Let Me Call You Sweetheart Chapter 7, Page 73
Jane brought her record for the jitterbug lessons. As soon as the last breakfast customer was leaving, the ladies moved the furniture to the walls, put the closed sign up, and got ready to jitterbug, or at least try to. First, Jane had everyone stretch. They were moaning and groaning from the first lesson because of their sore muscles. Diane knew why and she helped Jane keep an eye on the stretches.
"Ladies, listen up, I know you don't want to stretch, but you'll find it helps afterwards." Diane directed.
"I found muscles, I didn't know existed!" Joyce moaned.
"They'll loosen up, we only have a few days until the wedding!" Janice answered.
"The jitterbug will be so fun, just get the rhythm and away you go." Teresa said excitedly.
The ladies were jumping all around, grabbing partners and tapping their toes to the beat. Diane and Jane were laughing at the way they were stepping on eachother's toes at first.
"Wait!" Jane stopped playing the record. "First ladies, one of your partners is the leader, and one the follower. Remember take a slow step to your side and back again, then take a quick step to the back and return." Jane grabbed Diane and showed the ladies the beginning of dancing the jitterbug and then turned the record back on to play. Once they got the hang of it, they were really into it.
"That's great, just keep doing that step rotating around. If the leader wants to twirl the follower, that adds to the fun!" Jane was quite pleased with the progress even though some were still dancing with two left feet.
Even Minnie took Emily out on the floor and they two enjoyed themselves. Before the lunch crowd would come they scurried to put back the table and chairs. Jane reminded them they only had one more lesson before the wedding.
"The next time, we will practice the shimmy per Dee's request. So, ladies, we will make sure that we all know it, it's very easy and fun! Dee wants us to shimmy all around Bill. When she let's us know when, then we will surround him and shimmy him until he turns beet red!"
"What? Why?" Virlinda was aghast.
"Just a little "two can play that game" joke Dee wants to provide Bill with, as he was the one who hired Ravenous Roxy and the Dancing Dames!" Jane informed.
They remembered what they witnessed at the bachelor party peeking between the railings and were nodding their heads in agreement.
"Oh, I can't wait!" Luciana exclaimed.
"I can do a little lap dance!" Catherine offered.
"Well now, I don't think Molly would like that!" Mary warned.
"Margaret, do you have any fans we could use?" Hope inquired.
"All right chickadees, let's just go with the shimmy, but don't say a word, you hear me, not a word," Jane advised. Pinky swear!"
At the O'Neill house, Mary found the family christening gown and gently washed it. She showed it to Rick and asked if he wanted to use it for Timi Anne's baptism.
"Mom, this is in good shape. Who wore this?" Rick asked.
"Both you and Timothy. Fr. Sullivan was the visiting priest and he baptized both of you." Mary was remembering those days fondly. "I kept it for when you boys had your own children. Do you think Christy will like it?"
Rick looked at his mom with gratitude and said, "I'm sure she will, especially since both of us wore it. It'll mean a lot to her."
"Wonderful. It's yours to have now Rick. For Timi Anne, and any more children you might have." Mary winked but was truly hopeful. It would make Mary so happy to have a house full of laughter again. "It's been too sorrowful this past year. I'm so blessed now to be a grandmother!"
Rick hugged his mother. "I know I am falling in love with Christy, and I think Christy is starting to have feelings for me, mom. At least I hope so."
"You both are so good together. I know God opens a window when he closes a door. We have come full circle now, from death to life. Thanks be to God!" Mary pulled out of the hug and took her son's face in her hands. "You are a good man, a good father, and you'd make a good husband. I hope Christy sees that in you too, Rick." Mary drew quiet and just looked deeply into her son's eyes.
"I'll go over to the Lipinskis and show Christy the christening gown now. I'll be back before dinner." Rick kissed his mom on her forehead and left.
When he arrived at the O'Neills, Christy answered the door. "Rick," she smiled warmly, "come in and get warm!"
When Rick entered, he gave Christy a quick kiss. Her heart started to flutter with his soft kiss. Christy was hoping that Rick felt like her. She was thrilled to see him.
"Where's Timi Anne?" Rick asked.
"She's in the playpen looking around." Christy walked into the living room with Rick. Rick leaned over and picked her up.
"I wanted to stop and see you both, and show you the christening gown that my mom gave us for her baptism. Both Timothy and I wore it for ours." Rick explained.
"Oh Rick, what have we here?" Anne Lipinski walked over to see what they were talking about.
"Hello Mrs. Lipinski, I didn't see you there. I was so interested in looking for Timi Anne." Rick started.
"She's just fine," Anne answered. "What is it you brought here?"
"A beautiful christening gown for her baptism." Christy showed her mom.
"Well, we already have one." Anne replied with a gruff nod.
"Mama, that gown has been through eight of us. It's a bit tattered. Besides, this one both Rick and Timothy wore." Christy protested.
"The gown we have will be good enough." Anne shook her head.
"Mama, I'm sorry, but Timi Anne is our baby! We both want her to wear this one." Christy said bravely finding courage within her.
Just then Maggie walked in, "Oh is that is going to be Timi Anne's gown?"
"Yes!" Christy quickly answered.
"Mama, she'll look like a little angel, and I get to be her Godmother. Christy, I can't wait!" Maggie said making the discussion come to a better direction.
"Me too," Rick said with a smile of relief.
"Me too," Christy agreed laughing!
