Once again I don't own any of the original Dirty Dancing characters, I do
however own Christian and Tanner.
Please review, I LOVE reviews, it makes my day when someone has something to say about what I've written (good or bad). I'm very interested to hear what people think, and if there is anything I should improve on. Thanks.
Thank you very much to the people that have reviewed so far, I appreciate the positive feedback. I love this movie so much and I'm having a super time writing the sequel, I hope you all enjoy it as much as I do. I haven't had too many reviews yet, but I'm hopeful that if I keep updating some more people will take an interest. And if not then I just hope those of you that are reading already will enjoy what I add. Thanks again!
Chapter 6
I ran back to my room after leaving Johnny's so that I could also get changed. Johnny had gone on ahead to the Play House to meet Penny.
Flipping though the clothes in my closet I tried to decide what to wear, finally I settled on my white chiffon dress. It was one of my favorites, a little low cut in the front and completely open in the back, it hung down just past my knees but my favorite part was how it slowed when I twirled. I quickly got dressed, not wanting to miss Johnny and Penny perform, I fixed my make-up and just as I was about to leave, I heard foot steps outside. It was Christian, and he was all dressed up too.
I opened the door and stepped out onto the veranda, "wow," he said, "You look amazing." I just smiled and closed the door behind me. Christian and I walked over to the Play House together chatting along the way. When we arrived I could hear the loud music coming from inside, we stepped into the large auditorium and it felt like I was stepping into the past.
The room was filled with families and couples dancing; Tito and his band was playing up on the stage and sounded just as good as I remembered. Tito looked good for a man his age, still tall and thin he was nicely dressed in a black suit and bow tie.
I noticed Neil over in the corner romancing some unsuspecting girl she was very beautiful, tall and thin she wore a light blue flowing dress that fastened behind her neck. Neil looked over and saw me standing near the door with Christian. Quickly his interest in the beauty standing next to him faded and I saw an all too familiar look on his face, it was that look that said, "I'm better than he is, what are you doing with him instead of me?" He wasted no time leaving the young girl and headed across the room to me.
"Hey Baby," he smiled as he approached, "would you like to dance?" I looked over a Christian, not wanting to leave him standing there alone and not wanting to dance with Neil, he just smiled and gestured for me to go ahead. I tried to look happy as I took Neil's hand and he led me out onto the dance floor.
I had kind of wished that Christian would have said something so that I wouldn't have to go with Neil, but I went anyway. Neil and I danced together in the middle of the crowd and I listened quietly as he went on and on about the different girls that he had impressed over the last year, and how well he was doing in school. I just tried not to look bored as I moved though the motions of the very simple dance steps that he was leading.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the song ended. I politely thanked Neil for the dance and headed off the floor, but before I for very far I noticed Johnny and Penny walking hand in hand into the centre of the room. Tito's band began to play some much more upbeat music and I watched as Johnny and Penny began to dance. They looked amazing, and I found myself wishing that it were me out there performing with Johnny and having everyone watch in awe.
Just then I felt a hand on my shoulder, I turned to see Christian standing there.
"Wanna dance?" he asked. Remembering how impressed I had been earlier watching his dance moves out in the field, I nodded in approval and we stepped back into the crowd. We began with some very simple steps and the thought briefly crossed my mind that this might be even worse than dancing with Neil. But then Christian picked up the pace and began to spin and twirl me around the room.
I could see Johnny and Penny out of the corner of my eye as we danced around, by this time all of the other guests had begun to move out of the way and make room to watch Johnny and Penny and much to my surprise many were watching Christian and I as well. My smile widened as I soaked up the attention. It wasn't long before an innocent dance had turned in to a competition. I could tell that Christian and Johnny were just trying to out do each other with fancier and fancier moves.
I glanced over at Johnny and saw him looking my way; he gave me a little nod gesturing for me to come over. Christian gave me a spin and I twirled my way over to Johnny passing Penny on the way as she went to take my place with Christian. Then I was really happy, in Johnny's arms I felt like I could do anything, we were so in sync that I always felt prepared for whatever move he wanted to do.
