Tiny Dancer

A Date and a Keg

April 18, 1976

Ella sat in the living room in a powder blue jersey dress, with capelet sleeves. The top half of her hair was pulled into a voluminous ponytail, tied with a matching powder blue ribbon, the rest down and curled courtesy of Jackie.

"Man I can't believe my baby sister is going on a date before me," Eric scrunched his nose. "Who is this guy again?"

"My dance partner Connor," Ella rolled her eyes. She pulled on some white Mary Jane shoes with a low heel. "And maybe if you got your head out of your butt, you could be on a date with Donna already." She stuck out her tongue at her older brother.

"I'm waiting for the right time," Eric retaliated by sticking his tongue out too.

"Oh don't you look pretty!" Kitty walked in with her camera in hand and started snapping pictures.

"Mom," Ella laughed as she tried to block the pictures. There was a knock on the door. "Oh that must be him!" She hopped up and hurried to the door, Kitty following close behind. "Hey Connor, don't mind the flashing...first date and all," Ella rolled her eyes at her mother.

"Well I need some pictures, so scoot closer," Kitty motioned that they get closer. Ella nervously held her hands in front of her.

"Ok, I think that's enough mom," Ella said as Kitty kept flashing.

"Ok, ok," Kitty lowered the camera. "Go have a nice time dear. Remember, home by 9."

"I'll have her home on time," Connor assured as he guided her out the door.

"Sorry about my mom, she knows we're getting older and is going a little crazy with the camera any chance she gets." Ella grimaced as Connor led her to his mother's Cadillac, which he got to use for tonight.

"It's fine El," he laughed as he opened the door for her to slide in. "So ready for dinner?"

"Yeah," she smiled at him.

After dinner at the fanciest restaurant in town, they stopped on one of the bluffs that overlooked the town. They sat on the hood listening to music on the radio. They were laughing and talking about everything that came to mind.

"You look beautiful tonight," he smiled at her, reaching over and tucking a lock behind her ear. She blushed and glanced up at the sky.

"You don't look half bad either," she giggled softly. She glanced at her watch, it read that it was 8:30. "Oh shoot, we'd better head back. My parents are pretty strict about curfew."

Connor helped her off the hood and let her back into the car. When they got back to the Forman's it was about 8:55. Connor walked her to the kitchen entrance, where they stood. Ella glanced down at her feet.

"I had a lot of fun," she smiled shyly up at him.

"Me too," one of his hands rested on her cheek and drew her closer. Before they could actually kiss, the door slid open to reveal a very surprised Donna, who blushed at interrupting.

"Sorry," she mumbled, going back in.

Ella let out a chuckle, the moment ruined. "I'll see you at dance class." She leaned up and pecked his cheek,  before heading inside.

"Sorry El," Donna groaned.

"It's fine," Ella smiled, pushing her friend's shoulder. The two girls sat down when Ella got them sodas. "Besides...I'm not sure I felt anything on this date..." she bit her lip at the admission. "I'm mean, don't get me wrong he's really cute and such a gentleman...but I didn't feel that zing, ya know?"