Love is as Easy as Dancing

Opening Up

“Are you sure you can’t take her?” I asked the babysitter on the other side of the phone line. “No, I’m sorry Ms. Jaxon, I can’t take Ella tonight.” Missy, the babysitter said. “okay, fine” I said, abruptly hanging up. Slowly, I walked over to my three year old daughter playing with dolls in the corner of the studio. “looks like you’re gonna be here for mommy’s lesson tonight” I said, picking her up. I began to dance around the room with Ella in my arms. “You’re a better dancer than most of my partners” I joked.

“Even as good as me?” Sebastian was standing in the door way of the studio. His white t-shirt clung to his torso, showing off his defined body while his gray sweatpants were baggy. He was already barefoot and stated, “no street shoes on the hardwood” then smiled. I laughed as I placed Ella back in her seat. “So this must be your daughter” he said, walking over and making faces at her. She giggled profusely, making Sebastian feel accomplished.

“She must like you” I said, walking to the middle of the room. Quickly, I fixed my white maxi dress and tied up my hair. “So are you ready to start the lesson?” I asked, looking over at him. Gently, he placed his hand on my waist and laced his fingers through my other hand and began to dance me around the room. “So how is the wedding planning coming?” I asked.

“I don’t know, I don’t have much of a say in it.” He looked away from me, as if the subject was painful for him to talk about. So I dropped the conversation.

            Occasionally, I would look up at him and he seemed distant. “Is everything ok?” I asked, looking into his eyes. I could tell that he was contemplating on telling me what was on his mind. His blue eyes seemed to have lost their spark. Instead, they were filled with sadness.  “Do you need to talk about something?” I asked, leading him to a chair so that he could sit down.

            “You can see it, can’t you?” he asked, looking at me in the eye. 

            “See what?” gently, I place my hand in his, assuming that he needed some comforting.

            “that she doesn’t love me” he practically yelled.

            I don’t want to tell him that she only loves him for the money and ruin his engagement, but I also don’t want to see him unhappy. Think Lucy, think!

            “Do you love her?” I asked, trying not to answer his question.

            Obviously, he was trying to avoid my question. He leaned his head on my shoulder and I wrapped my arms around him. For some reason, I couldn’t help but feel as if I’ve known him for all my life. “why don’t you come by my house for some coffee, and we can talk. I have to put Ella to bed and I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to drive with how you’re feeling.” I stated looking outside to see the rain falling outside. Sebastian simply nodded and followed me out the door.

            The only sound on the car ride home was the light patter of rain and the light snoring of Ella in the back seat. “How are you feeling?” I asked glancing over at him. “I don’t know” was all he could say, not taking his eyes off of the road.

            Quietly, I took Ella up to her room while she slept. “Make yourself at home” I whispered to  Sebastian as I walked up the large stairway. When I came back downstairs Sebastian sat with his elbows on his knees, his chin in his hands. Slowly, I walked over to him and placed my hand on his shoulder. “would you like something to drink?” I asked. He shook his head ‘no’ and patted the spot on the couch next to him signaling for me to sit down. Sebastian looked as if he was about to cry, but couldn’t bring himself to do so. We sat in silence for some moments before I said, “you probably just need a good night’s sleep”. His blue eyes were bright as they met mine. “Come on” I said, standing up and gesturing for him to follow me. I led him down the wide hallway into a guest room. “you probably don’t want to go home and have to talk to her about your feelings just yet, so you’re more than welcome to stay here” I opened the door into a guest room. The bright walls illuminated a Tiffany Blue color when I turned the light on. The bed has remained untouched for a few years and the dressers needed to be dusted off. Quickly, I took a t-shirt and pajama bottoms out of the dresser and placed them on the chocolate brown bed covers. “These were my ex-husbands, feel free to use them. The bathroom is right over there for when you need it. Um- my room is rught down the hall to the left, so If you need me just call” I stated, getting ready to leave. As I approached the door I heard Sebastian state, “Thank you Lucy, for everything.” I smiled and just nodded before going to my room.