The song went on for several more minutes and near the end I noticed that even Max had some out to see what the commotion was all about. He stood in front of the stage looking on; I think he must have been impressed even though he would never admit it. Instead he just stood there watching in disapproval.
As the last notes of the song echoed through the air Johnny twirled me off to the side of the room and went back over to Penny and they proceeded to dance to the next song. My heart raced as I stopped turning and remembered that he was in fact working.
I stood off to the side and watched as everyone in the room seemed to have a great time, a couple of times during the evening I danced with Neil; much to my displeasure, and I also had a nice dance with daddy. As he and I slowly danced to the music I watched my mother across the room dancing with Billy, she had an ear-to-ear grin that I assume came from something amusing that Billy had said. I could tell how much she adored Billy and I longed for the day when Daddy would accept Johnny like that. I knew that Johnny had always secretly hoped for the moment when my father would put his arm around his shoulder and treat him like a son.
******************
The next evening I decided to take a walk. I strolled across the volleyball court and down through the field up to the path that led to the staff quarters. As I walked along I couldn't help but remember the first time I had wandered up here trying to find the source of that intriguing music. That was the first time I had really met Johnny, he and I had danced for the first time that night and I would never forget it as long as I lived.
I walked along slowly passing all the staff cabins and kicking small pebbles onto the grass that lined the path as I went. I stopped at Penny's room and sat on the porch. Sitting there in the dark I couldn't help but think back to what had started this whole thing in the first place. I remembered the night that I had found out Penny was pregnant, walking up to Daddy on the golf course that day and asking to borrow the $250 for Penny's abortion and then meeting up with Penny in the staff's Main House and offering her the money. But I suppose the best part of that whole situation was when Billy suggested that I fill in for Penny at the Sheldrake Hotel performance and Johnny began to teach me to dance.
I was suddenly jolted out of my dreamy state when I heard someone call out, "Baby?"
It was Christian, "Hey Christian," I called as I stood from Penny's step and started over to the path.
What are you doing out here?" he asked.
"Just taking a walk" I replied as I headed further up the path toward the staffs Main House.
"You're not supposed to be up here you know, staff only, house rules."
I let out a little snicker and replied, "you know, I seem to remember hearing that somewhere before." I ignored his objections and continued up the path. A second or two later I heard him break into a jog to catch up to me. When we reached the top of the hill I could hear the music coming from inside loud and clear. I pushed open the two large doors that led into the large hall on the top floor of the main house. The room was filled with people dancing, dancing that I knew all too well, I tried to look uninterested as I stood there for a moment and watched.
Even with all that had happened this past year, inside me was still the same old Baby, and this type of dancing shocked her. I looked over and saw Christian sitting on the Coca Cola ice box by the wall. I was beginning to feel a little silly just standing by the door so I stepped further into the room, trying not to bump into anyone I walked quickly through all the couples. When I got to the other side I settled into one of the wicker chairs near the back and noticed that Christian had followed me over, he put his hands on the edge of a near by table and lifted himself up to sit on it.
Not long after we had arrived, I looked over and saw Penny standing in the open doorway; she smiled as she danced her way through the crowd. She almost floated as she moved along, I always loved watching her dance, she was so graceful. I watched as she made a B-line for one guy in particular on the opposite side of the room. When she reached him she got close up behind him putting her hands on his shoulders and swinging her head from side to side, he responded immediately and they proceeded to dance out into the middle of the room.
Christian must have seen me watching them because he chimed in right away saying, "That's my brother, Tanner Lewis." He paused for a moment and then continued, "He got me the job here." I nodded and thought to myself, "Tanner? What kind of a name is that?" The whole time not taking my eyes off of Penny and Tanner as they danced.
Tanner was tall like Christian, maybe even a little more so, he had lighter brown hair that was slicked back and quite a muscular build. He wore blue jeans and a white t-shirt that hugged his body showing off his muscular chest. Watching the two of them dance I couldn't help but wonder if they were an item, they seemed very close, so I asked, "Are they a couple?"
