Three Sides of the Tracks by Mike Addington Page A

are you
considering going back with him?”
    Caroline hesitated. What would Thurston do when he saw her with someone
else?
    “Well, I don’t know, Richard. I’m not sure how Thurston—‘the tough guy’ as
you call him—is going to behave. It might be better to wait a while until he
settles down some and accepts me breaking up with him. I don’t want to be the
cause of any trouble. He can be violent at times.”
    “Is, umm, is that the only reason keeping you from saying yes?”
    The hazel eyes flashed through her mind again. “Yes, that’s all. But we
could go somewhere less public or to Atlanta maybe.”
    “That would be fine, but I don’t mind going to the dance, unless it would
make you too uncomfortable. I feel kinda, I suppose irritated to let
someone else determine what I do. Can’t live like that, Caroline.”
    His words and frankness shocked her. She remembered the courage of the
tiny lady on Dr. Phil. “You know, that’s right, isn’t it? If you’re not afraid,
then, okay, the dance it is.”
    “Good. I admire your courage. I love to dance and haven’t in a long
while. Long for me, anyway. Couple of months at least. I’ll call you, say,
Thursday night, and we can set the time. Okay with you?”
    “Sure, Richard, that’s fine. I’ll see you at school tomorrow. Thank you
for calling.”
    “Goodnight, Caroline.”
    Her hand froze right before she turned off the phone. Had his voice
softened when he said her name? She heard a click as the connection broke.
    Her stomach fluttered with excitement. It had been a while since she’d
felt that, and it felt good. Three faces flashed across her mind: Richard,
Thurston, and then Danny. The tingling felt so good she didn’t bother to worry
about the faces.
    “A real night out,” she whispered to herself. “Should have ditched him a
long time ago.”
     
    Richard picked her up at seven Friday night, and they went to Outback
Steak House for dinner.
    He politely stood beside her as she slid into the booth then sat on the opposite
side, so they could face each other as they talked.
    The restaurant filled up as other couples stopped in before the dance. Caroline
and Richard seemed to be the topic of conversation judging by the furtive
glances and whispers coming from the other couples.
    Richard’s skin tingled when Caroline smiled: her rising cheeks became
fuller and green eyes sparkled with life. He hadn’t seen this smile before. He’d
originally thought Caroline attractive, but this Caroline sitting across from
him was exceptionally more than attractive—much, much more. And all without any
makeup, he observed.
    They stopped noticing the glances or stares directed their way and were
surprised to find that the restaurant crowd had thinned when Caroline excused
herself to tidy up.
    “Gosh, look at the time,” she said.
    “Ten o’clock. Wow, that went by fast, huh?”
    “I’m surprised the waiter let us sit here this long,” Caroline said.
    Richard winked. “No man would ask such a beautiful woman to leave.”
    Caroline hadn’t blushed so profusely in a long time. Her hands covered
her face. She knew she was supposed to say something but was at a loss.
     A few seconds passed before she regained her composure. “I don’t usually
lose my composure that easy,” she said to cover her embarrassment, unsure which
was worse, the blushing or the excuse.
    “I think it’s charming. Most women with your looks are so self-absorbed
they wouldn’t recognize an honest compliment if it bashed them over the head.”
    “Oh, you’ve dated a lot of beautiful women?” Caroline said with an impish
grin.
    “Of course. You don’t think I’d date ugly women, do you?” Richard grinned
back.
    “So,” Caroline began, her confidence having returned, “why did you ask me
out?”
    It was Richard’s turn to blush but only slightly.
    “Got you back, didn’t I?” Caroline said and giggled.
    Richard nodded sheepishly. “I noticed you my first day at