Chapter 7 An Experiment in Talking to Strangers in Panel Vans #3
Finally, he dropped my arm, grabbed me by each shoulder, and put about a foot of distance between us. It was all we could afford without getting in the way of the dancers.
“Well? Are you going to answer me?”
“I was. Do you know Jackie Kelly? I was trying to get his attention.”
“Yeah, I know him, all right. Why? Couldn’t you wait for the song to finish to beg the man for a husband?”
I looked over. Arnold had returned and was walking back to our table while scanning the room. I positioned myself out of his eyeline behind Tadhg—which was not difficult.
“I need help. I’m kinda trapped in an awkward situation.”
“Yeah, well, good luck. You’ll not be getting that man off the dance floor anytime soon.”
I looked back at Arnold. I thought about making a break for it, but it was a small village, and I knew there would be nowhere to hide until Jackie was ready to go home. “Well. Would you help me, then?”
“No. No, I wouldn’t. I’m only here to get keys off someone, and I’ve done that, so now I’m getting the hell out of this circus.
” He moved his face an inch closer to mine.
“And even if I wasn’t, Maya from America, why would I want to help you?
I wouldn’t throw a glass of water at you if you were on fire.
” His eyes narrowed. “Why? What’s the matter? ”
“Well, you see, he set me up with that man over there, Arnold, for a date.”
“Poor Arnold.”
“Yes, well. I need to get out of it, that’s all.”
“Why? Has he . . .” His jaw grew tighter. “He hasn’t touched you or anything, has he?”
“Well, no. He just. He’s the worst.”
“Has he said something?”
The music was loud. I had to lean in. “Nothing like that. He just said some stuff that was offensive. And he wants to drive me home in his murder van. Just. Will you help me or not?”
He craned his neck down to look at me even closer. Was he trying to read my thoughts? Intimidate me? Retinal scan? From this distance, I could count his every eyelash.
“Fine.” He dragged the word out as if sharpening a blade. “I’ll go over there and do your dirty work for you. Don’t ask me why. I’ve no fecking clue. You definitely don’t deserve my help. I guess you just caught me in a good mood.”
This? “Is this a good mood? What does a bad one look like?”
“I see you don’t want my help, then.”
“No!” I grabbed his forearm. “I want it! Please.”
He glared. “Just keep yourself outta the way while I go speak to him. Do you think you can manage that?” His face told me that he didn’t think so.
Before I knew what was happening, he opened his mouth and shouted over the music.
“Thomas!” He grabbed a nearby man, pulled him over, said something into his ear, then, grabbing my hand, he placed it in the man’s hand.
I shot a look at the angry Tiger, but before I could ask him what he was doing, he shouted again.
“Go dance with Thomas, and stay out of trouble!” And then he pushed us out onto the dance floor.
The Thomas in question was a sweet-looking older gentleman who was wearing a wedding ring.
“Pleasure to meet ye,” he said, taking my hand and holding it up. The music ended and gave us a moment while the song changed.
“You too, Thomas. Look, I’m sorry, I don’t know why Tadhg roped you into this, but I can’t dance. I don’t know how.”
“That’s all right. Best time to learn.” I opened my mouth to apologize and excuse myself, but this was my side of the getting-out-of-the-date bargain.
And his smile seemed warm. And I guessed I would have to learn to do this sooner or later.
And it seemed that a nice older man who was already married was a safe choice.
It was live music tonight. A handsome youngish man on guitar and an older one on accordion. The accordion struck up a tune, and I made a decision. “I think I’d like that very much, thank you. My name is Maya. I hope I don’t slow you down too much.”
“You’ll be grand. This is a waltz here. Have you ever danced a waltz before?”
I bit my lip and scrunched my face up. “Um. I think they taught us at school when I was a kid.”
“Well then, you’ve got a head start, Maya. Come on, then, and we’ll refresh your memory.”
“Be careful with your toes.”
He laughed. I darted a look to the other side of the room.
Arnold and Tadhg were in conversation. What was Tadhg saying?
And how would Arnold respond to being ditched?
But I didn’t have much time to think about it, because Thomas started moving me and counting the steps aloud.
We took our first halting steps, and I was doing it, I was dancing.
Then I stepped on his foot and looked down and bumped my head against his.
I looked up and caught Tadhg looking over his shoulder.
Of course. It had to be now, didn’t it, Tiger?
“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry, Thomas. How embarrassing. Are you okay?”
“Sure, sure. Happens all the time. Don’t you worry.
” He smiled but didn’t drop my hands or lose the beat, just kept me moving slow and easy across the dance floor, counting as we went—it was quite soothing, actually.
I steadied my breathing and tried to focus on the steps.
I wasn’t great at following, I knew. But then I closed my eyes and tried to just let him guide me.
“Good, Maya. Look at you. You’re a natural!”
I laughed and opened my eyes and immediately bumped into his chest. “Oops! I’m so sorry.”
When I looked up again, both Arnold and Tadhg were gone.
The dancing was lovely, come to find out!
I danced two more waltzes, with two other older gentlemen, and had a great time.
Then, high on my own natural talent, I accepted an offer to dance something that was not a waltz, and it was a calamity, with casualties that would probably attract national news coverage.
Finally, Jackie and I found each other.
“All right, Maya? You look like you’re having fun. How’s your date with Arnold going?”
“New rule, Jackie. No racists.”