Chapter 5 – Tony & Patty – An Eternal Love
September 1978
Patty Pearson was new at Pennsylvania Ballet, having just been apprenticed and was ecstatic. Her life long dream of becoming a ballerina were just around the corner. Now she had a best friend, Nicole Miller, who was also in her classes at PB.
As she headed for Pointe class with Mrs. Dobinski, she heard footsteps and turned to see Nicole with her fiery red hair blazing out behind her, and slowed down.
Nicole caught up and said breathlessly, "Well I think we're going to make it on time, and for me that's a first." And with that she laughed softly, her voice hiding a note of bitterness. Nicole had led a hard life, her parents dying in a car accident involving a drunk driver when she was only six years old; then ironically her adoptive parents dying just two years ago from the same thing: a drunk driver had ran a stop sign and crashed into their car head on.
Patty said softly, "I hear your voice, Nic and I know you're thinking about the losses
you've had. Why don't you come home with me this weekend? Mom and dad would love to have you again, and you know I think Edward has a crush on you." A smile crossed Patty's face as she said that, hoping that she could set her brother up with Nicole. Of course, Patty was the eternal optimist and romanticist and was always looking for a way to play matchmaker.
Nicole smiled wryly and said, "I'll let you know Patty." Patty laughed, grabbed her by the arm and led her into Pointe class and said, "You'll come with me, I know it. And I'll set you up with Edward." Nicole shook her head but a smile lurked on her face, for she did like Edward Pearson very much. He was older than she and Patty both, but she had a crush on him and had since she had first met him.
December 15, 1978
After class, Jody motioned for Patty to stay after class. Nicole looked at Patty, but Patty only nodded and motioned for her to wait for her. They were leaving for the weekend after class, both of them going to Rochester to spend Christmas holidays with Patty's family.
Patty moved over to Ms. Taylor and said quietly, "Yes, Ms. Taylor?"
Jody was always impressed with how polite Patty Pearson was, and found her to be a refreshing breath of air in the sometimes staid and rigid world of ballet. Then she said, "We have some good news for you Miss Pearson, for which I believe you will be most enthusiastic about."
Patty waited anxiously and then Jody said, "During the next ballet season, which will start in the fall of 1979, you will be partnering with Tony Galletti. Starting after the holidays, you will be taking partnering class with Mr. Galletti. And then... for the Spring of 1980, in March, Miss Pearson you will be making your debut in 'The Sleeping Beauty' as Princess Aurora to Tony Galletti's Prince Desiree'."
Patty stared at Jody as if she hadn't heard correctly, and then she let out an excited
squeal and said, "Are you serious, Ms. Taylor? Really? Me?"
Jody smiled warmly at the young woman; for she had been watching Patty Pearson since she joined the company three months ago, and she had something special; something not every dancer had and every ballet company wanted and would be lucky to have once in a lifetime.
Then she said, "Yes, Patricia Pearson it's absolutely true. And you're friend Miss Miller is going to be the 'Bluebird Fairy' opposite Danny McKellar."
Patty gasped; she and Nic were both going to be partnered with the two most attractive and incredibly talented male dancers in the company. She said breathlessly, "Can I tell Nic?"
Jody laughed and said yes then wished them a safe holiday.
December 15, 1978 - Philadelphia Train Station
As both girls waited for the train that would carry them north to New York; Patty had finally told Nic the good news; about both herself and Nic, their soon to be debuts in the company and the incredibly handsome and talented dancers they would be partnered with.
It was a dream, Patty thought, for she knew Tony Galletti would show her off onstage to perfection; he had a way of showing his ballerinas off, and was gallant as well. She had heard that he carried the princely persona offstage as well.
Nic was lost in her own dream of being the Bluebird Fairy and dancing with Danny McKellar. Good heavens, she hadn't ever thought that something like that would happen and certainly not that quickly either.
The train soon pulled in, and both girls soon had boarded and were on their way north.
January 10, 1979
The holidays over with, Patty and Nic were back in Philadelphia and studying hard.
Partnering class was about to start for both girls; and as they headed for their first
class, both were particularly nervous about meeting the gentlemen in person that they would be sharing their debut with.
