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Wynonna shifted on the metal folding chair. It was uncomfortable and her butt was starting to fall asleep. She couldn’t believe Waverly had talked her into this. She shook her head a little at the thought. Her sister had been so excited when she agreed to come and that was the only reason she actually followed through. Waverly had looked at her like she did when they were little. Large, hazel eyes, that came to life when she smiled, regarded Wynonna like she was worthy of so much love. How could she back out when her baby sister looked so happy?
So here Wynonna sat, on an uncomfortable folding chair in the parish hall of St. Mathew’s Episcopal Church, watching her baby sister dance and spin and giggle.
It had been a long time since she had seen Waverly really laugh. The kind of laugh that reached her eyes. Sure, Waverly was usually bubbly and friendly; always quick with a smile. But she didn’t often let herself go like this. Wynonna knew she had made the right decision in coming. It was just what Waverly needed.
--
Two days ago Waverly had approached Wynonna shyly, “Wynonna . . .?”
“Yup, what’cha need?” Wynonna looked up from the Cycle World magazine she was thumbing through. Someone had left it at Shorty’s and Gus said she could take it to read.
“Oh, nothing . . . just wanted to ask you . . . if . . .”
“Oh my god, just spit it out.”
“If, maybe, you wanted to go with me on Sunday. To the City. For a thing.”
“What sort of thing?” Wynonna’s interest was piqued. Waverly was so nervous. What could she be planning?
“Well, it’s at the Episcopal Church in the City. It’s going to be so much fun . . .”
“NO, no way! You want me to go to church!? Me? Ina’ church? I don’t think so. Also, why are you going to church? Are you a church person now? How did I not know this? Am I that outa’ touch?”
Wynonna was staring, open mouthed, at her sister. How could she know so little about the woman Waverly was becoming?
“It’s dancing . . . I’m inviting you to go dancing.” Waverly said rapidly, trying to both calm and quiet Wynonna. “I’ve been going for the past little bit. It’s super fun. Usually Chrissy goes with me, because Champ always refeuses to come, but she can’t go this week and, since your back in town, I thought I would ask you. It’s in the City, so I can drive, and we can talk and ya’ know, catch up, on the way. You’ve been gone so long and we haven’t really gotten a chance to talk, like really talk, since you’ve been back and I just want to hang out with my big sister and it’ll be so much fun! It’s Sunday afternoon at 2. Please say yes.”
Waverly stared expectantly at Wynonna who was trying to process all this information. Waverly wanted to hang out with her. That’s what this was all about. They hadn’t really spent that much time together since she’d been back in Purgatory, just the two of them. Maybe this is what they needed. A girl’s night . . . or afternoon, out . . . at a church . . .
“What kind of dancing?”
“Oh, well it’s Scottish Country Dancing. Like I said, it’s super fun. It’s kinda’ like Square Dancing, only it’s from Scotland . . . and you’re not usually in a square. You’re in a line, well two lines, really. You have a partner and you stand across from them and you do all these figures and you move up and down the line with your partner. They play cool music, it kinda’ sounds like Polka Music, and it just makes you want to move and dance.”
“Okay . . . who do you dance with?” Wynonna was not sold on the dancing part yet.
“There are a lot of people who come and everyone’s real friendly. I usually dance with all sorts of people.” Waverly had her hands clasped in front of her and was staring at Wynonna expectantly.
“Fine, I’ll go. No promises on the dancing, though. Might just be a wallflower and watch you cut a rug.”
“YAY!” Waverly threw her arms around her big sister and squeezed. “We’re going to have SO much fun. Yippy!”
“Ouch! Jeez, I said I’d go – you don’t have to torture me into it.”
Maybe this is just what I need, Wynonna thought to herself as she was being squeezed to death by a teeny-tiny Hulk. No demons. No magic, demon killing gun. Just herself, Waverly and an afternoon of folk dancing . . . awesome . . .
