When the Music Stops (33 page)

“You’re okay. I want you to say hello to some special people.” Lindsay entered the office pushing a baby stroller. “I haven’t gotten the hang of opening doors without waking Jeffrey.”

Marta smiled. “I guess this is your final good bye?”

“It is. We’re packed and ready to drive south. I wanted to thank you for everything one more time and tell you how happy I am that the studio is in such capable hands.”

Marta’s mom hurried into the entry carrying a box, which she set down so she could look at the baby. “You know we’ll be calling you when we run into something we don’t remember how to handle. But don’t wait for us to call you. We’ll expect you to keep us updated on Jeffrey’s progress.”

“I will, and I’ll send photos,” Lindsay said as she hugged Marta and her mom. “I’ll miss this building and all the music and dancing that’s gone on in here. I expect great things from you ladies.” She hugged them again, then walked out for the last time.

Marta wiped away a tear. “This feels so strange.”

“It does, but we can handle it. We need to keep the dancing going and the music flowing and hope not too many Zandoras walk through the doors.”

h

Back at home, Saturday’s mail arrived with a postcard from Lynne. Three cows stood with their noses pressed against a fence. It said, “Looking a-head to that green pasture just beyond our reach.”

Marta,

Last of cows for awhile. Looking for
my
next green pasture. Stopping to see Bartley’s parents. I expect to find your letter waiting for me at my parents’. Excited about visiting New York City before I sail away like someone’s pop music says. Watch out world!

Can you believe it? I’m scared but excited too.

Lynne

P.S. Letters to follow when I find or create anything worth reporting back to you. Ha!

Marta laughed and shook her head. Lynne created a stir wherever she landed. She imagined Paris and the rest of Europe would be in for a big shake up. Funny, though, she didn’t mention anything about anticipating a shipboard romance. Something must be happening with the Billings rancher.

On Monday afternoon as Marta cleaned up the dance studio entry, the office phone rang.

“Hi, Marta.”

A jolt rushed through her. Steve. “Hi. Where are you?”

“I’m nearby. I’ve had a couple of interviews and wondered if I might talk with you tonight.”

They agreed to meet at her house. Now, as the time of his arrival moved closer, Marta began to fidget, straightening up her already tidy living room, then walking onto the porch and back inside. When the same blue car from Steve’s last visit drove up, she backed away from the open door and waited.

Steve stepped onto her porch and knocked on the door post. “Hi, Marta.”

She swallowed hard. “Come in.”

He moved into the room and looked around. “You’ve changed things.”

“A little,” Marta said. “Is that why you’ve come?”

He frowned, then laughed. “Now, now. Let’s not start out with you in a huffy mood. I was nearby and thought we should talk face to face.” His expression changed to a guarded smile. “I like your hair down. Looks grown-up.”

Marta nodded, not certain she could speak without crying or saying something she’d regret. Seeing him standing in her little house left her feeling happy yet anxious.

“Your mom says you’re buying the studio. Yes, we’re still talking from time to time.” He ran his hand through his hair and sat down on the couch. “Look, I’m out here interviewing and…we need to talk and stop this craziness between us one way or the other.”

Marta sat in the rocker and studied his face. “I agree. So you haven’t found a job yet?”

‘”What do you mean? I accepted a job in May in Portland, Oregon.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

Steve shrugged. “I didn’t know if that mattered to you.”

“But you just said you were nearby for interviews.”

“I was. I had interviews at Fort Lawton, Sandpoint Naval Base, Fort Lewis, McChord Air Force Base, and here in the shipyard. I’m writing about the effects of the northwest military bases on the region’s economy.”

Marta dipped her head, feeling Steve’s intended put down. “Oh. Guess I deserved that. I’m sorry I’ve acted so self-centered. I’m trying to change, really. The fact that I’m staying on as a dance instructor shows I’m changing, doesn’t it?”

“Yes, it does.” Steve stood and walked to the front window and looked out. “I’ve held onto my hopes for us for a long time. Lately I’ve had dreams about you teaching my children to appreciate music.”

Marta reeled from his comment ”my children.” Her brain took in the information, sending shock waves through her body. “Congratulations. When are you getting married?”

Steve turned and smiled. “I’m not until you say you’ll marry me.” He moved to stand behind her with his hands resting gently on her shoulders as she rocked. “Marta, I’ve tried to erase you from my mind, but I love you; I have since the first time we met.” He moved to kneel in front of where she sat. “Will you marry me or not?”

Marta twisted a strand of hair around finger and looked away. “Now that the dance studio business is settled, I’ve found a new focus for my life, teaching dancing.”

“That’s good, right?”

“It is, but I’ve promised my mom I’d stay awhile. We’re expecting dozens of new students and we’ll need to hire another ballet instructor before next year ends.”

“I understand, but you haven’t answered my question. Will you marry me or not?”

Marta stood up and smiled. “It depends.” She pulled his hand and walked toward the front door. “Come with me. I want to show you something at the dance studio.”

As they exited his car and entered the dance studio, Marta felt a gnawing in her stomach. What if Steve didn’t see the potential she and her mom saw? What if he thought her decision to stay here and teach was an ill-conceived idea?

