Dancin’ in the Moonlight

DANCIN’ IN THE MOONLIGHT

When Opal went out to check the mail, she was happily surprised. Since the advent of online shopping, computer banking, and electronic everything else—e-vites, e-cards, e-mail, and texting—her mailbox was usually only filled with flyers and advertisements from local tradespeople touting their skills. Other than the big white envelopes from the bank, Opal and Felix rarely received what she liked to call “real mail.” So when she was the creamy white envelope addressed to Opal and Felix Gregory in exquisite calligraphy, she was exicited. The front of envelope only had their names—no address—so it had to have been hand-delivered, making it even more mysterious.

This really piqued Opal’s interest. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d received a hand-written letter, let alone a hand-delivered one. As she walked back into the house, she turned the envelope over in her hands and examined the back. There was an honest-to-goodness red wax seal affixed the the back. This was definitely a first for Opal. It reminded her of palace mystery and intrigue—where the lovers communicate through letters, sealed with wax to prevent the wrong set of eyes reading the contents.. The only other wax seal that she’d ever seen before was the one on her university diploma. Now she had a letter sealed with one. More mystery!

She dropped the other detritus from the mailbox on the kitchen counter, and grabbed a knife from the cutlery drawer. No way was she was going to tear into the envelope—someone had taken the time to prepare and deliver it, so she was going to take her time opening it. She slid the knife between the flap and the side of the envelope and gently cut a side opening. Gently bowing the envelope, she reached inside and removed the single sheet of paper.

So not a letter, she thought as she unfolded the single sheet. But it was not just regular photocopier paper, it was vellum. Someone had taken a lot of time and effort to create this, sparing no cost or effort. It was beautiful!

Opal scanned the contents. It was an invitation.

Opal and Felix, you are cordially invited to a celebration of the summer solstice, Friday June 20. While the actual time of the change to summer is 10:42 pm, we hope that you will join us for the evening meal at 7:00 p.m. And hopefully you will join us in all the festivities we have planned for celebrating the summer solstice. ~ Willow and Rowan

Ah! Willow and Rowan—the new neighbours who bought old Mrs. Rickless’s house. A thirty-something couple with no children, no pets, just a beat up of Subaru Outback and a couple of e-bikes. Opal had met them a few times, informally. When they’d moved in, she’d gone over, rhubarb crisp in-hand, and introduced herself. Then she’d run into Rowan at the pharmacy, and Willow at the library. That was about the extent of the interactions, aside for greeting each other from their respective driveways. But they seemed like a nice couple. And look at this! They’d invited Opal and Felix over for dinner to celebrate the solstice. Lovely!

Opal stopped to consider. How would you even celebrate the solstice? She’d never actually been to a solstice party before. Or even heard of one. She shrugged. I guess I’m going to find out! She thought, filling out the RSVP card. She added a note asking if they needed her to bring anything to the party—dessert, salad—whatever they needed. Opal was excited. She hoped Felix would find her enthusiasm contagious. But probably not. They’d been together for almost forty-five years, and not once had anyone said, “That Felix is the life of the party!” But Opal loved Felix despite his sometimes maudlin and grumpy countenance. She was sure he’d enjoy an evening out with the neighbours.

The night of the solstice, Felix and Opal arrived promptly at seven, bearing a huge bouquet of sunflowers—to represent the solstice (Opal had read about it online)—and a bottle of sparkling wine. Felix lugged in a six pack of “Summer Solstice Cream Ale” from a local brewery.

They were met at the door by Willow, who was wearing a gauzy white ankle length sundress that swirled around her as she moved. She was barefoot.

“You look amazing, Willow!” gushed Opal. “That dress is so light and airy. It’s so beautiful! You are the epitome of summer!” she said as she handed Willow the bouquet and wine.

“Thank you! When I saw it in the store, it just felt like summer.” she said, twirling. “And thank you very much for the sunflowers! They are considered a solstice flower, representing the sun,” she said, accepting the flowers and the wine. She looked at the label. “Ohhh! A sparkling wine! Another summer favourite.” She smiled at Opal and Felix. “You put a lot of thought into these, and we appreciate it.”

Felix held up the case of beer in front of his chest. “Where can I put these?”

Willow leaned in, read the label. “Felix! You found a beer called Summer Solstice! Amazing!” She hooked her hand into the beer case, and looked from Felix to Opal. “You both have really embraced the occasion!” She stood aside. “Come in. Everyone’s in the backyard.”

Opal and Felix walked towards the back of the house. They could see others milling around, talking, drinks in hand. Opal recognized a number of neighbours, which she hoped would help improve Felix’s mood. He was always so much more relaxed at a gathering if he knew someone else.

Willow came out an joined them, giving Opal a glass of the wine she had brought, and handing Felix one of his Summer Solstice beers. Then she rang a small crystal bell.

“Dinner is almost ready. Please have a seat at the tables.” She pointed to a pair of long tables under the pergola. They were elegantly set with linen tablecloths, fine china, silver, and crystal. The settings glittered in the light from the overhead fairy lights.

Opal turned to look at Felix, who was frowning at the table. “Felix! It’s so beautiful. Willow and Rowan made it look so welcoming and pleasing!”

“Yeah, except that we’re eating outside. The bugs are going to eat us alive!” he groused. Opal ignored him.

There were about twelve people all told. Willow and Rowan placed platters of food on each table and let their guests help themselves.

Felix looked at the platters going around the table. “Where’s the meat?” he asked Opal.

“There’s some lovely fish, if you want.”

“Fish isn’t meat. It’s fish.”

