It was Saturday morning, September 1.  Victoria called as I was getting dressed to go to the studio.  "Good morning, Victoria.  What can I do for you?"

"I want to know how things at the Pistachio Club went without me last night."

"Why?  Are you feeling guilty for deserting us?"

"Yeah, maybe.  I missed you last night."

Hmm.  Just what I wanted to hear.

"To answer your question, the energy of our group was low and the club was nearly empty.  I am afraid the club is going to close soon.  So how is your talk with Michael going?"

"We haven't started yet."

"Well, let me know what you decide.  But right now I have to leave.  I have a private lesson at the studio in 20 minutes."

I was in a very bad mood as I drove to the studio.  This had been a very depressing conversation because it reminded me of my despair.  The Karate Chop and Victoria's subsequent withdrawal from the social events was very upsetting.  The loss of Annabelle's and quite possibly the Pistachio Club would cripple the social aspect of my program.  Plus the fact that Victoria had called to say she missed me rankled me no end.  I was hoping and praying she had called to give me the good news that she was leaving the studio.  No such luck.

Then I thought of Boccaccio.  The news of another Disco closing was ominous.  As if my tattered love life was not problem enough, the Urban Cowboy menace was creeping towards me like some sort of rotten, smelly primordial ooze.  This foul country slime sucked the life out of everything it touched.  It threatened to destroy the flash and dash of Disco and replace it with a dreary world of Bubbas, Beer and Twang.  It was a living nightmare, a plague which approached at a maddeningly gradual pace which smothered everything in its path.  Country-Western was the coming threat that refused to abate.  It was unavoidable.   And now the scourge was almost here...  

Right now I felt like the end of my dance program was just around the corner.  Starting with the Karate Chop accident on Sunday, the final week of August had worn me to a frazzle.  All week long Victoria had behaved like a desperate woman.  Her marriage was on the rocks, her Disco world was collapsing, and she sensed that my patience had run out.  Which was true.  I was no longer willing to tolerate her veiled threats to abandon the studio.  Why not?  Because in my mind she had already abandoned the studio.  Victoria interpreted the Dance Curse catastrophes as a sign that God wanted her to stop dancing in public.  Victoria was like the baseball player who has been hit in the face by a pitch and fears it will happen again.  Fearful of breaking her neck if she tried performing one more time, Victoria refused to take another risk.  Unfortunately, without Victoria, the studio's social program was in serious jeopardy.  Victoria was the heartbeat, the leader, the Dancing Queen.  Ain't no sunshine when she's gone.  To me, attendance on Friday nights at the Pistachio Club had been a sign of the program's health.  From a peak of 100 in April, the zenith of my Disco program, on the last day of August we were down to 20.  Based on the unhappy looks I got, next week we would be lucky to reach 10.  That was assuming the club was still open. 

What was I going to do about this stupid romance Victoria insisted on pursuing?  I had spent the past two months appeasing Victoria with a 'pretend romance' for fear of retaliation against the studio.  There was no reason to put up with that any longer.  Victoria's power over me was gone thanks to the Karate Chop.  Based on what I had heard at the Pistachio Club on Friday night, the damage done to the program by Victoria's withdrawal was irreparable. 

So what did I have to lose if I stood up to Victoria?  Not much.  When we spoke on Thursday night, Victoria had insisted on teaching in September.  What a joke.  She would be lucky to have 6 students in her Tuesday and Thursday class, our minimum number for a group class to avoid cancellation.  And even if her two small classes in September 'made', Victoria was facing a deadly one-two-three punch.  The Dance Curse would probably finish her off, but even if she wanted to continue, Michael was certain to furnish the death blow during their long talk this weekend.  And if that didn't work, Urban Cowboy was an extinction-level-event.  Victoria had made it clear she had no interest in Country-Western music or dancing.  Count her out.  Meanwhile the Doomsday clock was ticking.  As Lynette had pointed out last night, based on the ridiculous number of Discos that had closed, pretty soon there would be no place left for us to go dancing.  Without a Disco, Victoria's days as the Supreme Diva of Disco were over.  If the Dance Curse and Michael's demands did not finish her off, the Cowboy Curse surely would. 

