CHARLES CLAIRE KALISTAChapter 35
- 4 years ago
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We all got out of the Spa, changed and had something to eat. Both refrigerators, as well as the chest freezers in the garage were quite full, so we have enough food to last until we leave on tour, maybe even longer. I suppose we could pack some food to go with us?
Annie spoke, “Today is July 25th guys, midway between Charles & Claire’s birthdays. In celebration of this, kneel, Claire McArthur and Charles Newman.”
Kneel? Claire and I looked at each other, not knowing what was about to happen?
Sarah pulled, what looked like a medal, out of her pocket.
“Ladies First; Claire Tiffany McArthur, I present this Medal of Professionalism — in dance, in love, in life – You are now a Professional Dancer in the eyes of the NDCA, WDC, and WDSF.”
“Wow, isn’t that medal pretty?” Kalista said.
“Quiet, please?”
“Sorry?” she said real quietly.
Annie had a similar medal in her hand.
“Charles Xavier Newman; I present this Medal of Professionalism — in dance, in love, in life – You are now a Professional Dancer in the eyes, of the NDCA, WDC, and WDSF.”
“What’re the WDC and the WDSF?” Kalista whispered.
“Kalista!” Sarah said reprovingly.
“Sorry?” K said.
“Kalista, kneel please?” Sarah said.
“Oooh,” Kalista said with a giggle dropping to her knees.
“Kalista Rosemary McArthur; I present this Medal of Professionalism — in dance, in love, in life – You are now a Professional Dancer in the eyes, of the NDCA, WDC, and WDSF.”
“Can I stand up now?” asked Claire, giggling.
“Sure ... everybody, get up?” Annie said.
“Sarah, help me please?” I asked.
“Sure, Charles – is your back hurting?”
“No, but my heart is – thank you so much for that.” I gave Sarah a big hug and a kiss. I winced in pain, due to my lip. Sarah put some balm on it, and I mouthed to her ‘thank you’.
Turning towards her, I said, “Kalista, as you know the NDCA is the National Dance Council of America; well the WDC is the World Dance Council, and the WDSF is the World DanceSport Federation. Just about all the dance organizations are connected to the WDC, or the WDSF, which only recently was called the IDSF, changing the word International to World.”
“So, you three are registered Professionals with those organizations for the next seven years,” Annie said.
“Fabulous, ladies – the way you took care of this move today, tells me, you are the perfect team for C-Cask. What’s coming up on the public relations circuit, what’s our next event to attend and where?” I asked.
Sarah picked up the laptop, touched a few keys, and started:
“Well, Charles, tomorrow morning we leave before lunch to go visit both Annie and my parents, your grandparents, and your future grandparents in Springfield, then at one pm, we head to Toledo to dance at Cedar Point Amusement Park, in Sandusky, and you two will be on the Radio at WXTS 88.3 Toledo Public Schools Radio Station, the following day.”
“The day after that, we head to South Bend, Indiana where we go to Coveleski Stadium, and do an interview, and watch a Class A, Professional Baseball game between the South Bend Silver Hawks, affiliated with the Arizona Diamondbacks and their arch-rival, the Clinton LumberKings, affiliated with the Seattle Mariners. We should get a free lunch and have time to watch the game, if we’d like.”
“Three days later, we head on to Chicago, Illinois to dance with the Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra, who asked for music titles you’d already learned routines for. There will be major press at this event. We can stay an extra day there if we would like.”
“Then, we head north to Grand Rapids, Michigan where we have another interview, and then watch the West Michigan Whitecaps, affiliated with the Detroit Tigers, in the Midwest League, play the Kane County Cougars, who are affiliated with the Chicago Cubs.”
“Two days after that, we travel to Detroit, Michigan, where we are the featured performers at the Fox Theatre, where there will be an orchestra and over 5,000 of your screaming fans to watch you dance for an hour. Your mother and I have sent them a suggested set list.”
“From there we all head back home to Columbus, where our own beds will feel like clouds of heaven.”
“Very nice review, Sara ... what are we making, money-wise on this trip anyway?” I asked.
“I thought the money wasn’t important to you Charles?” Annie pointedly asked.
“It’s not the only reason to do this Mom, but it’s a perk. We’ll be on the road a lot, living in hotels, shaking hands, giving autographs and interviews,” I explained.
