Chapter 5: Freeze Dance
*Thoughts are in italics*
*Around 10 minutes later*
*Bob and Linda's house*
*Interior Living room*
Gene POV
*Mom finished cleaning up the garbage from the food and drinks. Mom and Dad then announced the next game of the night which is a dance related game much to Jimmy Jr's celebration. Jimmy Jr is dancing around while Mom and Dad are setting up the game*
I'm sitting in a chair next to Tina who is to my right and Raven is seated in a chair to my left. Louise and Rudy are sitting on the couch. Mom and Dad are looking for a good song to play from one of their CD's on their Bose stereo for the game. Hailey and Jimmy the Third are playing Sorry! on the floor in the same spot they were playing Battleship and Checkers. Jimmy Jr is dancing around and singing to himself.
"What did you say Tina? You're leaving on Sunday?" I searched. "Well yeah we can't stay here till Wednesday when Jimmy the Third has school all week" Tina laughed. "Man that bites" I groaned. "But we'll be in town all weekend since we're staying at a hotel nearby. We'll celebrate Halloween on Sunday. We will have plenty of time to have fun till then". Tina considered.
"That's true" I conceded. "I'm disappointed Tina and Jimmy Jr won't be around the whole time Raven and I are here in town" I sighed to myself. "I'm guessing you and Rudy will go back with Hailey too on Sunday?" I asked Rudy and Louise. "Yeah but we're going to stop here for Halloween on Tuesday before we go Trick or Treating with Hailey" Louise divulged.
"You should play Thriller by Michael Jackson it's the perfect Halloween song". Jimmy Jr cheered as he stopped dancing to face my parents. "I have that one. Let me check the bookshelf. Everything is arranged alphabetically. In my collection". Dad explained as he went to the bookshelf where he has his CD's arranged. "Oh here it is!" dad quipped as he found his album Thriller by Michael Jackson. So we're all set to play once I set the stereo player to track 5 and start the song. Once the song starts everyone start dancing and I'll periodically stop the music. When the music stops everyone has to freeze. If you move after the music stops you're out. The last one standing is the winner". Dad illuminated. "I'm surprised Mom and Dad still have that Bose stereo player from the 2020's. I still remember how Dad was so excited when he first bought it". I analyzed.
"You know I wasn't going to say anything but-" I professed as Louise cut me off. "Then don't say anything" Louise interrupted while rolling her eyes. "You know your eyes will fall out of their sockets if you roll them too much!" I heralded as Hailey and Jimmy Jr's ears perked up. "That's not true. Right?" Jimmy the Third challenged. "Of course not". Hailey agreed.
"Anyway. When are you going to get with the times Mom and Dad? You still have a chalk board which you use chalk to write The Burger Of the Day. We played Pictionary by writing with our dominant hands instead of using our minds and now you're setting up a game with a sound system from twenty something years ago! With the new system you use your brain or gestural control to turn it on. We could do a dance game with virtual reality where we're dressed just like they were in the Thriller video without putting on makeup. Plus the sound is infinitely better with the new system. It's like you're still living in the 2020's or something with using hands and your whole body and everything!" I contended. "We can't get into all that mind control stuff it's too weird. Plus you can't become so dependent on machines that you don't take care of yourself and let machines do everything for you. That's why we've held off on buying those self driving cars you kids love so much". Bob argued. "Well they do have a manual override in case there's an emergency or if you actually feel like driving. I drove the last 10 minutes of our drive here" Jimmy Jr replied.
"Plus it takes real skill to draw a picture or to actually dance instead of just using your mind". Mom remarked. "That's true. I didn't think about it like that. I guess it's all about health and wellness. Like keeping your mind and body active" I piped. "Exactly" Mom and Dad quipped in unison. "If you guys are playing a dance game I want to play!" Jimmy the Third hooted. "Me too. I'm going to smoke all you guys!" Hailey boasted as Jimmy the Third and Hailey sprinted over to us. "Do you understand the rules?" Tina quizzed. "It's simple enough you keep dancing until the music stops. Once the music stops you stop or you are you out" Hailey reported. "Sounds easy enough to me" Jimmy The Third remarked.
Louise POV
Mom and Dad moved the folding chairs off to the side so we could have as much of the living room area as possible to dance in. Gene's confronting my parents about living in the past with technology went better than I expected. "It's so frustrating that Rudy beat me at Pictionary. I have to beat him in this Freeze Dance game. I have to even the score in our contest. I can't have him ugh picking our next position.
