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Blake interrupted her. “Their what?”
“Peyos. The long, curled sideburns they wear. That’s what they’re called.”
“Oh.”
Kenn continued her thoughts. “But they’re also wearing sombreros. Hardly Orthodox Jewish head coverings.”
“And look, the third man,” Alex said, “is dressed in the sombrero and serape.”
Mario sprinted, seemingly from out of nowhere, to the microphone the men had set up.
“Ladies and gentlemen,Mario and Luigi’s Italian Bistrois proud to present to you—straight from Brooklyn, New York—the most talented Jewish Mariachi Polka Band in all the land. This talented trio really needs no introduction. So, I’ll let them do what they do best: play their own special brand of music.”
JJ heard a stifle of a noise from Kenn. She looked over to find him trying hard not to laugh. Looking at him she couldn’t help but giggle.
“Heck, the finest in all the land,” she said, “the only band in all the land is more like it.”
The musical trio had one accordion and two pairs of maracas. They introduced themselves to the diners. “I’m Shell,” said the taller of the two orthodox-looking men.
“And I’m Ira,” said the other.
“My name,” said the third with a distinct Latino accent, “is José.”
José picked up the accordion and began to play. Shell and Ira played the maracas.
While the band played various polka tunes, the foursome ordered their meals. Dutifully, the server read back their entrees. “The two ladies are having Chicken Marsala,” he said. “And we have a spaghetti dinner for one gentleman and a spaghetti dinner and a filet for the other.” He looked at Blake who nodded enthusiastically.
“Wow, I don’t think I ever heard that song played on an accordion before,” Blake said, as the polka music suddenly morphed into a Jewish folk tune.
“And with good reason,” Kenn added between outbursts of laughter.
Then Shell and Ira began singing. Much to their surprise, the floor in front of the trio quickly filled with diners. Forming a circle, they began to dance the traditional steps.
JJ watched as Mario and Luigi, who stood on the side, applauded with apparent delight. Then she saw Mario poke his brother in the ribs with his elbow and point at her and her companions. They toddled over as quickly as their stubby legs allowed and pulled them to the dance floor. With Luigi on one end of the foursome, and Mario on the other, they cut into the circle.
She immediately realized that joining an already rapidly dancing circle took skill, a skill she evidently failed to develop. She stumbled several times, nearly finding herself on her knees before she could keep up. She realized she probably would never conquer the steps. She prayed she never needed to.
But then she noticed Blake. He appeared to effortlessly and easily master the exact steps needed.How did he do that?He was more agile than he was in his mascot finger costume, that’s for sure.
While she observed Blake, she got hopelessly behind on the steps herself and scrambled to get back into rhythm before she got run over by the other dancers. I can see the headlines, now, she thought:History Professor Trampled To Death In Dance.
What a way to go.
“Ouch!” Someone had stepped on her foot.
Kenn shrugged. “Sorry, I’m new to all of this.” The boyish look on his face prompted a smile and a sudden lifting of her mood. In that instant she caught a glimpse of the real Kenn. And she knew without a doubt she had fallen in love. It felt incredibly exhilarating to admit. But it also felt bone chillingly scary. She knew her life would never be the same.
Chapter 38
“I think I’ve got it,” JJ said to Kenn, as they circled around for what seemed like the umpteenth time. She found herself unusually proud of mastering the steps. She also loved the feel of Kenn’s hands over hers.
“Hey, look.” Kenn raised their hands toward Mario and Luigi. “Hawkman over there wants to cut in.”
“Who knew he liked music?” She concentrated on her steps. She discovered she couldn’t dance and talk at the same time.
The maître d’ sprinted outside the circle as it appeared he wanted to cut in between Mario and Luigi. They were oblivious to him. He tapped Mario on the back and the owner slowed long enough to pull him into the circle. His large smile grew even more.
Hawkman’s entrance into the dance circle proved problematic. He kept tripping over his long legs. He bent at the waist, as if he were trying to talk to Mario. She saw him finally get low enough to speak. She couldn’t hear what he said over the loud music and apparently Mario couldn’t either because he kept shaking his head.
