Rehearsal: The Highest Aim - Chapter 2

(This version was altered slightly in editing.)

29 July 1974

Susie felt movement on the bed and opened her eyes. Light streaming through the blinds told her it was early; the sun was still rising. Finding Duncan’s face, she moved closer, cudddling in against his bare chest. His fingers touched her cheek and ran back through her hair. Engaged. He had asked her to be his wife. The memory of the night before brought the emotions to nearly the same level as when he first asked and she pressed her fingers against his back, holding on.

“G’ mornin’.” He kissed her head.

“I love waking up with you.” She returned the kiss, to his chest. She had become bolder last night … earlier this morning … when he agreed to stay, and after she agreed they would still wait … until their wedding night. At least now she knew what she was waiting for, that he had a reason beyond just because she had told him she had planned on waiting until she was married. They had also agreed that it wouldn’t take four months or more, as Janet insisted it would, to plan the wedding. Not for what they wanted; simple and elegant, but not fancy. They didn’t want a bunch of designers and caterers and a thousand guests. They wanted their family and their friends and candles … and the legal joining that would signify the way they were already joined in spirit.

“I am glad y’ do. I hope y’ will no’ get tired of me always bein’ here.”

Raising to see his face, she smiled. “Not likely.”

He kissed her, pressing closer, turning her onto her back to prop himself half-way on top. “Y’ know I am supposed t’ be goin’ to work in a few minutes.”

“Call in. Want me to dial?” She started reaching for the phone.

Grasping her hand, Duncan entwined his fingers in hers and pulled her arm back in to their sides. “Come in with me. I can no’ leave Ev short again, bu’ I do no’ want t’ leave y’ today. I am no’ doin’ anything now that y’ can no’ do.”

“It’s driving you crazy, isn’t it?” Susie pulled her hand from his and ran it along his ribs. “Having to be so careful.”

He raised an eyebrow. “It is no’ as hard as tryin’ t’ be careful with you.”

“No?” She slid her hand up to his chest. “So I think we should set a date. Unless you want to wait…”

“Tell me when and I will be there.” Duncan touched her lips.

“Tomorrow.” She chuckled at his expression. “Too soon?”

“No’ for me, bu’ y’ are no’ serious?”

Not completely, but she wouldn’t argue if he agreed, either. “Well, I suppose I need time to make a dress and…”

“And we need t’ clear the schedule with the band, so we will have time t’ go away.”

“Go away?” Susie touched his hair.

“Y’ do no’ want a honeymoon?” His eyes sparkled, amused.

“Oh. Yes, nothing fancy, though, just…”

He kissed her, deeper, lowering against her body. His breath tickled her neck when he moved his lips close to her ear. “I want t’ give y’ everything y’ have always wanted. Tell me wha’ kind of honeymoon y’ have though’ about. Honestly.”

Clenching her eyes, she resisted his pulling away. “I just want to be with you, alone. I don’t care where we go. I don’t care if it rains. I don’t care if it’s out in a tent somewhere. I just want to be with you.”


Finally forcing themselves to rise, the decision of the honeymoon left in Duncan’s hands, they began to separate long enough to shower in their individual apartments.

Susie stopped him at the door. “Wait.” She went to the kitchen and grabbed the extra apartment key out of a drawer, returning to place it in his hand. “Dad gave it back to me last night. I want you to have it.” She gave him a quick kiss. “If you’re done before I am, you can let yourself in.”

“And I should no’ tell y’ wha’ I am thinking right now.” He grinned.

“You don’t have to.” She backed away a couple of steps, watching his eyes. “I’ll hurry so I don’t make you late for work.”

“I am no’ sure I would care.”

She chuckled and turned to go down the hall.