It's better when I'm on top and he's going to realize that after I win and pick a position with me on top. After the initial disappointment of him loosing the contest and not getting the position he wants wears off he'll realize how great is when I'm on top he'll forget all about changing things in the bedroom. Then again maybe he'll become even more frustrated if he loses? His hopes of changing things will be crushed at least temporarily. He'll see me as a control freak who always has to be in control even when it comes to love making. I want Rudy to be happy and maybe that requires a compromise where even if I win I pick a position that he would like more than me. Maybe that's the best thing for me to do here?
Marriage is a two way street and I can't always be the crossing guard or the cowgirl or what have you. Sometimes I have to give Rudy the reigns. God the competitive part of me hates this just a bit. Even if I beat him in this competition I'm deciding to pick something that he would want. So even If I win this contest I'm essentially loosing! Damn it! It's a lose-lose situation. I can't stand it, I can't stand it. Man I feel like Charlie Brown". I whimpered to myself as I felt the weight of several pairs of eyes starring at me. "—Louise, Louise, Louise" I heard the faint voice of my mother calling my name to get my attention.
"Oh crap why is everyone is starring at me? Oh God is there something on my face? I wasn't crying so I know my make up isn't running" I reviewed as I turned to face my mother. "Louise are you all right? I was calling your name for a bit there. We're going to start the game if you're ready. Is there something on your mind?" Mom queried. "What? No I'm fine" I lied while biting my tongue.
As Dad got the CD ready my mind began to wander again. "Something is on my mind but it's not the sort of thing I can talk about so easily. I'm definitely not going to talk about it now with everyone around. What goes on in mine and Rudy's bedroom is no else's business other than on our own.
Nobody else has to know about the true nature of our bet. I really want to win this thing. First off i think Rudy will be kind of turned on if I beat him. Secondly I also want to give myself the option of changing my mind and picking a position that's one of my favorites. I'm leaning on being the bigger person and picking a position he would love. However if I lose this series then I lose my only way out of this situation. I can't lose this best of series. I love Rudy with all my heart however I just don't think if the shoe was on the other foot and he won this thing he would do the same thing for me. Wow that sounds terrible even in my head. I don't think for a second that he would pick a position that puts me on top because we do that so often" I mused.
Linda POV
"Louise. Louise are you ready?" I asked my youngest daughter as she chewed on her lip and took her mind off whatever she was stressing over. "I know she's worry about something. I'm thinking it's something personal that she doesn't want to discuss in front of everyone. Louise, Rudy and Hailey should leave last since they're going home to the comfort of their own house. I'll ask Louise what's bothering her while Rudy is getting Hailey ready to go so that should be the perfect time". I professed. "Yeah sure! Let's get this dance party started!" Louise declared. "All right!" I cheered as Bob started playing the song Thriller on the Bose speaker.
As the music started on the stereo speaker Louise got a determined look on her face. Now she's gotten serious all of a sudden. I guess Louise has finally decided to have fun and put whatever is bothering her to the side for the time being. "Awww my baby is all grown up now. She's being mature and not focusing on her adult problems. Sometimes I miss those childhood problems. Life is too short". I sobbed wiping tears from my eyes. " I can't believe it's almost Halloween I remember all of Louise's Halloween costumes. They were mostly cute but some were a little scary". I reckoned as suddenly I realized there was no music playing but I was still dancing. I tried to stop myself but it was too late.
Tina POV
"You're out Linda you were dancing when the music stopped" Dad disclosed. "Oh poo. I thought this was a game I could win and I'm the first one out. I wanted to dance". Mom complained. "Cheer up mom. Some more people will be out soon and you'll have some company to cheer you up". I reassured as Mom gave me a smile. "You're right Tina" Mom replied as she sat in one of the chairs off to the side of the dance floor area. "I'm still hoping I wouldn't be the next one out though. Although being the next one out and sitting with Mom and getting her out of the dumps wouldn't be the worst thing. I'm still going to try to win this game however". I heralded.
The music started up again and everyone began dancing to the music. The kids are really enjoying this game too I figured as I watched Hailey and my son dance around. Let's keep dancing. Shake it shake it. Now that song Shake Your Groove Thing is stuck in my head. Who sang that song? Who was it? Something and Herb? Oh yeah Peaches & Herb. My eyes then wandered over to Jimmy Jr and we danced next to each other for a moment. Jimmy Jr then turned around shaking his rump in front of me. Oh he's got the cutest rump.
