Jessie began to realize shortly after Henry had gone to the bunkhouse just how much stress she had put herself through during the day worrying about whether or not Henry was bothered by her invitation. She suddenly felt very silly and to make it up to herself, she decided to make some lemonade, take a shower, and finish off the day by sitting out on the porch swing to watch the sunset.

She took her time with both the lemonade and the shower, lingering in the hot water much longer than usual, so by the time she finally made her way to the porch swing, the sun had already set. It was a beautiful evening and in the glow of the dim porch light above the door, Jessie brought her bare feet up next to her on the bench while her long hair, still wet from her shower, hung loosely about her shoulders.

She had just enough time to settle back on the swing and take three long sips from her glass when she noticed a lone figure walking toward her from the bunkhouse. “Henry, is that you?” she called.

“Yes, ma’am,” Henry said moving out of the shadows and into the light at the foot of the steps. He was clean-shaven and wearing a clean, newly ironed shirt and pair of jeans. He took his hat off, exposing his neatly combed hair.

“Good evening,” Jessie said, with a genuine smile in her voice. “My, don’t you look nice tonight.”

“Evenin’ ma’am.” He was nervous, but trying to smile back. “Thank you. So do you.” There was another awkward silence in a day filled with them as Henry fumbled with his hat and debated whether or not he should climb the steps.

“Would you like a glass of lemonade? I just made it fresh.”

“No, ma’am. Thank you though.”

“Would you like to come up and have a seat?”

“No, ma’am.”

There was another awkward pause. “Is there something else, then?”

Henry straightened his posture, closed his eyes momentarily, and took a deep breath. “Yes, ma’am…Jess…Jessie.” He paused, shaking his head in embarrassment. “The fact of the matter is…” He fumbled with his hat. “I quit drinking here a while back.” He paused again, wanting to head back to the bunkhouse, but knowing it was way to late for that.

“That’s great Henry. You should be proud.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He took another deep breath. “I guess that’s why I’m here. See, when we was in town the other day, I seen a poster about this dance comin’ up on Saturday night down at the American Legion. They got a live band. Anyway, I was thinkin’ I’d maybe like to go and celebrate a little. I mean, the fact I ain’t had a drink in a while.”

“That sounds like a good idea, Henry.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Henry reached up and scratched his cheek. It dawned on him this was the first time in his life he was getting ready to ask a woman out. “Now, I ain’t much of a hand at dancin’, leastways when I’m sober. But I was thinkin’ about maybe goin’ on down there just the same.” He stopped, took another deep breath and focused his attention directly on Jessie. “I was wonderin’ if maybe you’d do me the honor of going along with me. To the dance. I mean, if you want to.”