SEPTEMBER, 1977, HOME STRETCH, Age 27 ROSALYN HANDS ME A PARTING GIFT

Following my successful August visit to the Rubaiyat, I was on pins and needles wondering if Rosalyn would let me keep the JCC class in September.  I prayed she had lost interest over the summer and would let me continue.  Alas, such was not to be.  Shortly after Labor Day in September I got the call I was dreading.  When Rosalyn asked, "How did my class go this summer?", I took careful note of her words 'my class'.  Although my heart plummeted, I did my best to hide my disappointment.  First I explained things had gone well, then added how grateful I was for the opportunity.  I promised to see Rosalyn next week when her September class resumed.

After I hung up the phone, I fell to pieces.  Having experienced such intense satisfaction, I did not want to stop teaching.  Maybe I wrong about all these Destiny's Child daydreams.  This felt like the end the road.  I was really down, so I spent the rest of the day feeling sorry for myself.  I could not accept my Fate.  It hurt like crazy to be given such a wonderful opportunity only to have it taken away.

Two days passed.  Elena buzzed to say I had a phone call.  Still locked in depression over losing my Disco job, I was in no mood to talk unless I had to.  I asked Elena to find out who it was. 

"It is Naomi from the Jewish Community Center.  Do you want me to take a message?"

The JCC?  Really?  My heart leapt for joy.  What could this be about?

"It's okay, Elena, I will take the call."  

To my overwhelming joy, Naomi said she was looking for a Disco teacher.  However, I was surprised to learn Naomi was not from the Braeswood JCC where I had taught last summer.  Naomi explained she represented a new branch of the JCC which had recently opened out in the Memorial area.  As we spoke, Naomi explained that someone at the Braeswood JCC had passed along my name to her.  Naomi added that the referral had included a nice compliment about me.  Apparently someone in the office heard I had done a good job last summer.  That recommendation was good enough for Naomi. 

Naomi said, "Would you consider teaching for us this fall?"

"Yes, I would like to help, but first I have a question.  I have been a member of the Braeswood JCC for the past three years.  Not once have I ever heard of a Memorial location.  Why is that?"

"The Memorial JCC just opened.  It is practically brand new.  I am racing to put together a Fall schedule at this very moment.  I have to warn you that we don't have much time to get publicity out on this class.  I don't think your class will be be very large.  Is that okay?  We will still pay you the same amount you received last summer."

I scoffed.  Of course it was okay.  I was in no mood to play hard to get.  Nor did I care what the pay was.  I simply said, "When do I start?"

When Naomi said the course was on Wednesday, I was elated.  This gave me a face-saving reason to disengage from helping Rosalyn with her Wednesday class.  Now that I had been the teacher, I was not interested in returning to my boring assistant role.  I called Rosalyn.  She was so warm over the phone that I immediately felt guilty for wanting to avoid her class.  When I told her about the Memorial JCC, Rosalyn replied, "Oh good, you got the job.  They asked me to do it, but I told them I already taught on Wednesday nights.  That is when I suggested you."

Oh good grief.  Here I was mad at Rosalyn for reclaiming her class and she was looking out for me the whole time.  My guilt immediately ratcheted another level higher.  Hiding my mixed feelings as best I could, I said, "Rosalyn, I may not see you for a while, but I am very grateful to you for helping me get started.  Teaching dance is something I really love to do.  Thank you so much!"

Rosalyn replied, "You are most welcome.  I am glad this worked out so well.  I can tell how much this means to you."

After I hung up, I shook my head in wonder.  I owed Rosalyn quite a debt for her amazing contribution to my life.   I have always felt a deep sense of gratitude for Rosalyn's act of kindness.  I regret to say this was the last time I ever spoke to the woman who opened the door to my career.

Suspicious

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1977, HOME STRETCH memorial jcc

Two weeks later I began my Memorial JCC class.  The date was Wednesday, September 28.  Naomi was right about the small class.  I was greeted by 5 women, all of whom were nearly twice my age.  I didn't care.  5 people tonight, 30 people last summer, it made no difference.  I wanted to teach dance and I was hungry for any experience I could get. 

Unfortunately, this class was not as easy to teach as I had expected.  Although four of the ladies liked my class, there was a grouch named Esther who complained the entire time.  Esther was very difficult to please.  Nothing I said or did made her happy.  In front of the other four ladies, Esther made it clear this class was not what she expected.  Noticing how her negativity affected everyone, I worried that no one would come back next week. 

