Page 51 of Dreams and Reptiles

The energy in the room was incredible. Half the couples were moving in sync, looking like they’d been dancing together forever. The other half…

“Honey, you have to lead if you want me to be the follower.”

Mercy was now struggling with Ophelia as they tried to nail one of the more complicated step patterns. The upbeat music from Postmodern Jukebox was a little faster now, and the couples were laughing and falling apart rather than following directions.

“Sorry, sorry. I’m concentrating so hard on the steps I forget to let you know where to go. Why don’t you lead? It’s too much for my brain.”

“Thanks for coming, you two.”

Ophelia waved the fingers of the hand that Mercy was gripping for dear life. I thought I should leave them to it.

“Did you want to give it a try, Francis?”

Finn stood in front of me with his hands at the ready.

“Why not? Best way to get people to participate is to see their host doing it, right?”

Thankfully, I’d had a few lessons when Derek and I went to New Orleans years ago, so I was able to keep up with Finn, but it was nothing flashy. Out of the corner of my eye, though, I noticed couples making space—and I nearly tripped when I saw my Kendall fling my mom out and in, and then pick her up and flip her around his back.

“Didn’t know our local fire department was hiding that kind of talent,” Finn said with a chuckle.

“Oh, he’s talented, all right.”

Finn cracked up. “Oh really? Hmm. Have you had to borrow some sugar?”

“A plunger, actually. And he’s great with bugs and snakes, too.”

Finn sighed. “A handy man is fun to get handsy with.”

We laughed together, and he turned me in a circle, and by then we couldn’t ignore the ruckus my person and my mom were making. We joined the rest of the guests, clapping and cheering them on as Kendall and Mom worked out one more flashy move and, a second later, he lifted her by the waist, swung her between his legs, and she slid across the floor to a stop in front of me.

“Uh-huh, and you’re too old to organize kitchen cabinets,” I said, as I helped her to her feet.

“Be careful, or I’ll steal your boyfriend.” She gave me an evil smile, then blew a kiss to the crowd.

“Hussy.”

“Where do you think you get it from?”

I adored my mom so much, but this past year, with her unwavering support, I’d come to appreciate her even more.

Kendall approached and put his hand on Mom’s back. “Are you okay, Ms. Lau? I tossed you a little harder than I intended.”

She patted his cheek. “I’m a tough old broad. That was so much fun!” She flicked her chin at me. “He ever mistreats you, you know where to find me.”

Kendall burst out laughing and reached for my hand. “Ma’am, I know I couldn’t handle you.”

She showed her claws and gave him a “rawr.”

“Auntie Pretzel! I can’t believe you did that.”

Derek came up to us with Auntie Judy, and the two sisters hugged.

“We are absolutely going to be taking all the dance classes, Francis,” my auntie said. “I haven’t had this much fun since⁠—”

“Since you let those two boys take you home after a night at the club when we were in community college?”

Three things happened.