Synopsis: Deals with a last request, the four Cartwrights, and to use the phrase out of context, “Going gently into the good night.”
Rating:  G  (1,525 words)

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The Last Dance

Her breath was becoming increasingly shallow. Her family stood around her, “It won’t be long now…. I’m afraid.”

The doctor spoke in as gentle a tone as possible. He was a family friend and this was very hard on him. As she struggled to breathe, her fuzzy mind seemed to clear as if a veil began to unwrap.

“I want to Dance with a Cowboy….Once before I die!” Somewhere, far back in her memory she remembered writing those words. Always a dreamer and would-be poet, she seemed drawn to the past, especially the old west. From her earliest memories she had wanted to live back in the west where cowboys existed, real and fictional. She knew, of course, they were more myth than truth. She was bright and sharp, however the romance, the lore of the west and the cowboy enchanted her. “Someday,” she would whisper to herself in her youth. As the years passed, the reality of true life pushed her silly dreams away to a very warm private part of her heart and mind, but the longing fantasy lingered. One day she sat down and composed a poem; now desperately her mind fought to read it again.

Oh I want to DANCE with a Cowboy! Once before I die!
To swing to and fro
As a fiddle plays low,
Out under a velvet sky.
To hear taffeta swish
Is part of my wish….

The rest of the words were lost in a soft mist beginning to swirl around her.

God looking down from His starry heavens granted her wish.

Softly she felt herself lifted, transported through time and space, carried from the world that was, to a world where time, reality, fantasy and dimension blended together forming a different time and place.

Music….. Fiddle music…. soft, plaintive, slow, it was her favorite song “Amazing Grace”.

******************************

She sensed him before she felt his touch. He was tall, strong, and graceful. His smell was a mixture of man, clean clothes, leather, and horse… and long ago. She was swaying slowly as he led her around to the music; she knew without opening her eyes who he was. He was a cowboy, a very special cowboy.

His warm strong hands held her with deep compassion, confidence, and quiet courage.

She came only barely up to his chest; she was tiny even in the high-laced shoes she wore. She had her head pressed to his chest; his heartbeat was strong and comforting under the smooth silk shirt. She felt the hot tears fill her eyes; she heard a faint rustle. She knew right away it was taffeta in a deep midnight blue. Her best friend had sewn it for her a few years before, her steppin’ out dress they giggled. She had not worn it in a long while.

She chanced a peek. Yes! It was Him!

His eyes were dark hazel, almost black. He was very handsome. His raven black hair was combed back but for a small wave that fell gently across his forehead accentuating his long dark lashes, which were so exceptional. His tan face with those sensuous lips added to the complex emotions just under the surface.

The music ended, he backed away. Still holding her by the hand, putting his free hand behind his back, he bowed to her in a graceful flourish, white teeth flashing and a twinkle brought light to those deep dark eyes.

She curtseyed in reply. “Thank you…. Kind Sir.”

“My pleasure Ma’am.” He spoke softly in a deep baritone voice; his dimples seemed to make his charismatic smile go all the way to his eyes. He escorted her to the blue velvet chair beside a huge stone fireplace. She closed her eyes and took in the various scents wafting on the air…. wood smoke, coal oil lamps, leather…and musk.

******************

“Are…. are…. you…. alright??”

“Yes, just a little fluttery,” she whispered as she looked up into another face, already knowing what it would look like. The voice was puzzled and a little fearful. The big doe eyes, a beautiful mix of green-specked with gold, true hazel rimmed by thick lashes, a riot of soft brown curls tumbled over a creased brow. He was smaller than the dark-haired cowboy with an incredible boyish face, almost angelic. His white shirt and string tie set off his youthful features; he studied her with concern.

“Would you like a sip of something?”

“Maybe just a sip of water…”

He straightened up looking around, seeming to need some reassurance or support.

“Don’t worry, I’ve recovered now,” she smiled kindly. He flashed her a big grin, looking like he was no more than a boy.