Christian smiled and nodded, "yep, for a while now. She's been good for him I think," he paused and then asked, "You wanna dance Baby?"
I stopped as I realized that I had been swaying to the music. "Oh come on, what's it going to hurt if you just dance one dance with me?" He continued.
I thought about it for a moment, "sure, why not," I replied as I took his hand and we moved out onto the dance floor. He put his arm around my waist and started swinging me from side to side; we danced for several songs, nothing too complicated and all of it completely innocent. I made sure to keep as much space between Christian and myself as possible, to ensure that no one would get the wrong idea. In a place like that, where people dance like that, it would be very easy for someone to get the wrong idea about most things.
A short time later Johnny walked in, I didn't notice him at first, I suppose I was too caught up in dancing to notice anything. The music had picked up and I was having a great time. Johnny came up behind me and putting his hand on my waist he spun me around to face him. I gave him a big smile as I threw my arms around his neck. He put his arm around my waist and with a beer in his other hand began to rotate his hips and press close against me. Everyone seemed to just disappear, like we were the only two people in the room. But then I noticed Christian standing alone at the back, he leaned up against the wall and looked pretty disappointed. I couldn't help but feel partly responsible; oh who was I kidding, I was totally responsible, I had abandoned him in the middle of a crowded room. I had never been an insensitive person, what was the matter with me? Did I not even consider other peoples feelings anymore?
I glanced back over at Christian and noticed that he had been joined by a couple other people and they were all chatting away. He was fine, why was I feeling so guilty about something so trivial? "Baby? Baby? Hello, is anyone in there?" Suddenly I realized that I had completely tuned out and wasn't even moving anymore, Johnny stood in front of me waving his hand in front of my face snapping his fingers to get my attention.
"Yeah, I'm here, sorry babe I guess I just got lost in thought for a moment." I replied shaking my head slightly trying to regain my composure. Johnny just smiled as he put his hands on either side of my face and arching his neck leaned in to give me a light kiss.
Later that evening I had the opportunity to meet Tanner, he a Penny came and sat with Johnny and I on the sofa in the corner. Penny sat in Tanner's lap so I could tell that it must be serious, she seemed so happy, she almost glowed. As we sat there talking the subject of Kellerman's came up. Johnny, Penny and Tanner started discussing the future of the resort and what would come of it. I just sat there feeling a little puzzled. Finally I asked, "What's going on, what are you talking about?" Penny looked over at me and said in a solemn voice, "Kellerman's is closing down Baby, this is the final season."
I think my heart actually stopped beating for a moment as he words resounded in my head. How could this be true, she must be mistaken, "what?" I replied in astonishment, "that can't be right."
"It's true Baby" Johnny looked up at me; there was no humor in his expression.
"Max doesn't have any choice." Tanner went on.
"But how could this have happened? This is such a great place?" I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Johnny sat on the sofa next to me, his head down and hands clasped in front of him as Penny went on to explain. "Well things have been slowing down this past year, Max is so reluctant to make any changes, and it's starting to reflect badly. Fewer and fewer people want to take mambo and fox trot lessons, the times are changing and Max doesn't realize that he needs to update this place so that it's appealing to the masses." She paused for a moment and then went on, her tone a little quieter and the sound of resentment filling her voice, "serves the bastard right."
Tanner looked over at Penny squeezing her hand as he spoke, "yep, so it looks like we're all out on the street come fall."
"Well there's got to be a way," I could hear the sound of my own voice resonating in my head as I spoke the words that I thought should fix everything, but somehow seemed empty and naïve at that moment.
"Baby, it's no use, we've been trying to think of something to help for weeks now, but it's pointless." Tanner sounded just like Johnny used to, like the world was out to get him or something.
"Let's just talk to Max, I'm sure if we just tell him that there's an easy way to save this hotel, he'll have to agree." I felt like I was 15 again, all optimism and goodwill but somehow it seemed pointless seeing that I was surrounded by 3 people that didn't seem to have any hope at all in this situation.
