[IC] Lavender Green (kittenlover and I)

[Optimist]

Lavender Blue Dilly Dilly, Lavender Green

Bert MacDonald knew he would marry her the moment he saw her, from across the room. It was only a matter of convincing the girl of what was sure to happen. He had driven half way across the county to attend the barn dance. His old Ford truck was parked outside and waiting to drive the girl home, if she would agree.

Bert was a slender lad of nineteen years, with slicked back brown hair and a new tan suit. He had fine, but handsome features and big green eyes. He was a student at a local college, studying agriculture. His family owned a farm, and he was expected to follow in his father's footsteps, but until his father, his parents wanted him to get an education.

The barn chosen for the dance was a traditional red barn on the Thompson farm. The floor was covered in straw and lights were strung up for the dance. Girls in colorful dresses and boys were already out dancing, doing the dance steps as instructed by the caller. A fiddler and a washtub bass player provided the music. The boys were dressed in suits or clean overalls and were all locals. Bert was the only one here not from this town, but he was to meet his cousin Sally at the dance. Mother had told him to be nice to her. Sally was a pleasant girl, but shy and a bit of a wallflower.

After spotting the girl of his dreams, dancing with another boy, he spotted his cousin, predictably sitting by herself near the refreshment table. She had pale yellow hair and a narrow face. She was dressed in a hand-me down dress from her older sister which was not flattering to her rather slender figure. He waved at her and grinned.

[kittenlover]

Rose Tyler was smiling and laughing as she danced around, her red hair done up while some of her hair was down. She wore a red polka dotted dress with a sweetheart neckline that showed off her figure very well alog with the parts that men shouldn't really stare at but do anyways. She was having a great time, but stopped and stood still as she saw him....... Who was he? Who could he possibly be? He definitely wasn't from this town, as she knew everyone here! After all, it was a population of less than one hundred! But suddenly she was knocked into by Betty Davidson and Ronald Roger, hitting the ground with a thud and just sat there, unsure of what to do. Some people were just staring, others were just still going around, dancing and having a great time as if nothing had happened.

Rose slowly got up, brushing her dress off and walking outside for some fresh air. Once outside, she took a big whiff of the cool fresh night air, closing her eyes and trying to think this through. What was she going to do? Most likely they would be talking about her just standing there in the middle of the dance floor, before getting hit by two dancers and falling down hard on her butt. She wondered what else people would say or think, but knew that she could do nothing to stop the spread of gossip from going around this town. After all, this town had the population of 68 people! By morning the deed would be done, and she'd be humiliated for a while. And her dad would probably get posses because he was, after all, the mayor of this town. She wondered if she was going to get yelled at at home, not wanting that at all. But if it happened, it happened. No way to stop it, right?

[Optimist]

Bert walked over to where is cousin was waiting. She smiled up at him. "Hi Cuz." "Hi yourself, he replied," as he offered her his arm. They crossed over onto the dance floor and joined in the dancing. His cousin was terribly shy, but had known him her entire life. They were very close and she never minded dancing with him. Soon they were having a really good time. Despite this, he was ever aware of the red haired girl dancing near them. His cousin teased him for staring and encouraged him to ask her to dance, but he felt loyalty to his cousin.

One dance lead into the next, and he suddenly felt some one staring at him. He turned around and the red haired girl was looking at him, from the middle of the dance floor. His heart jumped. Suddenly her gaze ended, when she was plowed into by two other dances. The girl of his dreams fell flat on her butt on the floor, sat there for a moment and then got up and quickly exited the barn. He felt bad that others were laughing at her, rather than actually helping her out. Sally shoved his shoulder gently. "Go after her stupid." He gave Sally a big hug of gratitude and headed out of the barn, into the night air.

He found her just outside the barn, with her eyes closed and her arms around herself. Without thinking it through, he touched her arm. "Are you O.K. miss?" He did not mean to startle her, or be intrusive, but he was honestly concerned, and smitten at the same time.

