Chapter 27

After a test ride in Andi’s new Explorer, they headed over to the Crikit House, a local country bar that has a dance floor, and teach Andi to waltz. Paul slipped on a pair of cowboy boots and grabbed a beat-up old Stetson hat. But Andi didn’t have any western garb. She slipped on a pair of Sketchers, then kissed the twins goodbye before demanding that they behave for Aunt Lucy while she and Paul, John, and Macy go out for a little while.

At the Crikit House, Andi recognized a few people from church, particularly Ernie and Mary Kraft, who sat in a corner nursing their drinks and watching the basketball game on the TV behind the bar and the couples on the dance floor during commercial breaks. As they sat down, a waitress came up and took orders.

“I’ll have the usual,” said Macy.

“Same here, make mine a double. Get one for my lady, she may like it” said Paul.

“Same here,” said John and soon the waitress returned with a dish of “bar kibble” and four cloudy yellow drinks.

“This is delicious!” said Andi after an exploratory sip. “What’s in it?”

“Sprite and lemonade,” said the overly perky waitress.

“That’s it? Nothing else?”

“They don’t need anything else. Y’all dancin’ tonight Mister Paul?”

“We sure are, Andi wants to learn country dancing. Andi, this is Krissy, she waits tables here at night and is majoring in nursing at Erie County Community College in the day. Krissy? Can you tell our DJ that Andi wants to learn to waltz please?”

“Sure will, Mr. Paul.” And with an exaggerated wiggle of her hips, Krissy made her way to the DJ booth and relayed Paul’s message. The DJ gave Paul a thumbs up from across the room and soon the strains of one of the most famous country waltzes ever recorded were filling the air. Paul stood and held his hand out to Andi, who self-consciously took his hand.

“I’ve never done this before,” she said nervously.

“A girl will always remember her first time,” said Paul, without a hint of sarcasm or caustic wit. She stood, and he gently drew her close. At the edge of the dance floor, Paul taught her with soft suggestions; “Hold my left hand with your right, put your other hand on my shoulder. Good. Now just watch my eyes and catch the rhythm of the song – hear it? ONE two three ONE two three ONE two three, now let’s try it...”

I’ll always remember the song they were playin’ The first time we danced, and I knew...

Andi held his hand, and the music filled her head. The rhythm that Paul counted out now filled her entire body, and they moved gently together...

As we swayed to the music and held to each other I fell in love with you...

“Just follow me,” Paul whispered and now they started out on to the dance floor, moving gently together, so close, she could feel the warmth radiating from his body, his smell, his cologne and the unique smell of him filled her head. And now Anne Murray sang...

Could I have this dance for the rest of my life? Would you be my partner every night? When we’re together it feels so right Could I have this dance for the rest of my life?

Before she realized it, they were circling the dance floor, swaying, and stepping with the rhythm of this beautiful love song. Was it possible to love this man any more than she did at that moment?

I’ll always remember that magic moment When I held you close to me

Andi realized they were doing it! Waltzing around the floor, her body in tune and in time with Paul and the music, the joy she felt wanted to escape with a cry, a laugh. She looked up at him and deep into those blue eyes and felt so safe in his arms, so much so that she never wanted the song to end.

As we moved together, I knew forever You’re all I’ll ever need

She slowly realized that the floor was packed full of couples young and old, some dancing with the skill and the unity of partners that have been dancing together for decades like John and Macy who swirled around like Fred and Ginger, and others like her who were just learning the joy of this centuries old form of lovemaking.

Could I have this dance for the rest of my life? Would you be my partner every night? When we’re together it feels so right Could I have this dance for the rest of my life?

And now Paul’s leading got more fanciful, and she followed him step for step. The stubbed toes of just moments ago were gone, and she realized she could dance. All of her life she felt she was a clumsy nerd, graceless and spastic, now here she is moving in unison with the man she loved so deeply. Then she heard it, the singing, Paul was singing to her just as every other man on the dance floor was singing to his wife

Could I have this dance for the rest of my life? Would you be my partner every night? When we’re together it feels so right Could I have this dance for the rest of my life?

Without realizing that she had done it, Andi threw her arms around Paul and squealed, “Yes!”

There were a series of chuckles around the dance floor, and the song finished with applause. When Andi looked up, she noticed they were all looking at her. She blushed and tried to shrink as Paul led her back to their drinks. Mary and Ernie Kraft were out on the dance floor too, and they came up to Paul and Andi. Andi had mentioned her nervousness about dancing at their wedding.