Part XVI: 

The Dance

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 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”  ~John 3:8

   The next day Reuben crossed the street in search of Alex and found him by his home.  He was working on a small sink hole in the street. "Hey Alex," he greeted.

     "Reuben!" Alex was visibly pleased to see him.

     Reuben then gazed at the hole while Alex followed his line of vision. "Is it serious?" he asked with concern.

     "I'm not sure yet, found too much moisture in that pocket. It has some depth but it appears to be isolated to this small area." Alex then showed him the grate on the drainage system that was clogged with debris. "I'll unclog it and fill the hole. It doesn't appear to be a serious threat but I want to be sure before I fill it." Then glancing up at his friend again he asked, "So what brings you this way?"

     "Maria and I were talking about how we haven't seen you in awhile. She wanted to make sure I invited you to dinner."

     Alex flashed him a suspicious look, "What's Maria cooking up this time, and I don't mean in the kitchen? Someone new in her bible study that she wants me to meet?"

     Reuben's head shot back as he let out a hearty laugh, "You know my wife, don't you?"

     "Yes I do," came the reply. 

     "That tells you how much she cares for you Alex...no one at her bible study this time..." 

     "Great," Alex declared with more enthusiasm, "because I have missed her cooking..."

     "It's some nice girl she met at the market..." Reuben quickly interjected. 

     "I knew it!" Alex exclaimed. "She's relentless."

     At that Reuben enjoyed another hearty laugh. "Bro, you can relax, I talked to her and told her to put it in park. It isn't always easy getting through to Maria but I think she does understand now. You can come by with no strings attached. We just really want to see you and catch up. Even Danny's been asking for you."

     Alex was touched, "I've been wanting to do the same thing. Sounds good to me...and I do know Maria has good intentions. Hey, you can tell her I met someone, that should make her happy."

     With brows that rose in surprise, Reuben asked, "You did? Who?"

     "I don't think it is anyone you know. She's not from here. Her name is Sarah, Sarah Hart."  

     "Sarah Hart," he repeated to himself. "No, the name doesn't ring a bell. How long have you been seeing her?"

     "Oh, it's not like that, I just met her. I don't even know if she's interested...I do like her though, yet last night I was struck with a sense of doom."

     So that was it, Reuben figured. This is why the Lord had roused me from my sleep. Reuben felt the need to keep the conversation light-hearted. "So what are you saying, you're afraid of a girl?"

     "I'm not afraid of a girl," Alex shot back all too quickly giving Reuben the impression he had struck a nerve.  Whether the reaction was due to being on target or completely off Reuben did not know, but with some minor adjustments he had planned on continuing along the same lines in the hopes of attaining a clearer picture.

     Putting a hand on his shoulder, he continued, "Hey, it’s nothing to be ashamed of. I used to be afraid of a girl…when I was like five."  

     "Are you making fun of me?" Alex rebuked while shoving his hand off his shoulder.

     "I just can't believe it. I never seen you afraid of anything. The man of steel afraid of a girl."

     "More like putty," he said almost to himself as he thought of her.

     "No worries Alex, chicks are my department...that is, until I became a Christian and met Maria. I'll help you out."  

     Alex thought he looked like a peacock with his chest sticking out. "Well I’m going to need all the help I can get. Did I tell you how we met? I almost ran her over with my truck."

     Reuben’s eyes widened at the news, "Ohhh…you’re kidding?"

     "I wish, but thank God Jesus was there, otherwise it could have ended badly."

     "El Senior es Bueno."

     "Es muy bueno," Alex had picked up some Spanish around Reuben and his wife, “but I’m not finished,” he continued, "Then that same day I accidentally hit her on the forehead with my head.”

     Roaring with laughter now Reuben asked, "You headbutt her?"

     Alex shook his head up and down.

     "Ouch."

     "Her words exactly."

     Reuben was hysterical. After taking a moment to compose himself he mused aloud, "Hmmm, this is going to be even more work than I originally thought."

     "You don't say?" came the derisive reply.  "Are you telling me this is too big a job for Hombre Macho?"

     Reuben smiled appreciatively at the comeback, "Is that what I said?  It's just going to take more work than I first thought. No worries bro, I could turn Pee Wee Herman into Prince Charming. It’s the Latino in me. Women like to be romanced and we Latinos know about romance."

     "Your head is growing..." Alex noted, yet he couldn't help but smile at his blantant display of macho confidence.

     Not put off in the least bit by the light-hearted reproof, Reuben conceded, "I'll give you that one...well, what’s this girrrl like? Give me the details." He then shook his head in consternation, "Geesh, I'm starting to sound like Maria."

     "Well, she’s a Christian of course..."

     "Of course." Reuben echoed, "and…"

     "And she’s really caring, has a sense of humor...she's very pretty…oh, and she's very understanding..."

