Incest/Taboo Lady in Red

Gwen had caught enough of Steve's threat to Governs to realize how angry he was. His voice had sounded more like a growl than anything human. The speed at which the color drained from Governs' face reinforced her impression that Steve had issued a very strong threat and was more than willing to back it up.

Suddenly, everyone was laughing as they told their impressions of Steve's meeting with Mort Governs. The ladies carefully watched Steve and Gwen demonstrate s few steps. Steve was amused that a few simple steps seemed so impressive to the ladies. Soon he was taking each of the ladies through the basic steps. It was one thirty when Angela Walker explained that the students needed to return to class. There was a lot of back slapping as Steve thanked the Rotary for its support.

"Holy crap! I thought you were going to slap that stupid little shit!" exclaimed Ms. Walker as they drove out of the parking lot. "That would have complicated things, but no one would have blamed you, Steve. He sure had it coming! Imagine speaking like that to a girl like Gwen, in front of a guy like you! As it turned out, I think your reaction actually benefited our goal. You are now known as an athlete, dancer, and defender of lady's honor. The latter will go a long way with the wives of the male Rotarians, not to mention the females in the Rotary."

Gwen had explained to Ms. Walker that she was not returning to school since she had to change her clothes. Her dress was not appropriate for the classroom. Her mother was descending the stairs as Gwen entered the house. She watched as Gwen dropped into the recliner and let out a sigh. Paula stood in front of Gwen waiting for her report of the day's events.

"Well, Mom, the cat's out of the bag," Gwen stated simply as Paula sat down next to her and waited for Gwen to continue. "For some reason, it never occurred to me that Mort Governs would naturally be a Rotary member. He's a mover and shaker in the community. He make some comment about how he'd be glad to discuss his so-called ideas for fund raising with me anytime and I told him, in no uncertain terms, that it'd be a cold day in hell when I had anything to do with him.

"Then he said that I had approached him and told him that I'd do "anything" to meet our project goals. Then he started to reveal what he called my not-so-admirable side," recounted Gwen.

"Started to, Gwen?" asked a worried Paula. "Did something prevent Governs from smearing your name in the dirt? Was that something well over six feet tall and pretty angry by this time? Did Steve get into a lot of trouble?"

"You think you're so smart, Mom!" groaned Gwen. "Steve moved in real close to Mort and said a few things that I couldn't make out very well. No one else was close enough to hear a word of it. I did hear something about Mort being 'the one'. Then there was something about 'Ripping a heart out'. 'Shoving it someplace'. Things like that, but Steve snarled it so low it sounded more like a rumble than human speech. For some reason, Mort turned on his heel and practically ran from the room."

"I think, Gwen, that you're getting to see the difference between the good guys and the bad guys. What did the other Rotary members say? Was there a problem?" questioned Paula.

"Truthfully, it seemed to make their day. They kept us there showing them the few simple dance steps that we do. You'd think we'd invented the moon walk or something. It was mostly the ladies and they couldn't wait to have Steve take them in his arms and show them the simple steps. I've never seen so many sexually repressed women in my life. Ms. Walker called an end to it before they managed to get Steve to show them some other moves that he's probably already used on that redhead."

"That reminds me. Diane said that she would be happy to help you and Steve perfect a few more dances for that Firemen's benefit," remembered Paula. "I think my little sister wants to see how it feels to be in Steve's arms, if just for a little while. You'll probably think she's another sexually repressed woman. Your boyfriend seems to do that to us mature ladies."

"Did you just include yourself in that group, Mom?" demanded Gwen. "Do I have to worry about you and Diane now?"

"Honey, every woman that sees that boy is a potential competitor, if you're intending to keep him as your boyfriend. If you're going to break up with him, it shouldn't matter. As far as Diane and I are concerned, we're older and married, and want to stay that way, so we'll limit ourselves to a few harmless actions and fantasies," laughed Paula. "But if you want to keep Steve, there isn't a girl or woman around that can steal him from you. I've seen the way he looks at you. He's yours if you want him."

"Then why was he out with that long legged redhead?" asked Gwen. "Why do I feel totally out of control here?"

"I can tell you the answer to that second question, but you won't want to hear it, at least not yet," responded Paula. "Ask Steve about the redhead if you really want to know. It isn't rocket science, Gwen. It's called communication. You sometimes seem better versed in rocket science than in relationships."

