Spring Dance Hug

She watched as the sun gave way to the springs loving moonlight, and felt the excitement from the earths warming touch on the balls of her feet. She quickened her pace as she walked along the dimly lit road. She’s been waiting for this particular Friday for months. The winter was especially long and hard, between the elements of just being winter and the hard days of the outbreak there were some very rough weeks, where she and the world were locked away from each other, forcing her to find ways to both occupy her time and keep her mind from slipping into a different reality. She could see the big red barn where all of the community events were held. The town had the barn lit up like Christmas, but only this time the lights shine for Spring and the dawning of a new day and life. The message this year was more important than ever, the front was decorated with all of the spring time colours and visual stimulation for all ages. The days family gatherings were all done and now it was the time for the annual Spring dance. As the lights of the barn came into focus, she could see a crowd of people at the doors, she made her way up the small embankment and stopped to take in the energy that was coming from the gathering. Her thoughts wandered back to the town quarantine that occurred over the long winter and she was happy to see people shacking hands and hugging their friends and neighbours. There was a different type of respect and love, as if to say “Yes! You made it thru, thank the gods for that” or the odd look of care and concern as another sad reminder of the virus showed in a tight embrace. She shook the thoughts from her mind, and put on the best smile she had and headed towards the brightly lit doorway. Every one of her senses where put into overdrive as the fresh spring air blew across her exposed shoulders with a kiss so tender, she shivered from her soul. She could feel the breeze as it blew thru the thin cotton black dress that was embellished with a sheer skull shawl, in true Stevie Nicks gypsy style. She has a gypsy soul, which is probably the reason she’s still alone at fifty. She was a widow long before this hard winter set in, which made it a little easier for her to isolate herself from the world when it was forced on the town and the world. She was thankful her family was able to be in constant contact with each other thanks to the modern technology but was saddened that it was the only way to speak to them and even see them. She was so ready to dance in the new spring season as well as the new reality of humanity. The strength of the warm earth healed her heart as its energy penetrated thru her core and brought her back to the here and now.

Her constant shield around her heart was brought down by the warm lights on the other side of the large opening. She quietly scanned the room and noticed that the makeshift stage was in its usual place, as was the bar. The dance floor was swept clean of the hay, well as much as possible she thought as she watched a couple of young children playing in the bails that were used as seating. Smiling she headed to the bar, she definitely needed something to wet her whistle that wasn’t water, or tea, she would need something to loosen up the so-called hard shell she seems to have built around her. She stood at the bar wondering what she should order, nothing to masculine a Jack and Coke would definitely not say girly to anyone, but it certainly tastes good, she needed something with a kick and a damn umbrella.

“Can I help you ma’am?”

She cringed as the word ma’am was felt thru her body, damn she thought really, I coloured my hair. Smiling at the young man she replied as nice as possible.

“Yes! Thank you, can I get a tequila sunrise, uh! A little heavy on the tequila if you wouldn’t mind”

As the young bartender went to fix her drink, she turned around to take in the sites, sounds and the energy coming from the ever-growing crowd. The smiles, hugs, hand shacks and with a new appreciation for the simple things in living a country life.  There was one very important thing she noticed, for the first time in years there was hardly anyone with a cell phone in their hands, with the exception of a couple of teenagers taking selfies with old and new friends. Grinning she noticed that these people were engaging in true human interactions. The kind that creates memories and allows for the use of every sense in one’s body.  There was no googling the answer to a question, but actual learning about each other, no fake smiles behind a screen, no dreaming of his scent the first time you finally slip in for a hug and smell the scent of his beard and definitely no gfs of virtual hugs as his arms heal your soul. Nope! She thought this is real and cannot be replaced by any machine. She spun back around to get her drink from the bartender.

“here you are ma’am”

“thank you darlin, what do I owe you?”

“nothing ma’am, umm seniors get the first drink free”

She smiled, and accepted the drink with a little chip on her shoulder that was quickly filled with the knowledge that she too thought fifty was old at his age.

“thanks again, darlin”

She turned back to continue her people watching, which is her favorite sport. Everything one needs to know or should know is in the words both spoken and unspoken as well as body language and these are hard to assess on a screen. She’s learned to read people and their energy a long time ago and for the most part her instincts haven’t failed her. There have been a few people, men mostly that have gotten past her radar but they are few and far between. She scanned the room seeing all her neighbours, friends and a few new faces. She took particular notice of a tattooed, bearded man standing on the other side of the room by the restrooms. She noted that there was another good thing about being an old chick, she no longer cared if she looked like a fool when she complimented a man on his beard. It takes time, patients and attention to detail to keep it nicely groomed. She slipped away from the bar with her now half empty glass in her hand and headed across the room for a much need closer look. She passed by the oldest couple in the town, and watched for a moment as they danced to an old country song. They’ve been together forever and still in love, yes, she thought that’s what true love, devotion, admiration and trust of life looks like. Now back to her mission at hand as she placed her attention back to the bearded chubby man leaning up against the wall. Taking in a deep relaxing breath, grabbing as much confidence and courage she could find, as she softly bumped his elbow with purpose and a sweet energy that was now showing on her flushed cheeks.

