I do not own Dirty Dancing.
Chapter Ten
POV Baby
Help
Nervously, I shuffled into the storage facility. It was packed as always, and tonight the song they danced to was Stay. These parties seemed to happen every night, and Johnny and Penny were always there. I spy them now, dancing together in a secluded corner of the room, near Billy and a blonde women with a pixie cut who were dancing together. Carefully, I skirt around couples, and tap Penny on the shoulder, before retreating nearer to the wall.
Confused, they walk over. At my presence, Billy stopped dancing. They didn't know why I was here any more than my Father knew why I needed the money. I hand the envelope to Penny. "There's money,"
Penny grinned, brighter than I'd ever seen her do. "You mean Robbie?" She asked hopefully. Johnny looked on in disbelief. I doubted that people had shown him much kindness before. It broke my heart that that was the case. Everyone should be treated the same. The trouble was that it didn't happen.
I smiled, and shook my head, "No, you were right about him," Johnny took a swig of his Coke, wearing a bitter expression of distaste. Robbie had been painfully unwilling to contribute, but just helping Penny felt good, even without Robbie.
The blonde frowned, confused, "Then where'd you get it?"
"You said you needed it,"
Penny grinned wildly, looking down at the money I'd given her moments ago. She smiled even bigger than the first time. Seeing that smile felt insanely good. "Is this kid for real?" She asked Johnny. I looked to him. I had expected him to be happy, but he wasn't. Johnny was frowning.
"Yeah, it takes a real saint to ask Daddy," He spat. I looked down, which was confirmation enough. It hadn't occurred to me that they might care where the money came from, or that it might upset them that I only had to ask for the money, whereas they would have to work unbelievably hard to do it. I should have thought of that before. I should have come with something to tell them. Penny's smile faded.
She handed me back the money, "Thanks, Baby, but I can't use it." Penny dragged Johnny a few feet back onto the floor. She tried to dance with him, wearing a bleak expression.
Johnny looked shocked, and stood on the floor, unwilling to dance. "What's the matter with you? You should take the money!" That was a good question. She still needed the abortion. Penny didn't need to feel bad about taking money I was happy to let her have.
At Billy's voice, I turn to him, "I can only get her an appointment for Thursday. They do their act at the Sheldrake next Thursday night. It gets canceled, they lose this season's salary, next year's gig."
"What's the Sheldrake?"
"It's another hotel. Where they do their Mambo act," Billy explained.
"Can't someone else fill in?" I ask.
Johnny groaned, and rolled his eyes. He turned to me, snapping at me in a cold voice, "No, Miss Fix It, somebody else can't fill in. Maria has to work all day, she can't learn the routines, and Jenna has to fill in for Penny. Everybody works here." Sarcasm filled his next words, "What, do you want to do it? You wanna take time out from Simon Says?" I glanced to the floor. I knew nothing about dancing. As much as I wanted, it would only go badly.
"Johnny," Penny scolded.
Billy mused, "It's not a bad idea,"
"It was a joke, Billy," Johnny answered, trying to close the subject.
But Billy wouldn't give up. "She can move," He said.
"No, it's the dumbest idea I ever heard of," Johnny told his Cousin. He was being a little harsh, but I wanted no part in this. I didn't want to embarrass myself in front of a whole room of people like that.
"I can't even do the Merengue," I said desperately.
"See-"
Penny begged us, "Johnny, you're a strong partner, you could lead anybody," It was getting really hard to say no to Penny. She needed this so much. And I didn't have anything better to be doing. My time was better spent helping them.
"But you heard her! She- she can't even do the Merengue," Johnny argued, wanting absolutely nothing to do with me, "She can't do it. She cannot do it,"
I glared at him. Choosing not to was one thing, being told it was impossible was another. That was it. I was going to help Penny. "I'm willing to learn, if you'll teach me. I don't have anything better to be doing," The three of us stared at Johnny, the only one left to agree. Penny would be fired if he didn't.
As a groan escaped him, Penny begged, "Please, Johnny," She said, "Do it for me,"
Johnny groaned, and hugged his friend in defeat. "I'll do it," He agreed, "But only for you," Johnny turned to me, "Meet me here tomorrow morning. 10:00 sharp. Don't be late." I nod, and turn to leave the party.
What the Hell had I gotten myself into?