Ameera, Unveiled Read Online Free PDF

“Cindy?”
    “I’m shy,” she said, a mousy voice emerging from her petite, twentyish frame. “I just broke up with my boyfriend and needed something to distract me. I liked the class, but I hurt myself climbing stairs earlier this week. Wasn’t sure I’d be able to make it tonight.” She looked at her cell phone. “In fact, I’ve got a study group next door at the library. I hate to say it, but I’ve gotta go.”
    “I’m glad everyone enjoyed it,” Sybil said.
    Cindy reached over, gave Sybil a hug, and retrieved her dance bag. Waving, she left the drama room.
    “I’d wondered why she was so reserved tonight,” Cheryl mused. “She seemed sweet.”
    “I’ve got a proposition for the rest of you,” Sybil said. “How’d you like to take semiprivate lessons with me at my house? You three seem to have bonded, and if you’d like to keep going, I’d be happy to teach you.”
    In the quiet room, we searched each other’s faces. “I’m in,” Polly said first.
    “Me too,” Cheryl answered. “What night?”
    All eyes turned to me. “I’m in,” I said, hiding my stunned thoughts. I’d resigned myself to the idea of this being our final curtain call.
    “Would you want to keep it on Mondays?” Sybil asked. “Does six thirty work?”
    “I can make pretty much anything work,” I said.
    Polly and Cheryl agreed.
    “Great! Let’s resume in two weeks,” Sybil said, standing and moving to the food. “More?” I waved her off as I chewed a last bite of celery. As she tucked plates and cups into a bag, I stood and went to help pack up the leftovers.
    “So does this mean we’ve graduated?” Polly asked.
    “No, this means you’re addicted!” Sybil said, flashing dimples.
    We jingled with Sybil to her car—survivors of her six-week session, each of us laden with food containers and dance equipment, big grins, and deep pockets of hope to become better belly dancers.
    “Thanks for offering to keep us dancing,” I said to Sybil as I placed her boom box on the back seat of her car.
    “You’re so welcome,” Sybil flashed me her dimpled smile. “Remember, ladies, you’re off next week, but you’ve got homework. Keep practicing your dance.” She slammed the back door of her car. “One more question.”
    We all looked her way.
    “At Christmastime, I ask a few students to help me out with a couple of nursing homes,” Sybil said. “I’d like the three of you to volunteer to perform your dance for the residents.”
    I’d only just agreed to continue my dance classes, and already she wanted to push me to perform in public? I’ll have to expose my stomach again? I felt panic rising from my gut to my throat.
    “I’ll invite some students from my Wednesday class too. We can have a drink at TBonz afterward. The residents are so appreciative and look forward to this every year.” Sybil continued her sales pitch, spinning it with a little guilt if any of us wanted to bail on the idea.
    “Absolutely,” Polly said.
    Cheryl’s face glowed at the prospect of dancing. “We’d love to,” she said.
    “Right, Kat?”
    “I love visiting nursing homes,” I replied, evading the promise of a commitment and trying not to think of what this particular visit would mean.
    “Good,” Sybil said. “Keep practicing and I’ll see you in two weeks.” She jumped in her car and drove off, taillights fading in the distance. By the time we reached our own cars, it was as if we’d tossed our graduation hip scarves into the air and were looking forward to college.
    “If anyone wants to practice before our first Monday class, call or e-mail me,” I said as I threw Merlot into a heap in my trunk.
    “My boyfriend, Trey, isn’t coming till the weekend, so I may call you,” Cheryl said as she discarded her music, bags, and veil.
    “I’m always up for practice,” Polly said. “I can meet in Kat’s poolroom and work around gym time. I’ll be running through the routine during my workouts