Please review, I LOVE reviews, it makes my day when someone has something to say about what I've written (good or bad). I'm very interested to hear what people think, and if there is anything I should improve on. Thanks.
Thank you very much to the people that have reviewed so far, I appreciate the positive feedback. I love this movie so much and I'm having a super time writing the sequel, I hope you all enjoy it as much as I do. I haven't had too many reviews yet, but I'm hopeful that if I keep updating some more people will take an interest. And if not then I just hope those of you that are reading already will enjoy what I add. Thanks again!
Chapter 6
I ran back to my room after leaving Johnny's so that I could also get changed. Johnny had gone on ahead to the Play House to meet Penny.
Flipping though the clothes in my closet I tried to decide what to wear, finally I settled on my white chiffon dress. It was one of my favorites, a little low cut in the front and completely open in the back, it hung down just past my knees but my favorite part was how it slowed when I twirled. I quickly got dressed, not wanting to miss Johnny and Penny perform, I fixed my make-up and just as I was about to leave, I heard foot steps outside. It was Christian, and he was all dressed up too.
I opened the door and stepped out onto the veranda, "wow," he said, "You look amazing." I just smiled and closed the door behind me. Christian and I walked over to the Play House together chatting along the way. When we arrived I could hear the loud music coming from inside, we stepped into the large auditorium and it felt like I was stepping into the past.
The room was filled with families and couples dancing; Tito and his band was playing up on the stage and sounded just as good as I remembered. Tito looked good for a man his age, still tall and thin he was nicely dressed in a black suit and bow tie.
I noticed Neil over in the corner romancing some unsuspecting girl she was very beautiful, tall and thin she wore a light blue flowing dress that fastened behind her neck. Neil looked over and saw me standing near the door with Christian. Quickly his interest in the beauty standing next to him faded and I saw an all too familiar look on his face, it was that look that said, "I'm better than he is, what are you doing with him instead of me?" He wasted no time leaving the young girl and headed across the room to me.
"Hey Baby," he smiled as he approached, "would you like to dance?" I looked over a Christian, not wanting to leave him standing there alone and not wanting to dance with Neil, he just smiled and gestured for me to go ahead. I tried to look happy as I took Neil's hand and he led me out onto the dance floor.
I had kind of wished that Christian would have said something so that I wouldn't have to go with Neil, but I went anyway. Neil and I danced together in the middle of the crowd and I listened quietly as he went on and on about the different girls that he had impressed over the last year, and how well he was doing in school. I just tried not to look bored as I moved though the motions of the very simple dance steps that he was leading.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the song ended. I politely thanked Neil for the dance and headed off the floor, but before I for very far I noticed Johnny and Penny walking hand in hand into the centre of the room. Tito's band began to play some much more upbeat music and I watched as Johnny and Penny began to dance. They looked amazing, and I found myself wishing that it were me out there performing with Johnny and having everyone watch in awe.
Just then I felt a hand on my shoulder, I turned to see Christian standing there.
"Wanna dance?" he asked. Remembering how impressed I had been earlier watching his dance moves out in the field, I nodded in approval and we stepped back into the crowd. We began with some very simple steps and the thought briefly crossed my mind that this might be even worse than dancing with Neil. But then Christian picked up the pace and began to spin and twirl me around the room.
I could see Johnny and Penny out of the corner of my eye as we danced around, by this time all of the other guests had begun to move out of the way and make room to watch Johnny and Penny and much to my surprise many were watching Christian and I as well. My smile widened as I soaked up the attention. It wasn't long before an innocent dance had turned in to a competition. I could tell that Christian and Johnny were just trying to out do each other with fancier and fancier moves.
I glanced over at Johnny and saw him looking my way; he gave me a little nod gesturing for me to come over. Christian gave me a spin and I twirled my way over to Johnny passing Penny on the way as she went to take my place with Christian. Then I was really happy, in Johnny's arms I felt like I could do anything, we were so in sync that I always felt prepared for whatever move he wanted to do.
