HER SABOTAGE

Part Thirtytwo

Smiling Toni placed her small hand into Ant's large one and was led towards the old feed mill happily.  For that one moment she felt alive.  She felt like a woman.  A grown woman and to her it was the best thing in the whole wide world.  That was until she stepped inside the place.

Straw littered the floor.  Someone hand strung up some small Christmas lights giving the place an almost festive look.  Boy were there tons of people around.  Some were drinking, some were dancing.  her eyes widened at those that were dancing.  They were doing the hootchie cootch.  Dancing way to close, gyrating hips and hands lingering to places they should not.

She turned her head embarrassed.  "Here have a drink."

She smiled and took a mason jar filled with whiskey from Ant.  She told herself to be brave as she attempted to chug it down.  Only succeeding in gagging and spitting most of it out.  her hands rushed to her face as she tried to hide.

"That's ok.  He patted her back gently.  You just gotta know how to pace yourself gal."  Again Toni smiled at him.  Maybe this wasn't so bad after all.  Bravely she sipped again.  With each sip it actually started to taste better.  Oh sure it burned like hell, but her inside felt warm and cozy.

By then someone had brought out a fiddle and the party was in full swing.  It was almost overwhelming.  The music, the tempo.. the rhythm.  She found her feet tapping and bext thing she knew she was out amongst everyone else square dancing.

"Look at your little sister Tanika."  Maryrose said.  Her small oug nose turned up.  Seems like she's the life of this here shin-dig.

"Don't she wish chile."  Tanika snorted.  Not liking the fact that Toni was stealing any of the attention.  And the boys were all lined up!  Just waiting to dance with her.

"Hey ya'll!"  Tanika called out loudly over to where the men where fiddling.  How bout we change the pace a bit?  Slow it down some.  The sun done went down, let's turn this party right.

She nudged Maryrose.  "Go sing girl.  This is your chance to show off that voice of yours."

Flattered Maryrose walked to the center of the room, looking behind her and instructing her make do band.  When she started to sing everyone stopped to listen.  Her voice was so silky... so seductive that no one could resist.  She sang her heart out as she swayed her hips.

Singing songs that little women should not be singing.  Moving the way young lady's should not.  She did not care.  The world was hers.

"Let's go dance."

Toni felt strong hands pulling her arm.  More than a little drunk she followed.  Eager to have a slow dance with this fine man.  She just hoped that she could do it right.

Tanika was whisked onto the floor by boring ol Elber Elbert before she could protest.  Her eyes scanned the room looking for Ant.  She sighed, not seeing him.  Elbert knew who she was looking for and was currently playing his role as the wing man.

It was not even a job to him.  He had loved Tanika since before time.  But she said he had a big nose. That his skin was to dark for her linking.  She had a thing for Ant.  Who just happened to be just as black but his facial features were less pronounced.

"How come you not moving your body Tanika?  I know you can dance.  Is it me?"  He was starting to get upset.  Jealous even that he wasn't good enough for her.

"Naw it ain't you Elber.  It's just that you know I have a thing for Ant.  I had thought that when he invited me here, it was because he wanted to go steady with me.  He's just been ignoring me the whole night though."  She pouted prettily.