Later on that week,
The local Greek dance hall,
Early evening…
Trevor walked into the dance hall where Amy’s parents were supervising them
as they learned how to dance the Pentozalis, a Greek folk dance Amy was
going do in an upcoming festival.
His mother had worked out the arrangements with Amy’s parents for which he
was very grateful. He had enjoyed this time with Amy.
He looked around. The hall was empty. He stood there and looked at his
watch. He was on time. Just then he caught Amy entering the empty dance
hall from across the way. He dropped his mouth in astonishment. Amy was
wearing her costume for the festival, a traditional Cretan folk outfit. Her
long curly hair was in a ponytail and a smile lit up her face. He seemed a
bit out of place wearing only jeans, a t-shirt and a jacket.
“What do you think Manning?” she asked twirling around him, wanting his
opinion.
“You look…cool Amy but…” stammered Trevor awkwardly.
Just then Amy’s mother walked in carrying a handful of clothes.
“Mommi’s got your outfit. Go try it on. We’ll be dancing in them tonight
to get use to them,” grinned Amy.
He paused to admire her smile.
Finally he approached Amy’s mother and took the clothes to go change in a
back room.
As he changed clothes, he was glad Amy’s mother had come tonight instead of
her father. Her mother seemed more tolerant of him. Amy’s mother was
certainly more patient with him. This was their third night dancing
together. Her mother had taken his measurements on the first night.
Thankfully, his mother came last night because it was just Amy’s dad and he
was rather a pain in the butt. He was glad his mom had a chance to watch
because tomorrow she was going to be admitted to the hospital. The dreaded
amnio was here.
He finished dressing and looked at himself in the mirror. He did look
sharp. He fussed with his hair and stuck out his chest. The garments
seemed to fill him out – made him look fuller – like his father and brother.
“Trev!! You almost ready?!” came Amy’s loud voice.
He bolted out of the room but came to an abrupt halt when he saw Amy and
her mother gawking at him.
“What?!” he asked.
“You look good young man,” grinned Amy’s mother.
“Yeah, Trev. Handsome,” said Amy a bit shyly and a bit embarrassed to give
him a compliment in front of her mother.
“Ah Thanks,” said Trevor blushing.
“Shall we dance?” asked Amy holding out her hand.
Her mother pressed “play” on the cassette recorder she had brought in and
Amy and Trevor went into the opening steps. Awkwardly, they danced. At one
point in the dance they were suppose to twirl around one another clapping
their hands in synch and Trevor had problems with it. Previously, he had
always misjudged his space and accidentally bumped into her. Tonight,
thankfully, he missed her.
He held out his hand and she turned into and quickly twirled out.
Hand on arm moved to the rhythm.
His eyes found hers and they performed a complicated step.
He took her in his arms and briefly supported her weight in his weak arms.
Amy tried not to put all of her weight into the step.
A breath.
A smile.
And over and over they practiced growing more and more confident in each
repetition.
Finally, Amy’s mother paused the music, “It is time for a break Antigone,”
grinned Amy’s mother, “Trevor, your dance is much better tonight.”
“Thank you Mrs. Karolities,” said Trevor smiling.
“Your mother will be proud of you. I’m sorry I missed her last night. Ari
speaks highly of her. I’ll go out back and get us some water,” said Amy’s
mother walking towards the kitchen in the back rooms, leaving Amy and Trevor
alone.
“Thanks Mommi!” exclaimed Amy.
Trevor suddenly looked down at the ground and his face grew serious.
Amy lightly placed her hand on his cheek and turned him into her, “Hey,
what’s wrong? Was I too physical with you Trev? I felt your arms shake…”
“No!” he insisted looking into her eyes, “I’m strong enough to support you
Amy. I am!”
Amy frowned. It was silent between them.
“Then what?” she asked softly.
“It’s my Mom,” he said.
She could see his face full of concern.
“Is she okay Trev?” asked Amy.
“Yeah. It’s just that…tomorrow she gets admitted to the hospital for that
damn amnio,” said Trevor emotionally.
“Aw Trev, I know you’ve been worried for her. I hope everything goes
okay,” said Amy.”
“You know me Trevor the worry wart…” he said sadly.
“Hey, think positive thoughts. Will your Mom be able to see us dance on
Saturday?” asked Amy.
“No. She’ll be in the hospital,” he said.
“Then we’ll make a video for her. How are things with your father?” asked
Amy.