Here at the start of the Labor Day Weekend I was fed up.  I was lonely and I was tired of pretending to be her boyfriend.  Over the past two months Victoria had continued to insist I give her more time to decide what to do about her marriage.  For some damn reason, Victoria seemed to think I was willing to assume responsibility if she left Michael.  Lately she had been asking me how I intended to support her.  One night she even mentioned moving in with me and how that might work.  All I could do was stare in consternation.  What on earth gave Victoria the idea that I even wanted her?  Sorry to say, but ship had sailed in mid-July when she handed me her infamous 'Husband List'. 

The humiliation of having my shortcomings rubbed in my face in such a cruel way was more than I could take.  I enjoyed dancing with her and I was willing to be her friend and business partner.  But marriage was out of the question.  Moving in with me was out of the question.  'Supporting her' was out of the question.  And yet I continued to play along and let her think I was her boyfriend.  What the hell was wrong with me? 

It all boiled down to protecting my studio at all costs.  My dance program was just as much a 'child' to me as Victoria's daughter was to her.  I compared my dilemma to the office secretary whose boss threatens her job to get her to sleep with him.  As a single mother, how will she feed her children if she loses her job?

That was the mind-set that had caused me to appease Victoria.  By stalling for time, I prayed that Victoria would eventually realize her marriage was superior to anything I had to offer and let me go. 

Jennifer briefly snapped me out of my reverie with a question.  "Where can I go to change?"

While Jennifer was gone, I tried to sort out why I had previously failed to notice her.  Fans of rom-com movies are familiar with a plot device known as 'the date which isn't a date'.  That was more or less the case with Jennifer.  This was definitely not a date.  When I had spoken to Jennifer on Monday about the Clear Lake class, I had no interest in her.  Nor did I give Jennifer a second thought for five days.  Out of sight, out of mind.  As I said, I was not even sure Jennifer would show up.  Nor did I anticipate the effect she would have on me.  It was like opening the door and seeing Marilyn Monroe standing there. 

Jennifer met me in the living room and pronounced herself ready to go.  Dressed in a skin tight dance leotard and short dress, my eyes were riveted.  Jennifer had never dressed like that in dance class.  I let out a silent whistle of admiration.  Holy smokes, where had that body been hiding?  We rode in silence as I drove to Clear Lake.  Lost in thought, I could not figure out how a woman who looked like Jennifer had remained invisible.  And why was a woman who looked like Jennifer available on a Saturday night?  A holiday Saturday night no less.  The guys should have been beating down the door for this young lady.  Finally I snapped out of it.  I realized I did not know a thing about Jennifer, so I started asking questions.  By the way she answered, Jennifer enjoyed being interviewed.  Soon she was asking me questions too, first-date kind of questions.  Finding myself engaged in a delightful conversation, my heart skipped a beat.  Was it my imagination or was Jennifer just as interested in me as I was in her? 

Although Jennifer was five years younger, you wouldn't guess.  She was very sharp.  Jennifer was an accountant at a major Houston firm.  This was her first job out of college.  I was so intrigued that every mile or so I asked myself again why I had never given her a second glance at the studio.  It still bugged me that a girl this special could escape my notice for an entire month.  Increasingly curious about my companion, I decided to ask a question that had been bothering me.  

"Jennifer, why are you so good at learning these acrobatic moves in class?  I have never seen anyone other than my former assistant Joanne pick this stuff up so effortlessly." 

Jennifer smiled at the compliment.  "I was a competitive gymnast in high school until nature took its course.  Curves are a real problem in gymnastics."

"Do you mean your breasts got in the way?"

"Yeah, something like that."

I smiled.  "I see your problem.  Should I offer you my sympathy?"

Jennifer smiled too.  "No, as handicaps go, I guess I can live with this."

Based on her skill at acrobatics, obviously her athletic talent was still there.  So were those curves.  At that thought, I turned my head to take another good look at her.  Jennifer caught me, so I grinned.  Jennifer smiled back.  She knew I was checking her out and liked what I saw.  Like I said, Jennifer was a serious babe.  Under normal circumstances, I would have never taken my eyes off her.  And yet Jennifer had been invisible for a month.  Weird weird weird.  Beyond weird!

Well, my eyes were open now.  Just then a wicked smile crossed my face.  Jennifer was Victoria's worst nightmare.  Jennifer was the woman Victoria had long-feared would appear someday.  Jennifer had it all... looks, brains, poise, athletic ability, love of dance, a solid career.  And she liked me, I could tell.  Victoria's fear that a woman like Jennifer would replace her was the main reason she had embarked on these past eight months of irrational behavior.  How strange that Jennifer had appeared out of nowhere at the exact moment the 'Victorian Era' was ending.  Jennifer's entrance into my life was timed so perfectly I wondered if Fate was involved. 

