Chapter 34
“Mommy?� Frannie asked, a little puzzled, “Daddy?�
The two of them were in a small lake out in back of the studio. Baby and Johnny had forgotten about it when they first practiced the lift in the 60’s. The dancers used that lake sometimes to practice different moves. The lift was one of them. Baby was high up in the air, being held by Johnny’s arms. He was waste deep in the water. They both looked toward Frannie when they heard her voice. Johnny faltered a little and Baby made a shallow dive into the lake.
“I am sorry, Mom, Pop,� Frannie said, trying not to smile, “but you still look wonderful together. How could I ever have doubted the two of you.�
“I am a man of my word, Frannie,� Johnny said, turning away from her and looked back at Baby. “Come on,� was all he said.�
Frannie watched as her mother jumped into her father’s arms. This time it was done flawlessly.
Frannie grinned from ear to ear. She held out her hands and began to applaud. Again, it sent Baby into a shallow dive and the three of them burst out with laughter.
~~~~~~~~~
With the cocktail party over, the studio was filling up quickly now. Lisa and her husband, Harold had arrived with Jake Houseman. All of the old “dirty dancers� from Kellerman’s in 1963 began to trickle in, Baby, Johnny and Penny receiving and greeting each one.
Baby embraced Johnny’s younger sister, Victoria, then her husband, Michael.
Each of the guests could pick where they wanted to sit, there was no arranged seating.
Baby told Frannie that she was expecting anywhere between forty to sixty people, she wasn’t sure if they were all coming.
The Pay Per View people had already began to set up the cameras and the lights. Miraculously, none of the equipment had been damaged from water or fire.
Neil Kellerman walked onstage and held up his hands for silence. It took a few minutes until everyone was seated and had settled down.
“On behalf of the everyone at Kellerman’s, we would like to welcome you all to the official opening of the new Kellerman’s Mountain Lodge.� Neil waited for the applause to die down before he spoke again.
“We have another important date to consider, one that I am sure means quite a lot to everyone in the audience tonight, especially Francine Castle Bowman, our special guest. She is the daughter of Frances “Baby� Houseman and Johnny Castle whose twenty fifth wedding anniversary we celebrate tonight.�
There were more cheers and applause.
Neil held his hands up again. “So now, without further adieu, let me introduce to you the director of tonight’s show, Francine Castle Bowman.