At the end of the night Esther and one other woman came up to talk to me.  I frowned as she approached.  This old battleaxe had ruined my class.  Now what? 

Esther said she wanted to learn how to partner dance to Disco music.

"I am sorry, ma'am, but I don't know how to partner dance."

Esther immediately insulted me.  "Why not?  Aren't you a Disco teacher?  How can you call yourself a dance teacher when you don't even know how to dance?"

I seethed at Esther's slap.  The Porcupine inside me came within an inch of telling that woman exactly where she could go.  I was tempted to hand the woman the JCC catalogue and ask if she knew how to read.  The class description said 'Disco Line Dances'.  However somewhere in the back of my mind I thought of Dr. Fujimoto, the man who threw me out of graduate school for my tendency to get defensive and retort without thinking first.  With a grim smile, I noted how my Darkest Day at Colorado State had steeled me to deal with this difficult woman.  I took a deep breath and counted to ten. 

Once I calmed down, I responded, "It is true that I do not know how to partner dance.  However I am curious to learn how to partner dance as well.  I promise to look around and see if I can find a place to pick up some training."

That satisfied Esther.  She and her friend left with a smile.  Meanwhile I breathed a sigh of relief.  I had come very close to losing my temper.  This advanced degree of self-control was highly uncharacteristic, so I quietly noted that perhaps it was a sign of emerging maturity.  With the help of Gaye Brown-Burke, my therapist and friend, I was determined to overcome my legion of weaknesses.  Unfortunately I was a slow learner.  Next month, I would turn 28.  At this rate, I figured I would be 60 when I finally grew up.

Thursday, SEPTEMBER 29, 1977, HOME STRETCH STEVENS OF HOLLYWOOD

I had no idea what Disco partner dancing looked like.  I had been Disco dancing three times since Manimal attacked me at the Farmhouse two and a half years ago.  Not once had I observed anyone partner dancing.  I wasn't even sure it existed.  That is when I remembered seeing that weird dance called the Whip.  Back in January 1976 I had signed up for a Disco line dance class at Stevens of Hollywood.  At the end of class, Lance Stevens,  the owner, had entered the room to put on a Whip dance demonstration with his wife Cliann.  I would later learn the Whip was the Texas equivalent of a better-known dance called West Coast Swing. 

It had been 21 months since I had seen the Whip demonstration.  Since the Whip was the only thing I knew that might resemble Disco partner dancing, I phoned Stevens of Hollywood.  Lance Stevens answered the phone.  Stevens said he had a Whip class on Tuesday night I could take, but it had started two weeks ago.  He added that Tuesday would be the third lesson.  Stevens said the Whip was a tough dance and very few people succeeded starting this late.  There was no encouragement in his voice.  In fact, Stevens made it sound like it wasn't even worth his trouble to bother. 

"If you want to come, that's up to you.  Be forewarned I will not slow my class down to accommodate you."

I said I would be there.  The way I saw it, this was the only game in town.

Tuesday, October 4, 1977, HOME STRETCH Dorothy Piazzos

"How can you call yourself a dance teacher when you don't even know how to dance?"

Esther's insult had struck a chord.  When it came to Disco dancing, I had no clue how to partner dance.   Since I was always looking for a way to improve my dancing, Esther had aroused my curiosity.  I recalled my visit to Stevens of Hollywood back in January 1976.  That was the night I met Roberta, the worst dance teacher I ever met.  Oddly enough, I owed a debt to her.  Roberta had asked me to come up to the front and teach a line dance she had seen me demonstrating earlier to another student. 

To my distinct pleasure, I had done a very good job explaining how the pattern worked during my brief cameo.  When the class was over, the desire to teach a line dance class of my own was firmly planted in my mind.  As I entered of Stevens of Hollywood that night, this memory was fresh in my mind.  After all, this studio was where the dream had started.  The date was Tuesday, October 4, 1977. 

Stevens of Hollywood was located on the edge of the Montrose area near the corner of Shepherd and Westheimer.

Since I was starting class in the third week, when I arrived Stevens knew it was me who had phoned.  I was surprised to see I was the only person under 40.  Stevens looked me over, then shrugged. 

"Okay, I warned you, but since you're here, you might as well give it a try.  However, like I said, I don't intend to hold my class up waiting for you to catch up."