--
Wynonna watched as Waverly gracefully moved through the current dance. She was smiling at her partner, skipping around in intricate patterns. Wynonna was amazed. How could anyone remember all those figures, remember which way to go and when? All the dancers seemed to know what was going on, though. She had only seen a few confused-looking missteps in the hour she had been here. Waverly told her the dancing usually went on for about two hours. One down, one to go. If she was being honest, she was actually enjoying herself. Seeing her sister let loose and relax had a calming effect on her.
Waverly loved to dance. Wynonna remembered toddler Waverly dancing around the homestead to any song that was playing. After Daddy and Willa died, she had gone to live with Aunt Gus and Uncle Curtis and they put her in dance classes. Wynonna was a little jealous of the normal life Waverly got to live, but was also so happy her baby sister got to grow up doing something she loved and that brought her joy. Waverly had been a cheerleader all through high school and, it seemed, kept up her love of dance and movement as she transitioned into the “real world.”
--
When they arrived at the church, Waverly led the way to the parish hall. There were about twenty other people there, a mixed group of men and women, all of them middle-aged or older.
Wynonna instantly felt underdressed in her jeans, t-shirt and workout shoes.
“Just wear something comfortable.” Waverly had told her earlier, while pulling on purple leggings. “And wear tennis shoes – it’s hard to dance in boots. Also, I don’t think they want’em stomping onto the hardwood floors.”
Wynonna was happy she chose a plain, black t-shirt. She could just image the looks if she’d shown up in one that had “Drinks Well with Others” printed across the front. Not that she really cared what these people thought of her but she wanted to make a good impression, for Waverly’s sake.
While she didn’t think showing up to a dance, in a church, on a Sunday afternoon with Peacemaker strapped to her hip would be the best idea, Wynonna wasn’t stupid. She had stowed the giant gun under her seat in the Jeep. That way, if a Revenant popped up and started killin’ folks, she’d be ready.
All the other women in the hall were in flowy dresses or skirts that swung elegantly as they moved. Waverly had put on a sheer, white wrap-around skirt over her leggings. She looked like a ballet dancer with the accompanying tight, pink, long-sleeve top.
Waverly, and their older sister Willa, had inherited Mamma’s graceful movements. Wynonna, on the other hand, had inherited Daddy’s proficiency with alcohol and demon killin’ - not so much with the grace.
--
The drive to the City had been enjoyable, fun even. They had taken Waverly’s red Jeep, Wynonna was not sure if Gus’s truck could make the trip. Besides, Waverly’s Jeep was nice and clean and had shocks that actually worked. They talked about Wynonna’s travels and Waverly’s on-line studies and even a bit about Champ. Waverly was too good for Champ and Wynonna knew her sister would come to her senses soon and dump the idiot. But for now, Wynonna held her tongue. If she pushed too hard it might just drive Waverly into his arms even tighter.
Waverly was a smart and genuinely good person. She deserved someone who wanted her for her mind and her heart, not just what she looked like in a tight dress.
--
“Come on, it’ll be fun.” Waverly grabbed Wynonna’s shoulders and was pulling her forward, off the chair. “Just try it.”
There was a short intermission in the dancing and the others were getting drinks or using the washroom. Someone had put out a spread of cookies and fruit on one of the tables. Wynonna looked longingly at the food as she resisted her sister.
“No, no. I’m good right here. I don’t need to make a fool outa’ myself in front of all these old people I don’t know.” Wynonna was trying to wriggle free but Waverly was freakishly strong and her hands stayed clamped on Wynonna’s shoulders.
“Please, for me?” It was Waverly’s smile that did it. Wynonna couldn’t resist the happy expression on her sister’s face.
“Okay, but I’m gunna’ suck . . . hard. I’m apologizing in advance for all the chaos I’m about to cause. Also, I gotta’ get a cookie before we start.”
“You won’t be that bad.” Waverly laughed as she finally pulled her sister off the metal folding chair she had been clinging to.
--
Cookie in hand, Wynonna moved to the dance area and watched as Waverly began to show her the basic steps. She nibbled around the cookie’s edge as she examined her sister’s feet.