“Point well made, Honey-Buns,” mom said with a giggle.
“So, Sarah – the money?” I asked.
“The Amusement Park, is paying us $6,000, The radio station is a freebie, but we’re there; The ball game in South Bend is $7,500, Chicago Philharmonic is paying $20,000, Grand Rapids Baseball game is $7,500 also, and the Fox Theatre in Detroit is paying a whopping $40,000; so for about sixteen days of work, and some is more fun than work, we’re going to be bringing home about $81,000, total.”
Annie said, “In the words of Charles Newman himself, ‘Holy Shit!’ I am sorry for that, but it seemed appropriate for the news.”
Clearing her throat to get our attention back, Sarah said, “Remember, the dance events will be using music you already know, so there’s no need to learn anything new, if you don’t want to.”
“But we won’t have the rules and regulations of the NDCA beating on us anymore,” I commented, “So, we can dance more open, using a minimal amount of Closed Position, Claire and Kalista. We can use the ‘Kallie’ hold.”
There was a car horn outside, so we all got up and our red Chevy Suburban had been delivered to our door. We got some last-minute instructions and were given the keys.
There was a knock on the door, I got up and saw Sarah’s oldest son Ken, bringing in photographic equipment, and was being followed by his wife Sarah Jane, and their kids, Lily, Rich, and Jeff. Each of them was carrying in a piece of equipment.
“Which of their outfits should we use, Ken?” Sarah asked.
“How about the outfits they wore the first time they took down YouTube — you danced to The Rainbow Connection – If I remember correctly?” Ken answered.
“Kids. Change into those outfits, quickly, you too, K ... you are part of this team, in your red dress please?” Sarah said.
We all dashed up the stairs, eager to do this. I was down first, of course. Annie checked my clothes for wrinkles and Sarah combed my hair for me, smiling at me with those wonderful eyes of hers. I mouthed to her, ‘Behave!’
Next down was K, who looked fabulous in her red dress, and her tallest heels; Annie brought her some earrings to wear, and she looked fabulous.
Finally, my girl, my love, my friend, my dance partner and future mother of our children, Claire McArthur, came down, looking stunning. I went to her, she smiled at me, and we walked over to Ken.
“Mom and Sarah, your yellow dresses, with matching bling, hurry,” I said. They giggled as they ran up the stairs together.
“OK, Charles, what do you want?” Ken asked.
“Before we talk poses, Ken – what size will these posters be?”
“There are a couple of standard sizes, take a look at this sheet? It has sizes in metric and standard. There is an ‘A’ series and a ‘B’ series of sizes to choose from,” Ken said.
“Can we give people a choice of size, or should we make everything the same?” I asked Ken.
“It would be easier for the printers, to have everything the same size, but...”
“Then we’ll have everything the same size, Ken. We’ll use the A2 size. People who buy posters usually have their walls full, so we go a little smaller and they might buy more than one. 42 x 59.4cm (16.5 x 23.4 inches) will let them buy all the posters, if they want,” I said, causing Ken to laugh out loud.
“OK, I have got four poses in mind Ken ... no five. First, Kalista by herself — I want every pre-teen boy and girl, to want this picture. The boys will fall in love her, and the girls will all want to be her,” I said. That made Kalista giggle.
Nine-year-old Lily spoke up saying, “I’ll want one of Charles & Claire.”
This prompted eight-year-old Rich to say, “I want one of Kallie for my room.”
Little six-year-old Jeff said, “I want Kallie in my room, too.”
Kalista beamed and blushed at her supportive cousins.
Ken got some magical shots of Kalista, catching her impish grin perfectly. We next moved on to Claire and I together, in a dance pose; then Kalista, Claire and I; with them on either side of me; I want one of those for myself.
Two angels came down the stairs, holding hands, and looking hot enough to melt the camera. Even Ken said, “Wow, Mom – looking really good there ... You look happy, considering what’s happened in your life recently; you got a new man in your life or something?” She gave him an impish grin.
“Mrs. Newman, you are one ... beautiful woman, I am sorry for that a-hole who left you. No man in his right mind would leave a woman who looks like you do,” Ken added.
However, his wife, Sarah Jane slapped him on the back of his head and said, “Take their picture honey — and stop drooling.”