The song went on for several more minutes and near the end I noticed that even Max had some out to see what the commotion was all about. He stood in front of the stage looking on; I think he must have been impressed even though he would never admit it. Instead he just stood there watching in disapproval.
As the last notes of the song echoed through the air Johnny twirled me off to the side of the room and went back over to Penny and they proceeded to dance to the next song. My heart raced as I stopped turning and remembered that he was in fact working.
I stood off to the side and watched as everyone in the room seemed to have a great time, a couple of times during the evening I danced with Neil; much to my displeasure, and I also had a nice dance with daddy. As he and I slowly danced to the music I watched my mother across the room dancing with Billy, she had an ear-to-ear grin that I assume came from something amusing that Billy had said. I could tell how much she adored Billy and I longed for the day when Daddy would accept Johnny like that. I knew that Johnny had always secretly hoped for the moment when my father would put his arm around his shoulder and treat him like a son.
******************
The next evening I decided to take a walk. I strolled across the volleyball court and down through the field up to the path that led to the staff quarters. As I walked along I couldn't help but remember the first time I had wandered up here trying to find the source of that intriguing music. That was the first time I had really met Johnny, he and I had danced for the first time that night and I would never forget it as long as I lived.
I walked along slowly passing all the staff cabins and kicking small pebbles onto the grass that lined the path as I went. I stopped at Penny's room and sat on the porch. Sitting there in the dark I couldn't help but think back to what had started this whole thing in the first place. I remembered the night that I had found out Penny was pregnant, walking up to Daddy on the golf course that day and asking to borrow the $250 for Penny's abortion and then meeting up with Penny in the staff's Main House and offering her the money. But I suppose the best part of that whole situation was when Billy suggested that I fill in for Penny at the Sheldrake Hotel performance and Johnny began to teach me to dance.
I was suddenly jolted out of my dreamy state when I heard someone call out, "Baby?"
It was Christian, "Hey Christian," I called as I stood from Penny's step and started over to the path.
What are you doing out here?" he asked.
"Just taking a walk" I replied as I headed further up the path toward the staffs Main House.
"You're not supposed to be up here you know, staff only, house rules."
I let out a little snicker and replied, "you know, I seem to remember hearing that somewhere before." I ignored his objections and continued up the path. A second or two later I heard him break into a jog to catch up to me. When we reached the top of the hill I could hear the music coming from inside loud and clear. I pushed open the two large doors that led into the large hall on the top floor of the main house. The room was filled with people dancing, dancing that I knew all too well, I tried to look uninterested as I stood there for a moment and watched.
Even with all that had happened this past year, inside me was still the same old Baby, and this type of dancing shocked her. I looked over and saw Christian sitting on the Coca Cola ice box by the wall. I was beginning to feel a little silly just standing by the door so I stepped further into the room, trying not to bump into anyone I walked quickly through all the couples. When I got to the other side I settled into one of the wicker chairs near the back and noticed that Christian had followed me over, he put his hands on the edge of a near by table and lifted himself up to sit on it.
Not long after we had arrived, I looked over and saw Penny standing in the open doorway; she smiled as she danced her way through the crowd. She almost floated as she moved along, I always loved watching her dance, she was so graceful. I watched as she made a B-line for one guy in particular on the opposite side of the room. When she reached him she got close up behind him putting her hands on his shoulders and swinging her head from side to side, he responded immediately and they proceeded to dance out into the middle of the room.
Christian must have seen me watching them because he chimed in right away saying, "That's my brother, Tanner Lewis." He paused for a moment and then continued, "He got me the job here." I nodded and thought to myself, "Tanner? What kind of a name is that?" The whole time not taking my eyes off of Penny and Tanner as they danced.
Tanner was tall like Christian, maybe even a little more so, he had lighter brown hair that was slicked back and quite a muscular build. He wore blue jeans and a white t-shirt that hugged his body showing off his muscular chest. Watching the two of them dance I couldn't help but wonder if they were an item, they seemed very close, so I asked, "Are they a couple?"
