Home » Poems » Eileen Manassian » Yacht Club Dreams- Part Iii

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

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.