by ML Gardner
June had the idea to set up a room for the young ones in the back where teenagers and the very old could see to the small children to keep them out from under foot. And since it was a dance, there had to be music. There had been no shortage of volunteers but the older crew took their time choosing. What showed up was a dedicated group of twenty something’s who played jazz worthy of the radio. They were eager, excited and didn’t tire easily.
“You want to sit down?” Gordon asked Claire, who did tire easily and wouldn’t be doing much dancing tonight.
“Yes. Why don’t we get a big table for when the others get here?”
He showed no disappointment at not having Claire all to himself this night, though he was. He was still getting used to the way she and her friends were; always around each other, talking about each other, including each other in every part of their lives as if they were one large family. It wasn’t that he didn’t like it, he found it fascinating, but it wasn’t what he was used to. He was more of a solitary fellow, happy to tackle his social interactions while at work and leaving it at that. But, loving Claire meant loving her friends, so he reminded himself that he had to try.
“Looks like Ethel and her friends thought of everything,” Claire said as music started to play. The hall was starting to fill up and Claire waved to several people she hadn’t seen in months. Everyone waved back with a smile before glancing at Gordon with curiosity. Whispers ensued.
“I guess we’re announcing ourselves tonight,” he said, reaching over to take her hand.
“I suppose we are. If they keep whispering I’m going to make you stand up, announce it, and tell them all to settle down already.”
“I’d be happy to. Just tell me when.”
Arianna pulled out a chair, grinding it against the hardwood floor.
“Sorry we’re late. Did we miss much? Who’s all here?” she asked looking around. She wore a short black sleeveless dress, a remnant from her old life, layered in shag and sequins. Tall and thin, her bump wasn’t so noticeable that she couldn’t still pull off a deadly look, and she knew it. “Oh, look, there’s Samantha. She was so rude to me at the grocery the other day. I don’t know what’s got her thinking she’s so special.”
“Not wasting any time, are we, Ahna,” Caleb said with an entertained grin.
“Well, I’m only speaking the truth.” She sat back with a catty smile. “By the way she’s dressed, I can’t tell if she’s here to donate money or make some.”
Gordon coughed with surprise while Claire grinned.
“You have to understand Arianna,” Claire said, leaning close to Gordon. “Normally she’s fine. Sweet and caring, even. But, sometimes, when she gets in a social setting she gets a bit…” Claire paused and smiled. “Competitive.”
“Competitive?”
“Yes.”
“That’s one word for it, I suppose.”
“Is Miss Arianna causing trouble already?” Maura asked, slapping Arianna over the shoulder with her gloves. “I’ve got no bail money this time, girl, so mind yer manners.” She and Ian took their seat.
Gordon’s eyes bulged. “Bail money?” He locked eyes with Claire. “Is she serious?”
“Not…entirely.”
Gordon tilted his head in Claire’s direction. “Has she really been to jail?”
“A few times.”
“For what? Anything serious?”
“Oh, no. Public intoxication and indecency, mainly. But that was almost always when we were overseas.”
“Overseas?” Gordon looked horribly confused.
“She loved Paris and Paris certainly loved her. Practically a legend there.” She laughed with a few memories. “If you were to go to Paris, right now, and walk up to any policeman that’s been there more than four years and say Arianna’s name, they’d smile and break up laughing. I guarantee it. But trust me,” Claire said as Arianna honed in on a new target and began hissing. “She’s harmless.”
Shannon and Patrick showed up, breathless and smiling, crowding in at the table.
Jonathan and Ava were the last to arrive. Amy had been hard to settle in the back room and though Jean was invited out to sit with everyone and have a treat, he refused, insisting on staying with Amy.
They were short one chair and after Jonathan held the last one out for Ava, he found an extra and carried it back.
“Everyone looks so wonderful,” Ava said as she settled in her seat, placing her handbag under her chair.
“Thank you,” Caleb said with a flashy smile.
“I meant the women,” Ava said.
