“I never learned the dances,” I admitted.
“You don’t need to know anything,” Luna said. “Just let yourself feel. You are a gypsy. Trust me, you can dance.”
Tillie entered from the kitchen, carrying three shots on a tray. “And failing all of that, you can do what the rest of us do. It’s called liquid courage.”
I took the shot glass, not for the courage to dance, but for the courage to believe that I could have any other life than the one I had known. Since I’d been free from Ricky, I thought I’d only ever done things because I wanted to. But the truth was that I didn’t know any other way. I never learned my culture because at the end of the day, it wouldn’t get me what I wanted or needed. I knew how to survive, but I didn’t know how to enjoy the simple things in life like Luna.
I would probably never be as free spirited as she was, but starting tonight, maybe I could learn. Maybe life could be something else for me. Something more than the next con, the thrill of chasing the dollar, or the past constantly nipping at my heels.
I set the shot glass down and gestured for the costume. “I’ll try it on. No promises.”
Luna handed it over with a squeak of excitement.
Five minutes later, I was dressed like a belly dancer, and Luna and Tillie were cheering me on as I tried to decide if I could really go through with this. We took two more shots of liquid courage, and in the back of my mind, I was aware that time was passing quickly. It was dark outside. Lucian would be home soon. He’d realize I wasn’t there, and it wouldn’t go over well. It was a recipe for trouble, but Luna was the first friend I could ever remember having besides Birdie.
“Okay,” Tillie said. “We need to go. We’ll be late.”
“There’s no such thing.” Luna giggled as she flew out the door.
We trailed behind her in the direction of the fire, which had grown exponentially in size. The empty chairs from a short time ago were now filled, and it looked like the whole community had come out to watch the event.
My belly was warm, and my nerves were on fire when I saw the other girls already dancing around the fire. The music was upbeat and exotic, and I was relieved to see there wasn’t really any coordinated effort. Like Luna said, everybody was moving to their own beat.
“Jump in,” Luna said. “Watch me, move like this.”
I tried to mirror her movements, but my body felt stiff and awkward. Luna giggled and put her hands on my hips, guiding the movements.
“Close your eyes,” she instructed. “Relax. Just feel.”
I did what she said with little faith that it would change anything, but miraculously, it did. Soon, the weight of her hands disappeared, and I was moving on my own.
“Yes, girl,” she shouted. “Now, you are a gypsy.”
I laughed, and we danced until I was high on adrenaline and drunk on the tequila we’d been drinking. We stumbled back to some empty chairs and sat down around the fire, listening intently as stories began to unfold.
I found myself enrapt as they spoke of their culture and history, losing track of the hours that passed. But I felt comfortable, and I was willing to face Lucian’s wrath if it meant indulging in something of importance.
When the fire had died down to nothing more than coals, three women emerged from the shadows with a kettle in hand, making their way around the circle with a ladle and cups, pouring the concoction for each member of the community. When they came to me, I looked at Luna for guidance.
“What is it?”
“Ayahuasca. It’s a medicinal tea from South America,” she explained. “Some believe that it has healing powers.”
I wasn’t the kind of person to buy into that mentality, but all eyes were on me, and I didn’t see the harm in at least taking the cup they offered. I didn’t have to drink it.
The brew was poured, and when I sniffed it, it smelled foul.
“It’s made from a vine,” Luna said. “There is a cleansing ritual involved in the preparation, but even still, it’s not the most appealing taste.”
I watched as she sipped from her cup and others around the fire did the same. In the span of just a few minutes, the conversation had died, and slowly, the crowd began to dissipate.
“Where is everyone going?” I asked.
Luna stood, and her whole body seemed to vibrate with a new energy. Something intense and focused that I couldn’t understand when she held her hand out to me.
“Come,” she said. “I want to read you.”
I hesitated, and Tillie leaned in close, brushing her fingers over my arm as she whispered in my ear. “She has secrets to tell. You want to hear them.”