Stacy's Song by Jacqueline Seewald Page A

can’t play.”
    â€œWhat?” Michael’s dark brows knitted together.
    â€œI can’t.” I had no desire to elaborate, but he wouldn’t let me off that easily.
    â€œWhy can’t you play?”
    â€œBecause, if you must know, I’ve already accepted an invitation from Greg to be his date for the dance.”
    â€œTell him you can’t go.” Michael’s dark glasses confronted and intimidated me.
    I wasn’t about to let him push me around. “I will not! How dare you even suggest it?”
    Liz stepped between us. “Look , for one evening we can get someone else to play guitar . ”
    â€œWhat about the vocals?” Michael barely controlled his anger, but I was just as furious.
    I had a right to my own life. I was getting sick and tired of being bossed around.
    â€œYou and I can manage the singing. Maybe Stacy will come up and join us for a few numbers.”
    â€œOf course I will.”
    â€œHey , don’t do us any favors,” Michael countered. His strong hands pressed down hard against the top of the piano.
    â€œYou’re impossible!” I shouted at h im and hurried out, afraid I’d lose it and say something much worse if I stayed any longer.
    * ***
    The following week, Liz joined me in the cafeteria for lunch. At l east Liz and I could be friends in spite of Michael. “Did you get your dress yet for the Thanksgiving Dance?” Liz asked.
    â€œI haven’t had time to look around. I have to shop this weekend.”
    â€œMe too. It’s only a week away and they expect us to dress up.”
    â€œYou’re kidding,” I said.
    â€œHonor bright,” Liz responded. “They’re awfully conservative around here. The guys are expected to wear tuxes, or at the very least dark suits, and they expect me to wear an appropriate dress.”
    â€œWho says?”
    â€œThe main man.” Mr. Reymer, our principal, was even more of a dictator than my dad or Michael. “He’s so old and stodgy.”
    â€œImagine if you showed up dressed like most professional performers.”
    â€œRight,” Liz agreed. “Maybe I should do my clothes shopping at the hardware store.”
    We giggled together. I kind of snorted.
    â€œI think you’d look great with purple hair and a black leather jacket.”
    â€œBlack lipstick might be a nice touch. Maybe I could press on some fake tattoos. Can you see me with a nose ring? How about some piercings? Can you imagine Reymer’s expression?” We shared a laugh.
    Liz and I m et up to shop for dresses on Saturday. Our excursion made me realize Liz and I had different attitudes regarding money. Liz insisted we go to her mother’s shop where she could get a discount. The first thing she looked at was the price tag. She refused to even try on the better dresses , making do with one that had been marked way down. I’m not what you’d call extravagant but my parents always made me feel I needn’t worry about spending a little extra if there was something I truly wanted. The way Liz shopped brought home to me how hard things were financially for her family.
    â€œIt’s going to be better when we can keep the money from our performances, ” L iz said. “Now that school is on I can’t work as many hours here at the store.”
    After Liz chose her dress, I asked her to shop with me in another store. I didn’t see Mrs. Norris, but I didn’t want to run into Liz’s mother if I could help it. I think Liz understood because she was quite willing to stay with me and let me choose where we went next. I didn’t relax until I had escaped from the store. My humiliation seemed to hang in the air. I’d been dumb and dumber confronting Michael’s mother the way I did. How I wished I could change the past! But it was too late for that. I just planned not to do anything that rash again and keep my big fat mouth shut.
    I