Scene 36

Scene Thirty-six...1940 Plymouth
Time: Afternoon, Saturday, May 4, 1946
Place: Ballet school
Storyteller: Janet


It was William's party, but when the folks drove up in a gift for me...well...what a sight. Now here I am, driving my royal blue, 1940, Plymouth convertible to South Beach. Will I ever stop smiling?

I park. This is the beginning of our tropical rainy season...better put the top up.

Anna takes it easy on us today. No pointe shoes. We mainly glissade, the traveling step. It links steps together.

I glide my working foot from fifth. The other foot closes to it. I do a demi plie from closed position. Then my working foot glides from the floor to inches above. My other foot pushes away from the floor. Knees are straight. A plie shifts my weight to the working foot. Another glide and another demi-plie.

Class is over. Can't wait to see the car again. I skip out the studio door just in time to watch a rock arch through the air and land, with a thud, on the trunk of my new Plymouth.

Nancy's throwing arm is still extended. I run like a bat out of hell and catch her by the hair. This time she gets another black eye, plus several gut punches before Sergey saves her life.

Shaking with rage, I walk backwards all the way to the car. The dent is deep, but my brother can fix it. I head home with the top down...need fresh air. Without warning a late day thunderstorm breaks mid way across Biscayne Bay. By the time I can pull over and put the top up, my interior is drenched.

Dad can't see this. I drive to Doris's. Nobody is home. Borrow her oldest towels and get to work. A familiar motorcycle stops.

"Get in the house. Dry your hair. Put on Betty's clothes. I'll finish up here. Then you have some explaining to do. Why did your dad get you a convertible?"


Popular posts from this blog

Scene 95...Epilogue

WARNING Spoiler Alert !!! This is "The End" Please read scenes 1-94 first. EPILOGUE...Scene 95...Letter From Janet Time: June 16, 1948 Place: Nice, France Storyteller: Janet Dear Paul, I can't believe you missed the Monaco Grand Prix, all because of college. Nino won in a Maserati, per usual. The Prince kept staring at me again. Doris needs to see the Oceanographic Museum in Monaco. It's on a cliff above the sea. Betty likes her job at the hospital. Also, she's taking Mediterranean cooking classes. By the looks of her, she's eating too much delicious food, or she's pregnant. William will soon be joining the faculty of medicine at Aix-Marseille University. I wonder if they'll get an apartment? Can babies live on boats? Surprisingly, Dad didn't explode about Betty moving a hundred miles away. He's busy getting the vineyard perfect for Tony's visit. Mom continues to paint with the Big Shots. Guess you heard I graduated....
Read more

Scene 69

Scene sixty-nine...Medical issues #2 Time: 6:00 PM, Saturday, September 7, 1946 Place: Sal's Seafood Storyteller: Victoria "I'll pay the bill tonight. You're a college student." "A college student with a job. Don't insult me." "If you insist. This seafood platter is delicious. I should try different foods more often." "How about a Budweiser?" "Not that different." We laugh and click our glasses. "Victoria, I told you my sister is a doctor." "Yes...I'm not sick." "She'll be back from the Bahamas soon. Would you feel comfortable talking to a woman about that medical issue?" "Oh, the ovary. I was afraid to bring up the rest of that story." Paul turns white but replies, "You can tell me anything." "Remember the surgeon said I might not be able to have kids?" "Yes, which is why I recommended Betty." "You need to ...
Read more

Scene 10

Scene Ten...Sailing Party Time: Afternoon-evening, Monday, December 31, 1945 Place: William's boat Storyteller: Janet Betty thanks William for grilling the mackerel steaks. In return, he bends over backwards to compliment her on the broccoli and rice casserole. Then, he notices me. "Why are you so down in the dumps, Squirt?" "Dad will make me quit all dance classes if I make a 'C' in math." "Math was my favorite subject. Couldn't do research without it. Want some help?" "Yes, yes, yes." "Next problem?" he asks.  "Dad likes Doris better than me." Betty laughs, "Don't be ridiculous. She's just more like him, only quieter and less controlling. You scare Daddy with all your 'I'm not going to college' talk."  "I'm not. They don't teach dance at U.M. Without ballet, the Rockettes won't hire me." William asks if I'm ta...
Read more