Quicksand: A Family Foundation

Why did she come? She had no interest in the blaring music from an awful band, and she certainly didn’t want to indulge in drinking spirits on a weeknight. She felt awkward. She didn’t fit in at all. There were a few seats unoccupied on the mezzanine level; she decided to sit down, put in her two hours, tell Claudine she was leaving, and then get home. Emma sat down uncomfortably and concentrated on a couple whirling and spinning on the dance floor. Behind the dancing couple, the far door opened and a group of seamen sauntered inside. The movement distracted Emma from the young couple, and she saw the blue uniforms clustered in a group. Oh dear God, she thought; now I will endure a bunch of rowdy seamen flailing around the hall. Basically coming to the dance hall made her more miserable. When young men asked her to dance she refused so the regulars stopped asking. Most certainly she wouldn’t accept a dance request from lascivious seamen. She sat staring at her hands and twisting her linen handkerchief around and around in her lap. Emma had this same habit with her hair at home. The crowd was increasing and the dance floor packed with groping couples. She wanted to go home more than ever and that’s exactly what she decided to do. She walked down the balcony stairs and was squeezing a path through the crowd when she felt a light tap on her shoulder. Thank God, Claudine. She turned around to stare directly into the most beautiful blue eyes she had ever seen. The man looked dazzling in his dark uniform adorned with medals and ribbons. His eyes and the uniform complimented each other like they were designed distinctly for that purpose. “Bonsoir, mademoiselle, my name is Joseph Head pronounced heed, like heed my warning”. What a stupid introduction, Joseph rebuked himself; this captivating woman is going to think I am barbaric, a seaman with no brain. I finally have an opportunity to speak to the woman I have observed the past month, and I say something ridiculous. He smiled and Emma melted like butter on a hot day. “Bonsoir, Messeur, I didn’t quite hear what you said as the band is so loud and the crowd so noisy.” Joseph mentally breathed a sigh of relief. He bent towards the gorgeous girl and said, “Sorry, I was introducing myself, I am……….” The pulsing of the band drowned out his words. Emma leaned in and said loudly “I am sorry Sir, I cannot hear you with this ruckus, and I am leaving.” She took a step and Joseph cupped her elbow and began moving her towards the large doors in the front of La Mansion. Emma’s heart pounded and she felt light-headed just from his touch to her elbow.