Indecent Proposal

A Tale Of The Texas Two Step

by Talking Trash

Act II, Scene 1

"How 'bout it...how 'bout it?"! Good grief...what the heck did that mean? That could be anything from "how about taking a look at that new toolbox now?" to "how about some popcorn from the snack bar?". I must have had a strange look on my face because he told me that I knew what he meant. At that particular moment, I truly didn't and told him so. He was going to have to be a little more articulate for me to understand what he was asking me. Being a man of few words, he seemed to have a hard time putting into words what he wanted to ask. Finally I just asked what was it he was trying to say and he replied, "You and me...how 'bout it?". Huh? You and me what? (My only thought was that he had better be talking about going dancing because that would be the only do-si-doing we'd be doing!) Ducking his head, he replied "Married...how 'bout it?". Stunned would be an understatement. I was flabbergasted. We had only known each other for six weeks and really didn't know a thing about each other except that we seemed to get along. I told him I would have to sleep on it and I would try to give him an answer in a couple of days.

The next week was tense. He wanted an answer and I thought he was rushing things. I didn't see the necessity of messing up the start of a nice relationship, but then a few days later when we were going out to dinner, I had the strangest feeling of being watched. I turned and he was just staring and smiling at me kind of like the Cheshire Cat....while driving down the highway! He'd stop when I would catch him, but the minute I looked away, he'd be doing it again. I just knew he was going to rear end someone. Finally I told him to stop it before we had an accident. He looked so sad when he said he couldn't help it. Right then and there I knew I had to marry him. What's a girl to do? Where would I ever find anyone else who would look at me that way again...as if I were the most beautiful woman in the world ! Later that night when for the umpteenth time he said "how 'bout it?" I replied, "How 'bout yes?"!

There was one other small detail that we had to take care of before officially becoming engaged. I had met his parents, but he hadn't met mine. We arranged to meet Mother and Daddy for dinner at the old El Fenix restaurant in downtown Dallas. As we were sitting at the table waiting for my folks to arrive, he leaned in to me and whispered, "By the way, before your parents get here, what is your last name?"!

(to be continued)