Save The Last Dance For Me (You Should Have Been There) "Hey Justin ……. Justin Taylor. Wait up!" Justin was making his way home from his shift at the diner when he heard the car horn sound behind him and then someone calling out his name. He stopped and turned around; looking in the direction the shout had come from as the car pulled up alongside him. The driver was leaning across the passenger seat; calling to him again through the open window. "Hey Justin, it's me ... Stacey. You remember ... from St. James?" Justin lent down and peered in through the window, slowly recognising the car's occupant who was smiling at him. “Oh hi, Stacey. Sorry … I didn't realise it was you. How are you doing?" "I'm fine, but how about you? It's been so long since I saw you ..." Stacey had been in the same class as Justin at St. James’ Academy. A friendly girl, easy to get along with and one who’d even come along to support him at the Gay/Straight Alliance group he and Daphne had tried to start together. "Yeah … it has been a long time. When was it?" "Well … actually", Stacey replied, hesitantly and her voice quietened. "The last time I saw you was at the prom". Justin blinked; trying to recall what little memory he had of that night. "Oh, sorry. I … I don't remember". "That's okay. You still don't remember much about it at all then?" He shook his head. "No … it's mostly still a blank, I'm afraid". “That’s a real shame ... I’m so sorry to hear that. What are you doing now?” said Stacey, nervously: a little afraid to ask him directly about his art. “I’m at PIFA. I can’t do too much with my hand now any more, but they allowed me to stay on using the computer, so everything’s working out okay ... I guess. How about you?” “Still working towards law school,” she answered and then Stacey paused a moment before her next question. “Look, do you mind if I ask you something?" "Sure". "Do you still see that guy …. you know ... the one who came to the prom?" "Brian?” asked Justin. “Yeah … he's my boyfriend … sort of … but don't tell him that ... I don't think it's really sunk in yet", he joked. For a moment, Stacey hesitated, as if she was trying to make up her mind about something and then decided she would talk to him about it after all. "Justin, look … I've been meaning to get in touch with you since like forever … but what with class and you being sick and all … I live just 5 minutes from here … have you got time to come back with me? There's something I'd like you to see". Justin couldn’t hide his confusion. "That sounds mysterious. Can't you tell me what it is?" "Nope. It ….. it's a surprise. Come on … jump in", and Stacey lent across and pushed open the passenger door and Justin got in beside her. When they arrived at Stacey's home she took him into the family room. "Wait here while I go get something," and she left the room, to return two minutes later with a videotape in her hand. "We'll watch this on the TV down here … it's bigger than the one in my room". "What is it?" asked Justin, by now totally confused. Stacey looked at him. "It's the prom," she answered, and when he looked at her blankly, she repeated herself. "You know … the school prom ... OUR school prom." "What?" Justin’s heart missed a beat; the implication of what Stacey said only just sinking in. Stacey took the tape from its cover and placed it in the VCR. "It took some doing I can tell you … trying to sweet-talk my Dad into letting me borrow his camcorder. He told me I'd be grounded forever if anything happened to it". The screen came to life and Justin sat down on the sofa, watching closely; mesmerised by the figures on the TV, something of which he had virtually no recollection and could barely take in anything Stacey was now saying to him. "Here's everyone arriving ... I made sure I got there early so I could catch everyone. There's Melissa and Todd … and Sarah and Craig. You know I told Sarah not to wear that dress, but she insisted”. “Look … there's Mr. Matthews and Miss Benjamin ... don't you just know something's going on between those two. Oh and there's you and Daphne. You two looked great, by the way. You could be a couple you know.” Justin looked at her and smiled; he still couldn’t believe he was actually watching film of the prom. "There's Dana and Chris Hobbs ….. Oh, sorry Justin”. Stacey heard him take in a sharp breath as the image of his attacker filled the screen and she quickly pressed fast forward. “Why don’t I just skip all through this so we can get to the good part?" Stacey ran the tape forward; searching and pressing Play, when she reached the point she was looking for. "There's Brian!" exclaimed Justin suddenly. "My God … he looks so beautiful." Stacey grinned. "He sure is hot in his tux. I spotted him the minute he came in through the door and couldn't resist filming him. Just as well I did." The camera followed Brian across the floor as he spotted Justin and Daphne and made his way to join them. "Sorry we can't hear what you were saying ….. I was a little too far away for that", apologised Stacey. “But I did move in