[kittenlover]

Rose jumped when she was tapped on the shoulder by someone, her eyes opening to see the man she had been looking at before, asking if she was okay. "U-Uh yeah, I'm fine. Just a little bruised, but nothing a country girl can't handle!" Rose said with a smile, holding out her hand for him to shake. "The names Rose Tyler, daughter of the mayor, Timothy Tyler! I was named after my deceased mother, who passed away at birth, that, and my red hair reminded my father of a rose........ But you wouldn't know that, because your not from around here, are you?" Rose asked, her eyes twinkling in the moonlight and shone like emeralds in a beautiful new ring.

"So, what's your name exactly? I mean, if you were around here, I'm sure I would know your name! I mean, after all, there is a population of only 68 people in this town!" Rose said, realizing she was being too talkative for a young girl her age. "I'm sorry, it's not my place to be speaking without permission. I should've stayed silent. Please forgive me." Rose said, her father having trained her to be a proper girl, mother, and wife instead of her just being her. Rose looked down at the ground, her red curls falling in her face. Crap! What if he tells my father?! What would he do to me!? Rose thought to herself, trying not to cry as she thought about getting the belt again.

[Optimist]

Bert could not understand what Rose was so nervous about. After all, they were just talking. Then again, he did not know her father. "I'm Bertrum MacDonald, but you can call me Bert. I'm from a couple of counties over. I came to take my cousin Sally to the dance. As to talking to much, or talking out of turn, don't give it a second though. After all, I'm the one that spoke to you first." He touched her shoulder in reassurance. "Now did you want to stay out here awhile, or go back in and dance?"

A tall, muscular fellow, wearing a white buttoned down shirt and blue jeans came out of the dance hall, to see someone hitting on his girlfriend. Whoever he was, he was obviously not a local. A local would have know to stay away from Bobby Lee's girl. "Hey there, get your hands off my girl." He growled, swinging a punch at the back of Bert's head. Bert heard him coming and managed to duck most of the blow, before turning around and holding up his hands. "Woe there big fella! I was just seeing if the young lady was alright." Bobby grunted and held his hands up in a fighting stance. "Bullshit, you was flirting with my Rose."

[kittenlover]

Rose was surprised when Bobby came out of the dance hall, swinging at poor Bert who had done nothing wrong. "Bobby please, he didn't do anything! He was just checking to see if I was okay! Please, don't fight him! There's no need for this!" Rose said, but knew Bobby never listened to her when it came to fighting. She just hoped that Bert would be alright after this was all over........ The last time bobby fought someone was when he went to jail for almost killing a man. After he got out he claimed her as his again, and she was too afraid to stand up to him, at all! She decided to do something, something so dangerous that it just might work. "The winner of this fight gets to be my boyfriend! No if, ands, buts about it! It's the honorable thing to do, so whoever can knock out the other wins! Alright....... Go!" Rose said, closing her eyes and hoping that Bobby wouldn't beat Bert into a bloody pulp over her.

[Optimist]

Bert could not believe his ears at her pronouncement, but was game, though he was half a head shorter than the other fellow and not nearly as muscled. He knew something that the other fellow did not know. Bert was light weight boxing champ at his university. He might not be able to match Bobby's muscles, but he could probably out maneuver him.

The two combatants circled each other for a moment, but did not shake hands. It was not that sort of fight. It was the kill or be killed sort, at least at Bobby's end. Bobby swung wild hay-makers, which Bert avoided easily, and then dove at him, trying to grab him. Bert knew this was trouble. He was no wrestler. He dodged to one side and stuck his leg out, tripping Bobby. Bobby flew into the ground face first, before coming up with a red face. By now, a few people from the dance were outside watching.

Bobby dove at Bert again, avoiding the same trick twice, but Bert managed to punch him in the kidneys a few times, and then in the face, as he turned around. The fight progressed predictably, with Bobby growing more and more tired, until Bert finally was able to clock him with an upper cut. The blow sent Bobby backwards on his butt, and he did not get up again for a good five minutes.

Bert turned to Rose, his shirt half untucked and one sleeve of his new suit half-way off, but uninjuried. "Miss Tyler, can I drive you home?" His cousin Sally was one of the onlookers and rushed up to make sure he was O.K. She hugged him for a moment, and then looked at his suit coat. "Awe Bert, you looked so good in that suit."