The evening with the Clear Lake group went well.  Jennifer was rather diffident, probably because she was a newcomer and the youngest person in the room.  Although Jennifer lacked Victoria's flash and dash or Patricia's seductive charm with men, that did not matter one bit to my Clear Lake couples.  Underneath her shy demeanor, Jennifer was a lady.  She was poised, polite, calm, collected, confident.  As opposed to the temperamental Divas who strived for attention, this woman was mature beyond her years.  Jennifer helped every man with his leads and showed each woman how to make the Scissors pattern work.  Jennifer made quite an impression. 

Noticing how much everyone liked her, I was awestruck.  After class, Linda, one of the ladies in the group, came over and grabbed me by the forearm.  Pulling me aside, Linda whispered, "Rick, I don't know if you take advice from older women, but this young lady you have found is very special!  I really like her!" 

I nodded.  I agreed with Linda.  Jennifer and I were instant teammates.  Throughout 1979, my life had always seemed out of control, but I felt secure with Jennifer at my side.  Jennifer might just be the anchor I needed to ground me against the swirling currents of Dance Curses, Cowboy Curses and Victoria's troubled marriage.  Best of all, Jennifer did not need me to 'support' her.  'Support' was Victoria's favorite word.  Every time I turned around, Victoria wanted to know how I would support her if she left Michael.  Whatever made Victoria think I wanted to support her in the first place?  Victoria's problems aside, it was reassuring to know Jennifer could stand on her own two feet.  With Urban Cowboy looming and Disco dooming, I worried constantly over what I would do when my dance career got squashed.  If worse came to worst, I suppose I would get a computer job.  Whatever I decided, it was nice to know Jennifer would not depend on me for money. 

As expected, the Clear Lake couples invited us to dinner.  I declined, citing a very long day.  Seeing the look in my eyes when I glanced at Jennifer, I am sure they guessed my real reason.  As we drove back to Houston, I was happy to have Jennifer at my side.  Based on her smile, I had a hunch where things were headed.  If so, I was technically a free agent.  Although Victoria claimed me, she was a married woman to whom I had made no promises.  As for the 'Forbidden Line', Victoria and I had come close, but stopped.  I would not claim innocence, but at the same time I saw nothing to prevent Victoria from patching things up.  I had waited for Victoria once before over July 4th.  I wasn't going to wait again. 

"Jennifer, you were pretty wonderful in class tonight.  You made a huge difference.  By the way, my friends really like you."

Jennifer reached across.  Taking my right hand in hers, she squeezed it affectionately.  When Jennifer laughed, I asked why. 

"I have a little secret to share.  I've been watching you for some time.  I kept hanging around hoping you would notice me." 

What an odd thing to say.  This young lady had been trying to elicit my attention for a month and not once did I see her.  For the umpteenth time I wondered if there was a supernatural element to this inexplicable Blind Spot.  Previously I always thought the term 'Love is Blind' suggested our emotions masked flaws in our lovers.  However, maybe there was another meaning.  Perhaps the Universe had deliberately disguised Jennifer in order to create the correct timing necessary to fulfill our Destiny. 

"Jennifer, do you mind if I ask you an odd question?"

"Shoot."

"Was this working downtown story on the level or was it some ploy to get you into my house?"

Jennifer grinned.  "How did you guess?"

Jennifer and I were inseparable all weekend long.  We spent Saturday night at my house.  We spent all day Sunday at my house and most of Monday as well.  I heard the business phone ring several times on Monday.  Why is someone calling me on a holiday?  I refused to answer because it might be Victoria.  Sometimes she called on my business phone as well as my home phone.  I was not ready to tell Jennifer about Victoria just yet.  There was a good chance Victoria would finally listen to her husband and agree leave the studio.  If so, that would spare me the need to burden Jennifer with the story of my sordid love life.  

We spent Labor Day night at Jennifer's apartment.  A whirlwind romance was in the making.  Jennifer was a wish come true.  She was a stunning companion who had appeared out of the blue as if in answer to an unspoken prayer.  Victoria did not know it, but her worst fear had just come true.  Thanks to the Karate Chop, she would be facing a formidable rival at the exact time when her own powers had diminished.  Jennifer had it all plus she loved to dance.  Oh, one more thing... Jennifer was single.  I was in love.  So was she.