By John Silverton
I’ve heard it said that dancing is the vertical expression of a horizontal desire; certainly the best ballroom dancers move as one with the lithe passion of ardent lovers, whether the swirling rhythms of a Viennese waltz or the suggestive posturing of an Argentinean tango.
John and Annette’s love blossomed eternal as dance partners. He tall, dark and debonair, she a beautiful debutante, blond, elegant and self-assured. Their collection of trophies proved testament to the finesse of their repertoire and faultless performance as they graced ballrooms, palais’ and clubs the world over for half a century.
Now retired they grace our village hall Saturday nights; their élan and expertise ennoble our weekly soirée. There are never other partners; they have eyes only for each other. They are envied by all who failed to find such gaiety and mutual devotion to embrace in their own lives.
When the band strikes-up they are the first to take to the floor; it was so last Saturday, except, there was just him. Her memory became his partner as he tenderly cradled her figment to glide through a familiar foxtrot. His face quivered as he fought the emotion and a tear escaped his eye from the downpour within. The dance floor cleared, everyone stood and watched in awe. No one dared approach, no one needed to ask. She danced in his and our imagination.
When the music stopped, he bowed to her figment and kissed her held hand. When he led her from the floor the tense silence broke as everyone stood and applauded, echoing their competition days. Acknowledging this final accolade with a bow and tearful wave, he mimed her escort to the exit.
We never saw him again.
Author Bio:
John Silverton is the author of A Pearl Amongst Oysters, a passionate suspenseful interracial romance spanning fifty years and two continents, available in paperback from Amazon Books.
A collection of short stories will be published later this year. John is twice winner of the Anderida Writers short story competition, 2024 and 2026. A second novel, a crime thriller set in the art market, will be published in 2027.
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