Finally: Our First Dance
The good thing about finding yourself at a wedding reception with muddy feet, wet clothes and a date who doesn’t particularly care for your well being is that things can’t possibly get any worse.
But then Date #7 leads me to the bar and someone drops a glass. Being that we’re in a freakin’ tent affixed to an eighteenth-century farmhouse, the floor is stone and the glass shatters. I don’t realize I’ve been hit until I take a look at my ankle and see blood.
My blood.
I panic.
I teach dance for a living and although it appears to be just a small scratch, I can’t tell if the glass has bounced back onto the floor or if it’s imbedded itself permanently into my flesh.
“Are you okay?” Date #7 asks, suddenly the very picture of concern.
“I don’t know,” I murmur. “I think so.”
But I’m so cold and bewildered and sick of being assailed by various objects (not mention the dangerous terrain) that I can’t think straight.
For once, Date #7 can.
He leads me back to our table, where the light’s better, and takes my ankle into his lap. Slowly, he caresses my skin and asks, “May I have your permission to ascertain if there are any breaks?”
Okay, so he doesn’t say that.
That’s what Willoughby says to Kate Winslet’s character in Sense and Sensibility, but Date #7 does say something along those lines and once we’ve determined that is, indeed, just a flesh wound, he asks me to dance.
Me and Date #7. I mean Kate and Willoughby.
Now, Date #7 has spent the past six months telling me how much he loves to dance. (Mind you, he’s also told me that he has a great sense of humor…) He doesn’t give off much of a “dancer” vibe so I’m surprised that I haven’t had to drag him up to the dance floor.
I discover, a few minutes into the first set, that we share a mutual love of Usher (fortunately the DJ refrains from playing “Yeah” so I’m forced to refrain from performing the Jazzercize routine I learned to “Yeah” back in high school, nor can I subject those standing nearby to my mad gangsta rap skills as I did at my friend’s wedding last month). Granted, Date #7 isn’t the greatest dancer, but he’s willing. And I’ve always maintained that being willing is half the battle.
Before long, I find that I’m actually enjoying myself. And once I explain to Date #7 that he can’t link his fingers through mine and expect me to turn (unless of course he wants to break my wrist) we don’t look half bad.
An aunt or neighbor or somebody comes up to me and whispers something in my ear. I try not to laugh but I can’t help it.
“What did she say?” Date #7 demands.
“I’m not sure if I should tell you…”
Now, I know I’ve spent the past six days chronicling everything that went wrong over the course of the weekend (and that I’ve also spent the past six months detailing the many ways in which Date #7 has disappointed me) but he’s not a bad guy. He’s just bad for me.
“Come on!” he urges.
“Okay.” I take a deep breath. “She said I make you look good, like those couples on Dancing with the Stars.”
His blue eyes get all crinkly for a moment, and before I know it, he’s laughing. Actually laughing. This is a first.
Fieldwork in Stilettos 
10 Responses to “Finally: Our First Dance”
I really like this. 🙂
I totally get the old biddy’s comment, for about 30 years my dance partner has been making me look better than I am. 🙂 A willing partner is important and nearly half the battle…. but having to ask for his jacket and a few other “omissions” ….. Arghhhh
yes, I can certainly vouch for the pleasure of having a willing partner, this has literally saved chauffeur a few times…can’t stay mad at someone if he is willing to dance, especially if they are uncomfortable with it. Loved this post, though you almost got me w/ the quote…I was “what”??? no he didn’t 😉
I guess I’m still flu-addled, because I think Date 7 sounds cute, in a pathetic puppy dog kind of way. But Chauffeur (Dad) is clearly not a fan—bad news for Date 7!
The chauffeur has remained conspicuously quiet on the matter, Kat is smart enough and she knows what she wants and does not want…. (OK I may offer opinions is person from time to time, solicited or unsolicited). I actually like date no 7 from the two brief times I have met him, but when I feel someone is not bringing out his “A game” when it concerns our blogger, I may find it more difficult to remain quiet. 😉
Bringing the “A” game is a given! My husband already has the shotguns ready for when Violet and Callie start dating. I pity the poor boys who want to take them out 🙂
Haha– if Date #7 ever brought out that sort of “A” game, I really would go running in the other direction 🙂
well if this is to be date 7 swan song then he has gone out on a high.
That is by far the best way to do it.
The best thing about a guy is when he is willing to get up and dance or try to dance. That’s fun and attractive, even if they aren’t very good.
Good Luck with your career change. I loved teaching dance. Working with students and dancing was really a great thing. But unfortunately, I had to make a decision because ballroom dancing and fun didn’t come close to paying my bills.
What kind of dance do you teach?
Tap and creative movement, but I commute like hell and a shopping spree for me is $10 at the bargain basement…