Christian smiled and nodded, "yep, for a while now. She's been good for him I think," he paused and then asked, "You wanna dance Baby?"
I stopped as I realized that I had been swaying to the music. "Oh come on, what's it going to hurt if you just dance one dance with me?" He continued.
I thought about it for a moment, "sure, why not," I replied as I took his hand and we moved out onto the dance floor. He put his arm around my waist and started swinging me from side to side; we danced for several songs, nothing too complicated and all of it completely innocent. I made sure to keep as much space between Christian and myself as possible, to ensure that no one would get the wrong idea. In a place like that, where people dance like that, it would be very easy for someone to get the wrong idea about most things.
A short time later Johnny walked in, I didn't notice him at first, I suppose I was too caught up in dancing to notice anything. The music had picked up and I was having a great time. Johnny came up behind me and putting his hand on my waist he spun me around to face him. I gave him a big smile as I threw my arms around his neck. He put his arm around my waist and with a beer in his other hand began to rotate his hips and press close against me. Everyone seemed to just disappear, like we were the only two people in the room. But then I noticed Christian standing alone at the back, he leaned up against the wall and looked pretty disappointed. I couldn't help but feel partly responsible; oh who was I kidding, I was totally responsible, I had abandoned him in the middle of a crowded room. I had never been an insensitive person, what was the matter with me? Did I not even consider other peoples feelings anymore?
I glanced back over at Christian and noticed that he had been joined by a couple other people and they were all chatting away. He was fine, why was I feeling so guilty about something so trivial? "Baby? Baby? Hello, is anyone in there?" Suddenly I realized that I had completely tuned out and wasn't even moving anymore, Johnny stood in front of me waving his hand in front of my face snapping his fingers to get my attention.
"Yeah, I'm here, sorry babe I guess I just got lost in thought for a moment." I replied shaking my head slightly trying to regain my composure. Johnny just smiled as he put his hands on either side of my face and arching his neck leaned in to give me a light kiss.
Later that evening I had the opportunity to meet Tanner, he a Penny came and sat with Johnny and I on the sofa in the corner. Penny sat in Tanner's lap so I could tell that it must be serious, she seemed so happy, she almost glowed. As we sat there talking the subject of Kellerman's came up. Johnny, Penny and Tanner started discussing the future of the resort and what would come of it. I just sat there feeling a little puzzled. Finally I asked, "What's going on, what are you talking about?" Penny looked over at me and said in a solemn voice, "Kellerman's is closing down Baby, this is the final season."
I think my heart actually stopped beating for a moment as he words resounded in my head. How could this be true, she must be mistaken, "what?" I replied in astonishment, "that can't be right."
"It's true Baby" Johnny looked up at me; there was no humor in his expression.
"Max doesn't have any choice." Tanner went on.
"But how could this have happened? This is such a great place?" I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Johnny sat on the sofa next to me, his head down and hands clasped in front of him as Penny went on to explain. "Well things have been slowing down this past year, Max is so reluctant to make any changes, and it's starting to reflect badly. Fewer and fewer people want to take mambo and fox trot lessons, the times are changing and Max doesn't realize that he needs to update this place so that it's appealing to the masses." She paused for a moment and then went on, her tone a little quieter and the sound of resentment filling her voice, "serves the bastard right."
Tanner looked over at Penny squeezing her hand as he spoke, "yep, so it looks like we're all out on the street come fall."
"Well there's got to be a way," I could hear the sound of my own voice resonating in my head as I spoke the words that I thought should fix everything, but somehow seemed empty and naïve at that moment.
"Baby, it's no use, we've been trying to think of something to help for weeks now, but it's pointless." Tanner sounded just like Johnny used to, like the world was out to get him or something.
"Let's just talk to Max, I'm sure if we just tell him that there's an easy way to save this hotel, he'll have to agree." I felt like I was 15 again, all optimism and goodwill but somehow it seemed pointless seeing that I was surrounded by 3 people that didn't seem to have any hope at all in this situation.