Chapter 19

Another week. Another adventure date with Liam. Life was never boring when he was around.

“Where are you taking me?” Jenny asked Liam, as he pushed her wheelchair down Main Street.

“Middletown Community Center. I talked with Ms. Burbank, the Dance instructor, about our situation. She is expecting us,” Liam explained to Jenny.

“You did what?” Jenny exclaimed.

“If we are going to dance together at the School Dance, we need some coaching. I found Ms. Burbank’s email on the Middletown webpage. She was kind enough to offer herself to help us after her regular class.”

“But ... but...”

“Excuses.”

Liam pushed Jenny’s wheelchair up the ramp into the building ignoring his girlfriend’s protests.

A middle-aged woman welcomed them. She looked like a ballerina with a little skirt that refused to sit tight to her hips but stuck up, making her look even bigger. She told Liam she was 42, but she looked like she was in her 20s. Her blonde hair was gathered up in a bun.

“Welcome. You must be Liam and Jenny,” Ms. Burbank had a commanding voice.

“That’s us. Nice to meet you,” Liam said, shaking her hand.

“Nice to meet you,” Jenny greeted the instructor, waving her hand.

“Hello Jenny. I’m Gretel Burbank. I’m the dance instructor, I teach dance here every Tuesday and Thursday,” she told them. “Everyone can dance; no matter your level, age, body type...”

“What about being in a wheelchair?” Jenny interrupted her.

“Just because you can’t walk it doesn’t mean you can’t dance,” Ms. Burbank said, in a matter-of-factly tone.

Liam gave Jenny a look that meant ‘I-told-you-so.’

“How do you dance in a wheelchair?” Jenny asked.

“For that matter, how do you play basketball from a chair?” the instructor asked back. “Persistence, the heart of a warrior, and a sturdy will to achieve the nearly impossible. I don’t think anything can stop you if you have the passion and you’re willing.”

“But, I can’t move my legs,” Jenny protested.

“Of course, there are limits that must be recognized, some there are hard limits and some can be revised. The trick is to know the difference.”

Ms. Burbank looked down at Jenny and asked. “Are you willing to try it?”

Her eyes seemed to be looking through her.

Jenny looked up at Liam, and he nodded. She let out a long sigh, and said, “Okay. I’ll try it.”

Ms. Burbank clapped her hands, and said, “Great. Let’s start.”

She clicked on a remote and a piece of happy, rhythmic music started playing.

“Let’s try something simple. Liam, dance around Jenny in circles around while you spun her around,” Ms. Burbank instructed. “Jenny, sway your arms to the beat.”

They did what they were asked, not great, but passable. Ms. Burbank made them repeat the exercise several times, saying things like, “Liam. You need to flow with the music, not just walk around her. And you, Jenny, keep the beat, and try to look happy.”

“Right now, I’m getting dizzy,” Jenny said.