When Eric and Julie finished their slow dance together, Martha excused herself and went upstairs. In truth, it was for two reasons. The first was because she felt on the verge of tears and didn't want anyone to see her cry. From a technique perspective, their dancing was far from perfect, but the love between Eric and Julie was obvious even to a novice.
The second reason was because she had an idea, and Martha hoped she could make it a reality before Julie had to go home for the night.
MEANWHILE...
"Okay. Like I explained to Eric last night," began Nate. "There are plenty of dances out there where the couple will be moving together, but it's more a question of keeping in time with the rhythm and beat of the music than actually dancing together the way the two of you just did. So now that I've changed the music," he said, grabbing Alex's hand, "and we'll demonstrate before letting you try it yourself."
With that, Nate pressed 'PLAY' on the CD. As the opening notes of David Bowie's Let's Dance began, Nate started moving around in a small area of the cleared space left from last night's dance lesson.
Alex tried to copy his boyfriend's movements, to which Nate said, "No. In a situation like this, it's more a question of how you interpret the music yourself than how I am."
"Really? Either way, I feel like a headless chicken in its death throes," said Alex, to which both Eric and Julie said "GROSS!"
"Don't you listen to the radio a lot?" asked Nate, as he pivoted in a circle on one foot to the amazement of everyone present.
"Yeah. But mostly the news," replied Alex, as he tried to copy Nate's move, but wound up falling flat on his kiester.
As Nate stopped dancing to help his boyfriend up, Martha shouted from the top of the stairs, "Eric, can you please come up here for a bit."
"Sure mom!" her youngest son shouted in return, giving Julie a quick kiss on the cheek before heading upstairs.
Eric found his mother in his parents' bedroom, where Martha quickly explained what she wanted Eric to do when he walked Julie home later on.
"Are you sure about this?" Eric asked her in return, looking at the single pearl on a plastic lanyard that she handed him.
"Yes. That old string of pearls busted on me years ago. I don't even have all of them any more. The plastic lanyard is from my old college ID and in truth, I'm surprised I still had it after all this time. Julie will appreciate it and get more use out of these items than I ever will. Just tell her that it's a promise ring."
"A promise of what?" Eric asked, confused.
"The future," replied Martha, as she hugged her son.
As they broke the hug, Martha saw Eric's eyes change from brown to blue to brown again as he stuck the homemade necklace in his pocket.
He honestly doesn't know, realized Martha, while staring at her son. Perhaps it is for the best for this to occur naturally. "Now remember, not until the two of you are alone when you walk her home later."
"I will mom, and thanks," said Eric, giving her a peck on the cheek. "Are you coming back downstairs?"
"In a little while honey. Now you better get back to your dance lesson. Don't want to keep Julie waiting."
"No," agreed Eric, as his eyes briefly went blue again. "See you later. Love you," he added, giving his mom another quick peck before going back downstairs.
Alone, and realizing that her son's future personal happiness was on the horizon, that was when Martha Anderson cried.