Chapter 03.6

The dancing resumed, and I wandered over to the dessert table, waiting for a moment when Mrs. Julie would be dancing with someone I could politely cut in on.

“Hi, Jay,” came a voice behind me.

“Hey, Mickey,” I smiled at the little boy and shook his hand. ”How are you?”

“I’m good, thanks,” he smiled. ”But you could’ve stopped by at Christmas,” he added, a little reproachfully. ”I thought you were my friend.”

“I am,” I said apologetically. ”I just didn’t want to intrude on your family time.”

“I get it,” he nodded. ”Adam’s whole family came to visit, and I’m going to see them this summer too,” he added proudly. ”Do you like school?”

“Not really,” I admitted. I could be honest with Mickey—he wouldn’t lecture me.

“There was a country where I didn’t like school either,” he said. ”But Janie always helped me. Maybe you should ask her too—she might help you.”

“It’s more complicated than that,” I said quietly, my eyes drifting to my girlfriend—well, ex—who was dancing again with some guy doing something he probably thought was dancing. I thought it looked more like flailing.

“Yeah, I heard you’re not together anymore,” Mickey said. ”But Janie said we can still be friends.”

“I wouldn’t expect anything less from her,” I smiled, glancing again at Jenny. ”What were you talking about with that nice French guy earlier?” I asked, curious.

“Nothing special,” Mickey said. ”He mostly talked about himself—his great school and stuff. Dany said that at events like these, you should always be polite when talking to guests—and if Janie signals with her hand, you step in and ask her for a dance.”

“I see,” I said, smiling  “Since when do you know these rules?” I added, amused by my girl's wit.

“A few years already. Dany said some guys can be rude, and if Janie asks, we should help her out," he explained.

“When Dany told me to interrupt you, I didn’t expect you to be rude with her,” he said seriously. “But Janie said her feet started to hurt.”

I held back a laugh. “Maybe a lot of guys stepped on them,” I said, as I scanned for Jenny—she was already dancing with someone else. 

“Next time you’re home, will you stop by?” Mickey asked, pulling me out of my thoughts.

“Definitely,” I said.

“Good,” he smiled. ”I’ll wait for you with a new puzzle.”

“You’ll have to wait until early summer,” I said.

“That’s okay,” he said cheerfully. ”I’ll find something else until then.”

Mickey gave me a hug, grabbed his loaded plate, and returned to his seat—just as Jenny was being escorted back. After a hand-kiss, the guy sat down too. The siblings began sharing desserts.

Mrs. Julie was dancing with Brian’s dad. She smiled and nodded when I asked to cut in.

The bride had no trouble following the rhythm—just like her daughter.

“Don’t mind my daughter’s dance partner,” she laughed. “Adam tried everything. And sorry about her dancing skills.”

“It’s okay. I deserved it,” I said. ”Mrs. Julie, I need a few minutes with the microphone on the stage.”

“Ah, the ‘stupid idea,’” she winked. ”Right after this dance—it’ll be perfect.”

The song ended, and my eyes found Jenny. She was sitting at her table between Mickey and Daniel.

I stepped onto the stage.

“I need the microphone,” I said plainly to the annoyingly cheerful emcee, who handed it over after a nod from Mrs. Julie and stepped aside.

I looked around. Mom started to rise, but Dad gently guided her back down by the shoulder. Brian was getting ready to record. The lawyer and Jenny’s mom sat back down, intrigued. My love hadn’t noticed yet—Daniel and a pastry had her attention.

“I’d like to ask everyone to please take a seat and listen for a moment,” I said.

Brian hit record. Dad leaned back, curious. Jenny looked up at me.

The guests quietly returned to their seats. I waited a moment.