[kittenlover]

Rose was shocked at the outcome of the fight, thinking that Bobby would win and let him live...... Well, maybe the let him live part was a little far fetched, but Bobby didn't win at all; Bert did! Rose smiled at her new suitor, or boyfriend, whatever you wanted to call him, and laughed behind her hand as she saw Bert's coat sleeve. "Don't worry, I've got a sewing needle and some thread that happens to match his suit coat! I can patch it up as easily as a man can patch up an automobile!" Rose said, taking Bert's arm in hers and looked him in the eyes, her eyes sparkling happily as they stared into his.

"I'm ready to go when you are! But I must warn you, my dad isn't too fond of outsiders! And I don't think he'll be happy that we're together! But oh well! Doesn't matter anymore!" Rose said, grinning at him, her ruby red lips matching her hair as well as her dress while her emerald green eyes were a perfect contrast to the ruby color as well as her somewhat pale skin that seemed to glow in the moonlight. She was like a dream girl, but she was a real dream girl, and no one could argue with that.

[Optimist]

Bert suddenly found himself with his dream girl on his arm, ready to drive her home. He had known that he would get to this point, but did not know it would happen so quickly. He did not worry to much about her father. Generally, he got along with parents. Still, he did not wish to confront the man until he had to do so. There had already been one fight tonight, over the lovely Rose, and he did not want to start another one.

He walked her to his truck and helped her up into the passenger's seat, his hands lingering for a moment on her waist, before self consciously letting go. "So, where do you live, and when do they expect you back by?" He figured that he had at least a few hours until the dance was over, so hopefully he would not have to drop Rose off right away.

Bert started up the old truck, which protested for a moment, before coughing to life. He had been saving up for a newer one, but it would take him awhile. Until then, he would have to keep tinkering with Old Betsy, keeping her one the road yet another year or two. He turned the radio on as they drove away, and Patsy Cline came one, singing about a midnight walk and a longing love. Bert resisted his impulse to sing along with the song.

[kittenlover]

Rose smiled as he helped her into the passengers seat, blushing as she felt his hands longer on her waist for a bit before he let go of her, watching him shut the door and climb in on the other side. She knew that this was quite an old car as it stalled for a second before coming to life, Bert turning on the radio as they drive away from the dance. "I have till midnight, but if I get home a second after that I'll be in big trouble!" She told Bert, hearing Patsy Cline come on, singing walking after midnight, which happened to be one of Rose's favorites songs. "I go out walkin' after midnight. Out in the moonlight, just like we used to do. I'm always walkin' after midnight, searchin' for you. I walk for miles along the highway, well, that's just my way of sayin' I love you. I'm always walkin' after midnight, searchin' for you." Rose sang in a sweet and mesmerizing voice, happy to have the song on as they drove.

"I stop to see a weepin' willow, cryin' on his pillow, maybe he's cryin' for me. And as the skies turn gloomy, night winds whisper to me, I'm lonesome as I can be. I go out walkin' after midnight. Out in the starlight, just hoping you may be, somewhere a-walkin' after midnight, searchin' for me. I stop to see a weepin' willow, cryin' on his pillow, maybe he's cryin' for me. And as the skies turn gloomy, night winds whisper to me, I'm lonesome as I can be. I go out walkin' after midnight. Out in the starlight, just hoping you may be, somewhere a-walkin' after midnight, searchin' for me." Rose finished, looking at Bert as she noticed he was looking at her and not the road. She saw car lights coming towards them, screaming, "Look out!" As she pointed at the car that was honking at them while still coming at them quickly.

[Optimist]

Bert was really distracted by his companion, and quite forgot about paying attention to the road. He listened to her sing along with the radio, and thought she had a lovely voice. In fact, she was over all a lovely girl. Even though he did not know anything about her yet, he was sure he was going to marry her. Such is the folly of youth.

Suddenly, he realized, as she screamed, that he had crossed over onto the wrong side of the road, and a car was coming right at them through the darkness. He swerved in just enough time to avoid the other car, sending his own car down the embankment, and halfway into the woods. It was only by grace that he avoided crashing into a tree.