I noticed the edge in his voice.  What value was there in discouraging me?  I had a bad feeling about Lance Stevens.  He was gruff and impatient.  Not an easy guy to like. 

Stevens said I was early.  He told me to sit and watch the people warm up.  Class would start in ten minutes. 

I looked around.  Compared to the voluminous Dance City/Melody Lane building where I had learned to Freestyle back in 1974, Stevens of Hollywood was not a large dance studio.  I estimate the main dance floor was 1500 square feet plus there were three smaller side rooms.  The place was somewhat run-down and had a subdued air.  When I showed up for the Whip class that night, the class had 20 people. 

Right before class started, Stevens had a surprise.  He came over to me, then barked at a lady talking to someone nearby.

"Dorothy, come over here.  I need you."

When Dorothy arrived, a sour look crossed Stevens' face.  He almost seemed mad at me.  His hostility made no sense.  Strange man.  Stevens spoke gruffly to Dorothy. 

"Here's the young man I told you about.  Show him what he needs to know." 

Then Stevens turned to me.  "Listen to Dorothy and maybe you will catch on." 

With that, Stevens turned his back and walked away.  Gee, what a pleasant introduction.  Why was this man so harsh?  Stevens reminded me of Fujimoto, my highly critical graduate school professor.  Just what I needed... another Fujimoto.  I definitely did not like Lance Stevens. 

Fortunately, Dorothy was nothing like Stevens.  Dorothy was an elegant white-haired lady, very pleasant, very attractive.  Somewhere in her 50's, Dorothy was short in stature, well-dressed with a lovely scarf, perfectly groomed.  This lady could easily have belonged to the River Oaks Seven except for one thing.  Unlike my tormentors from yesteryear, Dorothy was very warm and welcoming. 

She introduced herself as Dorothy Piazzos, then asked my name.  Dorothy smiled and said she would try to catch me up.  I liked her immediately.  Dorothy explained she had taken the Whip class before.  She knew the dance well enough to help if I got stuck, adding she was here as a volunteer.  I gathered Stevens had told Dorothy earlier that I might be coming.  Stevens wanted her to give me some personal coaching so my inexperience would not interfere with the progress of his group class.  I didn't have a problem with that.  I enjoyed Dorothy's company. 

As we chatted, I learned she owned Pappagallos, a shoe store in the ritzy Galleria shopping mall just down the street.  Dorothy said she loved to dance and was here to help any way she could.  Just as she finished her introduction, class started.

We know that learning to dance had never come easily to me.  However, tonight was the exception.  To my surprise, I wasn't all that bad in my first night of Whip class.  What?  No ordeal?  No bomb scare, no River Oaks Seven?  I was quite relieved.  Due to my year of jazz dancing with Patsy Swayze, the footwork gave me no trouble.  Dorothy's patience made quite a difference as well.

In a manner similar to the legendary Katie, Dorothy gently corrected my mistakes.  Her patience kept me from tensing up with my terrible tendency to criticize myself.  Best of all, I liked the music.  Stevens played Rhythm and Blues, a type of music very similar to Motown.  My Disco-trained ear was unfamiliar with the Blues, but I liked it right off the bat.  Stevens played one song I recognized... Cleo's Mood by Junior Walker.  It had a strong beat and I craved those nasty saxophone riffs.  The Blues music made me want to learn this dance.  I thought the Whip was pretty cool.

However, there was one problem.  About ten minutes into the lesson, Dorothy pulled me aside. 

"Rick, I don't want you to take this the wrong way, but you are really hurting me!  You are squeezing so hard I am worried your thumb is going to bore a hole through my hand."

I was mortified!  I had no idea I was hurting Dorothy.  After apologizing profusely, I confessed to Dorothy I had not been aware of my mistake.  Apparently I was so nervous I did not know my own strength.  "Dorothy, please forgive me!  I am so sorry!!  But my problem is that I don't know when I am hurting you.  Would you do me a favor?"

"I'll try.  What do you have in mind?"

"The next time I squeeze, will you shake your hand to make me aware?"

Dorothy smiled.  "That's a good idea.  Of course."

Ten seconds later Dorothy shook her hand.  I was appalled.  Good grief!  Obviously I was a lot more tense than I realized.  Fortunately, the shaking trick worked.  As the evening progressed, every now and then Dorothy would quietly shake my hand.  That helped me become more aware of keeping my hands relaxed.  Dorothy was very patient with me, so I was able to break this bad habit before the night was through.  I could not help wishing Lance Stevens was as patient as Dorothy.  Every time he looked at me, he frowned.  What is it with this guy?  I did not know why, but I think Stevens disliked me from the start.  

