THE UNEXPECTED CHOICE

BY FIRESTORM She was going to have to choose. She had always known that in the end she would have to choose, but it had always seemed like the choice could be delayed, like the time when she would need to make it was a long way off. But not now. They would both be at the party this evening, and they would have to talk with each other. It was inevitable that sooner or later they would realize that the girl each of them was describing as the love of their lives was the same girl, her. She would have to choose, before then if at all possible. “But David is SO handsome and Travis is SO strong,” she mused to herself. “So how do I choose?” “Matt?” called her mom from downstairs. “It's one minute to liftoff. Are you coming soon?” “I'll be right there, Mom,” she called, doing a final touch up of her make-up. The choice would have to be made at the party, or they would make it for her by both dumping her when they learned of each other. “If that is how it happens,” she said to herself in despair as she descended the steps. “I just hope Travis doesn't mess up David's face too badly.” * “You seem distracted, Dear,” said her mom from the driver's seat. Matt sighed. “David and Travis are both going to be there tonight,” she said. “I know I need to choose, but I still can't, and I'm afraid of what Travis will do to David if he finds out either way.” Her mom said nothing, and Matt nodded in understanding. This was a mess of her making, and only she could clean it up. * “Drinks, Matt?” said David, approaching with two glasses of punch. Then he saw Travis on her arm, set the drinks down on the table, it looked like just in the nick of time, for a moment later both arms went limp and his knees went slack as he stared at the other boy, and the other boy stared back at him. Knowing that her worst fears were about to come true, Matt tried to get between them, but both shoved her lightly aside as they continued to stare at each other, although, to Matt's amazement, it did not seem to be with anger. “Um,” she began. “Travis, this is. . .” Travis turned and stared at her then. “You've been seeing him, too?” “Well, yes, er. . .” she said. “It's not, er, well. . .” “You've been keeping this fine piece of work to yourself?” asked David, continuing to stare at Travis. “You've kept this gorgeous face away from my eyes?” Travis put in. “Not that I blame you for not wanting to share.” “Well,” Matt faltered, not sure that she had heard right. “Yes, I, um, er, well...what?” Travis extended a hand towards David. “I'm Travis. Travis Matthew Thorn.” David took the hand. “David,” he said. “David Brandon Alice. I've never looked at a guy like this before, but then I've never encountered a guy that was this nice to look at before.” “There was one, once, a long time ago, before I met Martha,” Travis replied. “But that's all in the past. But, of course, now so is she.” Matt had expected the last sentence, even the use of her given name in it, but was totally bewildered by EVERYTHING else she was hearing. “She was a nice person to pass the time with,” said David. “Until meting you at this moment, but now that we have met, I'm through with her and girls period, forever.” “Me too,” said Travis. Then, each kissed the other's hand and then, right there, in front of everyone, they kissed on the lips and then headed for the dance floor together, arm in arm. Matt stared at her two former boy-friends cutting across the dance floor. Of all of the possibilities for how this night could have turned out, this was the most unexpected choice.