some lessons, but am very rusty, myself!â
âYouâll have to teach me!â
âThe blind leading the blind!â He laughs. âFabulous! Weâll learn together!â I have to smile at his accepting, encouraging, positive manner. Iâm beginning to also see him as a role model for living life to the fullest. We toast to each other, and sit back to watch the show.
Upon finishing the wine bottle, he asks, âHow âbout it, Lady Kat?â
âLady Kat... That one I could get used to!â I take his hand, feeling excited to try something new. Iâve always played sports, so Iâm definitely coordinated, but have never tried my hand at dancing. Perhaps because Iâve always been a little afraid to show my sensitive side. That it might reveal me as weak, or inferior. For some reason, I donât feel nervous about that right now, I think, as I gracefully join him on the dance floor. I laugh, liberated by the libations, and also the fact that that with Stephenâs arm around me, I feel slightly invincible.
âAlright, Lady Kat!â He says. âThis song goes: one two three, one two three, yes?â
âYes!â I nod, hearing it in the music.
âOur feet will do the same! One two three, one two three...â I watch him do it a couple times, then join in.
âYouâre a natural!â
âAnd you know more about dance than you let on!â
âPerhaps! Weâll see what I remember! Now, my hand on your hip, your hand on my shoulder...â He says, clasping our free hands in an embrace. âJust follow me!â
We toddle back and forth for a couple bars, and he raises his eyebrows in recognition of my newly found dancing prowess.
âBut, weâre not doing what theyâre doing!â I say, referring the couples spinning around us.
âAlways eager, you are! That is the next step! Ready? Now, we will travel it!â He leads me in a few small circles, and I admit, itâs harder than it looks. âJust listen to the music! You will start with alternating sides, just like when we were standing still! Try to take my lead!â When I picture the dance standing still, itâs easier. I canât say that Iâm completely taking his lead, but I smile, relaxing into it. We revolve upon each other in the centre of the room.
âThatâs very lovely! It took me weeks to get what you picked up right now!â
âWeeks? How long did you study for?â
âI had to learn for a special occasion! But, itâs much more enjoyable with you, trust me! Shall we join the group?â
âI would love to!â
We tentatively merge into the outer circle, having to really pick up our step to suddenly match the vigour of the group. We laugh at our misstepping, but soon fall in. My dress begins to flow with the speed of our revolutions. It feels like flying.
After a couple songs, we sit down, exhausted and laughing.
âThat was fun, yes?â
âYes! Very! But, letâs rest a minute!â
âMarvellous! I donât think I could keep up for much longer!â
We once again find ourselves in the limo, passing by his condo.
âDo you mind? There is something I require.â
âNot at all. Shall I come up?â
âOf course, if you like.â
âI like very much.â
The cool wind hits us, as we jog towards the lobby. When we enter his apartment, he immediately turns on the electric fireplace. He gestures towards the couch. âPlease, have a seat. Itâll only be a moment.â
âIâll be waiting,â I wink. Heâs gone a couple minutes, and I take the moment to survey the room. No framed pictures, nothing obviously sentimental. Much of him still remains a mystery to me. Even the calendar on the wall is empty. I glance towards the office, and see him finish up a phone call. I quickly take a few steps back towards the fireplace.
âWhat is it you do,