“This is called a skip change. Just think of it as skipping, like from when we were young. It’s the traveling step. When you’re dancing in place you Pas-de-basque.” Waverly demonstrated by raising to the balls of her feet and bringing her left foot over to her right. She did a little hop on her right foot, pressed quickly down with her left while pulling her right off the ground then pushing her right back to the floor. The action was then repeated on the other foot.
It looked so graceful when Waverly did it. Wynonna tried to copy her sister, up on the balls of her feet, hopping around. She had a sneaking suspicion, however, that she looked less like Waverly and more like a drunken field rabbit. Waverly was next to her, trying to coach through fits of laughter.
“You’re doing so good . . . hee hee . . . keep at it . . . HA HA HA!”
Waverly’s laugh was contagious and Wynonna found herself giggling as she tried to keep up with her sister’s quick feet.
--
“How’s it going, ladies?” The deeply voiced question startled Wynonna. She had been staring at her feet, mostly to make sure they didn’t just up and leave her, but whipped her head up at the query.
Standing in front of her was a large man in a white shirt, cream knee socks and a red, plaid kilt. He had thinning, salt and pepper hair and a full beard. Wynonna thought he looked like a lumberjack, just in from the forest. Well, maybe a Scottish forest with the kilt and all. He had a wide grin and kind, green eyes that were currently focused on her sister.
“Waverly, who’s your friend here? She’s a fast learner.”
“Brent, allow me to introduce my sister, Wynonna.” Waverly gestured at her wobbling sister who was trying, desperately, to still her legs while balancing on the balls of her feet. “Wynonna, this is Brent. He’s been Scottish Country Dancing for over ten years – he’s so good. I love to be his partner because I don’t have to remember the dance – he just flings me to my next spot! Ha – it’s so great.”
A wide smile lit up Waverly’s face. Wynonna could tell she liked this Brent guy, thought of him as a friend.
“Don’t let her fool you, Waverly knows her stuff,” came the rumbling reply. “My husband over there, John, loves to dance with her. He is always forgetting what comes next and Waverly is so good about prompting him when they’re partners.”
Brent was gesturing toward a short, blonde man standing over the grapes, trying to pull apart a small bunch. He was dressed similar to Brent, except his kilt was a blue plaid and his knee socks were black.
“John says I’m too pushy when we’re partners, but just gushes over Waverly’s help.” Brent rolled his eyes but the smile never left his face.
“You wanna’ give it a try?” Brent’s hand was stretched out toward Wynonna.
“You sure? I’ll probably crash into you or somebody else. I could maim an old lady.”
“No worries. I’ll keep you in check.”
--
The dancers all returned to the floor and began to form lines, four people on each side. Wynonna learned that these were called sets and that they were forming four-couple sets. There were enough people for two four-couple sets and one three-couple set.
“This is our set.” Waverly said, indicating the dancers around them. “We’ll only dance with these people for this dance, just ignore everyone else.”
Wynonna nodded her head. She was not sure she was ready for this but was going to give it her all. She and Brent were the first couple in the line. Waverly and John were next to them, followed by two other couples made up entirely of elderly women.
“Why are those two couples just old chicks?” Wynonna was using what she hoped was a quiet voice as she leaned toward Waverly.
“It really doesn’t matter who you dance with as long as you remember if you started on the men’s or ladies’ side. I’ve been on the men’s side several times and John likes to dance on the ladies’ side, less thinking.”
Wynonna was nervously rocking back and forth looking around at the other dancers. They were all smiling at her which helped her relax a little.
--
“Okay dancers, we are going to dance a simple one next. Get ready for the Flowers of Edinburgh. Most of you know it but we are going to walk it through once for all our beginners.” The oldest women Wynonna had ever seen was standing at the front of the sets holding a small book.
“Right, right, let’s get going. First couple, that’s you dear,” a small, wrinkled hand pointed at Wynonna, “cast off on the ladies’ side – men chase.”
Everyone looked expectantly at Wynonna. Waverly gave her a little tap, “walk down our side of the line behind me.”
Wynonna turned and started down the line. She noticed Brent following just behind her.
“Good. Now, first woman cast below the third couple and up behind the men’s line, first man up the middle.”