     "Obviously," Reuben interjected, "I'm no chick bro but that headbutt would have taken the romance out of it for me."

     Alex paused for a minute to give him a light shove before continuing, "As I was sayinggg…and she’s very understanding. Do you know that Bill showed up at the café while we were there and started in with his thing...and she really handled it gracefully. I was very impressed."

     "Bill…say no more, she’s a keeper.  Why don't you invite her to dinner too? We'd love to have her."

     "Nooooo," Alex replied emphatically, "You know I love your wife but she’ll be making plans to have us walking down the aisle by next week.”

     Reuben chuckled, “This is true…”

     "And besides," Alex continued, "I don't really know her that well."

     "So." 

     "So?" I don't even know if she feels the same.  You don't think it's a little presumptuous?"

     "Who cares?!" Reuben exclaimed, "Bro, I'm Latino. When we see something we like we go for it."

     Alex raised a skeptical eyebrow, "Hasn't that gotten you into trouble more than once?"

     After shaking his head yes, Reuben continued, "I know sometimes we can get ahead of the game...but we can fall behind too if we analyze too much. What is it that you're always telling me?"

     "Life is a dance with Jesus, so listen for his song in your heart, follow his moves and lead, and enjoy the dance." 

     "That's right!" he then leaned in closer. "You know Maria is crazy about that 'Dancing with the Stars' show. I finally caved in last Monday night and watched it with her. Something happened that reminded me of something else you've shared...about the situation here," he waved his arms indicating the community.

     "What's that?" Alex asked. Reuben was peaking his curiosity.

     "Well there was this big jock. He was one of the contestants learning to dance and he was as stiff as a log.  He couldn't dance to save his life," Reuben began dancing robotic as he re-enacting the scene.

     Alex couldn't help but laugh. "I'm worried about you Reuben," he teased.

     "Seriously bro, you can tell he did not have one drop of Latino blood in him. It was painful to watch. I just couldn't take it anymore so I got up and said, 'Maria, I'm sorry but I cannot sit here and watch this man humiliate himself on public television...I'm going to the other room to watch the game,' and just when I was about to leave it happened."  

     Alex laughed, "I have a feeling I may regret asking but what happened?"

     Reuben once again re-enacted the scene, this time shaking his body like jell-o, "The dance instructor said, 'Relaaax man, you're as stiff as a board. Feel the music. Sure you need the right steps but you need to get out of your head and feel it...flow with it,' he paused before leaning in again, "Remember how you said that our neighborhood has the passion and yours has the moves and when we came together under our Head as one, his Spirit would lead us into a beautiful dance?"

     Alex was listening intently, sensing where he was going with this, "Yes."

     "So bro, back at you. Relaaax, feel the music and flow with it...sure you need the right moves but get out of your head and enjoy the dance."

     Alex was quiet for a moment before saying, "That's really good Reuben," he commended, then jokingly berated, "And love how you throw my words back in my face," as he lightly punched him on the shoulder. Alex was really grateful for the reminder.  It was just what he needed to hear.

     Reuben waved his hand as if shrugging it off, "Hey, what are friends for. Just returning the favor. You've been a wonderful help to me and my family...glad I can be of some help to you." He then looked back at the hole again, "You need help with that?"

     Alex shook his head no,"You've been plenty of help already, thanks. I think I can take it from here." Alex then added, "You know I don't think it's the girl that I'm afraid of...ok, maybe some...yet this hasn't been a favorable area for me in the past and I guess I am looking for more assurance that He’s in it.  I know feelings can be fickled, but after praying last night I was reminded how He has stretched my faith and know it is just another call to trust in Him."

     Reuben gave him an understanding nod, "Me and Maria will keep it in prayer."

     Alex was grateful. He knew Reuben and Maria were powerful intercessors.

     Reuben then added, "That reminds me, I've been wanting to talk to you about what's been happening to me," he was clearly excited.

     "Great, let's hear it." 

     Reuben began, "It's like you said bro...partaking of his sufferings..." he then paused, not wanting to shift the focus so soon, "but it can wait, right now I'm going to stop at the plaza and pick up some pastries for tonight. I get my fill of meat over at my end and need to indulge my sweet tooth."

     Alex nodded understanding where he was coming from, "Just stay away from that over-processed stuff filled with unnatural preservative and artificial flavorings, you know where the good ones are at."

     "Sure do...Maria has been pestering me to pick up more of them apple turnovers. It's 'Monday Night Football' tonight but I think I may watch some more of that 'Dancing with the Stars' with her during intermission. Once I got over the idea of men prancing around on their toes it was actually pretty good, although Maria now got it in her head for us to take ballroom dancing lessons, and you know Maria when she gets an idea stuck in her head."

     "Oh yesss, I do. Give her my love and tell her I will be in touch about dinner soon."

     "Ok," he said, then left Alex with some more food for thought, "She's going to make your favorite dish."

Part XVII:  The Recruit