Butts, butts. Oh I want his bottom so bad! "Your keister is mine mister" I giggled as I kept swaying to the music but I found my eyes transfixed on Jimmy Jr's buns. I kept spinning along. "Just kept dancing, just kept dancing" I mumbled to myself as I continued to frolic to Thriller when all of a sudden I realized the song had stopped but my dancing had persisted.
"Oh crap!" I blurted as everyone turned to face me. "Sorry Tina you're out". Gene spoke as I walked over to join Mom in the chair next to her. "Welcome to the out section hun". Mom welcomed as I mustered a fleeting grin. "Well at least I got to play with Jimmy Jr and my son in this game. As short as it was we all did play together as a family". I remarked.
Dad is starting and stoping the music so he's not playing . My father started the song again and everyone resumed dancing. Jimmy the Third was out next followed by Rudy. So now the five remaining are players left are Louise, Raven, Jimmy Jr, Hailey and Gene. "Who do you think is going to win?" Rudy inspected. "Well Gene has very good rhythm and so does Jimmy Jr". Mom estimated. "That's true but Louise is a beast at games" I replied. "Louise is amazing. I don't think there's anything that fazes her. You would be a fool to count her out of any situation" Rudy praised.
"Awww that's so sweet" Mom reckoned as I nodded my head in accordance and Rudy blushed a bit. "Gene's friend Raven is a wildcard though. She's a good dancer and she held her own at Pictionary and was tied for fourth. She's interested in horror stuff like Aunt Louise. She kinda reminds me of Aunt Louise". Jimmy the Third marveled. "They do have some things in common". I appraised.
My father turned on the music again and a few minutes later it stopped but this time no-one was out. Hailey stopped dancing just in time and narrowly avoided being eliminated. The music resumed again and before we knew it the music ended again and this time Gene was out. "Ooof that hurts! I just missed out on the final four. So close and yet so far". Gene sighed as he joined a seat in our group of eliminated dancers. "And then there were four". Gene sniffed. "You made it really far" Mom quipped.
"That was fun while it lasted" Gene reckoned. The next round began and Dad restarted the song. The song seemed to go a big long this round. It almost seemed like Dad was enjoying the music too much. Eventually Dad turned off the song about midway and to our surprise Jimmy Jr was the next one out. Jimmy Jr pulled up a chair next to me. "Welcome to our group of dancers who don't know when to stop dancing. That s a good name right?" I perused. "I like it" Gene chuckled as Mom and Jimmy Jr nodded in accordance.
"Oooh! I can't believe I'm out. Can you believe Hailey is still in it?" Jimmy Jr adjured. "It's kinda unexpected I didn't think she would last this long. So now it's just Louise, Raven and Hailey. We're down to the nitty gritty. One person walks out a winner while two people just walk away" I piped. "Tina I think you missed your calling. You should have been an announcer" Jimmy Jr marveled as I give him a quick peck on the cheek. "Awwww thanks" I giggled.
Bob POV
I look over at the growing number of eliminated dancers to the side. Wow this game has really flown by. Everyone who's out seems to be having a good time. I was afraid everyone would be kind of in the dumps after being out but they're keeping their spirts up. Tina is blushing and she just gave Jimmy Jr a kiss. So they both seem to be in a good mood now. Whatever was troubling them earlier seems to have been resolved now; that's a relief. So now it's just Louise, Hailey and Raven left. I'm kinda surprised at who's left to be honest. I didn't think Hailey would to make it to the final three and I didn't think Linda would be the first one out. Linda loves to dance.
Maybe she loves to dance almost too much not that, that's a bad thing I mean. I like that Linda loves to dance however she loves it so much that she doesn't know when to stop sometimes. Louise is great at games so I expected her to make it far. Gene's girlfriend seems nice. Wow I just realized with Jimmy Jr now out it's a girls only finale. I'm not a betting man but I think Louise will find a way to win this game. She's such a little spitfire. Louise is a fighter. I will always have her in my corner every day and twice on Sunday. "God I'm so proud of her!" I sobbed as I find myself getting misty eyed.
