At least my practice session was Scooter-free.
We’d been told to come solo to our first private appointment at the Starlite, so that Cha Cha’s parents could assess our abilities. Which were pretty much zero in my case.
It was a little weird dancing with Cha Cha’s father. He wasn’t that much taller than Cha Cha, so I towered over him, for one thing. He was really nice, though, and didn’t make me feel at all awkward about it. Plus, even when I made mistakes he didn’t act like I had two left feet.
“Slow, slow, quick quick,” he said, moving me around the dance floor as easily as Pippa and Baxter had moved their game pieces around the Candy Land board. “That’s it, you’re getting the hang of it!”
I surveyed the spacious studio over his shoulder. It had hardwood floors and cushioned benches lining the mirrored walls. Potted trees twined with twinkle lights stood in all four corners of the room, and chandeliers blazed overhead. Maybe ballroom dancing wasn’t so bad after all.
“Oops, sorry,” I said as I stepped on Mr. Abramowitz’s foot again.
“Not to worry,” he replied quickly, smiling up at me. “That’s why I get hazardous-duty pay.” The smile vanished as he realized what he’d just said. Hazardous-duty pay is extra money soldiers receive for really dangerous jobs. Like flying a helicopter in a war zone. Flustered, Mr. Abramowitz stopped dancing. “I am so sorry, Truly. That was a thoughtless remark, considering all that your father has been through.”
I shook my head. “It’s okay, really.”
“I hope your family knows how proud we all are of his service,” Cha Cha’s father continued. “And I think it’s very brave of him, moving all the way across the country to take over the store from your grandparents. It can’t be easy, having to suddenly shift gears like that.”
“Um, yeah, I guess,” I said.
I was quiet as we started to dance again. I’d never really thought about it that way. Was Mr. Abramowitz right? Had my dad done a brave thing, moving to Pumpkin Falls?
Cha Cha’s father hummed along to the music, and I felt myself starting to relax. There was a flow to dancing that was not unlike swimming. Maybe I really was getting the hang of it.
Or maybe not.
“Oops,” I said again, and Mr. Abramowitz winced.
“I think that’s enough for today.” He gave my arm a consoling pat. “Perhaps you and your partner could schedule a practice slot together before our next session at school? We’ll be reviewing fox-trot this week, then moving on to the waltz.”
Fat chance, I thought. I wasn’t planning on spending any more time with Scooter than I absolutely truly had to. But, remembering my Pumpkin Falls manners, I thanked Mr. Abramowitz politely, then went to get my jacket.
Hearing music from the other, slightly smaller dance studio off the lobby, I peered through the window. Cha Cha and Calhoun were practicing the fox-trot. This must be where Pippa and Lauren took their lessons, I thought, noting the ballet barres in front of the mirrors.
Calhoun looked up just then and spotted me. He stopped dancing and scowled.
Cha Cha scurried over and popped her head out. “Hang on a sec, okay? We’re almost done.”
“Sure,” I replied, and wandered over to the bulletin board to read the notices: upcoming classes (learn to tango!), local events (bean supper at the church!), and items for sale, including a tractor, a rooster, and a snowplow. Life sure was exciting in Pumpkin Falls.
A few minutes later, the music stopped and my classmates emerged. Calhoun brushed past me without a word.
“Pumpkin Falls manners!” I called after him, and Cha Cha grinned at me. “Not going so well, I take it?”
“He’s not entirely hopeless,” she replied.
As we crossed the street a few minutes later, I spotted the man in the green jacket who I’d seen before hanging around outside Lovejoy’s Books. He reminded me of a stork, with his long, skinny legs and the way he was craning to peer through the window again. He wasn’t wearing his hood this time, and I watched as he ran a hand through his bushy dark hair. I nudged Cha Cha. “Do you know that guy?”
She shook her head. “Nope. Why?”
I shrugged. “No reason.” It was probably nothing—just somebody looking at a book. That’s why we put them in the window, after all.
“Where’s Calhoun going?” said Cha Cha, gazing down the block.
I turned to see our classmate heading into the offices of the Pumpkin Falls Patriot-Bugle. Suddenly, every nerve in my body went on full alert.
“Get Jasmine and Lucas and meet me there!” I told Cha Cha as I took off down the street. “I think Calhoun’s trying to double-cross us.”