Wynonna walked back up her set until she got to Brent’s starting position. So far, so good. Brent was in her spot, facing her with a big smile.
“Good, good. Now set.”
Set!? What the hell does that mean? Wynonna looked quickly to Waverly.
“Do the Pas-de-basque thing I showed you.”
“Oh, cool. Thanks.” Wynonna wobbled up onto the balls of her feet and attempted to “set” while staring at the floor.
“Hey, Wynonna, look at me when you set.” Brent was still beaming at her. They set again while looking at each other.
“Okay, now do that figure again. This time the lady will follow the man.”
Wynonna moved forward and followed Brent, across the dance and down, around the third woman. She made to follow him behind the men’s line, like she did before, when the woman in third place threw out an arm and loudly whispered “go up the middle.”
Oh yeah, he did do that. Wynonna moved to the top of the dance and realized she was back where she started.
“Now set again.”
This time Wynonna held her chin up and stared Brent down while setting. Brent let out a hardy chuckle, “see, now you’re getting it.”
“Good, good.” The old woman was smiling at Wynonna. “Now, first man leads first lady down the middle and back again.”
Brent moved forward, toward Wynonna, sticking out his right hand. Wynonna grabbed it with her right hand and was instantly spun toward the lower couples in their set. Off they went. They walked just pasted the forth couple and Brent did what Wynonna could only describe as a “speed turn.” Suddenly they were facing the top of the dance again and walking back to their starting places.
“That wasn’t so bad.” Wynonna looked expectantly at the old women leading the dance.
“Heh, just wait.” Brent was leaning across to stage whisper at Wynonna.
Her heart sped up. What could be coming next?
“Alright, last figure. The Poussette.”
John and Waverly moved toward each other, while Brent held out both hands to Wynonna. She moved forward and put her normal-sized hands into Brent’s freakishly large ones.
“Just follow me and it’ll go smoothly.”
The old woman gave Brent a subtle nod to let him know he was to push and pull Wynonna through this figure, getting her where she needed to be at the end of the dance.
“Okay, let’s walk the Poussette for the beginners. Out to the side, quarter turn. Up or down, quarter turn. Into the middle, all way round, fall back, fall back.”
Wynonna had absolutely no idea what just happened. Brent pulled her forward, then swung her around, pushed her backwards, swung her all the way around and pushed her (lightly) backwards again, into place. She looked at the lines and realized she and Brent were now in second place.
“Now, when we’re dancing, that couple will start again from second place. At the end of their second time through they will move to the bottom of the dance and there will be a new top couple. Everyone ready to dance it?”
Waverly pushed Wynonna back to the top of the set with a huge smile. “Are you ready to dance it all the way through? You just have to follow the music and the beat.”
She went on to explain that each figure had a count and that dancers had to take the full count for each figure or it would end too fast or too slow. She broke down the counts for each figure for Wynonna and reassured her sister. “Just follow Brent. He’ll make sure you’ll get where you need to. Also, remember you start the dance by going down behind me first thing. This’ll be so much fun!”
Wynonna stood stiffly across from Brent with large eyes and sweaty hands.
I can do this, she thought to herself as they were cueing the music, just follow Brent.
“Oh!” Waverly piped up, turning toward Wynonna. “There’s a cord at the start of the music. Just bow or curtsy at Brent.”
The cord sounded and Wynonna, caught off guard, did a very wobbly bow/curtsy combo.
The music started and Waverly shouted, “DANCE!”
And dance she did. Wynonna took off skipping down behind Waverly and, with a little help from the other dancers in her set, made it back to the top to set in place. She followed Brent for the chase figure again and even remembered, all by herself, to come up the middle. As she set in place she glanced at her sister. Waverly’s eyes were shining and she was lightly laughing, her whole body swaying with the music. Suddenly Wynonna was nine year’s old, watching toddler Waverly dance along with a song on the radio in the kitchen of the homestead.
Brent stepped forward and grabbed her right hand. As they moved down the center of their set, Wynonna realized how happy she felt and how delighted she had made her sister.
She was pleased she came. Pleased she could just let go for an hour or two. Enjoy her sister. Enjoy her life.