Opal knew that Felix was not a fan of fish—any fish. She scanned the table. Nor would he be a fan of the mounds of green salads made with snow peas, charred carrots, and kale. She sighed. There wasn’t a potato in sight, and nothing was slathered in mayonnaise.

“Just try some of everything. If you don’t like it, I’ll make you something when we get home.”

“Humph.”

But he did try a little bit of everything, and Opal noticed him reaching in for a second helping of the ricotta and cheddar vegetarian tart. And, she was surprised that he drank some of the cucumber, basil, and citrus mocktail. And two more beers. So, there was that.

Baby steps, Opal, baby steps.

After dinner was finished and the dishes cleared, Rowan stood on the patio to address the group. If Willow’s summer dress could be translated into an outfit for a man, Rowan had nailed it. He had on white linen three-quarter length pants, and an oversized white linen shirt, untucked. He too was barefoot.

“To celebrate the the solstice, we are going to construct an alter to thank the gods for the season’s bounties and harvest.”

Opal could feel Felix’s gaze on her, but she chose not to look at him—no touch, no talk, no eye contact.

Rowan continued. “Nothing too elaborate. Willow and I will hand out stalks of camomile flowers and you can put them around the candles and incense.” He pointed to a spot behind where Opal and Felix were standing.

Opal turned to look. On a tree stump in the far corner of the yard, Willow was lighting a white pillar candle and some sticks of incense. The smoke drifted skyward in the windless evening air.

Rowan continued. “What we’d like each of you to do is tell everyone what you’re excited about for this coming summer, or a share a cherished memory about another summer.”

Willow joined Rowan carrying an armful of camomile stalks. They started circulating though the group handing flowers out to all the party goers. Once everyone had a flower, Willow walked over to the alter, and placing her stem of camomile on the stump, said, “I’m excited for our first summer in our new house.” She smiled at her friends and neighbours.

Rowan stepped up next. “My best childhood summer memory was the one when our family canoed across Algonquin Park, and I was big enough to help with the portage.”

And so it went. Excitement for summer travel, trips to the cottage. Memories about of summer camp, first loves, and cross-country family adventures squeezed into the back of a station wagon. Then it was only Opal and Felix left.

Opal went up, and placed her flower on top of the others. “My favourite summer memory was when I met Felix in 1974. I had a summer job working at the Dairy Queen, and he came in to get a vanilla dip cone. I thought he was so handsome that I panicked, and dropped the cone down the front of his shirt. We’ve been together ever since.” There was a tittering of laughter from the group. Everyone looked towards Felix.

He sighed heavily, and trudged up to the alter as if he was headed for the executioner’s block. When he got there, he gently tossed his camomile on the pile, and said, “Golf.” Turned around and walked back to Opal. Now it was Opal’s turn to sigh.

Willow started to clap. “Thank you, everyone, thank you.” The crowd joined in with gentle clapping. “Another way to celebrate the solstice is to bathe in a stream.” There were a few muttered comments. “Buuuuttt, because we don’t have a stream nearby, Rowan and I have created a small pond to wade through. Wading through the water is a purification ritual, fertility—”

Felix looked at Opal. “No,” was all he said.

“—and abundance—a way to ensure a bountiful harvest.”

As before, Willow and Rowan were the first to wade through the small, rock lined pond located beside the alter. Knowing very well that Felix would be keeping his feet dry and his shoes on, Opal stepped out of her sandals and waded through the cool water with the others. It felt cool and refreshing.

“You should have tried it,” she said. “I feel wonderful.”

“Humph.”

She raised her eyebrow. “You know, you could try,” she said to Felix. “Would it kill you?”

“I’ll wash my feet at home,” was all he said.

Opal sighed. Again.

After everyone had finished wading through the pond, Willow stood in front of the group. “The next thing that we are going to do celebrate the solstice, is dance around a bonfire,” said Willow, as Rowan touched a flame to a pile of wood at the other end of the yard. The fire ignited with a whoosh, and flames leapt into the air. Felix, a former fire chief turned, to Opal and said, “I’m out.”

She was not surprised. What had surprised her was the fact that he was still here. “Fine,” said Opal. “At least say goodbye to our hosts.”

“Humph.” But he did wander over to Willow and Rowan. Opal couldn’t hear what they said, but their hosts looked sad, and Willow moved in for a hug, then Rowan. Opal was sure she could see Felix stiffen. He was not so much for human contact, and Opal was constantly surprised that they had three children.

As she watched Felix leave the backyard and walk home, it occurred to her that maybe she’d missed a whole lot of adventures because of him. She vowed to make a change, and enjoy all the things that she had missed out on in the past.

A couple of hours later, sirens could be heard in the neighbourhood, but Opal ignored them. She was having too much fun. There’d been dancing, and jumping, and drinking, and more dancing, and more drinking. She was having the time of her life.

In fact. everyone in the backyard ignored the sirens. But when the firefighters burst into Willow and Rowan’s backyard, there was stunned silence from the partygoers.

“Who’s in charge here?” asked the first firefighter, lugging a huge hose behind him. “I need to talk to the homeowners—” He stopped and stared. The other firefighters ran into the back of the first firefighter because of his sudden stop.

“What the hell?” said the first firefighter.

“Oh my God!” “Really?” “Am I seeing what I think I’m seeing?” Comments abounded as the other firefighters jockeyed for a look into the backyard.

“Let me through!” Opal recognized Felix’s voice. She watched as he pushed his way to the front of the jam. His jaw dropped as he scanned the group. Then his eyes fixated on Opal.

“For the love of God, woman, get some clothes on!”

She crossed her arms across her chest. “Why?”

“Because you’re naked!” he bellowed. “Everybody’s naked!”