Ten Cents a Dance

“Ten Cents a Dance”

She spun and turned and
threw her head back in laughter. Music surrounded only her flushing her cheeks ••• crimson highlighting the fire in her eyes. She looked lovely •••
oh so lovey.
He stared down at his shoes ••• they reflected his frozen smile
as the sounds of the wounded rang in his head. His large hand c1utchea at the ticket dampening it with his fear.
He stared •••
but he saw not her ••• heard not her laughter ••• sought not her joy.
“Oh Lord, it’s been so long •••
so very, very long.” ~ow, the music slowed
bodies swayed in the soft rhythm. She stood before him •••
smiling, coaxing
and the strong scent of lavender enticed him to say •••
yes.
The ticket belonged to her. He could feel the gentleness of her soothing touch
through the scratchiness of his uniform. His throat ached,
but his heart ached more. “It’s been so long •••
God, it’s been so long.”
She smiled and lay her head down
resting on his shoulder-. He felt timid ••• shy.
He reached around encircled her waist,
felt the woman warmth beneath the softness of silk.
Felt her curves,
tasted the sweetness of her hair as it
caressed his lips. His eyes burned
as with the sting of tear gas. He couldn’t stop his tears
He held her •••
swayed to the strains of drifting music. Held her as if she were a porcelain doll •••
gently ••• tenderly with reverence and cried.
They danced ••• slowly ••• together.
It was her ticket It was his dance. It was her job but •••
they were his memories and
“Oh God, it’s been •••
so ••• long.”