Her name was Angela.
After all these years, I still remember her name. I’m not going to say how long ago this was because I’d rather not let out the fact that I’m 147 years old (this Friday). Let’s just say it was many years ago.
I was on the road quite a bit with my business back then and never missed an opportunity to go out dancing in whatever particular city I found myself in at the end of the day.
This night I was in Long Beach, California. I tried to schedule my time so I was there at least once a week because I enjoyed going dancing at this club, “Bobby McGees.”
So, I’m at the club , sitting at my table enjoying my favorite drink while people watching when this woman entering caught my eye. She took my breath away. 22 years old. Spanish (Spain-Spanish), with a perfect complexion, long, silky, flowing black hair to the middle of her back. And eyes that captured you completely when she looked at you. She had what seemed to be the perfect combination of fun loving with just enough shyness thrown in to make your heart melt. She was wearing a long dress. Yellow with flowers printed on it. I wasn’t that fond of the dress, but she made it look good.
She had arrived with a few girlfriends and once they found a table and relaxed a bit with their drinks. I told myself, I’ll ask her to dance when the next good song is played.
A few minutes later, there it was, one of my favorite songs. (Knowing the DJ personally always helps in these situations). I rose from my chair, gathered up my courage, walked over to her table and politely asked her to dance – fully expecting to be turned down.
To my surprise, she looked up at me, smiled and said she’d love to. And that was the beginning of probably the BEST night of dancing in my life.
We danced the night away. I was never the type to hang around much after the dance. I would normally thank the woman for the dance, then return to my table. But this night? This was a magical night. You know, the kind of night where all the planets lined up perfectly and everything was wonderful.
It was a Tuesday night. (Ladies night) and back then, it was BUSY! The music was better and people actually danced, instead of acting as if they’re having sex on the dance floor like they do today.
After a few more dances, and not being able to take our eyes off each other from our respective tables, she came over and invited me to join her and her friends – which I gladly accepted.
After the introductions. I asked what brought them out dancing on a Tuesday night. Ladies night.
Angela told me the reason. She was getting married in 2 weeks. She and her friends were having a sort of bachelorette party.
I must admit, hearing that made my heart sink a bit. But, I realized how much fun I was having and knowing that I would never see this wonderful young woman again, I’d make the best of it. And I believe she felt the same way about me.
There was a woman walking around the club selling roses, so I bought Angela a long stem red rose and said “Congratulations” on her upcoming wedding. And who ever the man was, he was the luckiest man on earth.
She said “Thank you” and one of her friends immediately asked if there were any more like me available while already completely aware that my attention for the night lay elsewhere.
Angela and I danced, talked, and laughed together. Under the circumstances, it literally could not have been better.
Slow songs we my favorite because I had the chance to know what it felt like to hold her in my arms. Even if it was only for that night. And I made sure there were plenty of slow songs played. She loved the way we danced together. We just “fit”. It was a perfect. I don’t know how else to explain it. There were times when we were dancing that we’d look into each others eyes and we didn’t have to utter a word, then she’d wrap her arms around my neck with her head against my chest. I remember it as if it were yesterday.
We didn’t want the night to end. We knew it would, but we didn’t want it to. It was as if we knew we were never going to see each other again so we tried make one night last a lifetime.
All too soon, the bartender shouted “Last call!” and we danced the last song of the night. (Earlier, I had found out what her favorite song was and made sure it was played last.)
I walked her and her friends out to their car. I thanked her for the best night of my life and she replied with the same. Then, for a moment, we just looked into each others eyes with that “If only” look.
With tears in her eyes, she looked up at me, reached up and wrapped her arms around my neck and whispered…. “I’ll never forget you as long as I live” and I softly replied with…. “Neither will I”
Moments later, she was gone……
Now, you’d think this would be the end of the story….. but it isn’t.
Part 2 finally here. Click to read.
This story is incredibly moving. The author’s writing style is direct with just enough imagery to understand the setting and the characters’ personality. Also, the story itself transitioned quite well, and I engaged with the two main characters. It was a sense of a love that could never happened, and even the characters understand that. However, they can still enjoy their time with each other. Not every interaction between a girl and a boy will always lead up to them living together forever. And the ending made me want to read more because it makes the reader’s understand that this story isnt ending. It’s actually just the beginning, and intrigues the audience to want more. Overall, this short story is an excellent piece of art, and I can’t wait for more.