Nic was happy for Patty but inside her, a little part of her was jealous that she hadn't gotten the lead role, or to dance with Tony Galletti, although Danny McKellar was nothing to shake her head at; for he was as attractive and handsome as Tony and he too knew how to show his ballerinas off; make them look spectacular, even if said ballerina was having a bad performance.
Of course she put it aside, and the two girls made their way to the room marked 'Partnering' in gold lettering and stepped inside.
Inside Tony and Danny were discussing their two latest ballerinas. Tony said quietly, "I've gotten this new girl, Patricia Pearson to dance with. She only just started with the company, and yet I've got to dance with a 'baby'." Danny laughed softly and said, "I've got a newbie as well so don't feel bad Tony."
Just then both girls stepped up and Patty said in a clipped voice, "Excuse me Mr. Galletti. I'm your 'baby' ballerina partner, and this is my friend Nicole Miller, the newbie, Mr. McKellar."
Tony and Danny both looked at the girls, aghast and suddenly sorry for what they had said, and that they had been overheard. Tony said, "Excuse me, Miss Pearson." And he took her hand in his, bowed low and kissed the proffered hand. Danny McKellar did the same to Nicole and said, "Please excuse our manners. We should not be discussing our partners like that until we've been able to see for ourselves how you dance."
Soon the ballet instructor came into the room, and the other dancers each paired off, leaving Tony and Patty, Danny and Nicole to pair off as well.
By the end of the class, both men were most wholeheartedly ashamed of what they had said; their new partners were exquisite and lovely, and danced as if on a cloud. Their steps light and airy, Tony and Danny both knew that these two would be the dancers they would like to remain partners with for the rest of their performing careers, if that were possible.
March 20, 1979 - 5:30 P.M.
After a grueling day of class, Pointe and partnering, Patty was heading back to the showers to change and get ready to go home when she heard her name being called. She turned and found Tony running after her and so she slowed down.
As they walked on, Tony said, "Patty, I was wondering if you would care to go out with me sometime."
Patty stared at him in disbelief. Tony "Mr. Prince" Galletti was asking her out on a date? Her head was spinning; so much was happening and so quickly.
She said quietly, "You're asking me out, Tony?" When he nodded, she said, "All right. When then?" He said, "I was thinking about this Friday night. We could go out for dinner and a movie."
Patty nodded and said, "Very well then Tony. I'd love to. Do you know where I live at?" And was surprised when he said that yes he knew where her apartment was. It pleased and flattered her that he would've made it his business to know about his dance partner.
June 31, 1979
Three months after Patty had first gone out with Tony, she and Tony were definitely an item. It was gossiped about in the company, as dancers loved to gossip about who was seeing who, who was sleeping with whom and any other juicy gossip tidbits.
That evening, as she left the studio, Tony called out and said, "Patty wait up." She stopped and as he caught up to her, he put an arm around her shoulder, and she leaned against him. Then he said, "Wanna catch a ride home with me in my new car?"
Patty stared up at him in amazement and said, "You got a new car? Ooh yes I'd love to." Then he pulled her along, and she slung her bag over her back and hurried along, her hand clinging to his.
As he got into the car after helping Patty in, he closed the door, and then in a sudden move pulled Patty into his arms, feeling her softness against him and kissed her, drawing her into a whirlwind of emotions. Of course, her head was spinning; he had kissed her several times during the few months they had been seeing each other. She put her arms around him and clung to him fiercely as he kissed the soft lips, drowning in her softness and sweet smell.
After several long minutes, Tony let her go and started the car up, reluctant to let go of her; wishing to be with her for the entire night. Maybe he would ask if he would stay and see how things developed.
Driving through the streets of Philadelphia, he kept glancing over at Patty. How fortunate he had been to find her, and now he was falling in love with her. When they got to her apartment, he reached over and put a hand against her arm, holding her still and said, "Patty, let me come in and stay the night with you. My darling girl, I love you."
Unable to believe that he had just said those special words, she stared at him feeling tears welling up in her eyes. She brushed them away, leaned over to kiss him gently and as she did so, he crushed her to him and kissed her passionately. Feeling the passion rising between them both, Patty murmured, "Stay with me Tony; never leave me." And with that they went inside, closing the door behind them. From that moment on, Patty and Tony were inseparable.
