Page 72 of The Virgin's Dance
The lesson continued in the same manner. While he kicked the other girls’ feet around, guided their arms, straightened their backs, he avoided any physical contact with Donna.
After the lesson she gathered her dignity and approached him. “How much is the lesson?”
He didn’t turn around straightaway, but continued talking to one of the other girls. She stood waiting, and just when she thought he hadn’t heard her, or that she was being completely ignored, he turned and said, “Ivan sent you, didn’t he?”
“Yes, he invited me here.”
“Then it is free.”
“But I want to pay.” Donna held up her wallet.
Looking mildly amused, Antonio pushed her hand down.
“You can pay if you ever come back. Next time, you pay. How about that?”
“And if I wanted to come again? How much is it?”
“Let’s say ten euros a week,” he replied, his eyes narrowing at her.
“That’s not very much.”
“Well, for a poor gypsy like me it is enough.” Donna thought she detected a hint of bitterness in that statement.
“And when is the next lesson?” she asked stubbornly, ignoring his previous comment.
He sighed deeply, showing a disinterest in the subject. “I teach every other day, at midday, always.”
With that she left the studio and began walking down the hill.
One of the other students, a striking girl with pointed features and striking green eyes fell into step with Donna. “You are American?” the girl asked.
Donna nodded.
“Welcome to my village. You are so beautiful.” She looked at Donna as if she was a specimen at the zoo. “Beautiful red hair.” She leaned over and touched Donna’s hair.
“And now you will learn our dance! It is very nice.” Struggling with her English, the girl looked at Donna, her green eyes friendly. “Will you come again?”
“I don’t think the teacher likes me very much.”
“What?” she giggled. “No, you were much better than everyone else in the class! I think he was impressed. We were all impressed.”
They walked down the hill in thoughtful silence, exhausted by the class, and Donna too overwhelmed to do much talking.
“Do you like to go again? Antonio is a strange man, but he is a good teacher. Respected in the village.” The girl gestured around, encompassing the whole village in her movement. “He does so much to help us.”
Baffled but determined, Donna said firmly, “Yes, I would like to go again. I enjoyed it a lot.”
Chapter 9
“Why can’t we just have the stage at the back of the garden? I don’t want to get married on a stage just so your father can televise the whole thing! Donna, will you please tell José he is being a stupid pig-head about this!”
“You mean he’s being pigheaded,” Donna corrected with a small smile. Maria and José had gotten in the habit of speaking in English around Donna, and she had to say she was impressed with Maria’s improvements, even if she might stumble on some expressions every now and then.
Donna had to admit she was more impressed by Maria every day. Now that she had learned that her feelings for José had been no more than a little crush, Donna was able to see just what a good match the gorgeous and kind woman was for her friend.
“Yes—a pig-head! This is my wedding, José, not your father’s. Mine!”
It had become apparent to Donna that José’s dad was using the marriage as an opportunity to canvas his position as deputy mayor of the city. The sashes on the chairs, the color theme, they were the colors of his party. And the entire town was to be invited to the after-party.
