Dance Lesson
April, 1978
Rollin dressed in black tie for the charity event they were to attend paced the living room waiting for Cinnamon. Jennifer, having just finished dinner with Maria in the kitchen, ran into the room. “Daddy!” She called as she saw him.
“Hey Kiddo, did you eat all your vegetables?” He said, looking down at her.
“I did, you can ask Maria,” she nodded emphatically.
Rollin laughed at the eight-year old who held him about his waist.
“Why are you all dressed up?” She asked seriously, looking up at him.
“Mom and I are going out tonight.”
“Are you going dancing?”
“We might.”
“Can I go dancing with you, Daddy?”
“Not this time, Honey. You’d be bored.”
She gave him a pout.
“Tell you what, why don’t you and I have the first dance right here.”
Jennifer smiled at him and released him from her grasp as he crossed to the stereo to choose a song.
Cinnamon, dressed in an emerald green beaded gown, heard the music begin from downstairs as she closed the door to the bedroom. She moved to the top of the stairs to join Rollin.
Rollin moved back to Jen and bowed to her. “May I have this dance?” He asked, extending his hand to her.
Jen beamed up at him. “Yes.”
He took her hands and she stepped onto the tops of his gleaming shoes. He smiled down at her as he moved in a small circle with her.
Cinnamon clutched her purse to her chest, smiling as she watched the pair dancing from her perch at the top of the stairs. It always melted her heart to see Rollin with Jen like this.
The song was short and Cinnamon slowly descended the stairs to join them. She clapped as Jennifer hugged Rollin. “I see you’re having a dance lesson.” Cinnamon said of the twosome.
“I didn’t want to step on your toes tonight.” He replied.
“Did you see us, Mom?”
Cinnamon bent down to her daughter. “I did, Honey. You were wonderful.”
“Daddy is a good dancer.” Jen said seriously. Rollin grinned at his daughter’s compliment.
Cinnamon threw Rollin a look. “Yes he is, Honey.”
Rollin reached for Cinnamon’s hand. “You ready?”
Cinnamon nodded.
Rollin reached down and took Jen’s hand to direct her to the stairs. “Not too much TV tonight okay.”
Cinnamon’s hand went to Jen’s back. “We’re going to be late so we’ll see you in the morning, okay? Maria will tuck you in.”
“Okay, Mom.”
Jennifer ran halfway up the staircase then turned back to look at her parents. “Mommy, you’re beautiful.” Jen announced.
Cinnamon smiled at her daughter. “Thank you, Sweetheart.”
Rollin frowned, not wanting to be outdone. “What about me?”
“You’re beautiful too, Daddy.” She said climbing the stairs.
“Goodnight.” They responded in unison as Jennifer left them.
“Night.” She responded with a wave joining Maria, who had watched the scene from the top of the stairs.
Rollin’s hand moved around Cinnamon’s waist.
“Did you see us, Maria? Daddy and I were dancing.” Jen said as she reached the landing.
“Yes, little one. You were very good.”
“Daddy is a good dancer, isn’t he?” They heard Jen say as she went to her room.
“Yes, he is.” Maria agreed.
Cinnamon’s hand moved up Rollin’s chest as they heard Jennifer’s comments.
“Ready for me to show you off?” Rollin asked.
“Always, for charity.”
He pulled her close, dipped her low then pulled her back to him, kissing her lightly.
“Will I be getting a dance lesson, too?”
“Maybe.” He said. “You looked fantastic.” He added appreciatively.
“Thank you.” She said with a smile moving her arm through his as they moved toward the door.
As they moved through the crowd at the Bonaventure
Hotel, Cinnamon spoke to several people she knew from her work through Allure.
The event was usually attended by the Who’s Who of
They were at the buffet table when Cinnamon heard a familiar voice behind her.
“Cinnamon?”
She turned as Rollin moved from beside her. “Ted?”
“We met again.” He leaned in to kiss her cheek.
Cinnamon smiled at the good-looking doctor. “This is a surprise. You remember Rollin Hand.” She offered.
“Of course. Hi, Rollin.” He said shaking Rollin’s offered hand. “How’s that daughter of yours?” He asked.
“She’s terrific, Ted.” Rollin said.
Cinnamon smiled at Rollin’s enthusiasm. “She’s doing very well, Ted. Thank you.”
Ted turned as a very pregnant attractive Asian woman came to stand next to him, slipping her arm though his. “Patricia.” He said, his hand covering hers.
The woman smiled politely.
“Let me introduce you. Cinnamon Carter and Rollin Hand, Patricia Nalo-Ayers.”
Cinnamon smiled and nodded politely, “Nice to meet you?”
Rollin reached for her hand. “How do you do.”
