“You’re overblowing this whole thing,” High Voice said. “Victor seems perfectly happy to be here with you. Just enjoy it.”
A flushing toilet drowned out Victoria’s response again.
“Cheer up,” one of them said. “I’ll bet he was just nervous.”
Victoria huffed. “What does he have to be nervous about?”
“Jason told me he’s getting ready to pop the question,” High Voice said.
“Seriously?” Victoria’s tone brightened. “Jason said that?”
“Yep. And he’s Victor’s best friend. He should know.”
“I sure hope third time’s the charm for you,” High Voice said with an exasperated tone. “I draw the line at being maid of honor more than three times.”
The others all laughed.
“I can’t believe you’re in here having a pity party. Good grief, girl, looks like you’ll get a diamond for Christmas.” More exasperation.
All the women took turns razzing and congratulating their “poor” friend. And finally, to Carol’s relief, the noisy flock exited the bathroom.
Feeling guilty for eavesdropping, yet trying to process what she’d just overheard, Carol emerged from the stall and washed her hands. Then, as a pair of older women came in bickering about the number of calories in storebought eggnog, she quietly slipped out.
Larry’s eyes lit up when Carol returned to the table. “Dance?” he asked. Unsure how to respond, she looked to Antonia, who just shrugged, and then to her aunt, who was chuckling.
“Why not?” Maria asked.
“Okay.” Carol smiled at Larry, who was already struggling to stand. With the help of his wife and Carol, he was soon on his feet and taking Carol’s hand, shuffling out to the dance floor, where a rather lively tune was playing. Uncertain Larry could keep up with the beat, she decided to just follow his lead. But to her surprise, he began moving a bit more limberly out there. Holding on to her—partly for support, she felt certain—he continued to shuffle her out to the center of the floor, grinning the whole while.
She didn’t even flinch each time he stepped on her toes, but when he started weaving to one side, she worried about his balance and held him a bit tighter. She glanced back at the table, which suddenly seemed about a mile away, then tried to direct him back in that direction, but he was leaning even more now, precariously close to falling. She tried not to imagine the humiliation if they both tumbled to the floor. And, she worried, what if he got hurt?
She was about to stop the dance and beg someone for help when she felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to see Victorputting a firm arm around his dad’s waist. “Can I break in?” he asked with a big grin.
“Yes,” she gasped in relief. “I think we could use a hand.”
“Dance?” Larry smiled at his son.
“Yes.” Victor nodded, still holding on to his dad. “Let’s all dance.”
“Yes.” Larry nodded eagerly. “Dance.” He didn’t seem to mind the help but was still clinging tightly to Carol.
Somehow, to Carol’s enormous relief, Victor managed to dance the three of them back to the table and, after peeling his dad’s hands off of Carol, got the old guy seated. Both Antonia and Maria looked shocked but were soon giggling over what must’ve been quite a spectacle.
“I’m sorry,” Antonia whispered to Carol. “I should’ve said no, but Larry was so happy and having such a good time.”
“We did have fun.” Carol patted Larry’s hand. “Thank you for the dance. I will remember it always.”
He nodded as if he understood, but his expression was vague. Antonia put an arm around him. “You probably wore yourself out cutting the rug like that out there, Larry.” She pushed a cup toward him. “Have some punch.”
Victor turned to Carol now. “How about finishing that dance with me?” he asked. “Unless my dad objects.”
“Go,” his mother whispered to him. “Poor Carol deserves a good dance after that.”
So Victor took her hand and led her back out. Another lively song was playing, but to her pleasure, Victor was a good dancer. And she suddenly was grateful for the cowboy swing lessons she’d taken in her twenties. Before long, they were swinging and spinning, and it was pure fun. The song ended with a twirl that wound her into his arms, nearly knocking him off-balance.
“Taking after your dad?” she teased, and they both burst out laughing.
“Hey, he used to be quite a dancer,” Victor told her. “Taught me everything I know.”
