get caught up
in, and that’s quite impossible to describe. The words, the beat of the music,
the techniques, and me, all become one. I’ve performed to songs that have so
much meaning, with powerful choreography that expressed them so well I’ve …
cried, they were that overwhelming. Some have been more about fun, some have
been rhythms without words, and they affect me differently, but it always runs
so deep, like in an entirely consuming way.
“Dance is a perfect and
wonderful way to escape the world around you when you don’t like it very much
…” Any further words get stuck in my throat. Dane’s looking at me as though
he’s absorbing all that I’m saying.
For a very long, very
intense moment, his gaze holds mine.
If the world outside this
cafe was coming to an end right now, I wouldn’t even notice.
Our drinks arrive, breaking
the moment, and I silently thank God for the perfect timing.
Whilst I start to stir,
looking down at my swirling cocoa, I try to figure out why I feel so drawn to
Dane.
Nine:
Dane
I checked Brooklyn out on that TV talent show she was
on, there’s a bunch of stuff on YouTube. Watching her perform takes me to a
place I didn’t even know existed, everything from the way her body moves with
the music to all the emotion her face and eyes convey. She even got me feeling
fucking entranced just watching her talk about what she feels when she’s
dancing.
“Did you always want to be a
dancer?”
“Yeah, but until I was nine
I wanted to be a dentist as well. My dentist was so lovely, she always gave
kids rewards after their checkups, and I wanted to be just like her. When I was
ten, I changed my mind. It really was all about the dance for me. I don’t even
know how old you are,” she says, raising her mug to sip her cocoa.
“Thirty-three. You?”
“Twenty-eight. How long have
you had your shop?”
“Almost nine years.”
“You were twenty-four when
you started your own business. That’s quite an achievement. Hard work, I
imagine.”
“Yeah, but worth it. It
helps working with someone who shares the same goals and ideas as me. That’s
why I did it with Eric, instead of on my own.”
“So you could’ve done it on
your own if you wanted to?”
“Yeah and I would have if I didn’t know
Eric. He worked where I did my apprenticeship, so I knew what he was about way
before I decided to open the shop. When my parents were alive they were quite
successful, and for years I didn’t know what to do with all the money they left
behind. I was scared to touch it, mostly because I didn’t want to waste it.
When I realized Eric and I were still coming from the same place and shared the
same visions, the shop just made sense.”
“I don’t know a single thing
about motorcycles or the shops, but your place looks fantastic. I’d say it was
definitely worthwhile.”
“Thank you. So you know
about my family and where I’m from, what about you?”
“Have you been to the UK?”
“No.”
“Well, I’m from a place
called Angel, in north London. I’ve lived in that area all my life with my mum,
dad, and brother, Tommy. He’s three years younger than me, but because he’s
taller he considers himself my big brother.”
“Where are your parents
actually from?” I’m intrigued to know what influences her skin tone.
“Both born in the UK, but
Dad’s parents are Irish, though you wouldn’t think so with the surname Scott.
Mum’s parents are Turkish.”
“Right. So you’re all
close?”
“Yeah, we are. I’ve always
gotten on with Tommy, but we became closer after my injury. I think it
frightened him that I got hurt so far away from home. He wasn’t keen on my
decision to come back. Dad wasn’t, either.”
“But you still came.”
She nods, frowning. “I
really wanted to, and Mum thought it would be good for me. Mums know best.”
That last little statement’s got her looking uncomfortable.
“It’s all good, right?
Embrace your mom. What’s the deal
in, and that’s quite impossible to describe. The words, the beat of the music,
the techniques, and me, all become one. I’ve performed to songs that have so
much meaning, with powerful choreography that expressed them so well I’ve …
cried, they were that overwhelming. Some have been more about fun, some have
been rhythms without words, and they affect me differently, but it always runs
so deep, like in an entirely consuming way.
“Dance is a perfect and
wonderful way to escape the world around you when you don’t like it very much
…” Any further words get stuck in my throat. Dane’s looking at me as though
he’s absorbing all that I’m saying.
For a very long, very
intense moment, his gaze holds mine.
If the world outside this
cafe was coming to an end right now, I wouldn’t even notice.
Our drinks arrive, breaking
the moment, and I silently thank God for the perfect timing.
Whilst I start to stir,
looking down at my swirling cocoa, I try to figure out why I feel so drawn to
Dane.
Nine:
Dane
I checked Brooklyn out on that TV talent show she was
on, there’s a bunch of stuff on YouTube. Watching her perform takes me to a
place I didn’t even know existed, everything from the way her body moves with
the music to all the emotion her face and eyes convey. She even got me feeling
fucking entranced just watching her talk about what she feels when she’s
dancing.
“Did you always want to be a
dancer?”
“Yeah, but until I was nine
I wanted to be a dentist as well. My dentist was so lovely, she always gave
kids rewards after their checkups, and I wanted to be just like her. When I was
ten, I changed my mind. It really was all about the dance for me. I don’t even
know how old you are,” she says, raising her mug to sip her cocoa.
“Thirty-three. You?”
“Twenty-eight. How long have
you had your shop?”
“Almost nine years.”
“You were twenty-four when
you started your own business. That’s quite an achievement. Hard work, I
imagine.”
“Yeah, but worth it. It
helps working with someone who shares the same goals and ideas as me. That’s
why I did it with Eric, instead of on my own.”
“So you could’ve done it on
your own if you wanted to?”
“Yeah and I would have if I didn’t know
Eric. He worked where I did my apprenticeship, so I knew what he was about way
before I decided to open the shop. When my parents were alive they were quite
successful, and for years I didn’t know what to do with all the money they left
behind. I was scared to touch it, mostly because I didn’t want to waste it.
When I realized Eric and I were still coming from the same place and shared the
same visions, the shop just made sense.”
“I don’t know a single thing
about motorcycles or the shops, but your place looks fantastic. I’d say it was
definitely worthwhile.”
“Thank you. So you know
about my family and where I’m from, what about you?”
“Have you been to the UK?”
“No.”
“Well, I’m from a place
called Angel, in north London. I’ve lived in that area all my life with my mum,
dad, and brother, Tommy. He’s three years younger than me, but because he’s
taller he considers himself my big brother.”
“Where are your parents
actually from?” I’m intrigued to know what influences her skin tone.
“Both born in the UK, but
Dad’s parents are Irish, though you wouldn’t think so with the surname Scott.
Mum’s parents are Turkish.”
“Right. So you’re all
close?”
“Yeah, we are. I’ve always
gotten on with Tommy, but we became closer after my injury. I think it
frightened him that I got hurt so far away from home. He wasn’t keen on my
decision to come back. Dad wasn’t, either.”
“But you still came.”
She nods, frowning. “I
really wanted to, and Mum thought it would be good for me. Mums know best.”
That last little statement’s got her looking uncomfortable.
“It’s all good, right?
Embrace your mom. What’s the deal
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