Dorothy appreciated that I cared enough to enlist her help in solving the problem.  My hand-squeezing problem was an odd start to the evening, but it actually helped us become friends.  As for me, ordinarily I did not handle criticism well.  However, not once did I bristle at Dorothy's constant fussing.  That is because I felt an instant rapport with this nice lady.  Here she was going out of her way to help me and I had nearly severed her hand.  But did she bite my head off for hurting her?  No.  Instead she was quite forgiving.  I liked Dorothy for it.  In fact, I told her so.  "Dorothy, you are being really nice to me.  I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your patience."

Dorothy smiled and squeezed my hand affectionately.  I immediately flinched and said, "Ow!"

Seeing me rubbing my hands together, Dorothy was horrified.  "Oh, no, did I hurt you?"

"No, Dorothy, I'm just teasing you.  I still feel guilty for hurting you earlier."

Dorothy put on a mock frown, then punched me in the side of arm.

"OW!!"

"Did that hurt?"

"Yes!  For a small lady, you pack quite a wallop!"

"Good.  Serves you right for scaring me."  Dorothy was grinning as she said it.

Towards the middle of the class, Dorothy got a funny look on her face. 

"Rick, you sure are picking this material up fast.  Even though you missed the first two weeks, you are completely caught up.  Are you sure you have never taken a Whip class before?"

I smiled and thanked her for the compliment.  "This footwork isn't that hard.  Did you know I teach a Disco class?  My previous dance experience helps me pick up the footwork."

Dorothy did a double-take.  "Do you really teach a Disco class?"

"Yes, ma'am, I teach Disco over at the Memorial Jewish Community Center."

For some reason Dorothy got quiet.  She seemed to study me more carefully.  I was curious why my words had such an odd effect, but said nothing.  Dorothy excused herself to go to the restroom with a promise to return shortly. 

While Dorothy was gone, Lance Stevens came over

"I hear you teach a Disco class."

His comment took me completely off guard.  Stevens was so gruff with his approach, I hesitated.  Which answer was more likely to escape his wrath?  I decided to tell the truth, so I said yes.  Stevens stared at me for a moment, gave an odd hummph, then walked away.  Good grief, what is this all about?  After Stevens left, Dorothy returned.  She must have seen the perplexed look on my face because she gave me a guilty look. 

"I'm sorry about that.  I don't know why Lance is always so rude.  When you weren't looking, Lance asked me how you were doing.  I told him you are pretty good because you are a Disco instructor."

I grinned.  "Well, Dorothy, I probably could have figured out who ratted me out without your confession, but thanks for telling me anyway."

We both laughed.  I enjoyed Dorothy's company a lot.  What a shame Dorothy wasn't my age because she was really nice.  About ten minutes before the end of class, Lance Stevens came over again.  This time he asked me if I knew the 'Worm', the hot new move of the day.  By coincidence, Elena had recently taught me the Worm, so I responded positively.  "Yes, sir, I know how to do the Worm."

"Then show it to me." 

At his request, I demonstrated the Worm.  I wiggled up and down and felt ridiculous.  Stevens rolled his eyes with disdain and replied that's how he did it too.  Yeah, right, like I believe this stiff old grouch has ever done the Worm in his life.  Then with his usual hummph, Stevens walked away.  Strange guy.  I wondered why Stevens was always so grumpy.  My previous four dance teachers... David, Becky, Patsy, Rosalyn... had all been friendly.  Roberta had been friendly as well.  Stevens was the exact opposite.  This man did not have an outgoing bone in his body.  In fact, Stevens seemed to have as big a chip on his shoulder as I did.  What is this guy's problem?  I also thought his exchange over the Worm was kind of odd.  However, he was definitely checking me out for whatever reason.  Very curious.  Sure enough, at the end of class, Stevens came back around for the third time.  I groaned because I thought I was about to get chewed out some more.  Turns out I was right.

Stevens watched me dance for a second, then commented, "Your footwork is okay, but can you get rid of the bounce?" 

Irritated, I said nothing.  However I nodded to indicate I got the message. 

To my surprise, Stevens was here for another reason.  "Listen, my Disco teacher just quit.  You want to take her place?"

I was stunned.  Heck, this guy doesn't even like me and now he's offering me a job?  Before Stevens could change his mind, I said, "Sure.  Of course I will.  I love teaching dance."

