Slow Dancing Read Online Free PDF Page A

didn’t arrive at Paul’s as expected. It was coming from Dallas, so he couldn’t hop in his car and fetch it as he could if it were coming from Mobile. Frank walked over to Mary’s house and knocked on the door. This time, Margaret answered. She was still in her nightgown, and without meaning to, against his will, looking at her aroused him. The gown was of a soft, gauzy fabric, virginal and feminine. The way the fabric swirled around her curves, his imagination took flight. He looked away.
    “I’m so sorry,” he said. “The part I need didn’t arrive as we expected it would. Won’t be here now until Monday. Don’t blame you none if you’re angry.” She looked down at her hands. A weekend here in this village with kind Mary and handsome Frank wasn’t such a bad thing.
    “Have coffee with me,” she said. “I’ll be fine right here at Mary’s place.” He looked at his watch.
    “I’m supposed to open up at nine. I’ll make a call.” He went to Mary’s phone, a yellow Princess model with a rotary dial hanging from the wall. He dialed the number of the post office.
    “Jessie,” he said when she answered. “Can you do me a favor and put a note on my door that the garage will open today at nine-thirty?” She agreed to do it, so Frank could have coffee with his new friend.
    “So yesterday I talked all afternoon about myself. Now you tell me about you,” he said, smiling.
    Margaret was a good storyteller. “There’s not much to tell,” she lied. “I work in an office back in Florida. But I needed a break, so we’re headed to Texas to see a friend. It won’t kill me if I alter my plans a little.”
    “We’re you born in Florida?”
    “Yes, Saint Augustine. The only family I have is an aunt and my brother Peter who is in an asylum there.”
    “Oh, I’m sorry,” Frank said. He was curious why, but too courteous to ask. She didn’t mind telling, though.
    “He’s mentally ill. Doesn’t speak or communicate at all. Can’t take care of himself. It’s really rather sad. I’m glad my child is okay. There’s nothing shy about Ellen!”
    “No, there sure isn’t,” Frank agreed. “Was your brother always sickly?” Margaret hesitated, grateful.
    “I never looked at it like he was sick. But yes, he was always mentally ill. From the time he was a little one, he would hide from our momma, or refuse to eat, or steal. He was devious.” Frank didn’t think any of those things sounded that unusual, especially for a boy, but didn’t offer his opinion.
    “Sorry to hear it,” he replied. “Must be difficult on the family.” She nodded her head.
    “We coped,” she said. “My momma tried it all; beatings, makin’ him sit in the corner, any punishment you can think of, and finally one day she just gave up.” Frank didn’t want to upset Margaret, so he changed the topic.
    “Since it looks like you’re going to be around this weekend, do you want to go to a movie?” She brightened up at the suggestion, Peter forgotten.
    “Oh yes, I’d love it!” and then crestfallen, “But what about Ellen?” He paused and then had an idea.
    “We’ll go to a drive-in and then she can come with us.”
    “Okay, that’s even better,” she said. So their first date was set.
    “I better get back to the garage.” He dug through his pocket and came up with a business card. It had a cartoon of a man with a blue uniform on, smiling and saluting. At your service! Handing it to her, he told her to call him if she needed anything. He averted his eyes, not wanting to gaze on her in her nightgown again. She was as unselfconscious as could be.
    The day went by quickly for Frank. He had another complicated repair in addition to Margaret’s Buick, which sat forlorn, waiting. He was secretly happy the part didn’t show up in the morning deliveries. Back at Mary’s house, Margaret used the Princess phone and left a message for Alan; her car had broken down and she’d be delayed until next week.
    She and Ellen