Written for Steemit: A love story occurs during a time anomaly. A woman from today somehow steps into an

anomaly and meets a cowboy asleep on his ranch, in his bed, in the 1850's. ©Jeff Kubitz 2016 - 2017 All Rights Reserved.

Bunkers - Chapter 10 - Song of Angels, Book III

Mindy Woczlewski courtesy of Nastya Muratokova

Song of Angels - Book 1 - Table of Contents
Birth - Book II -Table of Contents

Book III Previous Chapters:
Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 7, Chapter 8, Chapter 9,

Within the light of the four bonfires, under a breathtaking starry sky with the Milky Way beginning to show clearly, the dancers lined up in two lines facing each other. The women and the girls were furthest away from the band. The men had their backs to the band and faced the women.

Senette was to Mindy’s right and Louise to her left, “Don’t worry, we will tell you what to do just before we do it.” Louise said.

“This is a reel and is very easy, first we will step forward to the center meet and then step back to where we are. The song is the Country Reel. Ready step!” Senette said and then stepped toward Robert Falworth. Lousie stepped toward the General Scott and Mindy imitated Senette who was very energetic and swished her dress with her hand while she walked. Mindy wore blue jeans and wished she could bounce forward and swish her skirts like Senette but she smiled as she bounced toward Cyrus. He bounced toward Mindy.

“Curtsy, Dear.” Cyrus said as he bowed to Mindy. Mindy did her best, it was her first time and in jeans too. Then they rose together and bounced back.

“We do that three more times,” Louise yelled. And so they did and Mindy laughed.

“Next we go forward, take an arm and our partner swings us around to the right and then we switch to the other arm and to the left and we do that four times.” Senette said.

Following the beat of the two drums and the rhythm of the music, Mindy went forward and hooked her right arm in Cyrus’s and they moved around in a full circle, then switched arms and went the other way. Then they all backed up to their original positions. “Very good, dear,” Cyrus said after they completed the first set.

“Three more times.” Louise said. Many men without a partner stood around the dancers in a great circle or sat on the fence and clapped their hands to the music with occasional loud whooping noises.

Next they all grabbed both hands of their partner and spun around in a circle then followed by a dos-a-dos.

“Senette, you are a very lively, lovely dancer,” Robert said as they spun.

“You are so strong Robert you make it all so easy,” Senette replied.

“Very lovely dancing Louise,” Phineas complimented as they came together.

“You are very fit General,” Louise replied, “and thank you for finding me attractive, Phineas.”

“Very attractive, Louise, amazingly so, your eyes are so very bright in the firelight.”

“It has been a very long while since I have had this much fun, Phineas.”

“Follow me, Mindy and sidestep like this.” Louise said.

Mindy sidestepped next to Louise to the left. Cyrus stayed even with her and when dancers reached the end of the line on the left they turned 180 degrees and walked to the right but with bouncy steps to the beat of the music.

The first couple to the left walked all the way to the right, faced each other and made an arch with their hands.

Every couple that followed had to hold each other close while they bent over and walked through the arch. Once through and they continued the arch until the last through hand quite a ways to walk holding each other close enough to make it through all the arches.

When they were done, the positions of the dancers were reversed.

“Now the women step to the right, face a new partner and we do it all again.” Louis said.

“Isn’t this fun?” Senette yelled.

Not only dancers but those watching made loud yells of agreement in answer to Senette’s question. Because there were so many more men than women, men tapped the shoulders of the male dancers.

“Someone has to relieve me,” Pa yelled. “I need a drink after that.”

Billy tapped his father’s shoulder and Pa was glad to let him dance with Ma.

Lieutenant Cox replaced Cyrus and was across from Mindy. She thought he was only twenty-one. She smiled and the reel began again.

Once the reel was over, there were calls for a jig. Mindy had no idea how to dance the jig and Cyrus returned to show her. Hop, Hop, Back on the left foot and then Hop, Hop, Back on the right foot. This while Cyrus held her in his arms and he hopped on the opposite feet that he told her to hop on.

The band played Blackthorn Stick Mindy laughed so hard she nearly fell over and the couple jig was very fun for her. Cyrus’s shoulder was tapped by Edward, one of the Mereweather cousins and they danced to the song, The Three Sea Captains.

Cyrus returned and it was time for Polkas and after Mindy stopped to check on Eon, he found she danced a polka well.

"You know how to Polka dance very well." Cyrus complimented.

"I am from Chicago." Mindy smiled.

"They dance the Polka in Chicago?"

"All the time, weddings, in bars, everywhere." Mindy answered.

"You are a wonderful dance partner dear."

"So are you, my love."

After two polkas, Mindy said, “Let’s let Myra and Holk have a go at it, I am tired.” Cyrus agreed and Mindy walked back to the house and Eon. “Go have some fun Myra and thanks for taking care of Eon for us.” Mindy bent down to check Eon and he was sound asleep, even with all the noise.

“Yes, he is asleep. Do you know where my hubby is?” Myra asked.

“Out around the dance area with all the other men, near the band I believe.”

“Are you too tired to continue Mindy?” Cyrus asked as he came in the front door.

“It has been a real long day,” Mindy said. “First a battle, then a grilling by the General, and finally a big party, usually our life is so quiet.”

“Today was very trying, far more than that, but I should stay out there I think. We are the hosts, and I do have a letter of exoneration for myself and Holk.”

“That’s fine dear,” Mindy said. “I’ll just sit here and maybe take a short nap.”

Cyrus bent over to kiss Mindy and after the kiss, she sat in the chair and he stepped outside. It seemed late but Mindy thought it was about eight O’clock.

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