That made us all laugh, reducing the tension a little. I brought Annie and Sarah and asked Ken to take a picture of them together. Every ‘male’ in America over the age of fourteen will want that picture.
Then I got in between them, and we took a picture with them turned towards each other but looking at the camera. I basically had their boobs on either side of my head, as the picture was being taken.
Lastly, I positioned Mom and Annie standing, Claire and Kallie, kneeling with me in the middle, getting all of our faces in as close together as possible, so the picture was just our heads.
After the final picture was taken, Sarah said, “Ken, the only man in my life right now is Charles, so if I look happy it’s all because of him.” Ken gave me a big thumbs up.
The equipment was being taken down as I walked up to Ken, shaking his hand, and asking about how people will be able to get these posters.
He replied, “Charles, I have already setup a PayPal website. People will be able to view and order whichever one of these they want. They’ll even be able to blog, if they want.”
“What will the cost point and price point of the posters be, Ken?” I asked.
“Price point Charles ... you know what you are talking about, don’t you? Our costs per poster will start at $1.88 each, selling for $5 each. Costs will drop as larger quantities are ordered. How many do you think we could sell?” Ken asked.
“We took down YouTube, because 500,000 people wanted to see Charles & Claire. If, one out of ten of those people buy one poster, that’s $250,000, so we’d make $150,000 profit off of selling 50,000 posters,” I calculated. “Of course, that’s all based on the $1.88 price point. And we could sell 5,000,000 posters, instead of 50,000. How low could our cost point go per each?”
“250,000 sold, would bring it down to $1.48 each, and 500,000 would get it to $1.18 each. I suppose 1,000,000 copies would bring the cost per to $0.88 Charles. We need to look over the pictures, so you can approve them before going to print,” Ken said.
With everyone looking over my shoulder and having some input, we looked at and approved, one from each set of poses, and the Ken McArthur family left us.
I called for a C-Cask Meeting.
I started with, “Sarah, before we start the business of C-Cask, what’s the status of Quit-Claiming John/Daniel off of everything?”
“All the trusts, the bank accounts, the twelve-seater, Life Insurance Policies, this house and my will have all been taken care of. We’ll be notified by email, as each of these events happen,” Sarah responded with a very satisfying smile on her face.
“Quick question Sarah, absolutely none of my business, but without a spouse, who’s your Beneficiary now, in the event of your ... death?”
“I have asked, and Antoinette Moynihan has agreed to be my Beneficiary, and I am now hers, with her divorce proceedings moving forward. She’s gotten back, from your father, a signed Dissolution of Marriage, which still needs to be filed, but she and I both consider ourselves single again.”
With that, Sarah gave me such a look.
“Charles,” Annie added, with a tremendous smile on her face, “I also got ‘him’ to Quit Claim off our house, car, Will, and my Life Insurance, so I am able to put the house on the market, when we get back. Your father has agreed to a lump sum payout of $500,000, payable over 36 months, which will be going in C-Cask’s Bank Account.”
“Has C-Cask LLC been legally established yet?” I followed up.
Sarah answered, “That’s one of those, waiting for a response items; Nevada and Delaware are the best places to file for an LLC, due to the costs. We picked Nevada, and we’re waiting for approval of our Articles of Organization, which should be in about eight more business days. A bank account has been set-up, assuming approval. It can be used in the interim.”
“We have received a wire notice from Michael Bublé’s people, requesting bank account information for direct depositing your monthly checks. Since you are all going professional, it didn’t make any sense to set up three different bank accounts for you. Your mother and I’ll be co-executors of the LLC Bank Account.”
“Wow, ladies – we certainly have got the right women doing our finances and PR stuff. Let’s give them a big round of applause, girls,” I said. Claire and K stood up and the three of us applauded our Moms.
I said, “OK, next order of business, the skirts of the dancers. My skirts are just fine, thankyouverymuch, but I think we have a potential problem with the young ladies?”
Claire turned to me and said, “What’s wrong with our skirts now, Charles? Still not short enough for you?” This made Kalista giggle.
“That’s not it at all, Claire – I see you changed into a skirt – Annie and Sarah, look at Claire while she does some pot stirrers.” I got up and moved to the middle of the floor; Claire did as well, looking really pissed at me.