Louise POV
"Wow this has been fun girls!" I bubbled. "Yeah it's kind of a shame this game it's almost over" Raven moaned. "It's not over yet!" my daughter remarked. "That's right Hailey!" I approved. "You know I just realized how much your daughter is the spitting image of you. Save for having your husband's eyes and uhhh nose. She's really cute. " Raven reckoned. I'm certain my face is flushing a bit as I take in her comment. There's only three people left and she says that now when she had the whole game to say that? This girl is fighting a little dirty.
She's trying to lure me into a false sense of security and get my mind off the game. "Why thank you" I replied. "Her tricks won't work on me. Flattery on me will only work from Rudy. And maybe Mom and Dad. It will also work from Gene and Tina. But that's not the point! Flattery on me will only work when it's from family members. She may have pretty eyes but they're not as dazzling as Rudy's. I will not lose this game! This beautiful enchantress may have enchanted Gene but I will not fall under her spell!" I vowed.
I look down at my Poppy Red Ponte Clifton Dress and Red Basel Smooth Leather Side block heel western booties and smile. I kneel down and touch my booties with my hands and make a tenacious face. "These boots are made for walking and dancing and I'm doing to dance my way to victory" I heralded as I returned to my feet. Soon the music commenced again and I put everything else out of my mind and just focused on the music like I have being doing all game long. When the music halted I ceased dancing straight away. I turned to see if anyone was out and I bit my lip and frowned when I saw my daughter was out since she had still been moving. "You did great Hailey!" I boasted as my daughter took a seat next to my Mom in the out section.
"Thanks Mom" My daughter responded as I turned my head to face Raven. "So now it is down to you and it is down to me. May the best dancer win" I proclaimed as I offered a handshake to Raven with my right hand. Raven smiled and shook my hand immediately with her left hand "Agreed. Let's leave everything out here on the dance floor". Raven suggested as I nodded in approval and our handshake ended shortly thereafter.
*Moments ago*
Gene POV
"You did great Hailey!" Louise boasted as my niece took a seat next to my mom in the out section that I'm seated in. "Thanks mom" My niece responded. "Nice third place bronze medal finish!" Rudy encouraged as he walked over to Hailey and give her a high five with his left hand which Hailey slapped with her right hand.
As Rudy sat back down in his chair my eyes shifted over to my younger sister and my girlfriend. "Agreed. Let's leave everything out here on the dance floor". Raven suggested as Louise nodded her head in approval. As my sister and my girlfriend exchanged a friendly handshake I felt heart began to race and sweat began to drop from my forehead. "So who do you think is going to win? I think Aunt Louise has it in the bag. Don't you guys agree?" Jimmy The Third scrutinized.
*Camera pans back to show Hailey moving her mouth to mouth something inaudibly to Jimmy The Third which Gene cannot see*
"Why does it have come down to my baby sister and my girlfriend to decide the winner? This is like choosing between my songs! I don't want to choose between them. I love them both. I wish they could both win. Can't we just call it a tie!" I pleaded as I find myself getting tears in my eyes. "Dang it! Who's cutting onions? Why do I have tears in my eyes?" I queried. "No one is cutting onions. You softie you" My Mom teased as she strolled over to me and hugged me.
"Now you know what's it like for me when you kids compete against each other in well…anything" Mom divulged as I hugged her back and wiped tear drops from my eyes. After a few moments we broke our hold and mom sat back down. Soon the music started and Louise and Raven began to sway for what could be the last time. "I can't watch!" I blurted as I covered my eyes. "Are you serious?" Jimmy the Third scoffed as my Mom replied with a "Shhhhhh". "Tell me when it's over" I implored" "Sure thing" Mom promised. "Come on Uncle Gene don't you want to watch my Mom kick-I mean don't want to see my Mom and your girlfriend's cool dance moves?" Hailey requested.
"I'd rather you just fill in me with what's happening. "Oh my God! They are break dance fighting!" Jimmy The Third quaked. "Really? Noooo! I don't want my little sister and girlfriend to fight!" I gasped. "Stop being a fiber mah giber" My Mom scolded. "So they're not break dance fighting?" I inquired. "But it would be kind of cool if they were break dance fighting wouldn't it?" Hailey pondered. "If they were break dancing yes. If they were break dance fighting no" I retorted as the music abruptly ceased. "Is it over?" I croaked. "As I peeked through my fingers to see my sister and my girlfriend both frozen in place. "Who won?" I queried.
