Chapter 7 Rose looked around the noisy room filled with lower class people obviously enjoying themselves. She had never seen anything or been to anything like this before in her life. Sure she had attended various dances and galas before, but they were always with the stiff and boring people that she had grown up with. They had always been so formal. Rose suddenly became somewhat nervous. Nervous that she shouldn't be here and the consequences of someone finding out that she were here and enjoying herself would be extreme. It would simply give her mother a fit if she found out her well bread daughter was socializing with lower class "filth". A smile grew on Rose's face as she thought of her mother going into an irrational fit and she became relaxed as she looked over at Jack. Sensing that Rose was okay with the situation, Jack pulled Rose deeper into the crowd. He found an empty table and sat Rose down there while he went to the bar to get some beers. He soon came back to find Rose talking to a familiar little girl. The little girl suddenly spotted his approach and jumped down from the wooden chair in which she had been sitting on. "Jack!" the little girl happily shouted. Jack smiled down at her and looked up at Rose who was watching their interaction. "Why if it isn't Angela Murray herself. How are you Angie?" Angie smiled up at him with the utmost excitement. "Fine thank you. Where have you been Jack? I haven't seen you for a really long time!" The 8-year-old whined. "I'm sorry Angie. I've been really busy lately. How's your mother?" "She's ok. She's not sick anymore. She got all better after you called the doctor." Jack smiled. "That's good. Tell her I said hi ok?" Angie nodded. "Hey Angie, I'd like you to meet my friend Rose over here." Angie looked over at Rose and smiled her charming little smile. "Hi Rosie. My name's Angela Murray. You can call me Angie like Jack does if you like." "Pleased to meet you Angie." Angie smiled and looked over at Jack excitedly as the music started to a new song. She looked up at Jack with pleading eyes. "Jack, will you dance with me?" Jack looked down at Angie and back up at Rose whom just smiled and nodded that she'd be ok. After contemplating whether or not he should leave Rose or not, Jack replied "Why I'd love to Angie." The little girl smiled and grabbed Jack's arm, pulling him to the dance floor. Rose clapped to the upbeat Irish tune playing as she watched Jack spin Angie around. Angie seemed to be beaming with delight. Rose could see some nearby children quietly pointing out Jack on the dance floor with Angie. Rose guessed that Jack was obviously a favorite with the youngsters around here. She didn't doubt her suspicion because Jack seemed really good with kids of all ages. Rose looked up and smiled to see the song slowly coming to an end. She leaned over towards the table where Jack had set their drinks and took a swig of some of the potent beer he had chosen. Rose glanced back out to the dance floor to see Jack bending down to Angie, obviously trying to tell her something above all the racket in the room. Rose could only see Angie's disappointed face and her nodding as she solemnly walked towards a bench to rest. She brushed by Rose only to say, "It's your turn Rosie." Rose looked up startled. "What?" but it was too late. Angie had run off. Rose looked at Jack who was now in front of her with a sly grin playing on his face all the while. "Come on Rose. It's your turn." Rose laughed nervously as Jack grabbed her hand a pulled her from her chair. "What on earth are you doing Jack?" Jack just laughed. "What do you mean what am I doing? This is a dance hall. I want to show you how to have a good time without all the fancy stuff." Rose smiled, although her mind was spinning in a thousand directions. Jack pulled her close as the music started and for an instant, the world seemed to stop. She could feel his warm hands on the small of her back as her pulled her closer. The dance started and Rose could feel her body moving but she didn't know how. She didn't know how to dance like this or with people like this. "Jack…I can't do this. I don't know any of the steps." Jack smiled. "Neither do I to tell you the truth. Just go with it. Let the rhythm just sweep you off your feet. Don't think about what you're doing. Just live the moment of a worrieless life out for as long as you can." Rose laughed and let out a peel of giggles, partly because she was having fun and was finally able to relax, partly because it was more like a "I can't believe I'm doing this…". They spun around the room like they were old pros, each time hitting on the beat of the uprising Irish tune. Rose didn't know how long they were out there like that. Time seemed to be at a standstill for them. Much to Rose's dismay, the song finally ended with a round of applause erupting throughout the tiny little room. Jack looked over at Rose who was quite obviously enjoying herself. He smiled as he watched her lips form into a beautiful smile. She was so beautiful when she smiled. If only he could get her to smile more... |