“Time…” She stated quietly.

He took her hand and helped her to her feet. She heard music begin to float into the room. This time it was a beautiful waltzing tempo. She was danced around the room swirling lightly, his arm around her waist; they laughed gaily. He was light on his feet as he swept her along with a carefree air. Her skirt flowed outwardly as they twirled. Just as before the music faded away leaving her slightly out of breath, dizzy from the dance.

*************

“Hey, Little Brother!…… Take it easy!….. I want my turn too yah know!!”

“Ooh my!!” she giggled.

The booming western drawl filled the room, as did the frame from which it came. A huge mountain shyly grinned at her. His face blushed up into his wispy blond hair; his big blue eyes crinkled. There was an overwhelming aura of gentleness that radiated from him.

The younger man bowed courteously while he stepped back in the same manner as had the elder. She replied with a curtsy and a wink.

The man in front of her seemed unsure and very shy, overly aware of the huge difference in their size; his hand swallowed hers like that of a toddler.

“Well?… Shall we?” she offered in an effort to ease the moment.

Again the music floated in…..slowly and somewhat awkwardly they danced; he was acutely aware of just how tiny and fragile she was.

“I’m not that breakable….yet!” she assured him.

He blushed again, holding her gingerly at a respectable distance shyly beaming as they danced. She watched his face as he concentrated on not mashing her toes or stepping on the hem of her dress. He was working very hard at being careful.

“You are exactly what I’ve always known you would be.” she smiled up at his face, “And, it is an honor to have been your dance partner.”

“Awwww…shucks. He ducked his head shyly….”I ain’t so good at it.”

“It’s what’s in your heart that counts,” was her simple reply.

All too soon the song ended. The room seemed to grow darker as they stood next to each other. She took a few deep breaths, trying to quiet her now racing heart……Then she heard it.

************

“May I have the pleasure of the Last Dance….?”

A warm deep voice came floating on the sweet air; velvet tones compelled her to look.

There he was to her left, deep brown eyes, steady, holding such great warmth, his sliver hair matched the silver brocade vest he wore. His whole being radiated strength; his smile tender, reassuring. His eyes captured her entire being with an unbelievable feeling of protection and perfection. His ruggedly handsome face held her mesmerized. He offered her his large warm hand; it was both rough, soft and strong. His touch sent a shiver and a warm glow through her at the same time. He stepped closer, towering over her; he put one arm around her back. She placed her left hand on his shoulder or as close as she could reach. He held her right hand clasped in his …..close to his heart. He looked down on her with those deep hypnotic eyes; she swallowed hard.

“Soon?”

“Don’t think right now, let’s just dance.” His deep resonant voice softly tingling her heart and soul.

The strains of “Amazing Grace” once again floated in, filling the room with it’s telling melody. As the glow of the coal oil lamps dimmed, the soft light reflected in his eyes. He gently but firmly danced her effortlessly slowly around the room. He never took his eyes off her; they drew her in, deeper…deeper. She felt herself begin to float away to another time and place…slowly….slowly…they swayed. The room continued to dim till she could no longer see him, only feel his warm hands, his closeness, his smell of soap, bay rum, man.

*****************************

The music echoed further and further away. After what seemed like forever, her hands slipped down to her side. Her face radiated a glow that had not been there before….Her lips parted as a slow final breath slipped out….a single tear slid from the corner of her eye.

In the far dark corner four unseen figures nodded…..

“I got to Dance with a Cowboy….” And she lay quiet, heart stilled.

*******************************

“I thought I just heard music?”

“Me too…..”

“Odd?”

“Not for her.”

Her family standing around the bed gave her a last kiss and left the room. The nurse shut off the monitor. The green glow faded. The flat line disappeared. She shut out the lights, closing the door behind her…..

Four figures emerged from the corner and gently kissed her still form.

“Welcome home.” And they disappeared like vapor into the dark.

THE END.