"No one won yet Gene. That was a tie. Louise and I have to go again". Raven admitted. "You've got to be kidding me!? I griped. "That was hard enough to not watch the first time. I'm definitely not watching it the second time!" I ranted as my baby sister rolled her eyes and everyone chuckled. "Here we go again". Hailey moaned while Louise and Raven did a few quick stretches to get ready to dance again.
A few minutes later Raven and Louise were ready and my father started up Thriller on the stereo system. "Please tell me when it's over again and someone has to win this time. " I demanded as I shut my eyes and covered my eyes with my hands. "As hard as it me for me to endure this someone has to win the freeze dance game this time. I can't bear the possibility of having to not watch my baby sister and my girlfriend compete against each other for a third time". I figured.
"Who's winning?" I asked. "It's kind of tied right now. No one's really winning till someone is out" Tina responded. "So they're both winning that's good…till someone loses aaah" I gawked. "Who's dancing better?" I exhorted. "Do you really want us to answer that?" Jimmy The Third remarked.
"Don't answer that question" I clarified. "We won't" Rudy replied as I gave a nervous chortle and then swiftly the music had been turned off. "Is it over? Is it finally over?" I inspected. "It's over" my Mom reassured in a calming tone. "Should we tell you who won or do you want to see it yourself? You have to decide" my Mom requested. "Hmmm" I pondered this question for a moment. "It's probably better if I see it for myself. Seeing is believing as they say. I'm going to have to know who won sooner or later. I can't go the rest of my life not knowing who won the freeze dance game so I may as well find out now" I estimated.
"I opened my eyes and put my hands back on my lap. My eyes took a moment to adjust but I soon saw Raven in the mist of dance move and Louise frozen in place like a statue. Somehow I knew it would probably end like this. "Ok Raven, Gene saw you. You can move now" My Dad proclaimed as I got up from my chair and Raven stood normally. "Great game guys!" I applauded as I quickly embraced Raven and Louise who each squeezed me back. "Raven you did great! Louise congrats on the win" I beamed. "Thanks Gene" Louise piped. Raven clasped me again and we exchanged a kiss on the lips. "Bleh!" Jimmy the Third and Hailey groaned in tandem upon seeing us kiss.
"I saw all of your other dances other than the last two against Louise which were all amazing. You really gave Flashdance Louise a run for her money plus you nearly won" I hooted as Raven flushed a bit as the song What a Feeling from Flashdance popped into my head. "Flashdance Louise?" Louise queried bewildered. "It's my new nickname for you inspired by the movie Flashdance" I bantered. "It's not bad. I like it". Louise giggled.
Louise ambled over to the out section. "Killer dance moves Louise. I knew you were going to win it" Rudy marveled as he and Louise exchanged high fives. Rudy high five'd with his left hand and Louise with her right. "High fives all around" Hailey decreed as she and Jimmy the Third each gave Louise a high five and then Louise pulled up a chair next to Rudy and sat down. I stood in the center of the dance area as Raven stood to my right and snuggled in close to me.
"Your little sister is a tough out! She's won one game and nearly won another. Has she always been so zestful and good at games?" Raven adjured. "Yeah pretty much. She's a little fireball all right" I chuckled. "She's a real bundle of energy" Raven admired. "She sure is" I quipped "I love Louise and I wouldn't have her any other way". I professed while watching Louise talk to Rudy and Hailey in the out section. "You love her don't you?" Raven inspected whispering into my right ear. "Uhhh yeah of course" I revealed blushing a bit.
"You old softie you" Raven laughed as she hugged me and nibbled on my right ear. "You're teasing me about this? For realizes? I griped. "And that's the second time someone called me a softie today" I chided as I turned around so I'm now facing Raven. "I'm just kidding you. I think it's cute and when I call you that I mean it as a compliment. I like men who are in tune with their emotions. Nothing turns me off more than some muscle bound jerk with an attitude who acts like a tough guy. Not that all muscular men are like that. I just hate people who act like they are better than everybody" Raven disclosed. "I'm with you on that" I agreed.
"Oh man this has been so much fun tonight. It's a shame it has to end soon!" Raven whined while cuddling me. "Well we're here through Halloween so let's make the most of it until then. We'll probably have dessert soon and then we'll head to the hotel shortly after. So let's enjoy the rest of tonight. Who knows what tomorrow will bring" I remarked. "There's a song about that" Raven preened. "I know that's what I was alluding to" I bubbled.
End of Chapter 5
Chapter 6 is in development.