“How’s Ryan, Ted?” Cinnamon asked.
“He’s great. Hell on wheels, but great.”
“Is he with you now?” Cinnamon inquired.
Ted nodded, “Yeah, with the new baby, we thought it’d be for the best.”
Patricia’s hand went automatically to her swollen belly.
“How far along are you?” Cinnamon asked.
“Seven months.”
“Not too much longer then.” Cinnamon said.
Patricia nodded. “Ted, could we find a table?”
“Sure, Honey.” He nodded. “Nice to see you both.” He said as he took his wife’s hand to find a seat.
Rollin watched the couple as they left. Cinnamon looked toward the dance floor. Rollin followed her gaze. “Dance?” He asked. She nodded and together they went to the floor where the orchestra was playing “Embraceable You” and Rollin pulled her into his arms.
Cinnamon was wrapped securely in Rollin’s embrace as he led her around the dance floor, her head against his as they danced but Cinnamon’s thoughts were back to her short-lived affair with Ted Ayers. He was attractive, intelligent and a good father. He had been shopping for a wife. Cinnamon and Rollin had been unsure what they wanted from their relationship at that time. Obviously, Ted had gotten what he wanted a wife with a child on the way.
Her affair with Ted had started innocently enough at the same charity event. She and Rollin were at odds with one another and she was taken by the doctor’s interest. She had realized how unaccustomed she was to dating, as she and Rollin had been together for so long. Her relationship with Rollin had become comfortable, even if it was unconventional.
Ted and Patricia found a table that gave them a good view of the dance floor
and the orchestra. He knew Patricia had not been particularly interested
in attending as she felt she really didn’t look her best. She was a
petite woman and beautiful to say the least. Originally from
Ted couldn’t help but watch Cinnamon and Rollin as they danced. They made an attractive couple. Obviously, Rollin had worked his way back into Cinnamon’s life but Ted had to wonder if Cinnamon was doing it for Jennifer or for herself.
As the music ended the couples applauded and Ted saw Rollin kiss Cinnamon softly and the smile she gave Rollin could only be from a woman who was in love. Ted looked at Patricia and took her hand. “Better?” He asked. Patricia nodded squeezing his hand a little tighter.
A mambo started and Rollin refused to let Cinnamon leave the floor. He enjoyed the enthusiastic dance and spinning Cinnamon across the floor.
The song ended and a slower one began and Rollin felt a quick tap on his shoulder. A quick glance told him Ted was there. “May I?” He asked.
Rollin looked at Cinnamon who nodded politely. Rollin released her hand to Ted and moved away, letting them continue.
“You seem to be enjoying yourself.” He said.
“It’s always a good party.” She replied. “Patricia is lovely.” She said smiling.
“She is that alright.”
“Where did you meet?”
“At the yacht club. A friend of hers has a boat. How have you been?”
“Fine.”
“I take it you worked things out with Rollin?”
“Let’s just say it’s a work in progress.”
“Are you happy?” He asked.
She remembered that had been his question when she refused his proposal. “Yes, Ted, I am.” She admitted.
Ted pulled her a little closer and they stopped talking.
Rollin had watched the twosome as they talked and danced. He wondered just what that conversation was about. As the song ended, Rollin approached them with champagne in hand.
Ted gave Cinnamon a parting smile. “Thank you.” He said as Rollin handed Cinnamon a glass.
“You’re a lucky man, Rollin.” Ted said to Rollin as he walked away. Rollin smiled as the doctor moved away and he touched his champagne flute to Cinnamon’s. “That I am.”
When Cinnamon wasn’t engaged with representatives from the various
At home later that evening, Rollin waited for her in bed. She emerged from the bath, still rubbing lotion into her hands as she pulled the covers back to join him.
They lay next to one another in silence until Cinnamon moved over to him, her hand moving across his chest and laying her head against his shoulder. He wrapped his arm about her. “Have a good time?” He asked quietly.
“Mm huh.”
She thought back over the evening. Was that what Ted had had in mind for her? It hadn’t taken him long to find a replacement, she thought. “I guess Ted got what he wanted.” She said.
Rollin stroked her bare arm. “And you?”
She moved over him. “I have exactly what I want right here.”
Rollin smiled as she kissed him.
“Yeah?”
She nodded as she met his eyes as she placed a firmer kiss on his lips.
“Yes.”
“What did you and Ted talk about on the dance floor anyway?” He asked.
She met his eyes. “He asked me if I was happy.”
Rollin searched her eyes. “Are you?”
She thought a moment before she answered. They had been through so much but had come so far. “Yes.”
Rollin rolled her onto her back. “Then that makes two of us.” He said kissing her with quiet passion.
THE END
Elena Vorska
September, 2004