Yacht Club Dreams- Part Iii

She sat at her table And had a sip of her lemonade Wishing she could be out there dancing How she loved to dance Her brother and his wife Were busy chatting with some friends Who had stopped at the table to catch up And she, likewise, was busy She was busy trying to keep herself From doing what she always did when the rhythm Took control She was TRYING not to dance The music was inviting And she was gently swaying When all of the sudden The staccato beats of the derbake The Arabic drum Electrified the air! No, she couldn’t stop herself now She started to shake Moving her hands rhythmically to the sound Of Arabic music She laughed Like a giddy school girl She was lost to everything around her Except this liberating moment Here Now Next thing she knew Her nephew and niece Were pulling her to the dance floor “No, No”…she vainly protested “I’m too old for this!” “Come on, Auntie. You KNOW you want to! Dance…dance for me,” her niece look at her imploringly So she kicked off her shoes Tied her shawl around her hips And danced with abandon Shaking…undulating Her arms sweeping the night air In provocative moves Belly dance queen supreme They formed a circle around her Clapping and whistling and cheering her on Her hips shook in perfect rhythm And as she gave the last spin The crowds burst into applause It was only then that she saw him At the edge of the crowd Clapping away She caught her breath Just as she caught him wink Back at the table They faced a dilemma How would they all get home? Her brother’s friends had asked for a ride He had been embarrassed to refuse them As they went to collect their things She told her brother, “I’ll get a cab." She was pulling out her cell phone When she heard the same mellow voice “Good evening. I’m the owner of the yacht club. I overheard you in passing. May I be of service? I could easily drive the belly dance star Of the evening home.” She felt the color rise in her cheeks! THE NERVE OF THE MAN! “That’s quite fine, thank you," she blurted out. I’m sure your WIFE would not want to share The car with a belly dance star.” Her sister-in-law gave her a -do you know who this is-look There was a moment of silence “My wife passed away five years ago And she loved to belly dance herself May I?” How could she refuse his outstretched arm Without being down right rude? Seeing the relieved look on her brother’s face She said good night to everyone And, rather reluctantly, took his arm Eileen Manassian Ghali To be continued