Evan was distant with her at the gym. Susie wasn’t sure whether he didn’t think she should be there distracting Duncan from work or if there was something else. She wasn’t really distracting him, though. She jumped in and helped to keep the equipment where it belonged and assisted the gym’s patrons through the morning, noticing Duncan’s head turn whenever some guy started flirting. He did nothing but keep watch, except once when one of them got closer than she appreciated. Even then, he had simply walked over and set an arm around her back, introducing her to the new gym member as his fiancee. The guy backed off on his own.

Evan had seen it. At lunch, he asked if she would mind helping out in the office without mentioning that he had seen it.

Alone with him behind the office’s glass doors, Susie asked if it was okay that she was there.

“Of course.” He looked at her as though she were insane for asking.

“Then what’s wrong?”

He set down a stack of papers and waited for explanation.

“Why did you ask me to come work in here? You’re looking for things for me to do. And you seem … I don’t know. But something’s on your mind.” She moved closer, stopping within arm’s reach. “Are you irritated with me for some reason?”

Peering into her eyes, he was silent. Then he stepped backwards. “No. I guess I’m just trying to … grasp the idea that you’re engaged.”

“Evan, it doesn’t change anything between us.”

“Yes, it does.” He looked away. “And I only mean because there’s always a certain distance between married people and singles. They’re different worlds.” He walked around behind the desk, adding space. “That’s not why I asked you to work in the office, though. I saw that guy Duncan had to chase off. I don’t want conflict between employees and patrons, especially when it’s touchy to have you in here as it is.”

Susie couldn’t quite decide which to answer first. She decided to start with the easiest. “I’ve been in here with you a lot. Why is it touchy now?”

“In here, yes, not out on the floor and more easily accessible. And everyone who would be in or around the office knows you’re a friend of mine. They aren’t going to bother you.”

“I’m not a child, Evan. I don’t have to be constantly watched. And I could have handled that guy out there on my own.”

“I know you’re not a child.” He came back around the desk to face her. “So does every other man in this building. But you are the most beautiful woman who has ever stepped foot in this gym and some of these guys come in here only to look for women. You’re going to be their number one target. And maybe you could handle them in here, with everyone around, but I don’t want them finding out too much about who you are or where you live.”

She was stunned. Number one target? Was he insane? Lakewood wasn’t as behind the times and as close-minded as Glenn Heights, where they had grown up, but she was still half Indian. Many guys avoided her because of it. Anyway, she always thought that was why they did. “Evan….” Susie had to catch her thoughts as they whirlwinded through her brain. “The most beautiful? Did you say I was the most beautiful?”

His chest expanded, sinking again with the softening of his gaze. “Yes. And you don’t have to keep telling me you’re not a child. I do know you’re not.”

“Do you? Because, you know, Duncan said when you talked to him about me, he really thought I was a child still.”

Grinning, Evan leaned back against the desk, propping his hands on both sides. “I met Duncan three years ago. You were still a child at that time.”

“I was seventeen three years ago.”

“And I had just turned twenty-two. To a guy that age…” He stopped, the grin fading. “Suse, have I been treating you in a way that makes you think I see you as a child?”

Fighting emotions she couldn’t let him see, Susie turned her eyes to the floor. Yes, too often he did. It’s what stood between them for so long, for all that time before Duncan came to Lakewood. He treated her as a child.

She felt him draw closer, waiting for her answer. Finally, she met his eyes. “I’ve been wondering if you think I’m too young to be engaged. If that’s how you see me.”

He shook his head, touching her arm. “No. And I never meant to give you that impression. You have always been mature for whatever age you are. I usually have to stop and remind myself you’re not as old as you seem. Maybe I’ve overcompensated.”

Why was he doing this now? Susie had a hard time holding herself together. He was too close, and talking to her … like she had always wanted him to, like an equal. If he had done this months ago, before … before she fell in love with Duncan…. It was just as well. It would have been too complicated if she and Evan had been dating when Duncan came. She never would have been able to keep from falling in love with him. There was no doubt in her mind that she would have anyway. She loved Evan whether or not they were dating. It had prevented nothing. And it wouldn’t prevent her marriage even if Evan did return her feelings. Not now. It was too late.