I grabbed her hand and put her through about half a dozen fast pot stirrers and her skirt billowed out, as you’d expect. I looked over at Annie and Sarah, whose eyes got really big and said, “Stop Charles! You ... made your point!”
“Claire, you and Kalista need to get some Show Panties as well as some dance shorts, before you do any more of your routines,” Sarah said blushing. Annie walked over to both of them and explained what the problem was. Kalista and Claire both covered their faces, in embarrassment.
Claire came over to me and said, “I am so sorry, Charles! I was being a witch with a b, wasn’t I?”
“No, you hadn’t known, and now you do, both of you. It was noticed at the BBQ, and I am telling you of it. It’s only an issue when you have a party type dress on; Kalista, your red or black dresses are tight around your hips, so don’t despair.”
“But, since I plan on adding some easy Developés, Side Lunges and Rondés to our routines, we need to be G-rated. We can now separate completely, during a routine if we want, and do as much Open Work as we want. We could even add some dips and drops, depending on the music and your outfits. There’s a Cha-Cha Rondé, I saw on the Internet that either of you could do easily. We’re going to become ... a little bit of a Show Dance team, while trying to remain true to our ballroom roots. I even have an idea roaming around in my head for a number that all three of us could dance. We can develop it, on the road, if necessary.”
“We can’t get too sloppy, because I negotiated with Michael a week off, if we want, so we can be at Nationals next March.”
Claire, Annie, Sarah and Kalista engulfed me — My CASK runneth over with love.
My littist redhead asked, “Can we go and get our Show Panties please, I suddenly feel the need to hide my bushel.”
Annie, Sarah and Claire all laughed at this remark.
The next morning, I woke up, with a magnificent idea. A number all three of us can dance to. I listen to music a lot, hoping for inspiration, but sometimes, it just comes out of ... nowhere. I have only heard the music to WICKED once, but the beautiful vocals of the particular song ‘For Good’ from Kristin and Idina are just overwhelming.
Since I seem to ... remember everything musical I have ever heard, I had a dream of a dance to this song, with Claire, in a white dress, and we would dance during Kristin’s vocals, and Kallie and I, with her in a green dress, dancing to Idina’s.
I have been wondering if a dance with all three of us was possible, but now, with the ‘rules’ gone, we can do it. It’ll make a truly memorable Slow Tango — our first Professional routine to learn ... from scratch.
The girls went out and got some white, black, gray, red and pink show panties and dance shorts yesterday afternoon. While Annie, Claire and Kalista were gone; I got a back rub from Sarah.
Thankfully, she avoided my newly minted ‘erogenous zone’ found on my back earlier. She gave me a rubdown in the spa, and she also helped me to understand more about a woman’s E-Zones, using G-rated terminology.
I also found out she does something called abdominal crunches, so after getting out of the spa and drying off, she showed me how to do them, and then helped me learn by watching her. She keeps herself ... quite fit. We plan to do them together as often as our schedule may permit.
“PACK A SUITCASE WITH SEVEN SHOW CHANGES, PLEASE?”
These were everybody’s marching orders to get ready to leave on our extended Road Trip, starting with a trip to see both of our Moms’ parents, in Springfield, Ohio first.
We each packed a suitcase and had a backpack as well. Mom put the New Chevy, and the Land Rover in the garage, and we took the twelve-seater for this trip. We had a meal first; then went on our way.
Amazingly, way back when Mom and Sarah first met, they found out that their parents lived two blocks from each other in Springfield, Ohio, less than an hour west of us in Columbus.
We first visited Annie’s Mom and Dad, seventy-two year-young Grandpa Xavier Aloyisious Moynihan and his blushing bride Ruth Josephine MacGilicutty, a spry seventy herself.
I give you their complete names, because I have always enjoyed genealogy in my spare time, I even got the Merit Badge to prove it. These days, I don’t seem to have nearly as much time as I’d like to work on any of that. I have put Claire and her family in my gedcom file, adding her as my wife. Talk about Freudian!
We spent an hour with them, talking about where we were going and what was planned for the rest of our trip. I am very hopeful that they will still be around to see Claire and my children someday.
Yeah, I really hope they do.