The football team continued to win. Steve managed to post very impressive statistics. The regular season ended with Sparta undefeated, and league champions. The team needed to win three more games to claim the school's first ever state title. The first Saturday in November was the district championship against Carver High. Then would come the regional championship game the following Saturday, if Sparta beat Carver. The state title game was scheduled for the Saturday before Thanksgiving.

The team had developed a strong fan base and a great deal of press coverage. Sparta was buzzing with talk of a state title. Never before had its football team reached the big game. Many of the articles in the local paper featured Steve and mentioned the videos Dave Kite had posted on YouTube. Views of the videos eclipsed ten thousand by early November. Donations to the hospital fund, many unsolicited, had begun to arrive in the mail.

Steve had always been the hardest working team member in the weight room, but half way through the season, Billy Marsh came alive. He worked harder and longer than Steve. By the last league game, Billy was obviously thinner around the middle and wider in the chest and shoulders. He and Steve had become fast friends. Billy always gave the same answer when Steve asked what had happened to cause such a drastic change in Billy's attitude.

"Somebody has to block and make you look good. I want to be part of a state championship team, and saving your ass is the way to get there. When the college recruiters come to see the famous Steve Hammer, they'll have to notice the no-longer fat putz that centers the ball, and pass blocks like a pro. Those guys are smart and they'll see the real reason for your success," grinned Billy.

Gwen's relationship with Steve remained complicated. She still danced with him. In fact, they spent more time together than ever as they worked on a couple new dances for casino night. Diane suggested that a tango would dazzle the audience and a dance with a couple lifts would be a real crowd pleaser. Although many purists felt that lifts had no place in ballroom dancing, spectators loved to see them.

"Paula, that boy is amazing! We both know that I'm not as light as I used to be, but he's able to lift me like I was a child. He can toss Gwen around with no effort. He's graceful, a fast learner, and very polite. I had him lift me a couple times and slowly lower me. I had a low top on and he kept looking away, which didn't do much for my self esteem," admitted Diane. "I finally told him in that dance, he was the leader, the alpha, and he had to not only look at his partner's assets, but do it obviously and sensuously. The next time he lowered me he looked right into my cleavage and blew into my top! My nipples were hard for the next hour.

"I don't know where Gwen gets her self-discipline. She wears those sweaters and sweatshirts to practice and hardly interacts with the guy, even when she's in his arms. I know she's pissed about him supposedly having a woman on the side, but if I were her, I'd be doing my level best to make him forget the other woman. And Gwen has the equipment to make him forget!"

When the arrangements were made for Casino night, no one had considered the football team playing that same day for the district title. Luckily, Sparta played early in the day and everyone had time to return to Sparta and participate, as promised, in Casino night at the fire hall. The fact that Sparta had won 42- 21 made for a festive occasion. The members of the Fire Company, firefighters and ambulance crew, had a large sign proclaiming Sparta district champions on the wall.

"Wow, Charlotte! You look great. I guess if college doesn't work out for you, there's always the option of being a cocktail waitress," teased Steve as he admired how well Charlotte looked in a little black dress.

"Thanks, Steve. It's always good to be appreciated! I'm hoping that a certain waiter here tonight will like what he sees and stop being so darn hard to attract. I blame you for that, too. You made him walk me to class and apologize. He did such a good job of it, I can't stop thinking about it, but he acts like he hardly notices me."

"If we're talking about a guy that's dropped about thirty pounds of lard and added about twenty pounds of muscle since the start of football season, he's noticed you, believe me. He doesn't talk about anything else! "What if she still thinks I'm too fat? What if she doesn't like me?" are two of the whines I hear five or six times a day," complained Steve. "In case you haven't figured it out, he's talking about you, Charlotte."

"Who's talking about me, Steve? How do I know who's lost weight? I need to know that we're talking about the same guy!" giggled Charlotte. "Point him out!"

"Okay. He's the guy standing by the men's room pretending to be reading the sign that says "men's room." Now he's looking at his shoes. Now he's checking to be sure his fly is all the way up," revealed Steve. "Does that help give you an idea of which poor schmuck has it bad for one of the smartest, prettiest girls in the senior class?"

"Now who are you talking about? I was hoping he was interested in me!" lamented Charlotte with a sad, pouty little smile.

