Dirty Dancing

4

The next morning I take the initiative to find Robbie and try to talk to him. He's in the dining room area.
"Why should you tell me what's right?" He huffs.

"You can't just leave her." I protest.

"I didn't blow a summer hauling bagels just to bail out some chick who probably slept with every guy here." He snorts while he sets the table.

I can't believe what he's saying. What a douchebag!

"Some people count and some people don't." He smirks and reaches to his back pocket and pulls out a worn pocketbook and tries to give it to me.
"Read it. I think you'll enjoy it. But return it. I have notes in there." He winks.

I see red. I grab a water container and pour it over his crotch with a fake smile.
"You make me sick. Stay away from me. Stay away from my sister or I'll have you fired."

I put the empty container on the table and walk away. I didn't want to have to do this but I feel that I have to help Eleanor. I find my parents on the golf course.

My mother tries to putt but misses the hole.
"What am I doing wrong?" She complains.

"You're lining it up a little wrong, Anne." My dad tries to help.

He looks up and sees me.
"If your mother ever leaves me, it'll be for Arnold Palmer." He jokes.

I get right to it.
"Dad, someone's in trouble."

"Besides your mother? You're overcorrecting, Anne." My father continues to joke.

I try again.
"You always told me if someone was in trouble, I should help. Could you lend me 200 pounds?"

That gets his attention. He's eyeing me in concern.
"Are you all right? Are you in trouble?"

"No, it's not me. Could you loan it to me?" I assure him. Bite my lip.

"That's a lot of money. What's it for?" He questions.

"Baby, stand up straight." My mum urges me, otherwise busy trying to get the ball in the hole.

I look at my dad.
"I can't tell you. It's hard for me to say that to you, but I can't."

He is taken back by that.
"You always said you could tell me anything."

"I can't tell you this." I say with pleading eyes.

"It's not illegal, is it?" My dad asks.

My heart jumps.
"No, Daddy." I lie with a smile. It's the first time I ever lied him straight in the face. I feel awful but it's not my secret to tell.

"That was a stupid thing to ask. Forgive me. I'll have it for you before dinner." My dad says and ruffles my hair fondly.

"Is everything all right?" My mum asks.

"Fine. Thanks, Dad." I smile and leave them to play golf in peace.

He keeps his promise and hands me the money before dinner, no questions asked. I hurry over to the house for the staff. Eleanor is dancing with Louis. I walk over to her and hold out the cash.
"Here's the money."

Liam sees us and comes over.

"You mean Robbie?" Eleanor asks, sounding hopeful.

"No. You were right about him." I say.

"Then where'd you get it?" She questions.

"You said you needed it." I reply.

She turns to Louis.
"Is this kid for real?"

"Takes a real saint to ask Daddy." Louis snorts.

"Thanks, Baby, but I can't use it." Eleanor sighs.

"What? What's the matter with you? You should take the money." Louis argues upset.

Liam leans in to fill me in on the problem.
"I can only get her an appointment for Thursday. They do their act at the Sheldrake Thursday. If they cancel, they lose this season's salary and next year's gig."

"What's the Sheldrake?" I question.

"It's another hotel where they do their mambo act." Liam explains.

"Can't someone else fill in?" I suggest, trying to help.

Louis looks at me. Snorts. He really doesn't like me.
"No, Mr. Fix-it. Somebody else can't. Maria has to work all day. She can't learn the routines. And Janet has to fill in for Eleanor. Everybody works here. You wanna do it? Take time out from Simon Says?"
He says sarcastically.

"It's not a bad idea." Liam says.

"It was a joke." Louis snorts.

"He can move." Liam pushes.

"It's the dumbest idea I ever heard of." Louis argues.

He really doesn't want to teach me how to dance so I try to get him off the hook.
"I can't even do the merengue."

"See?" Louis says and waves his hand in my direction.

"You're a strong partner. You can lead anybody." Eleanor pleads.

"He can't even do the merengue. He can not do it." Louis states firmly.

That lights a fire in me. No one tells me what I can and can't do.