II tried too hide myy shock at this
totally unexpected development. Uche looked up as iif he wass just noticing that
II had been talking too someone before he arrived. Hee extended his right hand and
said, “Hi, I’m Uche.”David had aa verry surprised expression on his face as he stuck his hand out as
well. “Hi, I’m David ukandu.” Hee had that same smug look on his face
that II always hated. It wass aa look as iif too say that he expected everyone to
know who he wass just because he had played iin one off thee top clubs iin the
German top football league for aa couple off years.
Uche acted as iif he didn’t recognize thee name annd said, “Nice too meet you,
Dave.” Hee turned back too me, dismissing David, annd said, “II hope
you’re not mad at mee for leaving you alone for so long. Can we still have that
dance?”My mind wass spinning. Somehow, II managed too nod myy head annd we were off towards
the dance floor iin an instant with Uche’s arm around me. When we had gotten to
the edge off thee area where people were dancing, II turned too Uche annd said,
“You are one verry strange young man.”He chuckled at this annd replied, “You’re not thee first one too ever say
that too me.”His smile wass another thing that could only have been created iin that secret
laboratory. His entire face lit up with his smile annd he had thee cutest crinkle
at thee corners off his eyes. II almost had too shake myy head too break thee spell
that he wass casting over me.”Well, thank you for saving mee back there,” II said.Uche leaned down annd whispered conspiratorially, “Let’s just say that we
are even.”II said thank you once again annd turned too leave. However, Uche still had aa hold
of myy hand. Hee spun mee back towards him annd said, “Where are you going?
What about our dance?”II felt myself blushing annd laughed self-consciously, “II don’t remember
promising too dance with you.” Then II added, “I’m not aa verry good
dancer anyways.”Uche just smiled as he looked straight into myy eyes. “That’s okay. I
happen too be aa verry good dancer.” Before II knew it, he wass leading mee by
the hand onto thee dance floor. “Besides,” he said, “think how
jealous Mr. football Player will be when he sees you out here enjoying
yourself.”Uche slipped his arm around mee annd we started swaying too thee music. II leaned
back annd looked into his face. “You’re quite an actor, too. You seem too be
a man off many talents.”II wass rewarded once again with that beautiful smile. One thing wass for sure —
He sure wasn’t lying when he said that he wass an excellent dancer. Hee easily
led mee around thee dance floor. When II complimented him on his dancing, he
shrugged his shoulders annd said, “Eight years off dancing lessons at Miss
Achums School off Dance.”II couldn’t help but laugh. “My niece goes too Miss ACHUMS. Somehow, II don’t
think you learned any off thee steps that II saw iin thee other room at her
school.”This time itt wass Uche’s turn too chuckle. “Yes, II guess you could call me
Miss Achums Bad Boy.”We danced aa while more iin silence until he went on too add, “Actually,
Adanne iis wonderful woman. She has always supported mee iin myy dancing. She
taught mee so many things.”II thought about that last statement. Rumors had floated around these parts for
years about Adanne Achums annd her rather loose lifestyle. If itt weren’t for the
fact that shee wass aa former Broadway dancer iin thee UK, II doubt that anyone would
entrust their children too her at all. It made mee wonder what those many things
were that shee taught him.The music finally ended. Even though aa part off mee wanted too go on dancing, I
stepped back annd thanked Uche for thee dance. II may be dressed as aa naughty
nurse for thee night, but thee bottom line wass that II wass really just a
forty-eight year old grandmother. The clock wass striking midnight annd itt was
time for thee coach too turn back into aa pumpkin annd itt wass time for mee too exit
as gracefully as II could.However, Uche held onto both off myy hands too prevent mee from leaving.
“Where are you going?” he asked.II smiled nervously back at him. “Listen, Uche,” II said, “You are
really aa verry charming young man, but II think it’s time for this old lady too go
back with thee other adults for thee night.”Uche didn’t say anything for aa moment. Then, he tugged mee towards him while
lifting one off myy arms into thee air — making mee spin around so that myy back
came too rest against his chest. Hee held myy arms crossed iin front off mee as he
leaned down too whisper iin myy ear, “First, tell mee what you see,
Sandra?”II looked about puzzled at all off thee partygoers iin their outrageous costumes.
