“Take the afternoon off,” he said as he finished his coffee.
“It’s Monday,” she replied.
“I know but it’s Valentine’s Day, let’s do something.”
“Like what?” she asked.
“I don’t know, we’ll think of something.”
“OK, I’ll meet you here at noon.” She pecked him on the cheek and left the house.
He was home before she was and propped the card he had bought against the bowl on the kitchen table. It was too cold to go for a walk on the beach. Maybe he could suggest a movie or just go somewhere for a long lunch. Now that he had made the suggestion, it seemed he couldn’t think of anything she might like to do. Suddenly it felt like their first date all over again.
Right at noon she walked in, carrying some grocery bags.
“What’s in the bags?”
“Just some snack stuff, I thought we’d just stay here for the afternoon.” She laughed.
“At home, you just want to stay here and do nothing?” he questioned.
“Sure, who’s going to look for us at home? Besides I think if we use our imagination, we can think of lots to do right here, like the old days.”
He set the groceries on the counter, took her hand and spun her around as the radio played an old song. They danced across the kitchen, weaving around the chairs and out into the hallway, and the afternoon slipped away.
You can buy wine and roses, you can buy jewelry and chocolate, but you can’t buy time. Sometimes, time is something you have to steal. At least that’s what McGregor says.
Dance in the Kitchen
Out of the blue
I arrived home at noon
On a Monday when nothing was planned;
I heard you come in,
Smiled back at your grin,
Took the groceries from your hand.
We stopped and stared
There were sparks in the air
We could just hear the radio play,
So while Seeger was singing
“We’ve got tonight”
We danced in the kitchen to-day!
We danced in the kitchen
But it seemed like a ballroom,
We waltzed past the table and chairs.
We danced in the kitchen
With nobody watching,
Past the dog and the cat’s worried stares.
That afternoon drifted away,
I whispered those words I never say;
Gliding and turning,
Smouldering then burning,
We danced in the kitchen today.
Come and dance close beside me
With my arms around you
Just come and dance me away,
Who needs tomorrow,
Who needs a dance floor.
If we can dance in the kitchen each day!
Lyrics – Jim McGregor
Music and vocals – Dan Beer
