Royce was reeling. His high school crush, Celeste, who had rocked his world and become his steady girlfriend, informed him in no uncertain terms that they were broken up, kaput, finished, done. And to rub salt in Royce’s fresh wound, she broke the news two seconds after he asked her to the Junior Prom, thinking it was a mere formality, and that she’d be over the moon with all the hoopla associated with the time-honored tradition. But no, Royce stood next to his locker, gut-punched, and watched Celeste walk out of his life.

Two weeks later, Royce’s best pal, Geno, who was tired of his friend’s moping, admonished him to snap out of it and get over himself – more fish in the sea, more ducks in the pond, and other watery dating adages. Geno then let on that there was a dance that Friday night at the Masonic Temple, and that Rainbow Girls from Victoria, B.C. would be attending. After some cajoling, Royce agreed to go.

They arrived fashionably late as the music went from lively to slow. Two girls walked over, and a tall, pale redhead approached Geno. A shorter, dark-haired charmer grabbed Royce’s hand and led him onto the dance floor.

No words were spoken as she put her arms around his shoulders, hugging him close and moving to the song. Royce held her, half believing in what was happening, and silently thanking Geno for the invitation. Now to look up the ferry schedule to Vancouver Island…