The Hope of Hattie Phelan: Volume I

21

Dancing Again

To dance with Bernie was like trying to keep up with a horse—a fast one at that. He was very energetic in his movements and not very precise. I often glanced at Nancy, begging for help, but she was busy dancing with Richie. I was surprised Richie had asked her to dance due to their rough past, but was even more surprised to see that Nancy accepted. I could easily see Richie asking just to jest and tease her, but the only scenario I could think of Nancy accepting the dance was either blackmail or death—and I was sure that she would've chosen death before dancing with Richie.

After the dance, I spotted Essie standing alone. I quickly walked over to her to find her arms crossed.

"Are you all right, Essie?" I asked, feeling worried for my friend.

"I guess." She shrugged. She was trying to keep a straight face, but I knew her. She was in actuality upset about something.

"Esther," I stated, making her face me. "Essie, what's going on?"

She looked down again, shrugging.

"I guess it's just that you all get to dance with someone, and the only person who danced with me was Marten, my own brother," Essie answered me, taking a shaky breath.

"Oh, Essie," I gave her a hug as she let out a shaky breath. "We will dance together."

"I'd like that," Essie whispered softly. It was already the next song and Nancy went off towards her mother to talk, and I noticed no one was on the dance floor. I guessed that since some people danced a few dances with no rest, they were ready for a breather.

I looked at Essie about to offer her my hand whenever I heard movement on the dance floor. I turned and almost let out a guffaw as Wally and Richie were doing their dance with some weird frolicking jumps interspersed with the footwork. I pointed to them, trying to distract Essie from her predicament. She laughed aloud before covering her mouth. Essie and I were reeling with laughter as the comedic scene unfolded. Richie and Wally turned to see who was laughing and spotted us. Richie made a dramatic shocked face and pointed at us accusingly. Richie did his weird prancing as he "danced" towards us, while Wally seemed to decide it was a good time to stop. But I couldn't remember the last time I had laughed this hard as Richie and Wally finally reached us before bowing dramatically.

"I'd like to take this dance, madam!" Richie offered his arm to Essie, who was still trying to stifle her giggles underneath her hands. Essie glanced between him and Wally for a moment.

"Wouldn't your current dance partner be offended?" She raised a brow at Richie, who turned slowly to Wally.

Richie sneered at him, throwing his thumb behind him. "Hit the road, Walt," Richie drawled, once again offering his arm to Essie. "Don't leave me hanging, milady."

"Don't call me that," Essie said before taking his arm. "Maybe next dance, Hattie—"

She was then pulled to the empty dance floor for a dance with Richie. I let out a chuckle as Richie said something to make Essie laugh. This was just what she needed, and it was kind of Richie to offer her a dance. Though he was very enthusiastic and could be a troublemaker, I saw that he was also very passionate and kind.

"There is never a dull moment with him, is there?" I turned and asked Wally.

He let out a laugh, shaking his head as he put his hands in his pockets. "Never," he replied. Him being here reminded me to check my dance card.

"Oh, the next dance is ours," I stated, showing him the card.

He peered over at it with a nod. "Sounds good," he stated, before looking over at me. "How's your night been so far?"