“Would you rather go back out and work with him?” Evan’s voice pulled her back.

“No.” Her own voice was weak. She did want to, but it was Evan’s gym, and maybe he was right. “I don’t want to cause trouble. I never thought about…”

A knock at the door made them both look over at Gail’s entrance. The receptionist said there was someone waiting to apply for membership, glancing between the two of them, and specifically on Evan’s hand still resting on Susie’s arm.

“Send him back.” Evan didn’t pull away, meeting the girl’s stare.

“Are you sure?” Gail looked at his hand again. “If I’m interrupting, I’ll have her wait.”

Evan’s back straightened, his hand moving from Susie’s arm to around her shoulder blades. “Send her back, as I asked. And if you run across Duncan, tell him his fiancee is getting bored with paperwork.”

Susie waited until Gail left. “No wonder all those rumors got started.”

“What rumors?” He took his arm down and went back to his desk, sliding a drawer open to find the membership registrations.

“A few months ago, Janet and Shelly both said they heard rumors from people in the gym about us being engaged.”

“You and Duncan? Guess they saw it coming.”

“No. You and me.”

He looked up, eyebrows raised. “Why?”

“That’s what I was wondering. I suppose it was no more than that, just because we’re so close.”

“Well.” He went back to preparing for the new member. “I have to say I never heard it, but I’m rather flattered.”

“Flattered?” Susie chuckled. “That people are spreading rumors about you?”

He touched her eyes for a moment. “That they would seriously think we might have been.” Returning to his work, Evan’s expression changed … became more distant again. “I’m sure that will stop now, if it hasn’t already.”

Susie wasn’t sure whether she wanted to go over and hug him or to yell at him to stop doing that to her, to stop saying such wonderful things as she always wanted him to say before. Why now? Why would he open up so much to her now that it didn’t matter? He was making her think that maybe she wasn’t crazy for hoping they could be more. Maybe he did return some of the feelings. Why was he doing it now?

A polite “excuse me” interrupted and she looked over at a girl about her age in a leotard and slinky exercise pants. She was tall, thin, and light blonde, and she was smiling at Evan’s greeting. Flirting. Susie excused herself from the room and nearly ran into Duncan coming around the corner.

“Y’ were bored?” There was a smile in his eyes.

“No. He was kicking me out.”

“Was he now? An’ why do I find tha’ hard t’ believe?”

Susie set her hands on his waist. “Go look at the girl who’s joining. She’s already flirting big time.”

“Is she? Ev should ‘ave blinds on his door. I saw her comin’ in.”

“Did you? Are you wishing you could go help with the membership request?”

“Hell no. I ‘m wishing I could take y’ back home abou’ now.” Duncan reached up to touch her hair. “The others were ou’ there talkin’ about tryin’ t’ work with her, and I could only think abou’ bein’ able t’ go home with you.”

“I hope that doesn’t ever change.”

He kissed her; a brief kiss, since there were people floating around, but enough to be a reassurance. “Tha’ will never change.” Moving back, he took her hand. “C’mon. It is slow now and the weight bench is free.”

Weight bench? “Duncan, you can’t lift weights again yet. Doc said….”

He chuckled. “No, I am spottin’ you. The exercise y’ do is great for your flexibility and cardiovascular, bu’ y’ need t’ work your muscles more.”

“Should I be insulted?” She stopped walking, making him turn to look at her. “Evan says I’m beautiful and you say I look weak? Maybe I should go back and talk to him again.”

“Ah, so tha’ is what Gail’s comment was about.” Duncan gazed at her, waiting.

“What comment?”

“She said y’ were bored of paperwork bu’ it did no’ look like paperwork was wha’ y’ were doing.”

