Page 80 of Halstead House

The music started, and I turned all my attention to learning the steps to a line dance I hadn’t done the last time we’d been here. After a full rotation I had it down and was able to relax into the dance. My smile was broad as my body moved in unison with those around me. The rhythm beat in my chest, causing me to laugh. The combination of loud music and physical movement did its job of pulling my attention away from my worries and stresses.

The next two songs were also fast songs, although they weren’t organized line dances. Ana and I stayed on the dance floor. While Ana could actually dance, I knew I was a complete klutz and most likely looked ridiculous. I didn’t care. I waved my arms and shook my hips, and bopped my head around to the beat. My body was getting sweaty, my face warm and my bangs sticking to my forehead. It felt like freedom to stop thinking and simply move in whatever direction I chose. Ana teased me mercilessly, telling me she’d seen better moves from a monkey, but her eyes were smiling and we laughed together. When a slow song started we both breathed a sigh of relief.

“I did not have a fourth fast song in me,” I said breathlessly as we headed back to our table.

Ana flopped down in her seat next to mine and took a big swig of her drink. “Amen.”

We were quiet for a few moments, watching the couples sway together and getting our breathing back under control. I wished I had a fan to cool myself down with but made do with flapping a menu in front of my face.

“Marshall’s out there with Olivia,” Ana said, nodding toward the floor.

I looked and was happy to see them moving around the dance floor, him holding her close and her head resting on his chest. “I think her eyes might be opening,” I said.

“Looks like it. He’ll be no fun to live with if he’s infatuated.”

“Why not? I think it’s cute.”

“That’s because you’ve never lived with a twitterpated Marshall.”

“Twitterpated?” I grinned.

“What? You’ve never seen Bambi?” Ana replied.

“Nope. But I have heard the word before.”

“You’ve really never seen Bambi?” Ana looked at me like I’d just announced I was from another planet.

“I haven’t seen most of the Disney movies.”

“Why not?”

“Think about it. None of them have moms. My mother could not abide a world in which there was no mother to run things.”

“Are you serious?”

“Totally.”

“No offense, but that’s crazy.”

“Totally,” I said again as I burst into laughter that was both amusement and heartbreak combined. Ana laughed along, but the merriment didn’t reach her eyes. After a bit, her hand reached out to cover mine where it was balled on the table. “I’m sorry,” I finally breathed out.

“For what?”

“For being mental.” I looked to her and she squeezed my hand.

“You’re no more mental than the rest of us.” The way she stated it was so matter-of-fact that I believed her.

“Thanks.”

She shrugged and released my hand. “Would it help if I let you waltz with me?”

This time when I laughed it was a true, happy sound. “I think that might make things worse.”

“Your call.”

I chuckled again and leaned back in my chair. Silence descended between us, and I once again became aware of the music, the couples slow dancing, the cheery atmosphere. Marshall and Olivia were still swaying sweetly, which made me ridiculously happy for him.

“Grace?” A male voice behind me caught my attention, and I turned to see Jonathan standing near.

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