MERCER1

 Punch Bowl Conversation Lucky Penny By: Jennifer Mercer

Silvia Grace Owens had dropped him like a penny over a bridge. And now Ian stared stricken at the reverberating ripples in the punch bowl. It was the color of blood. '//How fitting.'// he thought; a depressed sigh releasing into the still air that seemed to envelope the refreshment table.

“Ian?” Mrs. Evans was smiling in a concerned way as she pulled his attention into her hazelnut eyes. “Ian, are you okay?” she questioned, patting his limp shoulder. Ian looked up to her and sighed again, shaking his head

“I don’t know Mrs. E” he stated staring at his cup of punch

“You’re at a dance Ian! You should be dancing; where’s your date?” she asked glancing around the gym at the shifting mass of teenage bodies.

“Bad news Mrs. E…I’ve been ditched.” he stated, turning away from the trite woman, the words piercing his heart as he said them. He walked off to the table he’d been sitting at and plopped into one of the many unclaimed chairs.

“Ian!” Silvia Grace Owens had come to claim her penny.

“I’m thirsty” Ian stated, heart racing as he jumped up and scurried away from his lovely praying mantis. “Ian.” Mr. Mann acknowledged his presence with a head nod and down shifting gaze to the full cup of punch Ian already held.

“Hey, Mr. Mann.” Ian mumbled, not meeting the man’s narrowed eyes.

“I hear you’re dateless young man; Christ Ian, what happened?” he asked sharply from behind the poorly decorated table.

“Mr. Mann, I doubt you of all people would find my misfortunes interesting.” he quipped, glaring at the cookies laid on the plastic tray. //Even the teachers know I’ve been ditched, I bet that’s the most interesting information they’ve heard at this God awful dance.// He looked up as he felt a shift in the air beside him.

“Hey Ian” the distressed tone fluttered through the air and nibbled at his ear. Silvia had returned to complete her task of ripping him apart. He looked up, defeated in ignoring her. “Wanna dance?” she asked, eyes shimmering like new pennies.