Susie felt her cheeks get warm. “How dare she? We were talking, like we always do…”

“An’ he was tellin’ y’ how beautiful y’ are?”

“Well … it was….” She shook her head. “I asked him why he didn’t want me out here and he was just saying I was too much of a target and he was afraid of trouble between you and the members. He saw you come over and chase that guy away. That’s all it was. But you know he tends to set a hand on my arm when he talks to me. He always has…”

Duncan chuckled again. “Y’ do no’ have t’ explain to me. And I told her t’ keep her comments t’ herself.”

“So you don’t care about other guys calling me beautiful?” Watching his face, Susie pressed closer against him.

“I do no’ care if Ev does. Anyone else I migh’ be wondering about.”

A streak of guilt invaded her thoughts. Evan was actually the only one he maybe should be wondering about. Except that he would never act on it. Evan would never, as long as she was with Duncan, do anything to interfere. And she was probably kidding herself, anyway, taking what he said in the wrong way. Maybe Duncan knew for sure there was no interest. As much as they talked, it would have come out if there was.

“And I want y’ t’ work on your muscles for your health, no’ your looks.” He touched her face. “Better muscle strength gives y’ better metabolism. It will help keep y’ from getting sick so easily, and should help y’ stay warmer.”

“Oh.” Susie slid her hand up to his forearm. “Then I guess I won’t be insulted. But I’m really just as happy with letting you keep me warm.”

Duncan lowered his face, nearly whispering. “I will keep y’ warm whenever y’ like. Bu’ I still want y’ t’ build your strength.”

“Only if you’re the only one I’m working with.”


Running through the shower, Susie rubbed her tired muscles. She honestly thought she was in better shape than to be so fatigued from the minor workout. Duncan said they were different muscles, but that it would also help her dancing to strengthen them. Evan had tried to get her to use the gym’s equipment for the same purpose, but she was uncomfortable doing so in front of other people. And he couldn’t always stay with her, getting called away for every reason under the sun. Duncan hadn’t once walked away. When he had to go back to work, they ended the session and she went with him.

She couldn’t linger as long as she wanted beneath the hot water. They were meeting everyone for a last-minute engagement dinner; last-minute because Diane had to return to Glenn Heights in the morning and Susie’s dad was driving her back on the way to … wherever he was going next. She wasn’t sure why they needed an engagement dinner when they had pretty much done that the night before, before the engagement, but Diane insisted. And she was cooking, and hosting, at Doc’s since she stayed at his house the night before and it had more room than Evan’s apartment. She said she didn’t want to intrude on Susie’s privacy on her engagement night.

Kate had fussed about it, asking Susie why Diane couldn’t stay with Susie’s dad instead of with hers. The answer was obvious to both of them, but Susie didn’t say so. She let her friend rant until she got tired of ranting, then watched her go calm herself in Mike’s arms. Why Kate was so against the relationship, Susie wasn’t sure. She had never known why, but it was a major source of friction between her roommate and her best friend. Neither of them had ever told her the details.

With a sigh, she turned off the water and dried, avoiding looking at the mirror as she always did. Wrapping the towel around her, Susie went into her room, checked that the door was shut, and pulled into her clothes; jeans and a fitted sleeveless blouse. She would take a jacket with her for the return to the apartment, when the sun was down and it was cooler, but it was always warm at Doc’s.

Honestly, she would rather have gone down to practice to sit quietly and watch the guys than to have another big get-together, but she supposed she shouldn’t feel that way. It was her engagement party. Well, theirs, hers and Duncan’s, but it was all her side of the “family,” as her dad had called them. Susie wished Duncan’s family could be there; at least his mom, Danny, and Laura. They would have to contact them, tell them about the engagement. She wondered if Duncan had thought about that yet.

Her hair was partially dry, as much as she was going to do with the hair dryer, when she heard the doorbell. Checking the peephole, she grinned and opened the door. “You could’ve used your key.”

