Good question. I don’t have to think too long since this is almost identical to the conversation I had with Bobby about thirty minutes ago. “We’re alive.” The comment gives me a tug of sadness because some people that should be here aren’t. “We’re almost done. After this, you’re free to go enjoy the beautiful sunshine.” Until tomorrow, when we have lesson number two, but I keep that to myself.
“Jesus,” he grumbles. “Who the hell are you? Pollyanna?”
I know who that is. I saw the Disney movie when I was little. “No.” It’s my turn to frown. “I just know that this is a blip on the screen of life. Get over yourself and learn the dance. You’re the reason it’s taking so long.”
Yeah, I said it. The elephant in the room.
“That’s…that’s….” He quickly looks around the room, then back down at me. Leaning closer, he whispers, but it’s still gruff sounding. “I can do this.”
“Good. Great. Glad to hear it.” When the music begins, I press my hip into him. Before I turn my head to the left like I’m supposed to, I say, “Concentrate. It’s a simple box step. We’ll move my way first.”
“I know.”
“If you know, then do it, smarty-pants.”
“Jesus.”
Madame DuBois claps. “Begin.”
Alec moves me back, then to the side. After that, he loses his steps and nearly trips me.
“Stop,” Madame DuBois shouts. “Again.Mon dieu.”
“Alec?”
“What?” he snaps. My goodness, even angry, he still looks handsome. It brings to mind the main character in one of my favorite movies,Rear Window. James Stewart’s character was always such a…. He leans down. “If she’s French, I’m a fucking ballerina.”
Interesting. I’m not the only one suspicious of Madame Dubois’ accent. “Oh, Alec, I think you’ve convinced us all here today that you are definitelynota ballerina.”
When he throws his head back and releases a deep, guttural laugh, I want to giggle too, but all eyes are on us, and I’m getting off track. I look the man in the eye and say with as much command as I can, “I’m going to talk you through this. Look at me and listen. Okay?”
He growls but, as he does it, he gives me one quick nod.
Madame claps, and the music restarts.
This time, I don’t look left. I look up at him. “Ready?”
I place gentle pressure on his upper arm. “Step forward….” He takes a small step my way as I step back. “Side.” I gesture with my head to the right as he takes a small step to his right, my left. “Close.” We both bring our feet together. “Step back, side, close.” Now repeat. “Step forward, side, close.” I keep that up until the music stops. When the crowd begins to clap, heat rushes from my chest up to my cheeks, because when I glance at the large group Vicky and Anthony have brought together, I’d say there are thirty people here, including parents, cousins, etc. Anyway, they’re all clapping because Alec finally did it.
I decide to smile because it beats the alternative. And by alternative, I mean the ferocious expression on Alec’s face. Looking up, our eyes meet. “Lighten up, big guy. They mean well.”
“Don’t tell me what to do, and stop with your perky fucking life tips.”
“Suit yourself.” You can’t help someone who won’t help themselves, am I right? I release his hand. Weird. I hadn’t realized we were still holding hands. I walk away, toward my brother. He’s had the misfortune of partnering with Chrissie, who looks to be three seconds away from exploding. I wonder if he stomped on her stiletto-clad feet.
I sort of hope so.
“There you go, Chrissie. He’s all yours.”
As she passes me, she spits, “Fuck you, Mattie.”
Wow. I’m making all sorts of friends here today.
ChapterThree
Alec
I’mat a bar down the street from the dance place with my brothers and all the other suckers who’ve got to deal with this wedding bullshit. In other words, the groomsmen. Luckily, the women all had dress fittings or some shit to do. Otherwise, I’d have to spend even more time with his fiancée and her friends. With a glass of whiskey in my hand, I take a long draw. I close my eyes as the feeling of warmth runs through my body. It’s calming, and believe me, I need calm. Except I’ve got a few things to say to Anthony, like, “I can’t believe you’re putting us through all this, asshole.”