“Sorry, I didn’t see you there, was just heading to the restroom, my apologies”

“no worries ma’am”

She could feel the tension radiating thru her shoulders and into her neck, she didn’t want to be that senior, not now. The courage to speak suddenly drained from her as she continued on her way to the bathroom. She went to the sink and stared at herself in the mirror and gave herself the proverbial pep talk for a few minutes, and then she realized she was actually talking out loud to herself. She heard the words loud and clear ‘you got this girl, he’s just a man with a beard, tattoos, a belly and beautiful eyes.’ The sound of the toilet flushing behind her brought her back to reality. She seen a thirty something beautiful young lady approach the sink and giggling.

“excuse me ma’am, were you just talking yourself into talking to a man?”

She whipped her head around as the defence shield slammed across her face.

“Well yes! What’s it to you?”

With a cute innocent smile the young woman spoke with sincerity as she apologized.

“oh! I’m sorry ma’am didn’t mean it in a bad way at all. I was surprised that a woman at your age would still have to do that, it’s nice to know there’s a shy little girl in all of us, at any age. Again, very sorry”

“Well darlin, when you are my age it gets harder to find a male companion that isn’t trying to make himself younger by ignoring a woman with, shall we say a few miles on her classic chase. They’re looking for a sleek, fast, modern car. You know low mileage and no scratches in the paint. But you are correct it does make one feel young again, kind of like a teenager”

She watched as the young woman washed her hands and headed back to the dance that was now in full swing, then turned and looked at herself in the mirror once again. The kid is right, it’s strange that this pep-talk is normal for woman at any age. She washed her hands even though she didn’t do anything, it is now ingrained in her, if there is a sink wash the hands.

Turned for one last look at her chubby face with her years showing clearly on her face ‘you got this girl’. Taking in the deepest breath and blowing it forcefully out along with the insecurities. She opened the door and slipped back to the crowded room. As she suspected he was no longer standing against the wall. She quickly scanned the room looking for him, ah she thought there he is, there was no way that beard could hide from her. She caught his shadow standing at the bar and headed back to the other side of the room. She slipped in beside him, close enough to catch his scent I the breeze that came from the ceiling fans, but still respecting his personal space. As the bartender approached her, she shook the ice in her glass signaling a refill. She didn’t want to hear him call her ma’am again.

“another if you wouldn’t mind, please”

She watched him fix her drink and replace the empty glass with the fresh one. Sipping on the straw as she leaned her back against the weathered bar top, she could feel the heat rising in her cheeks again, as if someone was starring at her. The feeling of words about to be spoken and she was going to have to be a girl and answer a question.

“beautiful night for a dance, don’t you think?”

She heard thee question, and slowly turned her head towards the man, but she noticed he was concentrating on the full dance floor. She also spotted a boyish grin on his very kissable lips.

“sorry, was that directed at me?”

He looked to each side of him and made a clear observation

“well ma’am, I don’t tend to talk to myself in public.”

She could see the childish grin, the type every boy, guy or man gets when they hear a fart joke. Shacking her head knowing full well she walked into that with both feet. laughing out loud for the first time in a long time.

“Well its been known to happen; I mean people talking to themselves that is. But you are definitely right about the night, it’s a beautiful one for sure. Made better with the company”

“why thank you, ma’am”

With the courage and the smile still strong she had to compliment his beard.

“and may I say kind sir, your dedication to your beard is a very nice visual distraction and you wear it well.”

She took a refreshing sip of her drink and washing the little girl feelings back down into her core. They both stood there in comfortable silence as the pace of the music slowed right down, she could hear a slow Chris Stapleton tune.

“Ma’am, may I have this dance?”

She heard him place his beer bottle on the bar top, and then felt his flesh on her hand as he placed her drink down on the bar, and silently lead her to the dance floor. She followed him without hesitation and a spring in her step. It’s a new day and a new world she thought people are realizing the importance of the here and now, and the value of human to human contact.

She smiled as her 5’2” frame nuzzled into his chest with his beard licking at her cheek.

Yes! It was a beautiful night for the Spring Dance, and it’s gonna be okay now that the people have been released from their virtual captivity. Now let’s hope they remember that a hug is the most powerful drug on earth.