The Lurker

Manfred had been looking around for her since he saw her walk into the terminal after deplaning. The late afternoon sun hit her auburn curls at a 30-degree angle, giving her a halo effect.  At that moment he was transported back to his time with Gayle, Lisa’s twin.  

Gayle had never really paid attention to Manfred, then.  He’d tried to be around her but out of sight. Hard to do when you’re 6’3” with shocking blonde hair.  But he was quiet and attentive.  Like the time Gayle had almost broken a leg during cheerleading practice, Manfred had leapt from behind the bleachers just in time to break her fall.  Sure, he’d cracked a rib but his girl was alright.

That month had been the highlight of his life.  Gayle had brought over a casserole, she said she’d made it herself, but he knew the full range of Marie Callender’s menu. It didn’t matter.  She’d been in his bedroom.  Not for the last time he’d hoped.  And for the rest of that month at school she’d give him a smile.  He was happy as a pig in shit.  The prom was coming up and he thought about asking her, then remembered the only suit he could use would be Bernard’s and he was almost 5 inches shorter.  Manfred’s face turned red just at the thought of showing up to prom with his shins out for the world and Gayle to see.

He’d decided to skip prom and go to the after party where things would be more casual.  That night he could be seen lurking in the corners of Cindy Leary’s house, gripping the same bottle of Michelob the whole night.  Manfred had decided not to drink too much that night.  Gayle had gone to prom with Sean Dennison who was known to be handsy.   Manfred wanted to be alert in case he needed to come to Gayle’s rescue.  He’d been sure to carry his pocket knife, occasionally stroking the pearl hilt as he walked the perimeter of the party.  

Gayle spotted him once and gave him a quick nod.  She’d worn her hair up that night and tendrils were beginning to come loose the longer she danced.  Her dress was exquisite, real silk, brand new, he could tell.  The Taylor girls were always well dressed, no hand-me-downs, never a crease out of place.  They lived on a large corner lot in the center of town.  Their house was a hub of activity.  The Taylor twins were the envy of Marshall High School, smart, well mannered and always had the latest records.  

Manfred’s father use to to say that Mr. Taylor had won the lottery after the war.  He'd come out of the army a highly ranked officer and got a job running the factory in the neighboring town and turned it into the biggest enterprise in the state.  While Manfred's father had been discharged as a private and could barely hold onto a job down at Hineman’s body shop.

As the night progressed Manfred noticed Gayle and Sean dancing closer and closer.  When they picked up their coats to leave, he made his way to the front of the house.  Sean had gotten his graduation gift early,  a new Ford pickup.  He could barely open the door he was so drunk.  Manfred saw an opportunity.       

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