“Yeah, that’s why he thanked you,” Jonathan said as he pushed a chair in next to Ava.
“Oh, it’s like that, is it? Insulting me in front of my wife. Okay, buddy. I’ll play,” Caleb said and pointed a finger at Jonathan, grinning. “When you least expect it.”
“Okay, fine,” Jonathan said, holding his hands up in surrender. “I’ll be nice. I don’t want to get my ass kicked…by Arianna.”
The whole table roared. Caleb sat back, nodding his head slowly, fighting a smile. “I’m keeping track, Jon, just so you know.”
Jonathan laughed and shook his head in apology.
As everyone sat down with their plates, the music started up again and they had to raise their voices to be heard.
“They’re having a Charleston contest at nine. It’s ten cents to enter, but the prize is two dollars,” Arianna said, grinning confidently.
“Oh, that sounds like fun,” Gordon said.
Claire shook her head. “No. Even if I could, there’s no beating those two,” she said, pointing to Arianna and Caleb.
“Are you guys going to enter?” Gordon asked Jonathan.
He laughed. “No way. I’ve lost to them enough times. I’ll give someone else a turn.”
By eight thirty the hall was packed and one by one, jackets and sweaters were peeled off from the warmth of so many bodies crowded together.
Arianna and Caleb sat down from a lively Foxtrot.
“Now, have a good Highland fling or Irish step and me and Ian could beat the pants off all of you.”
“Oh, you should teach us!” Arianna said, a little winded.
“Oh, no. I’m not creating competition,” Maura said. Arianna’s face slowly went from gleeful to disturbed. It settled somewhere between a frown and a sneer. Her eyes were pinned over Maura’s shoulder.
“Look what the mole dragged in,” she seethed. Everyone turned toward the door. The crowd had parted and Marvin stepped through, over dressed and looking around expectantly. By his side, and directly under Arianna’s fierce glare, stood Donatella. Over decorated and standing in such a presumptuous way; as if awaiting worship.
Caleb sank down in his seat. “Oh, shit.”
“Arianna, ignore her,” Ava ordered, sitting forward, trying to pull her eyes away. “We are all having a nice time and we aren’t going to let her ruin it.”
Arianna was in some distant place, frothing and boiling. Ava’s words went unheard.
“How are we going to keep her from causing a scene?” Ava asked Jonathan desperately.
He laughed. “Oh, just like old times,” he said, rubbing his eyes.
Claire gave Gordon a pat on the arm. “I’d sit back and relax. The rest of the evening is shaping up to be very entertaining.” She grinned and folded her hands on her stomach, waiting for the show to start.
Caleb snapped forward, speaking quietly. “You aren’t going to even acknowledge her, Ahna. Understand? Don’t you say a word to her. Do you hear me, Arianna?”
It was as if saying her name was a beacon. Donatella’s eyes, previously scanning the crowd delicately, stopped on Arianna, narrowing and sharpening. Then she smiled.
“Let the games begin,” Ian said.
Their eyes were locked, searing a path across the room. It was only when several people walked past, blocking her view, that Arianna turned back.
“The nerve she has to show up here!” she seethed.
<
br /> “It’s open to the whole town, Arianna,” Ava said.
“Still, it’s not like she has any friends. I’ve asked around you know. Peggy at the grocery told me. No one knows much about her. She stays holed up in that pretty little house of hers. She doesn’t even do her shopping here. She’s too good, apparently. She goes to Boston.”
“Well, I don’t know if any of you noticed,” Jonathan interrupted, eager to change the subject. “But this is a dance and all we’re doing is sitting around.” Jonathan turned to Ava and held out a hand. “Darling?”
As they wandered off, Caleb put his hand on Arianna’s and started to speak. She stopped him.
“No. I think they’re out there.”
“You’re not going to let her ruin this night, are you?”
“I’m not letting her do anything.”
“Then dance with me.” He said it the way he would dare someone to do something. He knew she couldn’t resist that.
