The dance

 I first saw her with some friends, sharing laughs and beers as the music played from the jukebox. It was hard not to notice her; her long black hair flowed down her back, shining like a moonlit ocean. I caught her eye for a brief moment, and she smiled before quickly turning back to her friends. A moment of giggles erupted among them, which either meant she found me amusing or that she thought I was cute. Either way, I grabbed a beer and walked toward her. Luck was on my side as a slow song began to play, and I softly asked her to dance. She smiled and said she'd love to.

As we danced, she was in my arms, her hair smelling like a field of lavender. Our movements were in sync, and we held each other close, with no words necessary. When the song ended, I thanked her for the dance and walked her back to her friends, who giggled some more. I was left wondering if she thought I had two left feet or if that dance was one of the nicest she'd ever experienced. Regardless, I made my way to the bar and took a seat, still trying to calm my nerves.

I watched her dance with several guys, her long hair swaying to the music. As she got closer, the scent of lavender brushed past me, and she asked if I was going to ask her to dance again. I jumped off the stool, tapped the guy on the shoulder, and asked if I could cut in. He reluctantly agreed, and she was in my arms once more.

We danced and danced until the clock struck two, and last call was announced. I asked for her phone number and walked her to a car filled with her still-giggling friends. She didn’t join in their laughter, though, as the moment between us was sweet, much like her lips, I thought. She kissed my cheek, and then she was gone, leaving behind the scent of lavender that I would carry with me until it blended into the night.

As time went on, we dated until life intervened and took me away. I wrote to her every day until I could see her again, but life had different plans. All that remained were my memories of dancing to a jukebox with her long black hair moving with the music and the feelings I would always keep alive, along with the smell of lavender brushing past me in the night.

Mike 2025