Steve managed to pull Gwen aside a short while later. "Gwen, I know you're upset with me for that stunt I pulled that night I picked you up walking on that dark road. I've tried to apologize to you, but you won't listen. I was wrong to think that I could demand that you tell me something, or make you do something just because I wanted you to do it. I know now that it involved that Governs jerk, and that he did something to upset you pretty badly. I behaved like an ass and your dad was right to paste me one.

"I'm new to all of this, Gwen. I've never had a girlfriend. My mom died a few years ago and I'm kind of weak in my relationship skills with females. I just don't know what you want me to do, Gwen. How can I get you to forgive me?" asked Steve sincerely. "I've learned a lot from that incident. I'll work to be more understanding and less demanding."

"Steve, I went out with that jackass! We had dinner. I thought we would be discussing ways he could help in our fund raising, but deep down, I knew what he was after and I went with him anyway. That's not a very good girlfriend, is it? I thought I'd just keep it from you and it wouldn't hurt anything," admitted Gwen sadly. "The truth is all relationships have to be built on honesty and I wasn't being honest with you.

"I appreciate that you helped me out, but I was too ashamed to admit what I had done. That's why I wouldn't tell you anything. That and the fact I was afraid that you'd do something to that ass that would get you into big trouble. To answer your question, you need to absolutely tell me the truth all the time. It has to be the whole truth and not half truths to keep my feelings from being hurt. The only thing that stands between us is that I don't think you've been completely honest with me."

"Okay, I see where that can be a problem. I guess I need to explain myself better. I'll work on that from now on. I've become accustomed to keeping things to myself the past year or so and it's become a habit, a bad habit at that," conceded Steve. "I just worry that if you know too much about me, you'll feel pity or something, and I don't want that. I just want to be a normal, average senior in a normal school that just happens to have a super beautiful girlfriend. Is that too much to ask?"

"It is if you want to keep me around, Steve. You'll have to drop that beautiful girlfriend," replied Gwen more seriously than Steve realized. "My sister Lisa was drop dead gorgeous since birth. I've grown up being compared to her and it wasn't always kind. My self esteem wasn't the greatest, so I threw myself into my schoolwork. I'm determined to become a doctor, a very good doctor. This past summer I started working out on my dad's weight machine and walking a few miles a day. I felt like I was improving and then you arrived on the scene and seemed interested in me when no else ever has been. The really crazy thing is that you're a walking wet dream for every girl in school, so I wonder why you spend time with me.

"I don't know what you've heard about me, Steve, but I'm not going to have sex with you, if that's what you're after. I guess all males are, and you're certainly all male. Now for the weird part. I won't have sex with you, but I won't be with you if you're having sex, or any type of intimate relationship, with some other girl, or woman. I know that sounds crazy, or selfish, but that's how I feel. I'd rather not have a boyfriend than feel pressured to do something that I'm not ready for, or don't want. I have long range plans and I'm not going to do something stupid and screw them up. Now that you know all of that about me, maybe you'll want to find somebody else. I'll understand."

Steve had listened to Gwen with great interest. This was the first time they had actually shared real feelings and hopes. He felt like he had just learned more about her in a two minute conversation than in the previous two months.

"Gwen, I realize that you're right. I haven't been totally honest with you, and you've been keeping things from me. You just laid it out there for me to see. I need to start telling you the truth and not hold things back. It really isn't fair. I didn't realize how determined you were to become a doctor. I didn't know how you felt about sex, dating, honesty, and fidelity. Now I do."

Just then, Charlotte rushed up to Steve. "Have you said anything to him? Did he say anything about me?"

Gwen gave Charlotte a puzzled look as Steve grinned. "Okay, so I'm a little desperate, Gwen. Steve probably told you already. I'm kind of, sort of, in a way, interested in Billy Marsh. I know he's not exactly another Steve Hammer, but he's a pretty good guy, comes from a good family, and I think he likes me, at least a little. We can't all be beautiful, voluptuous sex goddesses like you, so don't be making fun of me!"

"Charlotte! I like Billy. He's a cool guy. I never knew that you two had anything going on, and Steve never mentioned it. I certainly won't make fun of you. In fact, I'll do whatever I can to help. Were you expecting Steve to do something to advance this budding romance?" asked a very surprised Gwen.

"I thought that the two of you would have a plan, or a scheme, or something like that by now. What the heck were you two talking about, if not my problems," wondered Charlotte. "Don't tell me that you're working on your own romance! How selfish, Steve!"