We then moved two blocks southwest, and visited with Sarah’s parents, Jonathan Henry Rollins, seventy-four and his wife of forty-five years, Henrietta Claire Smithson, also seventy-four, but older than him by six months. She has the same beautiful eyes that her granddaughter, Claire has. I just got to see how marvelous Claire might look in sixty years — Hmmmm.
The girls and I changed before we left for Cedar Point Amusement Park in Toledo, and the next sixteen days were amazing. All the places we went to were less than four hours from our previous location.
It was remarkable, getting to travel to each of the communities, where we were welcomed like returning family members: Toledo, Ohio; South Bend, Indiana; The Chicago Philharmonic, where we performed at Pick-Staiger Hall, on the Northwestern University Campus, in Evanston, Illinois, about fourteen miles north of downtown Chicago.
While we were there, Claire and I danced to ‘Let’s Stay Together,’ ‘Marry You,’ ‘The Circle of Life,’ ‘The Cinderella Waltz (So, This is Love),’ ‘Sunrise Sunset,’ ‘Putting on the Ritz,’ ‘At This Moment,’ and with Kallie, ‘Lady in Red,’ ‘That’s How You Know,’ ‘Hate on Me’ and ‘Hold On’.
Every seat in the auditorium was full, and there were TV camera’s there. I mentioned our website, for people who wanted posters, as I did every chance I could.
An amazing event occurred while we were performing at Northwestern University. Apparently, the Freshman Fifteen, or the F15 as I have heard them called, originated at Northwestern, and we were surprised when they came out and did a few songs, finishing with them starting up their version of ‘Kiss the Girl’.
As soon as I heard the song start, I grabbed Claire from the wings and we went out and started our routine, while the boys sang their beautiful and tight harmonies. A spotlight came on and found us, which generated some applause. Claire and I moved to in front of them, and they re-formed their semi-circle around us, all while singing the song.
We kept our dance moves small, and they enjoyed us as much as we enjoyed them. We all finished together; causing an uproar like you wouldn’t believe. Claire and I bowed to the boys, then turned and bowed to our audience.
The Fox Theatre in Detroit, who’s paying us a whopping forty grand, slotted us in between Tony Bennett, who’d performed the previous night, and the rock band INXS, who were performing the following night. They brought in the Detroit Philharmonic and we did many of the same dances we had done in Evanston.
We have got the whole ‘hotel thing’ down pretty good now, but we were all glad to be back home in our own beds.
When we got back, there was a box in the garage that had a set of our posters, for each of us. The girls shrieked as they quickly got into their rooms and started putting them up. I followed behind with suitcases, and Sarah came up to me and gave me a kiss, which put some energy in my pant ... stride.
I dropped off suitcases at the doors and knocked. Both girls stopped long enough to thank and kiss me, and I was now ready for the spa, big-time.
I got into my suit and grabbed a towel and walked briskly to the spa. It was calling to me, it said, ‘get your sore back and butt in here,’ so I did. I had it all to myself for a while until I heard, “Hey there Loverboy – Does your back hurt?”
It was Sarah.
“No, not really hurt, just ready for a water jet to make it feel better,” I said.
Using a little girl voice, she said, “Does that mean that Charles doesn’t want my hands on his back any more?”
I chuckled as I replied, “No, Sarah – I have told you before — I love your hands, I want your hands, I need your hands. Sometimes I just can’t ... have your hands. Sometimes thinking about your hands causes me the same problem that your hands have, and I am unsure how to deal with that, or you.”
She turned me around and said, “If you don’t need my hands, maybe you need this.” She grabbed my face with both of her hands, much like I have done before with Claire and Kalista. Then she looked deep into my eyes and said, “or maybe this,” and she had her lips on mine, quickly putting her tongue deep inside my mouth.
I returned these actions in kind, putting my hands on her back, above the water, in case Mom walked out. But this time ... Mom didn’t interrupt us, neither did Claire ... nor Kalista, and I was truly close to doing something marvelously inappropriate in front of my girlfriend’s mother, although many would see what we’re doing already ... qualifies as inappropriate.
I moved my hands to, on top of her hands and took them off of my face ... gasping for air.
I said a meek, “Thank you, Sarah” as I got out of the spa, wrapping the towel around my waist. I saw Mom on my way up to my room; who smiled at me and said, “You passed the ultimate test, Charles.”
“What, Mom – what are you talking about?” I said totally mystified.