For a long moment, he simply sat there, with no other sounds than the chirping of crickets and the beating of his heart. He looked over at Rose, as the song continued to play on the radio. With shaking hands, he reached out and turned the radio off. "We... we almost died back there Rose."

[kittenlover]

Rose just sat there, her mind hadn't caught up to her breathing yet. But as soon as she did she started crying, scared out of her mind that she could've died just moments ago. She turned and clung onto Bert, crying into his chest and not truly caring about ruining her makeup, since it was very much waterproof. "I'm so sorry Bert........ I........ I didn't mean to distract you....... I was just having fun is all........ I'm so so sorry!" Rose said in between large sobs, unsure of what else to do besides cry. So she just say there, clinging to Bert and crying, still afraid of just....... Everything! She was sure Bert was going to be mad at her, and that her father would be mad at him. Why had this happened? Why? Why had she opened up her mouth and sung?! She could've prevented this! She could've stopped herself from singing! But no, she just had to sing! She continued to mentally beat herself up, waiting for Bert to reply.

[Optimist]

Bert had nearly killed them, and she was the one who was apologizing. He wondered what had happened in her life to make her blame herself so easily. Surely she should be furious with him. He cradle her in his arms as she cried on his chest. "Don't worry about it Rose. I was the one not watching the road. You were just singing along with the radio. Please stop crying now." He tipped her chin upward with his fingers and looked her in the eyes. "I swear to you, this was not your fault.

As it was, he was not sure how he was going to get his car back over the embankment. He would probably have to walk to a phone and call a tow truck. He wondered how far away her house was. It was a fine a beautiful night, with a nearly full moon. He could walk her home first, in plenty of time. The town was tiny, so it could not take all that long, even if she was on the other side of town.

Back at the dance, Bobby Lee woke up, on the ground. He slowly stood, as blood poured from his broken nose. "I am going to kill her, and that little runt too," he said to no one in particular. He returned to his black muscle car and jumped in. He was determined to run home, get his father's shotgun and then go hunting for his girlfriend and her new friend.

[kittenlover]

"Alright....... If you swear....... I...... I believe you." Rose said, wiping the tears from her cheeks and smiling at him. He was so kind, and even if she didn't know him too well, she still knew that he was kind! And definitely kinder than Bobby Lee! She saw a black muscle car stop on the road right behind them, something gleaming in the boys hand as he pointed it at their car. "No! Bert!" Rose screamed, pushing Bert down on the seat as two large bullets went directly into her side. "Shit......" She murmured, her side bleeding heavily as she tried to get up.

But as soon as Bobby saw a head he shot again, and that's when Bert would wake up to the same music that had been playing on the radio the other day. His calendar said it as the other day as well, and he'd hear the phone ringing as it was his mother, calling him to tell him about the dance. Little did he know that until he got things right, the day would stay that same day until he was with Rose, and she didn't end up dying during the night of the dance.

[Optimist]

Bert awoke in a cold sweat. It had all just been a dream! His dream girl, Rose Tyler, had been just that, a dream. She had not really died, for she had not truly lived. He sighed, because he had been smitten with the girl in his dreams. As it was, he would meet his cousin Sally for the barn dance, and forget all about his nightmare.

His morning and afternoon were spent doing his choirs and helping his father in the fields. He had a hearty breakfast, lunch and dinner, eating as only a farm boy could, without gaining weight. That evening he piled into his old car, wearing his new suit and headed out to cross county lines and meet his cousin.

He pulled up outside the Thompson's red barn, to find it brightly lit and decorated with streamers. Bluegrass music was playing and he could hear the chatter of the kids at the dance, over it. They certainly were having a good time. He approached the barn and stepped through the massive double doors.

His blonde cousin Sally waved at him. He waved back and grinned. It was then that he saw her. The girl from his dream was very real and dancing with the rough boy who had shot her. He pinched himself to see if he was still dreaming. "Quickly Sally, slap me." She obliged, and landed a hard blow across his face. It did not help. The horrible dream continued.