"Charlotte, they're getting ready to open the doors. Let me figure out something to get Billy moving. In the mean time, use that smoldering sexuality of yours to persuade the patrons to spend more money on games of chance," finished Steve.

"Smoldering sexuality? Me? I like the sounds of that. What do you think, Gwen? Should I use my smoldering sexuality to lure some suckers into spending money in a good cause?"

"By all means," laughed Gwen. "I see you have 'your girls' on display tonight, Charlotte. Don't be giving me any crap about showing off my assets from now on. Just get out there and smolder!"

"We have to get ready for our part of the show, Steve, but you've got to tell me how this thing between Charlotte and Billy got started and your part in it. We can still dance together, can't we, even if you decide that you want a different girlfriend?" asked a suddenly worried Gwen.

"No, Gwen! We can't dance together if I get another girlfriend! I may not understand much about the fairer sex, but I do know that no girl on the planet will have the confidence and faith in me to let me hold you in my arms on a regular basis," proclaimed Steve with certainty. "But I haven't given up on you, so be warned."

Gwen felt relief at Steve's so-called warning, but disappointment that he did not confess his date with the redhead. She had made it pretty clear that she wasn't going to have sex with him, yet she expected Steve to forsake other girls if they were going to be dating. She wondered if that was even possible. Girls everywhere fell all over Steve, and who could blame them? He was the epitome of what a girl looked for in a boyfriend, or a lover for that matter. Would Steve give up his chances with so many pretty girls for a pretty much platonic relationship with her? Would she be able to believe him if he said he would? She knew that she would not, at least until he disclosed that he was dating another woman. It was up to him to correct their relationship now. She had been completely honest and now it was his turn to do the same.

It was another night of firsts for the seniors. Perhaps the most surprising thing for many of the students working as the waiters and waitresses came as the evening wound down. A few kids from the local community college had shown up. It was obvious that they had been partying before they arrived. Every now and then one or two of them would leave the fire hall for a few minutes and then return. It seemed likely that they were outside drinking since they were not yet twenty one. They knew the firemen would never allow them to buy any drinks inside without proper ID.

One of the bigger college guys had targeted Charlotte. He constantly asked her for drinks and tried to chat her up. For her part, Charlotte made it clear that he needed ID and that she wasn't interested in an inebriated community college party animal. Steve was talking with a couple EMT's when Gwen rushed up to him.

"Steve! That dumb ass college kid is really bothering Charlotte. He just dragged her into the men's room! You've got to help her!" urged Gwen.

Steve wasted no time rushing to the bathroom to help Charlotte. When he pushed through the doorway, he stopped in his tracks. Charlotte was standing by the sinks, holding the top of her dress up and sobbing softly. Across the room, Billy Marsh had her attacker pinned to the wall by the urinals with one hand. The other hand was pulled back in a fist. Quickly, Steve grabbed Billy's fist and held it.

"Not here. Not now, Billy!" cautioned Steve. "He isn't worth the trouble it'd cause. Let him go and let the firemen handle this. Charlotte needs your attention. Help her get out of here. Take care of Charlotte, Billy!"

It was obvious that Billy Marsh was in a rage. Steve knew from experience how difficult rational thought was at times like that. He held Billy's fist and kept repeating that he needed to look after Charlotte. Reluctantly, Billy released the guy and made his way over to Charlotte. He gently wrapped his arm around her shoulders and led her from the bathroom.

"Thanks, Steve," spoke the EMT behind him. "That was close. I wouldn't have blamed Billy if he clocked this bozo, but he'd probably be crying to his mom and lawyer before he hit the floor. Billy's the one that would be in trouble. I told Kim to call the cops. They'll be here pretty soon. I'll handle it from here."

Steve left the bathroom to see his classmates huddled around Billy and Charlotte. She was wearing Billy's suit jacket and looked very small in it. Gwen gave Steve a big smile as he approached the group.

"Thanks, Steve. It sounds like you arrived just in time. Charlotte told us that Billy looked like he was going to kill that jerk. What a mess that would've been. I told Billy to take Charlotte home. I promised that you and I'd double as wait staff when we weren't dancing. I don't think you have to make any plans to get those two together. She won't let go of him now!"

"Kids, we're sorry about that situation. The police are outside talking to those college kids now. They won't be any further problem," promised Nancy Burns, the ambulance captain and best EMT on the squad. "Do you feel up to finishing the night with us? We have another half hour left, at least. That little bit of excitement has stirred the crowd up. We want to get every nickel we can tonight. Will you kids stick with us?"