closer for this …” Justin watched in absolute wonder as he saw Brian take him by the hand and lead him to the dance floor: other couples moving back and making way for them. Stacey sat in silence. She was watching Justin rather than the TV: seeing him totally lost in what was playing out before him. And suddenly, she wasn’t sure if this had been such a good idea after all, for she could see how he was struggling to keep back the tears. When it finished, Justin could hardly speak and the tears that had threatened now started to fall. Getting up and going over to sit next to him, Stacey put her arm around his shoulders. "I'm sorry Justin ... I wouldn't have shown you this if I thought it was going to upset you". Justin swallowed, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand and he looked at her. "What? No … no, you don't understand. Brian tried to tell me how we'd danced together. But seeing it ….. it was beautiful. But it's so strange …. it’s like watching someone else ... I mean, I know it's me on the screen … but I don't remember anything of it." Now Justin realised how hurt Brian must have been when he couldn't recall anything about how they’d danced together when they’d tried to recreate the evening: to try and unlock his memory. And when Daphne had told him how Brian had kissed him in front of everyone, a kiss Justin had no recollection of; he remembered the pain he’d seen in Brian’s eyes and could hear the words the man had said to him; “You should have been there.” Stacey went over to the machine and ejected the tape, which she put back in its cover. "Here, I think you better have this," she said, giving it to him. Justin took the tape and then hugged her. "Thanks … you don't know how much this means." Stacey grinned at him. "I think I do", she answered. "Now, can I drop you anywhere?" "No thanks Stacey, I'll walk ... I've got some thinking to do". For the rest of the day, Justin worked out what he was going to do and set about getting everything he needed together. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The next day, Brian arrived back at the loft to find it in disarray. Returning from the office around 7:00 and opening the door, he couldn't believe what he saw. "JUSTIN ... what the fuck have you done to the living room?" and he put his attaché case down just inside the door. The floor where the sofa, chairs and coffee table normally stood had been cleared and the rug rolled up and put out of the way. The main lights were off and coloured disco lights played around the walls and dance music was coming from the CD player. "JUSTIN … where the fuck are you? You better have a good explanation for th….." Brian was stopped abruptly by the sight of the young man emerging from the bedroom dressed in a tuxedo. Smiling that wonderful sunshine smile of his, Justin walked down the steps and over to Brian, who looked him up and down and was, for just a moment, speechless. "I've laid yours out on the bed for you,” said Justin, a little nervously. Brian ran his hand up and down the collar of Justin’s jacket, trying to disguise the shock he felt at seeing him dressed this way. The last time he’d seen him in a tux had been at the school prom. "What’s this all about? Why are you dressed like this? Are we supposed to be going somewhere … 'cos if we are you can forget it …. it's been a long day …" "No,” answered Justin. “We're not going anywhere. We're staying right here", and then he put his arms around Brian and pulled him forward for a kiss. "Please ….. just do this for me” he whispered and Brian, looking down into those wonderful blue eyes, knew there was no way he could refuse Justin anything right then. He sighed. "You gonna tell me what this is all about?" Justin shook his head. "Not yet …. you'll find out soon enough. Now … go and get changed". "Do I have time to take a shower first?" asked Brian: heading across the floor. "No … we'll do that later", answered Justin, grinning at him. "Mmm … I like the sound of that", and Brian grinned back at him as he climbed the steps, making his way to the bedroom. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Justin's stomach was doing somersaults, waiting for Brian to return and, when he did, he took his breath away. "Daphne said you looked awesome … but I didn't realise how much", he exclaimed, as Brian walked across the floor towards him, now wearing the tux: the black shirt open at the neck. "Will I do?" asked Brian, holding out his arms and twirling round in front of him. "Almost perfect" replied Justin. "ALMOST perfect?" questioned Brian, moving closer. "Yes", came the answer. "There's just one thing missing …" and from his pocket, Justin pulled out a white silk scarf, which he placed around Brian's neck. "Now … that's perfect", he said softly. Brian blinked; he couldn't believe his eyes. "Justin … this cost a fortune. You've no right spending your money on stuff like this”, and Brian couldn’t help recalling the time he’d placed an identical scarf around Justin’s neck at the prom: the scarf that became soaked in the