A Nerd, a Tough Kid and the Wonder of Dance

Chapter 19: a duet with Jena

During the week following our blow-up, Jena and I did no more than nod doubtfully to each other at the classes. I was tempted to go around to her place and confront her.

"No, Garth," I told myself, "that's not a good idea." But, I wanted to, because I was feeling pretty pissed off with what was going on - whatever it was.

One day I took a brief break during class and went over to stand besides Mrs Reinke as she watched Jena and Stefan practice their duet. The duet was the same one Jena and I had been working on for that competition years ago, just before she got sick. Then Sapphire and I had continued with it. I knew this particular dance very well indeed.

After a little while of watching their frequent awkwardness, I murmured, "He's dropped her, hasn't he?"

The teacher sighed, "A couple of times."

"They've lost confidence in each other. He's grabbing at her, snatching . . ."

"Yes, Garth. I can see that," she said tersely.

"Perhaps I could show him how it should be done."

"Garth, I don't want any trouble. You know that they are going out together."

I didn't know whether I was trying to make trouble or genuinely help. "I could be tactful," I suggested.

Mrs Reinke snorted and gave me a very dubious look.

A minute or so later, she sighed and said, "Well, something has to be done. Come on."

She turned the music off and marched over to Jena and Stefan.

"Look, it's not working. The problem is with the catching, holding and lifting, as we have talked about a number of times."

I glanced at Jena. She was frowning and giving me a very level look.

Mrs Reinke went on, "Stefan, you are reaching out for Jena, trying to grab hold of her. Jena, you're like a wooden puppet, you're not relaxed."

She took a breath. "Now Stefan, Garth is very capable at this sort of stuff and has offered to show you how it's done. Is that all right with you?"

I could see that it definitely wasn't all right with Stefan, but then Jena surprised me. She still held me with that level, appraising look and said, "I think it would be a good idea, Stefan. We do need help."

Somewhat caught out, Stefan asked uncertainly, "Are you sure?"

Still without looking at him, she gave a brief nod of her head, "Yes."

We took it from the top. Jena and I were in our starting positions, looking at each other. I could see the challenge in her eyes - 'you'd better get this right, buster'. I gave her a wink, something I used to do to try and help us relax.

There was no tentativeness, no hesitation, we were back into it instantly, fully trusting, fully confident of each other.

I could feel myself lifting up, the exhilaration, the wonderful joy of movement. This was why I loved dancing; there was nothing quite like it.

I could see Jena's face lightening up; she was giving her all; she was brilliant.

We finished with a flourish and were startled to hear applause and yelling. The entire class, everybody in the studio, had stopped and watched us. They were now clapping and calling out to us. Even Mrs Reinke was standing there with a twisted smile on her face and clapping politely. Stefan was standing next to her. He wasn't clapping, he was simply gaping at us. He walked over.

Jena and I were still holding hands, as we did at the end of the dance.

"That was extraordinary. I don't understand how you do it."

He was looking back and forth from one of us to the other. I just shrugged, but Jena answered seriously.

"As you know, Stefan, Garth and I used to dance together years ago before I got sick. He has never dropped me, never even gone close. I trust him completely."

"And I know that, Stefan," I added as he shifted his gaze to me, "I know that I don't have to reach out for her, or try to find her. She will always be where and how she is supposed to be."

He gave Jena a pained, appealing look, "Could we ever be like that, Jena?"

She was almost brutal, "No, I can't see how. I'm sorry."

"Then I'd better bow out as your dance partner, love. You should dance with Garth."

Jena turned her face towards me, her expression blank. I kept mine the same, but gave her another wink. For a brief second, a smile touched her lips, then she turned back to Stefan.

"Thank you."

Stefan went to join the rest of the class and Mrs Reinke came over.

"Pretty good," she said, obviously pleased, but trying to look stern. "Nonetheless, you made a number of small errors."

Jena and I looked at each other and grimaced. We knew.

"So, if you two are going to try for the Festival Dance Event, you will have to be perfect. That means you will have to practice, you will have to work . . . hard."

We did.