Dusty and Lucky have a Run-In at the Barn Dance - Men! This year's Harvest Barn Dance promised to be the best ever. The weather had finally cooled a bit, the hay barn had been decorated by the ranch staff and the band was tunin' up when the trouble started. Every monkey on the ranch had shown up for the dance and everyone was ready for a real shin-dig. I got all gussied up in my new dress and boots and I might say, I was a sight to behold, so I kind of appreciated the long, low whistle that Lucky let out when I walked into the barn. I did, but Dusty didn't. I don't know why he feels he has to protect me all the time. I'm a fully grown she-monkey and right capable of taking care of myself. Dusty was mad! He marched himself right over to Lucky, grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and double-up to hit him. I got there just in time to stop him. "Now, boys," I said, trying to diffuse the situation. "Let's just have a good time tonight. Dusty, don't be mad at Lucky. I paid so much for this dress that if I hadn't gotten at least one whistle, I would have felt cheated!" Lucky chuckled. Dusty let go of Lucky and backed off, but he was not amused. He sulked off to check on the BBQ out back. Things went along great for a while. The fiddle was hot, ranch monkeys were dosey-doin' and havin' a good old time. Everyone, that is but Dusty. He stood off in a corner and never took his eyes off me. I don't know what makes him think he is my guardian. He's not even that much older than I am. Someone turned the lights down low and the band began to play "Dancin' With My Darlin' in the Desert" (a real Arizona favorite). I saw Lucky heading across the dance floor toward me. Dusty must have seen him, too, because he started at the same pace. Dusty got there first. I guess he was a bit embarassed by the way he'd behaved earlier, because he sure stammered around when he asked me to dance. I saw my chance to show him once and for all that I was free to make my own choices, so I said, "I'm sorry, Dusty, I promised this dance to Lucky." I'm not sure which one of them looked more surprised, but Lucky didn't miss a beat when he swept me out onto the dance floor. Now, I'm not sure what came over me, but Mama always did say I had a mean streak, so I guess I could blame it on that, but I commensed to flirting with Lucky just to make Dusty mad. I laughed, I twirled, I put my head on Lucky's shoulder...all the while looking Dusty straight in the eye. It was exilerating in a weird sort of way and dangerous, as I soon found out. Lucky must have taken me serious because he whirled me around the floor in the direction of the door, then pulled me outside. Before I knew it, he had pulled me close and planted a big old monkey kiss right on my lips. Suddenly, all you-know-what broke loose. Dusty yanked Lucky away from me and socked (no pun intended) him good in the kisser. Lucky punched him back and they were off. They fought so hard, I was afraid they were going to knock the stuffing out of each other...and that can be fatal to a sock monkey! A bunch of the ranch hands finally broke it up. Lucky limped off to the bunkhouse and Dusty turned on me. Before I knew it he had grabbed my elbow and was propelling me toward the ranch house. I sputtered and spitted all the way to the veranda. (not very lady-like, I know) "Dusty, who do you think you are? What do you think you're doing?" I screamed. "Saving you from your own foolishness, Millie." he said. "You listen here, Mr. Dusty Layne, I am a grown monkey and I can kiss anyone I like." I sputtered, and just to prove my point, I hauled off and kissed him full on the lips! I expected him to push me away. I expected it to really tick him off. I expected it to teach him a lesson. What I didn't expect is that his lips would be so soft, that his arms would circle around me so sweetly or that my heart would pound so loud in my chest. Dusty gently pushed me away. "Good night Miss Millie," he said and walked away. I never felt so confused in all my life! <<<<< PREV DIARY ENTRY NEXT DIARY ENTRY >>>>> BACK TO DIARY INDEX