[kittenlover]

Rose saw the boy and stopped dead in the middle of the dance, staring at the boy who had just entered. Who was he? Who could he possibly be? He definitely wasn't from this town, as she knew everyone here! After all, it was a population of less than one hundred! But suddenly she was knocked into by Betty Davidson and Ronald Roger, hitting the ground with a thud and just sat there, unsure of what to do. Some people were just staring, others were just still going around, dancing and having a great time as if nothing had happened.

Rose slowly got up, brushing her dress off and walking outside for some fresh air. Once outside, she took a big whiff of the cool fresh night air, closing her eyes and trying to think this through. What was she going to do? Most likely they would be talking about her just standing there in the middle of the dance floor, before getting hit by two dancers and falling down hard on her butt. She wondered what else people would say or think, but knew that she could do nothing to stop the spread of gossip from going around this town. After all, this town had the population of 68 people! By morning the deed would be done, and she'd be humiliated for a while. And her dad would probably get posses because he was, after all, the mayor of this town. She wondered if she was going to get yelled at at home, not wanting that at all. But if it happened, it happened. No way to stop it, right?

[Optimist]

Bert was confused. If this was not a dream, as his cousin's slap told it was not, then he was living the same day over again! Bobby was still a danger to Rose, because he was a stupid, violent man you would shoot at her or hit her, at the slightest provocation. He had to warn her, but did not want to get into a fight with Bobby again. The answer came to him.

He crossed over to his cousin, who said "Go after her stupid." He instead took his cousin's hand and walked out into the night air. If Bobby followed them and saw him talking Rose, he would not think that he was hitting on her, since he would have his own date with him.

Outside Sally and Bert approached the red headed girl together. He spoke up, putting on one hand in reassurance. "Hi, I am Bert and this is my cousin Sally. Now this is going to sound crazy, but I believe that you are in some danger. That guy Bobby you have been dating is capable of committing murder. You have to get away from him..'

[kittenlover]

"You think I don't know that?! He's already killed a man over me! But...... I can't leave him! I can't! He'd kill me! I have nowhere to hide that he doesn't know exactly where I am! And it's not like I could leave this town! I have no where to go and no way to go anywhere! I can't...... I can't escape him!" Rose whispered, tears starting to stream down her cheeks. "Please....... You have to get me away from here! I know you're not from here, so you must have a place somewhere else! I'll do anything to get away from him! Anything! Just get me out of here!" Rose said, her eyes wide with fear as she stared at the barn door, waiting for Bobby to come out at any moment though, although he was inside flirting with other girls while she was gone.

[Optimist]

Bert did not wait for an invitation. He dropped his cousin's hand, kissed her cheek goodbye and then lead Rose over to his car. "Get in, quick. We'll get you out of here." He jumped in and turned the key. The car coughed to life, and he started to back out. His cousin Sally waved at them before heading back inside.

On the side of the barn stood a boy named John Reed. He was out having a cigarette and was a good friend of Bobby's. He was overweight, tall and had on a suit. When he saw Rose get into the other boy's car and head out with him. He took a final puff, as the car spend off into the night, and then returned to the dance.

He found Bobby across the dance floor, chatting up a pretty blonde girl. He approached him cautiously, knowing how bad Bobby's temper was. He tapped him on the shoulder, and Bobby turned around.

"Your not gonna like this Bobby, but I saw your girl driving off with another boy."

[kittenlover]

Bobby was furious, clenching his fists while his face got redder and redder. "That bitch...... I swear, I'm going to kill her!" Bobby said angrily, going outside and getting into his black muscle car before speeding off into the night. He got a pitch fork from his house and got back into his car, driving until he saw Rose's fire red hair from the back. "You asked for this!" He muttered, leaning out his window and throwing the pitch fork at the car. It was all in what seemed to be slow motion; The pitch fork went through the back window of the truck, hitting Rose in the pack of the neck before the sharp points went right through her neck with such force that her head went forward and it was pinned to the windshield by the prongs of the pitch fork. Bert would wake up once again in his bed, it being the same day as the dance, once again.

Rose though was at the Thompson Barn all day, helping set everything up and no one was hardly there, it was all girls. And none of those girls spoke to Bobby, so this was a time that Bert could use to get. Rose away from Bobby before he got there.