Quiet Time
Or what she really needs
Nicola curled up in her favorite chair, reading a book that somehow wasn’t doing it for her today. It took a second to realize that part of the problem was that the house was quiet for a change. Too quiet.
It was a rare Saturday on which Don and the kids were all out and Nicola was home alone. Typically, she would either be with Don or out with a friend as well. But today she had wanted some quiet time. Or at least she thought she had.
“Alexa, play my fun mix.”
Alexa obliged, and Nicola went back to her book. Even with the music, she couldn’t really get into reading, so she set the book down and started to wander around the house aimlessly. Maybe she should have gone with Don.
Dancing With Myself started to play. Nicola’s foot began to tap, then she started to sway. Before she knew it, she was dancing across the kitchen floor, into the living room. She pulled the curtains shut and really let go. She did need some alone time, some dancing time. She needed to dance with herself for a while.
When Don arrived home with a bag of Chinese food for dinner, he found Nicola quietly sitting in her chair, curled up with her book. “You look like you haven’t moved all day. Glad you got some quiet time.”
Nicola’s lips twitched in a smile. “Me too.”
This story came about because, for some reason, the song Dancing With Myself by Billy Idol popped into my head and I experienced a memory of doing just that when I was alone in an apartment I shared with one of my sisters and a friend. Here’s a link so you can listen (and dance) if you like.
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This song will always hold a special place in my heart. Soon after the pandemic began, my principal required every teacher to submit a brief video of themselves dancing to this song with the audio muted. He and the IT department created a “music video” of the faculty/staff dancing to that song and sent it out to all of the families in our community. I’ll never forget it! I think of those teachers, my former students, and that strange time in our lives whenever I hear this song.
Yes, movement is so freeing! Surely would love to see Justin's video 😅