Marta dragged him into the large practice room. “I want to show you what’s happening in my life over the next little while.” She reached out her arm in a sweeping circle. “This is my mom’s new dance studio. We have three studio rooms, a waiting area and office, a messy director’s office, plus a small apartment upstairs.”

Steve nodded. “And the fact that your mom will own the building is a smart business move. I’d like to see the rest of the space.”

She smiled and dragged him from room to room, pointing out all the details that made the building a special place. “I want to stay and be part of what we’re building. Does that fit into your plans?”

“It could,” Steve said. “I have to say, when you talk about this, your face lights up like it did when you danced in Billings. Do you still dance for yourself?”

Marta nodded.

“Will you dance for me?”

“Yes. Of course. Let me change.” She hurriedly to the bathroom, changed, returned, then selected a favorite record. “This is the last ballet company choreography I learned from Damien. I modified it for my ladies’ ballet class.” She lowered the needle onto the first ring, closed her eyes, and waited for the opening clarinet slide of
Rhapsody in Blue
.

As she moved from one step to the next, she felt Steve’s eyes follow her. She pretended to ignore him, but inside her spirit soared as she shared her passion to dance with him. When she ended, he stared at her but didn’t speak for several moments. She couldn’t read his face. Had she disappointed him?

“That was beautiful. You are still the most graceful person I’ve ever met. Thank you for dancing for me.”

Marta curtsied. “My pleasure. But before you say anything more, I have questions for you.”

“Okay. Fire away, Miss Fluff.” Steve stood directly in front of Marta and saluted.

First, Mr. Mason, do you continue to steal flowers from your aunt’s flower shop?”

“No, I only did that when you were in Billings. But more recently I was forced to call her and have flowers delivered to you. I hope you liked the ones I sent for the recital. Someday I’m hoping to have a home where I can grow my own.”

“Good answer,” Marta said. “Second, do you still think ballet is fluff?”

He shook his head and laughed. “That comment will haunt me until I’m too old to remember it. Ballet is not fluff. You may quote me on that.” He leaned over and kissed Marta’s cheek.

Steve reached out for Marta’s hands. “Now I have questions for you. First, are you still seeing that counselor guy?”

“No, but I need to talk with him before too much longer.”

“Second, do you ever wear the bracelet and necklace I gave you, and if so why don’t I see you wearing them now?”

Marta reached into a tiny pocket sewn into her dance wrap. She handed them to him. “I carry them in my pocket when I’m at the studio. I don’t want them to get damaged or sweaty. I’ll admit that for a brief while, I didn’t wear them. And, in the hurry flurry of the recital, I left them here. Usually I wear them or carry them in my purse.”

“Fair enough,” he said as he placed them back in Marta’s hands. “Third, will you marry me or not?”

Marta closed her hand over the jewelry and looked at Steve. “I’ve spent lots of hours thinking about us. I dream about you, and if we can stay in this area, I’ll marry you.”

“But Marta—”

“Hold on; I’m not finished. But, if we’d need to move away from my home and the dance studio, I could manage as long as two things get resolved. First, I need to help find instructors for this studio. That might take as long as a year. Second, I also want to continue teaching ballet. It fills my need to dance.”

“Really? You’d move to be with me?”

“Yep. I’d move. I’ve discussed this with my mom, and she’s okay with my moving away once we find qualified instructors. Portland is close enough I could still get home to see her and help her when she’s overextended.” Marta smiled. “As a bonus, I might even share
my
ocean with you.”

“
Your
ocean? I like the sound of that, Miss Fluff.” Steve hugged Marta, then held her at arm’s length. “So, should I get this in writing in case you change your mind?”

Marta absorbed his smile like a sweet fragrance that erased any of her doubts. She laughed. “Nope. I’ve made up my mind. You’ll be stuck with me if you can be patient while the studio gets its dancing feet settled.”

Steve drew her close, then relaxed his grip to cover her face and neck with kisses. Marta felt his heart beat in unison to hers as she returned his kisses. She closed her eyes and listened to the music of her life crescendo.

Elle Selbryth and Robert Marsden
announce their private family wedding ceremony
Sunday, July 12, 1959
at the Marsden home
Bremerton, Washington

You are cordially invited to attend their
Reception Celebration
Sunday, July 12, 1959

Drop-in between
4:00 - 7:00 PM
Holland Dance Studio
Burwell at Montgomery
Bremerton, Washington

Dear Lynne,

Here’s an article you may want to save. I expect you to be home to be my maid of honor.

Love,

Marta

(
Seattle Times
reprinted from
Portland News Tribune
article)

Mrs. Robert Marsden of Bremerton, Washington announces the engagement of her daughter, Marta Selbryth to Steven Mason, son of Diane and Neal Mason of Billings, Montana.

The future bride is a former dancer with the Intermountain Ballet Company and is the current co-owner of the Holland Dance Studio in Bremerton, Washington.

The future groom is a recent graduate of Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Montana, and a reporter for the Portland News Tribune.

A June 1960 wedding is planned in Bremerton, Washington. The couple will make their home in Portland, Oregon.

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