© irene waters 2015
Emily’s excitement was palpable at her first excursion out as a single woman. She applied her face, hiding her fear.
Her foot faltered on the step leading to the dance studio. She battled the urge to turn and run. Play safe or see where that stairway went. She continued up. They greeted Emily warmly, introducing her to her class mates.
The teacher singled her out, held her in contagious proximity whilst he led her gently, yet safely, waltzing around the floor. Now hooked, her love of dance kindled, ready to become a raging fire. She’d taken the first step.
In response to Charli’s 99 word flash fiction prompt:
November 18, 2015 prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write dance into your story. Twirl your characters round and round or stomp your plot onto the page. Use dance in any way that comes to mind. Be specific or free, tango or disco.
EXTENDED DEADLINE! Respond by December 1, 2015 to be included in the weekly compilation. Rules are here. All writers are welcome!
About Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist
I began my working career as a reluctant potato peeler whilst waiting to commence my training as a student nurse. On completion I worked mainly in intensive care/coronary care; finishing my hospital career as clinical nurse educator in intensive care. A life changing period as a resort owner/manager on the island of Tanna in Vanuatu was followed by recovery time as a farmer at Bucca Wauka. Having discovered I was no farmer and vowing never again to own an animal bigger than myself I took on the Barrington General Store. Here we also ran a five star restaurant. Working the shop of a day 7am - 6pm followed by the restaurant until late was surprisingly more stressful than Tanna. On the sale we decided to retire and renovate our house with the help of a builder friend. Now believing we knew everything about building we set to constructing our own house. Just finished a coal mine decided to set up in our backyard. Definitely time to retire we moved to Queensland. I had been writing a manuscript for some time. In the desire to complete this I enrolled in a post grad certificate in creative Industries which I completed 2013. I followed this by doing a Master of Arts by research graduating in 2017. Now I live to write and write to live.
Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist) 
A lovely intro to the holiday season. May we all learn to dance.
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It comes highly recommended – by me.
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‘Ready to become a raging fire.’ I love it Irene!! Taking that first step opens up a world of possibilities…as does your wonderful flash 🙂
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Thanks Sherri. All of life requires a first step. Risks have to be taken in order to live. 🙂
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Most definitely… 🙂
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OH, I love this: “her love of dance kindled, ready to become a raging fire.” 🙂 Nice.
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Oops. Just saw Sherri’s comment. Well, it’s a good line. 😉
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If both of you think so then I have to believe it. 🙂
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Thanks Sarah.
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A fine turn of flash! Since we are on favorite lines, I really liked, “She applied her face, hiding her fear.” The ritual of a woman’s mask, yet this character overcomes much in her first step.
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Thanks for your favourite line Charli. Yes women do try and hide behind a mask. This character took lots of first steps in the one night.
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A beautiful motivational flash! We all need to take a first step sometimes… and it’s comforting to be greeted by a friendly face who “gently, yet safely” waltzes us through the first steps and fires up our confidence.
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Makes that first step easier.
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I think my own dance lessons will have to wait until my beau retires!
I do have some friends who find delight in ongoing dance clubs.
But, well – to left feet kind of make it just a tad awkward, 😉
Thanks for your visit to my first Waltz. I wrote it as if my child was speaking.
Hubby and I are still holding hands after 36 years. 🙂
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How wonderful that your love continues and hope you are still holding hands in another 36 years. Nothing nicer than growing old with the one you love.
Dancing is something you can look forward to when you retire perhaps. No matter how many left feet you have everyone does learn as long as they stick at it for awhile.
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A lovely description of a first step – initially tentative, then filled with passion. Love it!
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Thanks. We all take first steps so many times in our lives. Not all lead to passion but taking that risk can certainly lead to places that would otherwise be untrod.
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Very true. We never know where we may go if we just keep putting one foot after the other. 🙂
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