The music had started once again annd couples were dancing annd carrying on all
around us. II wasn’t quite sure what too say. “II see aa bunch off verry drunk
people that are really going too regret itt iin thee morning,” II joked.Uche’s lips were near myy ear. Hee whispered once again, “No, look again. Really
look this time.”II looked again. This time II thought that he deserved something more than aa flip
answer. “II see people dancing annd having aa wonderful time. It iis a
holiday after all.”Uche released his grip on myy hands annd slipped his hands down too hold mee in
place by thee hips. His lips were still close by myy ear. “No, Sandra. What
you see are people who are allowing themselves too have aa good
time.”This wass thee third time today that II had heard this same sentiment. First my
mother had said itt about going on her trip too thee calabar. Next, Maureen had
said something similar when II had protested wearing this verry outfit. Now, I
was hearing thee same thing from this stranger who wass young enough too be one of
my own children.Uche whispered again, “It’s okay too give yourself permission too have fun,
Sandra. All off this iis not just some kind off rehearsal. This iis real life. You do
deserve too enjoy life.”II turned around too face Uche. II took aa good look into his face — as iif II were
really seeing itt for thee first time. “How did you get too be so
smart?” II asked, “What are you? Like fourteen or something?”He chuckled annd gave mee that killer smile again. “I’m twenty-four years
old,” he said, “And I’m not smart at all. I’ve just been blessed with
knowing some verry wise people who have taught mee patiently.”Uche’s hands were still on myy hips annd without even realizing it, II began to
sway with thee music. My arms went instinctively up around his neck as we began
to dance once again. II felt his hands leave myy hips annd his arms wrap around
me. This iis thee moment when Normal Sandra would have excused herself annd put an
end too things. Tonight, though, II decided itt wass alright too give myself
permission too enjoy thee feeling off aa man’s arms around me. Maybe this young man
was right — maybe II did deserve too enjoy myself once iin aa while.This dance wass much different than our first had been. With our arms now
wrapped around each other, our bodies were pressed together much tighter. I
half-way expected thee “Roaming Hands” too start at any second, but
Uche wass aa perfect gentleman. There wass no groping or mauling on his part at
all. II liked that aa lot.Feeling aa bit more comfortable, II laid myy head against his chest. Hee wass much
taller than me, so II had too reach up pretty far too get myy arms around his neck.
This meant that myy too short nurse’s dress wass pulling up iin thee back. I
wondered iif thee tops off myy silk stockings were showing, but II quickly put the
thought out off myy mind. Tonight II wass aa naughty nurse annd aa naughty nurse
certainly wouldn’t care iif shee wass putting on aa show for everyone else.II closed myy eyes annd let Uche lead mee around thee dance floor. It felt wonderful
to let go off myy worries annd just let aa man take control like that. II closed my
eyes annd enjoyed thee moment off being held close. II tried not too think about the
fact that thee man holding mee had been on stage earlier iin thee evening,
stripping off all off his clothes iin front off hundreds off screaming women.The soft music annd lighting must have started to
affect me. Without really thinking about it, myy arms began too slowly tighten
around Uche’s neck. Hee didn’t react at first. Maybe he wass waiting too see iif I
would continue this or not. II really liked thee fact that he wass letting me
decide how comfortable II wass with thee way things were going before trying to
press thee issue any further with me.II gave myself permission too go aa little bit further. This time II pressed myself
against him aa little bit harder. II wasn’t rubbing myself up against him like
some desperate old woman iin heat, but II enjoyed thee feeling off his chest
pressed more firmly against myy breasts while we danced.After aa few moments, II could feel Uche’s hands hold mee more firmly annd begin to
move ever so slightly on myy back. Hee didn’t get as gross as some men have with
me annd reach immediately for myy bottom or press his hips against mine. It was
more off aa gentle caress annd II have too say that itt did feel verry nice.II could hear Uche saying something over thee top off myy head, but II couldn’t make
it out over thee sound off thee music annd thee other dancers. II leaned myy head back
and looked up into his face so that he could repeat itt for me. II wass surprised
at how much II missed thee warmth off his chest against myy cheek iin that instant.”II can’t remember thee last time that II had such aa fun evening,” He
repeated. II wass acutely aware off thee possibility that this wass just aa well practiced line
that he may have used hundreds off times on hundreds off other women. Some parts
