"Now then, it looks like your brother was teaching you the more modern stuff, but let's see how you're doing on the slower dances," suggested Martha Anderson, as she turned off the radio and switched to a CD.
Soon the opening notes of "Check to Cheek" made famous by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers could be heard.
Eric smiled at Julie before he bowed and took her hand, then started leading her around the impromptu dance floor.
"The kids' good," commented Coach Katherine "Kat" Johnson, who followed Martha home. Mrs. Anderson was her substitute assistant Girls PE Coach at Moon Lake Middle School this week, and Kat was hoping for some private time with Martha so the lesbian weretigress and the bi-werecat could get to know each other more intimately.
"Yes. Especially considering some of the winters we've had back in Minnesota, Eric and I watched a lot of those old musicals together on the classic movie channel," replied his mother.
When the song ended, both women couldn't help but applaud the children's efforts, which made both Eric and Julie blush.
"I'm starting to get a little thirsty," said Julie.
"Nate should have gotten everyone some refreshments when you came home. I'll do that now," offered Martha. "Do you want anything Kat?"
With her back to the kids, Kat smiled, because what she wanted couldn't be said aloud. Instead, she just replied "Bottled water's fine if you have any."
"Me too," chimed in both Eric and Julie.
"Be right back," promise Martha, before heading into the kitchen.
With that, Kat turned to address the kids. "So, have you two set a date yet?"
"Huh?" asked Eric, a little defensively.
"The assistant your mother's covering for this week is a were-mermaid, so I know the significance of..." began Kat, as she raised a hand to her neck, indicating the single pearl necklace Julie proudly wore.
"Sometime after high school graduation," answered Julie, "but except for Nate, his family doesn't know its true meaning," she added, pressing the pearl tighter to her. "Mrs. Anderson thinks it's just a promise token she made Eric to give me."
"Don't worry, your secret's safe with me," promised Kat, just as Martha walked back out with a handful of plastic bottles.
"Here we are," said Martha, totally unaware of any conversation while she was gone, since the CD had continued playing more selections from classic movie musicals.
Just then, Nate came running down the stairs. Except for a different shirt, some deodorant, cologne, and the fact he combed his hair, he looked about the same as he did before going upstairs.
"Alex texted me while I was getting ready. He'll be here in a few minutes," said Nate, double checking himself.
Everyone, including Kat, had no reaction to the fact Nate was dating another guy, except to wish him a good time as a car horn honked outside.
"Gotta go!" said Nate.
"You know, he should of at least came to the door and got you," observed Kat.
"Maybe," agreed Nate, as he said his good byes and left.
"Now then, how much more time do we have before you have to be home this evening Julie?" asked Martha.
"Six. Can Eric walk me home?" wondered Julie Stovall.
"Please?" said Eric, even as he grabbed Julie's hand.
"Okay," agreed his mother, "and if it isn't an imposition, you can even stay over there for dinner if you're invited."
"The door's always open for him," Julie said proudly.
"Good. We're just having left overs tonight anyway," announced Martha Anderson, before she leaned over and quickly whispered in Kat's ear "William won't be home until after 8 tonight," which made the other woman smile.
"Now then, let's get back to our dance lessons," announced Martha, as she walked back to the stereo to reset the CD, thinking about the "dancing" she and Kat would do after the kids left.