exited, Evey shoved the door open and disappeared inside.
     
     
    JOAN'S EYES FOLLOWED Meg as she accompanied the young stranger to the dance floor. She stood and walked around the table to where Charmaine was seated and tapped her on the shoulder. Charmaine looked around and saw Meg, then stood and followed her mother onto the wooden floor lightly sprinkled with fresh sawdust. Joan piloted them around the floor, always staying within range of Meg. She was shocked when she saw the man pull Meg closer and kiss her. Meg pushed him away and soundly slapped him. She saw the anger that flooded his face as he reached out and roughly grabbed Meg's arm. Within two steps Joan was next to him with Tucker and Charmaine close behind.
    "Let go of her arm, son," Joan said calmly.
    "It's all right, Mom. I can handle it," Meg said.
    "Looks like he's doing all the handling." Joan moved to stand in front of him. "I've been watching you paw my daughter most of the evening. I don't like it."
    It was obvious the man had reached his beer limit and was perhaps one over. He glared at Meg. "It was just a kiss," he said. He stuck his face in Meg's. "Or, are you a big bad dyke like your Mama?"
    Joan heard Charmaine sigh and mumble, "Shouldn't have said that, Billy Bob."
    "This little tease has been leadin' me on since she arrived," he said, jutting his chin closer as he jabbed his finger into Joan's chest.
    "Knock it off, Chad," Tully hissed as he grabbed the man's arm and tried to pull him away. "You win, okay?"
    "Win what?" Joan asked.
    Chad grinned stupidly, puffing his chest out. "I kissed her first."
    Evey, who had joined the small knot of people, grabbed Tully's arm and jerked him around to face her. "What the hell is he talking about, Tully?" When her son hesitated, she punched him soundly on the arm. "Answer me!"
    Tully shrugged, but couldn't look his mother in the face. "It was only a stupid bet, Mom."
    Joan reached out and took Evey by the arm to calm her down. Tully slapped Joan's hand away. "Don't touch my mother, ya perv!" he said angrily. "She's not like you! She's a real woman!"
    Meg lunged forward, but Joan stopped her. "That's enough, Meg. It's an argument that can't be won and certainly not in the middle