“Okay, I guess. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about him – trying to
understand him. It’s not easy,” said Trevor intensely.
“What do you need to understand Trev?” asked Amy walking into
his personal space.
“Everything. He’s a complicated guy Amy,” said Trevor.
“So are you. Must be hereditary. There was a time I thought you didn’t
want to see me…” said Amy.
“No! No…I was just working some things out…” said Trevor flushed.
“Shut up and kiss me before my mother walks in and we embarrass her,” said
Amy smiling.
They gave each other a soft, tender kiss.
“If you need anything Trev, you call,” whispered Amy.
“I will,” he replied.
*****
The Manning Estate,
The kitchen…
Taylor walked into the kitchen and poured herself a coke. Trevor was at a
dance lesson. Ty was downstairs exercising and her parents were watching TV
with Starr and Terri.
She closed the refrigerator and sipped her drink, glancing on the door. It
was plastered with pictures and Terri’s drawings but one picture stood out.
One of her when she was nine. It was of her and her mother on a beach in
Puerto Rico and Taylor was showing off a sand castle she had built and her
mother was proudly smiling at her.
Her mom was going to be admitted to the hospital tomorrow and she was
worried.
“Whatcha’ looking at?”
Taylor looked down. Her little sister Terri was standing next to her.
“Just an old pic,” said Taylor, “You want something to drink little Tee?”
“I’ll take coke like you,” grinned Terri. Taylor could tell that Terri
admired her a lot.
“Okay,” said Taylor pouring her sister a glass and Terri sat down opposite
Terri.
“My favorite picture is the one with me on Daddy’s shoulders,” grinned
Terri.
“You got a soft spot for Daddy, don’t you?” said Taylor.
“Yep,” said Terri sipping her coke.
“What about Mom?” asked Taylor.
“I got a soft spot for her too. I like how she sings me to sleep and gives
me hugs,” added Terri.
“I like it when Mom brushes my hair,” said Taylor.
“I like it when Mommy lets me brush her hair,” said Terri.
Taylor sighed.
“What’s wrong big Tee girl?” asked Terri.
“I’m sad ‘cos Mom’s going to the hospital tomorrow,” said Taylor.
Terri immediately looked concerned, “Is Mommy all right?”
She felt a soft hand on her shoulder. Her big adult sister stood over.
Terri liked Starr a lot and wanted to be a reporter like her when she grew
up and help her Daddy out at his work.
“Your Mom’s okay. She just needs a test,” said Starr reassuringly.
“What kinda test? Daddy will worry…” said Terri crossing her arms.
“The test is going to tell…if everything is okay with the baby…” said Starr
softly.
Taylor smiled at her older sister. They were all worried.
“The baby should be okay. Mommy takes all her vitamins and sleeps all the
time. Daddy makes sure of it,” stated Terri.
“Well we know one Manning who didn’t inherit the Manning worry wart gene…”
said Taylor lightly smiling at Starr.
Starr smiled too.
“So what are you girls gossiping about?”
Taylor looked up. Her mother stood at the doorway dressed in warm winter
clothing. Terri ran up to Téa and gave her a big hug. Téa returned the hug
surprised at her youngest daughter’s actions.
“What was the hug for mija?” asked Téa.
“Taylor and Starr said you had to go to the hospital ‘cos the baby had to
have a test and I just want you to know I’ll miss you..” said Terri sweetly.
Téa gave her youngest daughter the warmest reassuring hug she could, “I’ll
miss you too mija.”
Terri innocently looked into her mother’s eyes, “Will the baby pass the
test Mommy?”
Téa bit her lip.
Taylor got up to try and help out.
“Honestly, I don’t know sweetie. I hope so,” said Téa.
“I never failed a test in my life. What will happen if the baby fails?”
asked Terri.
“Ah…” started Téa.
“Hey! I failed a test once but it wasn’t so bad. I’m still
here,” said Starr trying to sound upbeat.
Téa looked into Taylor and Starr’s eyes and could see their unvoiced
concerns, “I think you girls could use a hug too.”
“Yeah,” admitted Taylor.
Téa hugged her oldest daughter and looked firmly into her eyes, “I’ll be
all right. I will.”
“I love you,” said Taylor softly.
“I love you too,” said Terri butting in.
“Me too,” added Starr.
Téa could feel her eyes mist up with tears, “I love you guys too.”
TO BE CONTINUED…
