I couldn't cover the black bruise that weighed so much attention. After helpless attempts to try to cover it up with skin beige powder I finally gave up and hopelessly looked in the mirror. Hopeless, helpless, ugly, and bruised...just, bruised.
I held back the tears that came from the innermost being of me. If I cried, the tears would ruin the countless hours I labored on makeup. I was fine.
I took one last look at myself in the mirror. My elegant poise engaged unity with my black sheer dress. My attire was faultless. My hair fell directly in front of my eyes just the way I hoped.
Yet, I still wasn't innocently elegant, and I knew it. I couldn't seem to set my focus away from the black bruise that hit right in between my two collar bones, right above my chest, sitting directly on top of my heart.
This night was set up to distract me from pain.
I shoved my tears out of my system and grabbed my heels.
For this was the night I would dance my dance.
I entered into the ballroom. Gentlemen dressed in royal clothing respected my presence with a kiss on the hand. I made my way over to the dance floor and watched as the couples danced. I longed for the unity that took place between the dancers. It's like they were in each others brains stealing and progressing off of their partners thoughts. One would step and the other would follow without their eyes ever leaving each others.
I had to have it.
So I went to the edge of the ballroom dance floor and made myself available. If a gentleman would choose me, I would agree to dance with him.
In an instant I was escorted onto the floor. My heart raced in hopes that this dance would be everything I hoped for.
The Gentleman was slightly taller than me. As I placed my hand into his, he pulled me close. I started to dance. I got very nervous when my ability to communicate with what steps he wanted to take were not clear. I tried to connect my eyes to his but he would never look into mine. I proceeded to follow his lead by watching his feet. If his foot went back I would lean myself in. If his foot went forward I would make mine fall back. This worked before the tempo of the song started to progress. I declined. Without saying a word he escorted me back to the sideline and picked up another dancer.
I had to place my hands over my face in fear that people could see the pain that would be expressed out of my facial expressions. I walked myself to the ladies room and locked myself into the stall. I was beyond crying. I just stood there. No tears, no sobs, no sighs...just stood.
I once again shoved my hurt feeling out of my system and decided it was time for me to give up.
It was time for me to go back home. I walked out of the stall and looked at myself in the mirror. I couldn't grasp it, but my bruise was larger and much darker. It had grown. I felt hideous.
As I walked towards the door to exit, a man tapped me on the shoulder. I looked into his deep eyes as he pleaded a dance with me. If it were for another, I would not have agreed, yet he was different.
His hands were so large compared to mine. I felt like his child. As soon as I placed my hand on his, he grabbed it and pulled me in. As we waited for the song to start, my head restlessly began to lower to his shoulder. I just laid there, on his shoulder.
It was there, in that very moment, that every tear that I had shoved aside let loose. I let myself go in the arms of a stranger. In between my tears and over flooded emotions, I didn't realize that the song was playing. I looked around and I was moving. I was dancing. I couldn't believe how easily I moved in unity with this man. It was when I was in complete surrender to the joy of the dance when the man looked at me. In awe of his present connection with me, I asked him to explain his deep, sincere stare. "It is your big diamond necklace, It completes your presentation. You are beautiful."
The dance ended. The man kissed my hand. As he walked away from me he proceeded to tell me that he would never leave me nor forsake me. I will always unify your dance. It didn't confuse me.
I stood there, completely overwhelmed... Necklace? I don't wear necklaces, they bring more undesired attention to my bruise. I looked down towards my chest and found the most beautiful diamond necklace sitting right in between my two collar bones, right above my chest, sitting directly on top of my heart.
My... bruise...was gone? My bruise was gone.