young man’s blood. "It's worth it … just to see you wearing it", replied Justin and he reached up to kiss him. After they separated, Brian asked; "Are you going to tell me what this is all about?" Going over to the CD player, Justin turned off the music and then made his way to the VCR; he picked up the remote. "I met an old friend from school today and she gave me something ……" "Yeah?” grinned Brian. “I’ve heard that one before …" Justin looked back at him. "Just shut up and listen”, he said quietly. “She took me back to her house …” and he shot Brian another look: daring him to make another smart remark, but Brian bit his tongue, as Justin was obviously deadly serious about whatever it was he wanted him to see. “Stacey said she'd been meaning to get in touch with me 'cos she thought I'd be interested in this …" and Justin hit the Play button and killed the coloured lights; just bringing in a single white light, illuminating the floor. Brian stood in silence as he slowly realised what he was watching: The song playing made his heart lurch in his chest and for a moment, he couldn’t breathe. ~~~~~~ O ~~~~~~ You can dance - every dance with the guy who gives you the eye, let him hold you tight. You can smile - every smile for the man who held your hand 'neath the candle light. But don't forget who's takin' you home and in whose arms you're gonna be. So darlin' save the last dance for me. ~~~~~~ O ~~~~~~ Justin returned to Brian and took his hand. "Dance with me?" he asked, quietly, looking up at him; searching Brian’s face for any kind of response. "Brian … dance with me?" he repeated. But it seemed that Brian still didn’t hear him or comprehend what he was saying and unable to drag his eyes off the screen. Eventually, he looked at him. "It’s been a while. I .. I'm not sure I can remember everything we did …" said Brian, softly. "That’s okay … I’ve been watching this all afternoon. I’ve got most of it ... I’ll remind you". "What ... and you lead me?" and Brian smiled. "That'll be the day!" Justin ran the tape back to the beginning of the song and started it again. Taking a deep breath, Brian took him in his arms; barely able to contain the emotions he felt whirring around inside him, whilst trying to recall every step, every turn of their dance at the school prom; trying not to let his mind take him back to what happened afterwards: something that would always be far too painful to bear. Dancing and whirling to the music, they both laughed when they missed their step and had to stop and pick up where they were. And then suddenly, Brian lifted Justin off his feet, holding him tightly; spinning him around. And he wondered which one of them the young man had actually gone to all this trouble for. Not for himself he was sure, as Justin seemed to have resigned himself to the fact that memories of the prom would remain locked away inside; inaccessible. So, instead of this evening intended as an attempt to re-awaken those lost memories, was it instead a means to provide them both with new ones? ~~~~~~ O ~~~~~~ Oh I know that the music's fine like the sparklin' wine, go and have your fun. Laugh and sing, but while we're apart don't give your heart to anyone. But don't forget who's taking you home and in whose arms you're gonna be. So darlin' save the last dance for me. Baby don't you know I love you so Can’t you feel it when we touch? I will never, never let you go, I love you oh so much ~~~~~~ O ~~~~~~ Suddenly, Brian brought them to a stop, took off the scarf and placed it around Justin’s neck and pulled him towards him. He kissed him deeply. Their mouths parted and Justin looked up at the older man. "I still don’t really remember too much about it”, he said, sadly. “But I’m glad you came to the prom", and he looked deeply into Brian’s eyes, searching them; seeing how they glistened. Brian swallowed hard; "What … even after everything that happened?" he whispered. And though the words had never been spoken out loud, Justin knew that Brian still blamed himself for that night; thinking he’d made a target out of the young man he now held in his arms. "Yeah … even after that. And I know what you’re thinking … but it wasn’t your fault ... you weren’t to blame", and they kissed again: Justin hugging him even more tightly. And now it was only the two of them, when before they’d kissed in front of a room crowded with people. But it didn’t matter that this time there was no one else to see them. This was just for them: Even if it was so ridiculously romantic. ~~~~~~ O ~~~~~~ You can dance, go and carry on 'til the night is gone and it's time to go. If he asks if you're all alone can he take you home, you must tell him no. ‘Cause don't forget who's taking you home and in whose arms you're gonna be. So darlin' save the last dance for me. ‘Cause don't forget who's taking you home and in whose arms you're gonna be. So darlin' save the last dance for me. Save the last dance for me. Save the last dance for me ... ~~~~~~ O ~~~~~~ (Acknowledgement: The Drifters: Save The Last Dance For Me) The End. Feb. 14th 2005