"Good.  The class has about 15 people.  Can you come back Thursday night at 7?"

Well, there goes Thursday night volleyball at the JCC, but I nodded yes.  This felt like a good opportunity.  Due to the awkwardness of the moment, I was about to go, but then I realized Stevens wasn't done yet.  He felt compelled to offer a lecture.

"I would teach the class myself, but I detest Disco music.  I would rather pay someone to teach the class than be forced to listen to that Disco crap.  I grew up with Big Band music.  That was the finest music ever recorded.  And now we have this abomination called Disco music.  I think it's awful.  Civilization has taken a giant step backwards."

If Lance Stevens was to be believed, America was in peril.  I smiled as a vision of Barbarians using a Disco soundtrack to invade New York City crossed my mind.  I loved Disco music, but I had the sense to keep my mouth shut.  Shades of Fujimoto, I had already learned the less said around Lance Stevens, the better. 

When Stevens finished his rant, he gave me a hard look.  "Are you reliable?  Are you going to be here?"

"Yes, sir, of course.  I am very reliable."

Stevens still wasn't done.  He stood there and took another long look without saying anything.  Then without a smile, he glanced at Dorothy, gave his usual hummph, then pivoted and walked away.  The entire exchange lasted all of three minutes.  Dorothy watched the whole thing transpire.  After Stevens left, she giggled and gave me a big hug.  I had a strong hunch Dorothy had played a key role in this unusual situation.  However, despite my questioning, Dorothy refused to reveal anything.  Nevertheless, there was no doubt in my mind that Stevens had hired me based on her evaluation.  She was looking out for me.  Pure and simple, Dorothy's Simple Act of Kindness had gotten me this opportunity.  I was glad to have this new job, but I had my doubts about Lance Stevens. 

A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY

On my drive home that night, I should have been overjoyed, but instead I frowned.  Lance Stevens reminded me of Fujimoto far too much for comfort.  Who wants to work for this guy?  However, I really wanted this job.  It had been over three years since they sent me packing from Colorado State.  Had I finally developed the skill to play the game?  I certainly hoped so.  If I wanted to keep this job, then remind me to keep my mouth shut around this bitter man.

It was odd how Stevens had handled this situation.  He had just handed a dance class to a young man who was a total stranger.  Lance Stevens did not like me.  Nor did he have a good opinion of my dancing.  I knew this because Stevens had been critical in a negative way way during class.  I was also troubled over the way I had been hired.  There was no interview.  Stevens did not ask about my previous experience, he did not ask for a demonstration of my line dance material, nor did he ask for a resume or recommendation.  Stevens did not ask where I taught previously or for how long.  He did not ask what I did for a living.  In other words, Stevens did not want to know a damn thing about me.  I figured my sole qualification for the job was being in the right place at the right time.  Stevens disliked Disco music so much, he hired the first kid off the street just so he did not have to go to the trouble of looking for anyone. 

Unfortunately I was unable to get Dorothy or Stevens to fully explain why this job was conveniently available.  According to Dorothy, I replaced an unnamed female instructor who had been teaching a Disco line dance class.  When she said that, I wondered if it had been Roberta.  Dorothy added the woman was not fired, but rather quit suddenly.  This left Stevens with only two days to find a replacement for an ongoing class. 

Not only had I 'accidentally' stumbled into a job at an established dance studio, my latest lucky break seemed linked to the previous ones.  It started when Roberta let me take over her class 20 months ago.  This unlikely event gave me the idea of teaching dance someday which in turn inspired me to continue the Dance Path with Patsy Swayze, then with Rosalyn.  My 'Bomb Scare' event led to my JCC job last summer.  My summer JCC job led to my Memorial JCC job.  An insult from Esther at Memorial JCC had guided me back to Stevens of Hollywood, the same place where this circle had started.  I believed this series of connected events could not possibly be an accident.

Given the magnitude of this 'Right Place at the Right Time' coincidence, my sense that something very much out of the ordinary was taking place in my life grew even stronger.  In the short span of five months, this Stevens position was the third teaching job in a row that had been handed to me.  Typically people apply for jobs.  Not me.  Once I substituted for Rosalyn, I never had to lift a finger.  And so the fourth and final Stepping Stone fell into place.  I had no idea at the time, but this position would lead to something very special.  Dorothy's kindness had opened the Door to my Destiny.