Duncan raised an eyebrow. “I was afraid t’ do so. Wha’ if y’ were no’ dressed?”

She chuckled. “Then I would’ve been in my room with the door closed.”

“Y’ never come ou’ this far in…?”

“No. I never know if Kate’s going to have company.”

He nodded. “Are y’ ready? Ev just left t’ pick up Janet.”

“Oh. I figured we were going together.”

“Mike and Kate are comin’ with us. Mike apparently had a no’ very good day. He ‘as had a couple of beers already. Kate does no’ want t’ drive and does no’ want him t’ drive.”

“Well, as long as he knows I’m sitting in front with you. And he better not be a grouch.”

Duncan grinned, touching her chin and leaning in for a quick kiss. “I will no’ let y’ notice him if he is.” His eyes fell down her body and rose again. “Showin’ off your new muscles?”

She laughed. “Yeah, like they show already. Scared of me yet?”

“I am terrified.” His arms wrapped around her waist, hands dropping down to her hips while he kissed her, deeply…

“Now she’s gonna have to go put her lipstick on again.” Kate’s voice parted them.

Susie nearly told her to go away. Instead, she kept one hand gripped on Duncan’s shirt, at the base of his spine, and looked over at the intruders. “You know I don’t wear lipstick.”

“Yeah, yeah. Rub it in.”

“I heard you had a bad day.” Susie felt guilty about the “grouchy” comment seeing Mike’s face. His bad day must have been worse than usual.

“Don’t ask. Are you ready or should we go away for a while and let you finish what you were doing?”

She grinned and walked over to give him a hug. “It’s temporary, Mike. Better things are coming along. Then you can go back and shove it in their faces.” Getting a partial smile, Susie tried for a better one and stood back to look at him. “You do know they give you such a hard time because you’re so damn good-looking, right? They’re jealous. Especially that jerk in charge. He probably hasn’t dated in years.”

The stunned expression at her using a curse word changed to a chuckle. “You think that’s it?”

“Of course. That, plus the fact that you’re smarter and more talented than anyone else who works there.”

Mike looked at her a moment, then switched his stare to her fiance. “Man, you better hang on to her tonight, or I might have to steal her from you.”

“Hey, go ahead.” Kate moved up and slid an arm around Duncan. “That leaves him free for me.”

Susie raised her left hand, ring side toward her roommate. “Um, no, he’s not.” Smiling at Duncan’s shrug toward Kate, she went back into the apartment to grab her things, feeling better about spending the evening with her family.


Diane’s chicken fettucine was incredible. The smell filled the house from the time they walked in and Susie was starving by the time they ate. She didn’t have room for the pecan pie and ice cream, in honor of the couple’s favorite dessert. She did take a couple of bites that Duncan offered, though, ignoring Stu’s comment that she never shared germs like that with anyone else.

Kate laughed. “Like that matters after the way they were just lip-locking in their doorway. We barely got them out of the apartment.”

“Thank you.” Susie tried not to let her face get red.

Ali came to her rescue. “So have you thought about a date yet? Or is it too soon to ask?”

“A date? Already?” Janet laughed. “It takes forever to get a date set. You have to check with ministers and banquet halls and dressmakers and caterers and a band for the reception. It can take two or three months just to find a date that they will all work together.”

“Hell, like they have that kind of patience.” Stu apologized to Diane for the language. “They’ll probably grab the nearest court clerk and say ‘hey, marry us tomorrow ‘cause we can’t keep our hands off each other.’”

“Funny, Stu.” Susie couldn’t help smiling at him while her dad cleared his throat in warning.

“Well, ya know, I can fly Pop down here with a day’s notice and you do know a couple of people who kinda know how to play music, and Diane cooks as well as anyone. What’s to take so much time?”

Janet shifted in her chair, crossing her legs. “And what would she wear? Where would the reception be? And the rehearsal dinner? And would you really want to be stuck playing during their reception?”

