For The Love Of Dance
1312 Words
From across the crowded and smoke-filled room, you kept staring at me. Despite my best efforts, I was unable to appear to turn my gaze away. In an effort to prevent me from leaving the dance floor, my friends each grabbed an aria remained steadfast and awestruck; nothing or anyone could force me to move. Never before had I been in such a bizarre state of paralysis!
For weeks, Megan and Tully had been urging me to return to my first love, dancing, and stop ruminating around the house. I did not possess i.e. really did not. After discovering a family secret that had been kept hidden—especially from me!—I was mentally and physically exhausted. For more than 21 years.
I was pleaded with to just listen by my father and mother! In normal circumstances, I would respect everything they said to me. However, there was nothing about this that deserved my respect. I was unable to even look at them! Not after they had delivered such a significant blow to me!
I thought someone had passed away. They had, in a sense. Put aside all of my preconceived notions about myself! Now, everything was irrelevant! Just when I thought my life was getting better. Why was this necessary at this time? It just doesn't make sense to me!
Tully and Megan had always been there for me. Across all terrains. We had met through an appropriately named online community called "For the Love of Dance. “Naturally, there were thousands of members. However, somehow we had connected. I was saved by them. They did, in fact! However, I was unsure how they could assist me in this new situation I was in!
It's not that I despise my parents—that would be impossible for me! At this point, I just couldn't stand them. They knew when to give me space, and now that they know about this new information, they know I need to be by myself. I really didn't know how to deal with the feelings I was having at the time. All of it was a little bit much!
Despite my insistence that they stay well away, Tully was the first to arrive! Not because he couldn't afford anything else, but carrying a bottle of cheap chardonnay. However, due to the fact that it was our very first drink together when we finally met face to face. Megan, lapping at his heels like a "good little doggy," was just a few moments behind. She was carrying cupcakes, chocolate, and Doritos in her arms. Our emotional snacks of choice.
I resisted opening the door. But, as they always did, their pitiful faces won me over. We cried, stuffed our faces, and gave each other hugs until we couldn't move. The chardonnay did a good job of washing everything down, and it also made me feel a little drunk and numb. I love that these two don't make me feel like I have to tell them everything right away.
I was still unable to express my feelings to my friends in words the following morning. We gave each other more hugs before sitting in silence with a nice cup of my favorite mushroom latte. The thought of food was far from my mind. However, "Chef Tully" served blueberry pancakes dripping with maple syrup that I managed to eat. I was able to eat everything without even realizing it!
"Okay, guys, let me just say that I love you both regardless of what. Additionally, I greatly value everything you both do for menu, why is this so difficult? Bugger it! Just going to say it!"
The door to my apartment was then tapped. Causing me to scream in pain! Causing concern for my two closest friends when they saw how my already pale face turned to ash, and then I fell asleep right away!
"Sienna! Sienna, girl! Can I hear you? “Megan, a friend of mine, blurted out.
As I struggled against the waves of darkness that were threatening to drag me once more into its depths, I could hear my own groaning. Tully had the good sense to take my last-minute bottle of lavender oil from my nearby handbag. When I put it in my nose and Megan's, we both feel calm very quickly! Got to love my lavender!
I looked toward the door with a confused expression on my face. Tully handed me an envelope that he had been given by the postman—the enigmatic door knocker—during my earlier "episode because he could sense my question before I even spoke. As I grabbed the sliver of paper tucked inside, my hand was shaking.
Back in time, I'm paralyzed on the spot, staring at the figure that was now walking toward me, and I'm back there. I was out of breath! My knees were about to give way and my heart was beating a little too quickly! I was terrified to the core!
Once more, Megan and Tully were by my side, holding each other's hands. My sense of tranquility was immediately restored. My "Posse" was by my side. I felt brave, strong, and prepared to face whatever came my way. Because I wasn't on my own.
As I realized the face that had previously appeared foreign and unrecognizable, I managed a weak smile. “Neither the inexplicable emptiness that had accompanied me for as long as I could not remember nor the fear that had almost taken over have I ever felt again. “You" gave me closure.
Everything had been a terrible nightmare that you thought you might never get out of. Since I was in a coma, I was naturally thinking everything through. On the night of my twenty-first birthday, I was involved in a terrible car accident that left me with injuries that could have ended my life. In order for me to have a chance of surviving, I had to be put into an induced coma.
My mind was trying to work through the physical and emotional trauma I had experienced as a result of the accident by playing scenes in my head while I was in a coma. I was avoiding the heartbreaking realization that I had died and miraculously resurfaced, albeit paralyzed and in a deep sleep. In addition, I was shielding myself from the harrowing reality that my two closest friends had been murdered!
On the day I turned twenty-one, my parents informed me of shocking news. After thirty years of marriage, they were getting divorced, which seemed like a complete surprise to me! Because I had trouble adjusting to new situations. Naturally, they could have chosen a more favorable time!
I had observed evidence that my parents' marriage had failed. I simply refused to accept that it was taking place! I was also angry because I had been turned down for a job I had applied for with a reputable dance company—the slip of paper—that I had wanted since I was a little girl!
The fact that the paralysis I was experiencing was only temporary gave me hope. However, the loss of Tully and Megan would have a lasting impact on my life! I had no idea what the driver who was at fault was going through!
The enigmatic figure I had observed on the dance floor was actually me—the "me" who was so enamored with life and dancing. I knew that the spirits of Megan and Tully had come to me to help me remember that even though they were no longer physically with me, they would always be a part of media needed to return to my first love as well as it was time for me to return to the land of the living.
"Thank You, Megan and Tully, for once more saving my life."
- Writer
