Caroline and Stan

Everyone feasts as various performers ply their crafts, musicians, dancers, magicians,
jugglers, fire breathers, and the like. Afterwards the dancing begins. The men dance
some traditional dances, the women dance, then the musicians break into spirited music
for dancing by everyone. Ileana didn’t need my sisters encouragement, she pulled me
onto the dance floor immediately. We danced and danced, I had never been so happy
or completely at ease. She feigned being hot and took my hand and lead me away
from the celebration to a quiet spot. She asked my if I liked her and why I never
talked to her on our visits to her Father’s forge. I don’t know if it was the night, the dancing,
or just Ileana, but my shy self consciousness fell away and I spoke freely. I told her
how I felt I wasn’t good enough for her and that I always looked forward to seeing her
on every visit. Then, Ileana being Ileana, kissed me. I kissed her back passionately, though clumsily I must admit. A dog barked, a cat hissed, we broke apart, Ileana laughing, me blushing bright red but grinning from ear to ear.