Stu shrugged. “The basement’s big enough. Hell, everyone they know is right here, practically. And it wouldn’t matter what she wore. What she has on now would get enough attention just ‘cause she’s uh…”

“Stop right there.” Ali pushed against his shoulder. “No flirting with her at their engagement party.”

Susie shook her head, leaning further in against Duncan and watching everyone discuss their wedding around them.

“Do you have a time frame in mind yet?” Diane cut through the nonsense chatter. “If you do, I’ll start clearing my schedule so I can help you with anything you need.”

Looking up at Duncan, Susie got a nod – his okay to tell them what they were thinking. She returned her gaze to Diane. “Actually, we were talking about it today.”

“See?” Stu jumped in. “I told you. No patience.”

Ali hushed him. “You do have a date?”

“Not an exact date. We have to check the band’s schedule better and get him some time off work, reschedule my classes…”

“The band isn’t scheduled very far out.” Mike questioned her with a look.

“Well, I have several things on the calendar for you through October….” She paused, noting the differences in Evan’s and Janet’s stares. Evan was amused, catching what she was saying.

“Through this October, you mean, right?” Janet looked confused. “You don’t schedule them a year in advance?”

“No, I mean this October. But we’re thinking about September.” Susie realized Janet wasn’t the only one in shock.

“Are you kidding? This September? That’s only a couple of months away.” Janet seemed annoyed at Stu’s laughter. “You can’t get everything together that fast.”

“Yes we can. We don’t want anything big or elaborate. Just simple and hopefully outdoors, if we can make that work. It won’t if we push it too far into the fall when it gets cold.”

“Well, then plan it for next September. It’ll give you plenty of time…”

Susie shook her head. “That’s too far away.” She looked up at her fiance again. “We don’t want to wait that long.”

“Damn, are you still waiting?”

“Stuart Lowe.” This time, Diane hushed him, or tried to.

“Well, no wonder he’s pushing it so fast. I would too if my fiancee was making me wait.”

Throwing him a glance that finally got him to quit, Susie answered the important part of the insinuation. “He’s not pushing it. He told me to name the date.”

“An’ y’ can stop pryin’ into her personal life now.”

Hearing an edge in Duncan’s voice, Susie checked his expression. He was serious. Stu had pushed too far.

The conversation turned to the logistics of throwing a wedding together that fast and what they wanted to do about the food and finding a place and … Susie blocked a lot of it out. Duncan’s fingers caressed her back, and her shoulder, and reached beneath her hair to touch her nape … and she wanted him to take her home. There were too many things they needed to talk about alone before discussing them with anyone else.

“Hey, we’re talking about your wedding. You could at least listen.”

She looked at her roommate. “What?”

“I do get to be your maid of honor, right? I’ve known you longer than anyone else, female-wise.”

Susie grinned. “I was counting on it, and I was going to ask, you know.”

“Well, I saved you the trouble. And I accept.”

“Yeah, so how many groomsmen are you planning? Other than Evan, of course.”

“We haven’t talked about all that yet, Stu. Give us some time.” Susie stifled a yawn.

Duncan suggest it was time for him to take her home. She agreed and tried to help Diane clean up. Diane refused, but accepted Janet’s help, and Ali’s. Evan jumped in without asking, but only after giving her a hug to say good night and Duncan a handshake and pat on the back. There were too many hugs and farewells before the final thank you to Diane and Doc for hosting. Mike and Kate stayed longer, saying they would get a ride with Evan.

The fresh, crisp air felt wonderful after the confined living room and Susie stood still just outside the door, taking a deep breath full of pine scent. Doc had tall, wide pine trees whose boughs touched the earth on both sides of his property. She could hear birds settling in for the night within their branches and crickets chirping below. It was cool enough to need her jacket and Duncan helped to pull it over her shoulders. Then he held her.

“Let’s go home.” Susie pulled back to grasp his hand.