âWhat do you think of Two-Stepping?'
âIf they play a slow one, I bet I could do that,' she responded positively.
âI'm game if you are,' Ten supported. âIf we go into the center, our mistakes won't upset the flow.'
When the DJ selected Ronnie McDowell singing: SMOKEY PLACES, they were on. Sid had watched carefully and noted the slow, slow, quick, quick rhythm. With Ten in her arms she had no problem leading, especially since Ten already knew what to do.
They loved dancing together. One time Sid got carried away and tried twirling her out, how she'd seen it with the others, but since Ten hadn't been expecting any such manoeuvre, it didn't work and they dissolved into helpless laughter, trying to get themselves back on track. After that came a fast number, so they left the floor hand in hand, to claim their drinks.
âGee, that was great,' Sid exclaimed ebulliently, face flushed with an excited glow. âI could do more of that, no sweat.' She drained her beer and asked if Ten would like more.
âJust a mineral water, Hon. Too much beer and I won't know my left from my right.' She paused, then added mischievously: âThen you won't want to dance with me,' and gave her a coquettish look from under her lashes, knowing the untruth of the claim, but enjoying Sid's indignant protestations.
Through her laughter, Sid informed her: âI'll make that two minerals coming right up,' and took off to join the other thirsty dancers at the bar.
Ten turned her attention back to the two-steppers. Suddenly she heard herself addressed, above the noise of the crowd and the music. She turned to see Galina standing where Sid had been, just a moment ago.
âHow nice to see you back here again, Tenille,' Galina smiled into her eyes with a penetrating gaze.
âHi. Yes, I really enjoyed myself last week.'
âThere's one more Two-Step coming up. Would you like to dance?'
Ten remembered the last time she'd danced with this woman and betraying color rose to her cheeks. Last weekend had been a different time and she, a different person. She wouldn't let Sid return to find her gone.
âThank you, but I'm just waiting on a drink.'
No sooner the words than Sid appeared, weaving her way through the tight groups of people, all engaged in noisy, animated exchanges. Being taken unaware by the tableau before her, the look of surprise when she saw Ten talking to this very good looking dyke, was plain for all to see. Her heart had given an uneven bump, then settled down to normal as she got a grip on her jealousy and remonstrated with herself not to be so pathetic. Ten could talk to whomever she pleased ⦠couldn't she?
Ten turned as she saw Sid approach and squeeze herself into to the table space. Leaning forward, she gave her a brief kiss on the mouth. This was the second time for Sid to be taken by surprise. A show of affection in a public place, albeit a gay bar, was not like her.
âSid, let me introduce Galina, we met last week.' She moved her eyes.
âGalina, my lover, Sidonie Henderson.' Her gaze didn't change as she spoke the words, nor did she look away.
The two women surveyed each other. No animosity, but some wariness. Galina found Sidonie a very striking young woman. What startlingly alive eyes. Such an intense blue.
“So this is how the land lies,”
she reflected to herself as she glanced back at Ten.
“Funny
,
last week I got the impression she was unattached; at least available. Oh well, win some, lose some; you got to be philosophical.”
She could see instantly, the attraction for Tenille. Sidonie emanated a strong, animal magnetism that could be powerfully erotic to the right woman. She looked again at Tenille who caught her gaze, so she smiled, thinking: “
She's the eligible woman all right and no mistake.”
âYou've picked the right night to be here,' Galina informed them. âThe âC.C. WRANGLERS' are going to showcase the routine they're taking to the âEast Meets West' Hoedown, next month in the States. In Charlottetown I believe it is.'
âThe âC.C.WRANGLERS'? Who are they?' Sid enquired, sociably.
âThey're a male, gay couple, performance group. They dance for benefits and enter competitions. They're real sharp and super to watch. I wish there was a women's equivalent, but alas, no such luck.' The floor cleared following Brett's announcement there would be a short break, during which time they had two top dancing acts lined up for their patrons' pleasure.
âTwo dance groups?' Galina commented, surprised. âI didn't know about the other one. Can't help you there.'
The three women settled themselves back to enjoy the show. A few others joined them at the table, giving as it did a good vantage point to the dance floor. The house lights dimmed and the spotlights focused everyone's attention to the centre.
The music began: Don Williams' LIVING ON TULSA TIME, a lilting melody to a slower beat. Four couples two-stepped onto the floor. Their costume consisted of blue jeans, a long-sleeved white shirt, the sleeves rolled up and a black vest. But the vest was studded with sequins across the front, catching the spotlights as though it were alive. The dancers then proceeded to impress the spectators with their grace and the complexity of the moves, twisting and turning, changing partners and finally finishing up as they had started, in the single line of couples. Everyone was enraptured and gave them a wholehearted round of applause.
