Robin and the Red Crow

Chapter Nineteen - Heel Toe Polka

"And the next dance, ladies and gentlemen, will be the Heel-Toe Polka!" Jo shouted from the top of the stairs.

Robin smirked and paused his cutting into the cornbread that sat, still steaming, on the kitchen table. He quickly walked into the hallway as music started playing loudly from the top of the stairs, crossing his arms as he leaned on the railing. There was only one room that the music might come from.

"Hey, Jo, who gave you permission to enter my room?" Robin called up to the young girl as she skipped down the stairs wearing a large cowboy hat and a blue and white striped nightgown.

"Do you know the Heel-Toe Polka, Mr. Robin?" Jo asked, changing the subject. She grabbed his arm and used all her strength to swing him around. "Heel and toe, heel and toe, slide to the middle..." Jo called, yelling instructions and pulling Robin into the drawing room after her.

Robin let out a laugh and tried to follow the young girl's steps, clapping when she instructed and leaning down to skip in a circle when she commanded it.

"This is when you switch partners," Holly yelled excitedly as she ran down the stairs to join them, hurrying into the room with her hair in a loose braid, still wearing her velvet green nightgown.

"Switch with me, Miss Holly!" Jo shouted, abandoning Robin and running over to grab Holly's hand.

Robin felt a bit neglected as he watched the two of them dance the polka. Although by taking a step back, it was easier to observe how Jo's instructions came together to create the dance.  Watching the two of them perform more proficiently than he had as he stumbled over Jo's hurried instructions.

"Do you want another try?" Holly asked as the song came to the point to change partners once again, reaching out her hand to Robin.

"I'll watch one more time if that's alright," Robin said with a nervous laugh. "I'm getting a better idea of the dance by watching."

"Well, practice makes perfect," Holly said, waving her fingers towards the staircase before flicking them towards the record player in the drawing room's corner. Suddenly, the music that had been playing upstairs continued, but this time from the drawing room's record player. With the music now filling the drawing room, the two girls resumed dancing.

"And you must practice if you want to dance at the Autumn Barn Dance tonight."

"Autumn Barn Dance?" Robin asked with a chuckle, this was his first time hearing of such a thing.

"Oh! Right, I-"Holly exclaimed, her thoughts interrupted as she tripped over her feet.

"Uh oh! Miss Holly forgot to tell you," Jo teased, smirking at her mentor as Holly tried to regain her steps in the dance.

Holly shot Jo a warning glare and turned her attention back to Robin.

"Tonight is the Autumn Barn Dance. It's held every year to celebrate the good harvest. The whole town is invited to dance and share food."

"I consider it my goodbye party," Jo chimed in. "Since it will be the last time I see my friends before I head home for the winter next week."

Holly glanced sadly at the small girl, the two of them finishing up the dance as the song came to an end. Holly quickly patted the small girl on the head.

"That's right. It's Jo's goodbye party, and also the most important event for the jewelry shop. Everyone from the town is gathered, and I can show off my designs in action. This is where I get most of my orders for the winter holidays," Holly said, glancing at Robin. "I have been busy these last few days making some things for you and Jo to wear to the dance...if you are okay with wearing them. I'm excited to finally have a male model this year." Holly added with an anxious laugh, her hands nervously fiddling with her nightgown.