“Fine. Just stay far away from them.”
She kicked off her shoes, followed him to the dance floor, and let him lead. She tried to relax but her eyes stayed on alert, scanning as they made slow circles. Caleb tapped her lower back.
“Relax,” he whispered.
“I’m trying, Caleb.”
“Try harder.”
“You don’t understand. That woman humiliated me. She went out of her way to be cruel and did everything she could to make me feel like she was better than me.”
“No one tops my Ahna,” he said with a grin.
“Exactly.”
“No, that’s what you’re forgetting.” He pulled her close with his hands firmly on her lower back. “No one tops my Ahna. So forget about her. She’s nobody. Imagine how bad she must feel about herself to treat people like she does. And she gets all her happiness from your reaction. You don’t want to make her happy, do you?”
Her face fell in horror. “No!”
“Then, ignore her.”
She reluctantly gave her silent agreement and put her cheek to his. Jonathan and Ava came into view amid the sea of swaying couples. He made a few eye and hand gestures to Caleb that roughly translated to “Keep the feral cats apart.”
Caleb clamped his lips, resisting a laugh and gave a helpless shrug.
Arianna watched them from the corner of her eye. Jonathan and Ava were the picture of romance as they danced. Her head on his chest, her eyes closed and his arms wrapped around her, they appeared to be all alone in this crowded room of people. Jonathan put his head on hers and pulled her a little closer.
“I wish I could be more like Ava.”
“Why? You two are like night and day,” Caleb said.
“I know. She’s boring but she’s happy,” Arianna said with a sigh.
When the song ended they announced it was time for the Charleston contest and asked everyone who wasn’t participating to leave the floor. Arianna smiled and started rolling her ankles to stretch them, her neck bobbing like a prize fighter getting ready to box.
Jonathan gave Caleb a salute as he walked by. “Good luck.”
“We don’t need luck,” Caleb called after him. Just then, they saw Marvin and Donatella walk onto the dance floor and take their position. Caleb’s face grew serious as Arianna’s smile dropped. His eyes locked onto hers and he brought his shoulders up.
“Looks like we’re gonna have to show ‘em how it’s done, baby doll.”
She smiled viciously as the young leader of the band stood at the edge of the stage.
“Here’s the rules! Couples Charleston only. No singles. Everyone starts dancing when the music starts. There are three judges that will be on the floor looking for form, coordination and enthusiasm.”
Caleb winked at Arianna. “We’ve got this in the bag.”
“If you are asked to leave, please do so quickly without disturbing the other couples. The music will start over if there are any couples left on the floor, and continue until there is only one and we have our winner.”
Claire leaned over to Gordon. “They did this for five hours one time. I hope it doesn’t go on all night.”
“I heard it was going to be limited to two songs, to avoid that. They’ll start eliminating people pretty quick.”
All eyes were on the dance floor as the piano began playing. There weren’t a lot of couples. Seven, Arianna counted. They started safe and simple, the way they always start, coming together with his hand on her waist, her hand on his shoulder, hands clasped in the front. With a steady rock they scissored opposite legs, keeping perfect time. Step back, step forward, kick back, kick forward, Arianna broke away, kicking in a circle and Caleb caught her on the return. They repeated forward and back, then Caleb broke away. She was right where she should be, held on to him again, and they worked backward and forward, picking up the pace. Then they both broke away, kicked in a fast circle, joined and really started to put some flair into their steps as two couples were eliminated for not keeping time.
After repeating the back and forth a few more times, they turned toward each other and kicked high—Caleb’s leg over hers and people started to cheer. Two more couples gone for being out of sync with each other. Having even more room, they bumped it up another notch. Caleb moved behind her and they threw their legs out in opposite directions, pumping their hands in the air with big smiles. Arianna stepped aside, keeping the basic movements and Caleb threw a wide circle with his leg, and then threw them open wide. Arianna jumped in front of him and he snapped back up. She hiked her already short skirt higher, showing her expert crisscross legwork. The crowd really grew loud as yet another couple was asked to leave.