âThat was great,' Sid observed, with satisfaction. âYou're right, Galina, they've got a good look too. It would be fun to learn stuff like that, I wonder why the women haven't gotten into it?' There was no time for a reply. Seven dancers arrived on the floor, four in back, three in the spaces in front. Without any announcement, the music played and the dancers broke into a fantastic sequence of fast-paced, high-energy steps to a Bluegrass number called, JAMBALAYA. There were taps on their shoes, but it was obvious they were not tap dancing. Ten was totally mesmerized. âWhat is this?' she whispered in Galina's ear.
âClogging ⦠the closest Americans come to folk dancing. It's also like our French-Canadian step dancing.'
This time the dancers were women. Their outfits looked stunning; white jeans, royal blue T-shirt featuring white feathers and multi-colored Indian wampum across the chest, rather in the manner of a complex necklace. Their shoes were white too, making their feet disappear into a blur before the eyes, they went so fast. They stayed in lines, but constantly turned and changed direction, all of them moving together as one, very much in the manner of Line Dancing, but the steps so much faster and more intricate. When the performers took their bow, the whole place erupted into excited applause.
âOh â¦' breathed Ten, â â¦I love it.'
The dancers were recalled to the floor to perform an encore. This time they were announced by the DJ as, âThe Drag-Slide Stompers'. He then proceeded to hand the mike over to one of the dancers, presumably their spokesperson. She thanked everybody for their appreciation, but before she went on to announce their next number, invited women who might be interested in learning âto clog' as she put it, to speak to any one of the âStompers', who would be happy to give them details. She then returned to her place in the line and they danced a lively Cajun number to Mary Chapin Carpenter singing, DOWN AT THE TWIST AND SHOUT.
âFantastic,' approved Galina as she clapped enthusiastically like the rest of the crowd. These women not only looked good, but could dance up a storm too.
Ten turned to Sid. âDo you think I could learn to do that, Sid? I know I can't dance Flamenco any more, but this looks like it's easier on the feet. It must take a lot of practise, though.'
âI'm sure you could, Babe. Why don't you catch one of the Stompers and get more information?' she urged, calculating this could just be what Ten needed. It would help her get over her disappointment of the Spanish dancing.
Lines were beginning to form again on the floor, for general dancing, leaving a clearer view of the returning performers, now changed into regular gear, although some of them still wore white jeans.
âGo on,' Sid encouraged. âAsk that one over there.'
âOkay, I will.' She moved away, an eager lightness in her step.
âYou dance here do you, Galina?' Sid took another pull from the bottle.
âYes the Line Dancing, not Clogging though. How about you? Would you like to take it up?'
âI'd like to Two-Step, but I can't because I'm studying at Guelph.'
The two women began conversing in an easy, light way, their eyes watching the people on the floor. That dance came to an end and another one was announced. This time Galina excused herself to join the throng for an old favorite, âBoot Scootin' Boogie'.
Ten returned so full of excitement, she gave Sid a big hug. âDarling this is great. They have a beginners' class Thursday nights. Not here, they meet at âThe Rose', six to eight, for new people. The more experienced ones arrive about seven and go 'til nine. Oh Honey, what do you think? Shall I do it?'
Sid could see the keenness in her eyes as she smiled into hers. Yes, this would be very good for her. Especially while she was away studying.
âYes love, do it.' She had her arm around her waist. âYou do that and on the weekends we'll come here and Two-Step.' She gave her a squeeze and added. âSpeaking of Two-Stepping, the couples are taking to the floor. Shall we?'
They slipped onto the dance floor and Ten melted into Sid's arms to be twirled away in giddy spins. They danced together as one, so much in love with each other ⦠and life itself.
They could see their future more clearly now and what they saw gave them endless satisfaction and contentment. The long road ahead would have its rocky sections, of course, but now they knew that united, they would pull through, whatever life might throw at them. Together, they could accomplish anything.
Their love had been severely tested; had risen above all obstacles and survived. They too, in their own way, had been successful. Each woman had progressed to a deeper understanding of the nature of her love, and reached to a higher level in the quality of her devotion.
Love is born of the pleasure of looking at each other. Love is fed with the necessity of seeing each other. Love is concluded with the impossibility of Separation.
Anon.
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