"Nancy, we're Spartans," laughed Gwen. "Billy's taking Charlotte home, but the rest of us will stay until the end. We made a promise and we'll keep it. Steve and I'll fill in for Billy and Charlotte, until we do our last dance."

"That would be great, Gwen! You guys have done a great job for us tonight and we'll be sure to let the school know how much help you've been. I know for a fact that quite a few of the people remaining here tonight are waiting for you two to deliver that last dance. They can't wait to see what you're going to show us. What a great idea it was to have you two perform here tonight! Can you tell me what you have planned so I can whet the appetite of the crowd?" asked Nancy.

"We're going to finish with a tango, Nancy, but I'm not sure that it'll be as well received as that last dance, or the first dance, for that matter. The crowd really seemed to love those dances. They may be expecting something better than we can do," worried Gwen.

The fire company had Gwen and Steve wait until the night was officially over to perform their tango. The reason was simply to hold the crowd as long as possible. There was a loud round of applause when their choice of dance was announced and then complete silence as Steve and Gwen performed it under a soft spotlight. Gwen was concerned that it was a flop when they finished and no one applauded. She and Steve stood still to take a small bow as they looked over the audience with some trepidation.

Then the hall erupted into cheers, whistles and loud applause! Gwen saw her mom, Kate, Diane, and Ms. Walker standing to one side clapping and whistling with the best of them. She hadn't even known that they were there. She wondered if they had watched all three dances without Gwen ever seeing them. Gwen and Steve gave their best smiles and bowed to the crowd. The applause was almost embarrassing for Steve. They had to remain on the small stage and bow several more times as the crowd yelled its approval.

"Saturday was one of the best days this class, and this school, has ever had, in my estimation," began Ms. Walker. "For the first time in Sparta's football history, we're the district champions. Congratulations to the seniors on the team and good luck in your next game on Saturday. Your efforts Saturday night on behalf of the fire company were greatly appreciated. You all impressed our local volunteers no end. They almost doubled the take from last year and the crowd left the building in awe of the final performance by our own Gwen Anderson and Steve Hammer. I received several promises for donations and many promises to spread the word about our efforts to raise money for a children's wing to the hospital.

"I have to once again thank our videographer for his amazing work. His football highlights were extremely well done. His coverage of casino night was unbelievable, including, but not limited to, his short clip of Mr. Marsh giving a rowdy patron a lesson in etiquette. I have no idea how you manage to be around everything interesting or exciting that happens the way you do, Dave. It's a knack, that's for sure."

As Sparta's success increased, so did Amber Stahl's exposure on the local television channel. She was assigned to every game and finally had her own camera man during those tilts. Everyone in Sparta knew her by name and appreciated that she reported the team's successes so well. She was given ten minutes of broadcast time on the Saturday evening that Sparta won the regional title and qualified to play for the state championship. She had interviews of the coaching staff and players, including Steve. After a few football related questions, she sneaked a question about Gwen and their popular dance routines.

Steve tried to remain calm and listen carefully to the questions so that he wouldn't sound like an idiot when he responded to the reporter's questions. He was somewhat surprised by the question but managed what turned out to be a great response. "That was something that just sort of happened. Gwen Anderson is a brilliant student, destined to become a great surgeon. She's not only a great dancer but she's the chairperson of our class fund raising project. She's working really hard to raise money for a children's wing for our local hospital, at which she'll someday practice medicine and save lives. If my dancing with a beautiful woman helps raise money for a great cause, I'll do it as long as she'll allow me that honor."

"Did you hear that, Gwen?" asked Kate as the Anderson family watched the local news. "I didn't hear Steve mention any long legged redhead. He talked about you and smiled all the way through it. He has it bad for you."

"So you claim, but he still hasn't mentioned that woman or why he was out with her. He's keeping it from me for a reason. That's why I'm home tonight. I told him I didn't feel like going anywhere, even through there's several parties celebrating the team's victory today. He says he's being more open, but there's an awful lot that he's not telling," reasoned Gwen. "He always seems to clam up when anyone asks questions about his family or where he went to school or what he studied. He never mentions other girls."

"I can tell you from experience that mentioning other girls is never a good idea," laughed Ted. "I made that mistake when I first started to date your mother, and I never made it again. But I wasn't dating anyone else when I was with your mom, either."