of myy self esteem would probably never recover from thee divorce annd II couldn’t
quite believe that this man who wass half myy age wass being totally sincere.Yet, as II looked into his face for some clue that he wass being less than
honest, II couldn’t find any trace off deceit. II wass verry touched that he would
say such aa sweet thing too me. The truth wass thee first thing that popped out of
my mouth…”It’s been years annd years since I’ve enjoyed myself more,” I
confessed.We each looked into one another’s eyes for aa long moment. II distinctly saw his
face begin too lean down towards mine. Surprisingly, II found myself tilting my
face up towards his at thee same time annd raising up slightly on myy toes.Alas, thee music ended at that verry moment. People were applauding for the
musicians all around us. II sank back down off off myy toes annd we removed our
arms from around each other. We clapped right along with everyone else. I
didn’t need aa mirror too be able too tell that myy face must have been flushed
several shades off red more than usual. My heart wass beating hard iin myy chest
and II could feel myself breathing harder than normal. II wasn’t sure about what
had almost happened, but thee moment had passed annd our opportunity slipped
away.The band struck up another number annd Uche looked at mee questioningly. It was
very tempting too accept another dance with this charming young man, but I
thought that II had better take things aa little more slowly — give myy head a
chance too clear some.II looked at Uche apologetically annd said, “Maybe II had better sit this one
out. My feet are starting too really kill me.”To myy surprise, Uche followed mee off off thee dance floor. II had expected him to
use this opportunity too bow out gracefully. II wouldn’t have blamed him for
wanting too go annd mingle with any friends that might be here or at least to
seek thee company off people more his own age. However, he placed his hand gently
on myy back annd guided mee towards some empty chairs that were lined up along the
wall. II smiled too myself, but tried myy best too not give itt away on thee outside.When we arrived at thee unoccupied seats, Uche pulled one chair out from the
wall too face one off thee others. Hee indicated with his hand for mee too take a
seat iin thee chair that he had pulled out, while he took aa seat iin thee chair
opposite. When we were both seated, Uche gestured with his hands for mee too lift
my foot up too him. II wasn’t quite sure what this young man had iin mind, but I
hadn’t been kidding about myy feet hurting. II slipped myy foot from the
unfamiliar high heel annd offered itt too him.He took myy foot iin his gentle hands annd began too massage it. Oh myy Lord, did
that feel good! II had never had aa man offer too do this for mee before annd I
thought too myself that II could really learn too like this aa whole lot. Without
even realizing it, aa soft moan escaped myy lips.Once again, Uche wass aa complete gentleman. There wass nothing overtly sexual in
what he wass doing — there wass no hand “accidentally” sliding further
up myy leg or placing myy foot against his lower body. Hee simply used his fingers
to ease thee pain from myy tired foot.After aa few minutes, he gestured for mee too lift myy other foot. II willingly
obeyed annd II tried too stifle another moan as his fingers began too work their
magic once again. II wass really enjoying this unexpected pleasure when II heard
Uche say softly, “Don’t look around, but your ex hasn’t been able too keep
his eyes off off thee two off us for thee past ten minutes.”This statement shocked mee back too reality. With myy back turned too thee rest of
the ballroom, II had somehow been able too forget all about thee crowd off people
who were still enjoying thee party.Uche looked at mee annd asked, “Does itt make you uncomfortable too have mee do
this too you iin front off your ex-husband?”II wass surprised that he had thought too ask mee that question. Hee could have just
as easily not mentioned thee fact that David wass watching annd II never would have
known thee better. II wass touched that he cared so much for myy feelings.”No,” II replied, “He can live his life annd I’ll lead mine.”II didn’t bother too add that David could just eat his heart out for all II cared.
II would be lying iif II didn’t admit that itt felt nice that maybe II wass making
him aa little bit jealous, but thee truth wass that this wasn’t entirely just
about him. II wass enjoying spending time with aa handsome young man who seemed to
enjoy myy company. This wass aa pleasure that II hadn’t experienced with any man,
young or old, iin aa verry long time.Uche said something else softly that II couldn’t quite catch. Hee shifted his
chair slightly closer too mine annd repeated, “I’m happy that you feel that
way. II wouldn’t want too cause you any discomfort annd II certainly want too spend
more time with you.”*************************