They were down to two as they started the whole thing over again. Looking over and seeing Donatella and Marvin as the only remaining competition, Arianna threw a heavy twist in her hips as her feet scissored back and forth. They were fast as lightning and she and Caleb moved as if they were one. Radiant and energetic, the judge walked past them and gave Donatella and Marvin the thumb.
Arianna threw her hands up with a shriek, grabbing Caleb in a stranglehold.
“I told you, baby. We always win,” he said with a wide grin.
Arianna and Caleb sat down to the whole table clapping and cheering.
“Was there any doubt?” Caleb asked sarcastically, holding his hands out.
He sat down and wiped his brow. Arianna was beaming.
This was so much more delicious than the dance victories she had grown accustomed to. This brought her tickled joy to the depths of her soul, and she made sure to give Donatella her brightest smile.
She didn’t have long to revel in her victory before they spotted Donatella making her way across the room. Caleb tapped her shoulder and pointed.
“No one look at her,” Arianna said to everyone at the table. They all looked down, up or away. She smiled and enjoyed every one of the ten seconds Donatella stood by her, waiting to be acknowledged.
“Oh, sorry, didn’t see you there.” Arianna smiled.
“I just wanted to congratulate you on winning.”
“Why, thank you.” She kept her claws in her lap, folded neatly.
“Of course how could anyone not win with a partner like Caleb. He’s a natural. He could lead any woman to victory.” She smiled at him with a feminine eye flutter. He did well and ignored it, sparking random conversation with Jonathan.
“I must say, it was a shock for us to not win. We always win, Marvin and I. You see, I was gardening a few days ago and got the most wretched wrench in my back. If not for that, I’m positive it would be you walking to my table to congratulate us.”
Arianna smiled tightly. “I doubt it.” She began to strain under the weight of wishing she could verbally blast this woman back to her table.
Donatella made another futile attempt to flirt with Caleb, growing frustrated at her inability to get a reaction. Two women walked by with a watchful eye on the situation. Donatella jumped on the opportunity and called them over by name. They came hesitantly,
as if they had no idea who she was. Or at least wish they didn’t.
“This is the girl I told you about.”
Arianna recoiled at the touch on her shoulder. The women moved closer.
Donatella turned to face Arianna. “Maybe you could share with them the cream you used to cure that terrible bald spot you had. Looks like it filled in.” She craned her neck, inspecting. “Mostly.”
Arianna threw her chair back and stood up.
Patrick quickly lay a quarter on the table. “I’ll put this on Arianna.” He glanced around excitedly. “Anyone else?”
Jonathan rolled his eyes. “Patrick, really.” After digging in his pocket, he tossed two singles on the table. “Have some faith in our girl and pony up a real bet.”
“Are they really going to fight?” Gordon asked, horrified.
Patrick leaned over to Maura anxiously. “If they forfeit, we all get our money back, right?”
“They might,” Claire said. “Why don’t you put one on Donatella and I’ll wager on Ahna. That way no matter what, we win,” Claire said.
“Are you serious?” Gordon asked, gawking.
“Well, I can’t bet against my friend,” she said with a shrug. “And there’s no stopping her.”
Marvin walked up and stood near Donatella but made no move to stop her.
“No one is going to win if the bets are one sided.” Maura leaned over the table and tossed fifty cents in a separate pile. “I’ll take the Italian. Just because I warned Miss Arianna.”
Caleb stood up and touched Arianna’s arm. She jerked away, staring at Donatella with her nostrils flaring. All the activity and music in the hall had ground to a halt. It was nearly silent as everyone looked on, waiting for someone to make the first move.
“Don’t forget what you told me on New Years,” Caleb said quietly.
In the heat of the moment she had consciously forgotten that she was pregnant. Had anyone else at the table known, they would have never let it get to this point. But they didn’t. They all waited with the rest of the hall for a cat fight.