The football team was scheduled to travel Thursday afternoon to the state capital for the title game on Saturday. The plan was to have a Friday morning and an afternoon practice in the big stadium that was the scene of the tilt. The coaches felt the team would be less nervous if they were more familiar with their surroundings. To that end, school was canceled Thursday so that the students could assemble for a huge rally and send off for the team.

The rally was to be held on the grounds of a large trucking company working out of Sparta. There was a huge amount of parking space and everyone anticipated a large crowd, far more than would fit in the school's gymnasium. It was a sunny day with the temperatures in the 40's when people began arriving. By noon, the team members were standing on a large flatbed trailer waiting for the activities to begin. A microphone and speakers were in place for the various dignitaries to orate. That was the scene as Barbara Tucker pulled into the entrance of the parking lot with her twin sons strapped into their car seats in the back of her SUV. Her younger brother, Glen, was a defensive back on the team and she was anxious to show her support.

Because it was rather chilly, Barbara made the decision to leave the twins in the car where they would be warm and comfortable. She would only be a little ways away and for a short period of time. In her haste to hear the entire program, Barbara failed to put the transmission all the way into Park. As she started toward the impromptu stage, she heard the crunching of gravel. Turning, she saw her SUV backing down the incline and gaining momentum! Barbara broke into a run but soon realized that she would never catch her vehicle before it struck the rail barrier at the bottom of the hill. Beyond the barrier was the Emerson River. Not knowing what else to do, she dropped to her knees and screamed her agony to the world.

Gwen was standing with her friends waiting for the festivities to begin. Almost every kid in the school was there, along with a great many adults. It was looking to be a real hoe-down! Gwen watched the football players climb onto the flatbed trailer. She saw Steve look over the crowd until his gaze fell on her.

"It looks like that two-timing Romeo only has eyes for you," whispered Charlotte into Gwen's ear. "He kept looking at the crowd until he found you. You really need to tell him what's bothering you, Gwen. For a smart guy, he's clueless on this one. Look at his cute friend up there. He's waving to me!"

Steve and Billy were standing next to each other as they scanned the crowd for Gwen and Charlotte. They knew that where they found one girl, her friend would be close by. Billy was grinning and waving to Charlotte and she waved back. Steve watched Gwen look back at him and offer a small smile, which he found encouraging. Gwen had been distant lately and Steve wasn't able to determine the reason. Then they heard the scream. The crowd turned as one to determine the source.

Steve turned in time to see a black SUV appear to back rapidly down the incline, cross the highway and strike the guardrail with considerable force. The vehicle slowed down noticeably but still disappeared over the edge and out of sight. Everyone knew that the river was some eight feet below the protective railings and the car had to have gone into it. The river made a wide bend at the point where the car entered. The area was known as Jones Eddy. The current was slow on the curve, and many a fisherman had caught their limit from that river bank.

Amber Stahl had managed to get her camera man a good position to film the rally. She was going to be reporting live from the scene and was excited about the opportunity. They were just setting up when Amber heard the scream and saw the crowd turn. She watched in horror as the car hit the barrier, then crashed through it and dropped into the cold waters of Emerson River. Years later, people would still recall the icy chill that went through them as the young mother began screaming that her babies were in the car!

Gwen, like everyone around her, was horrified when she heard the young mother cry that her babies were in the car. The crowd rushed toward the river bank and she and Charlotte were swept along. As she ran, she noticed the TV reporter next to her, along with a large man carrying a big camera.

"Get over to the side!" directed Amber. "We need to be able to see the water and the crowd. Set up on the back of that parked pickup. The extra height will help. I'm calling the station. We'll be going live in the next couple of minutes, so get things set up quick."

The crowd reached the area where the vehicle had gone over the bank. Nothing was visible but water! Groans and cries became common as more than a few spectators broke into tears. Gwen heard the cameraman swear and point his camera farther upstream. Gwen's heart stopped when she realized what he was videoing. Steve Hammer stood on what appeared to be an observation platform. As she watched, he stripped off his coat and shirt. Then he kicked his shoes to the side and peeled his jeans off. It was obvious to Gwen what Steve planned, and suddenly her fear increased tenfold.

By this point, all of those assembled realized Steve's intent and suddenly went silent. Steve said something quickly to Billy Marsh, then strode to the edge of the platform, and dove into the icy waters of Emerson River!
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