“I sent Sarah out to you, and told her to pull out all the stops, short of exposing herself, or touching you sexually, to see and hear what you’d do, and you passed, Honey! I am so proud of you.” She hugged me carefully so not to get herself wet.
Sarah came up behind me and said, “This is a young man for the ages, Annie. Not only did he not ever touch my butt, which I thought he would, he never stopped looking directly into my eyes, the whole time. I could have been naked in there with him, and he wouldn’t have done anything.”
“I am not so sure of that Sarah, although the less than two square feet of material covering you right now, barely qualifies as covered. To use an expression, I recently heard ladies, I feel like ‘I have been rode hard, and put away wet!”
They both laughed as I went up to my bed, alone, and crashed.
“CHARLES!”
What was that? Did I hear something?
“CHARLES. Come downstairs, quickly.”
Since I had sweat pants on, but no shirt, I ran downstairs yelling, “What’s wrong?”
“Who said anything’s wrong, Charles?” Annie said shaking her head and adding a wolf-whistle. I blushed.
“Ken sent a link so we can see which posters are selling the most, which one would you guess has done the best?” Sarah asked.
“Well, the way you just asked that of me, Sarah dear – I’d guess Kalista alone, or maybe the Annie/Sarah pose?”
“Nope, the Charles & Claire pose, has sold just over 40,000 copies already, with the Annie/Sarah pose right behind it at 25,000 copies, The Kalista only pose is third with 10,000 copies, next the Charles/Claire/Kalista pose, with 9,000 and the Annie/Charles/Sarah pose is last, at a measly 6,000 copies. That’s 90,000 copies in about sixteen days,” Annie said.
Figuring it quickly in my head, I responded, “My goodness, that’s over... $280,000 in profit ... With us on tour, that’s only going to increase – Wow!”
Sarah said, “Remember, that you guys are dancers, so don’t forget you love to dance. We have only got a couple of things scheduled before we all go on tour with Michael. Nothing for the next two days, though.”
“SARAH,” I said, realizing that I may have jut yelled.
“What Charles, Ooooh, I see that thing in your eyes that tells me, you have got a great idea?” she replied.
“Can we get the dance floor put up?” I asked.
“Oh, is that all – look outside, Loverboy?” Sarah said.
“What ... When ... How did you do that?” I asked looking through the back window.
“I knew when we were getting back, you’d be itching to dance, so it’s been up and covered for the last two days,” she said.
I ran over to Sarah and gave her a great big kiss; until I heard an ‘Ahem,’ which was Claire.
“MOTHER!”
I ran over to Claire and gave her a great big kiss, until I heard a rather high-pitched ‘Ahem’ which was Kalista.
I ran over to Kalista and gave her a great big kiss, and pulled away and ran over to Mom, giving her a kiss as well, to finish the ‘rounds,’ as it were.
That was way too much fun!
I told everybody about my idea for a dance routine for the three of us, using the song, ‘For Good,’ from the Broadway Musical WICKED, sung by Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel.
“OK girls – Kallie, you are playing Elphaba, dancing when Idina sings; and Claire, you are playing Glinda, dancing when Kristin sings.”
“You two will start the dance, freely moving to the music of your singer, while the other freezes, in whatever pose she’s in when the other starts to sing, and she starts to dance. I’ll join you, when you hear, ‘because I knew you,’ all right?”
Together they said, “OK, Loverboy.” This caused all the ladies to chuckle a bit.
“This may be rough to start, but this is going to be our Professional Debut Dance number ladies, with Claire in white and Kalista in green.”
“Dance as the music and lyrics makes you feel. There are times when the two ladies sing together, and we’ll choreograph you doing something in sync. Other than that, feel the music? Kalista, Elphaba starts the song,” I nodded to Sarah.
ELPHABA
I am limited,
Just look at me
– I am limited,
And just look at you ... you
can do all I couldn’t do,
Glinda. So now
it’s up to you,
For both of us —
now it’s up to you...
Kalista was moving like an angel without wings, it looked like ballet — she went completely still as
Claire came alive like a marionette.
GLINDA
I have heard it said
That people come into
our lives for a reason,
Bringing something we
must learn, and we are led,
To those, who help
us most to grow,
If we let them and
we help them in return?
Claire had seen what Kalista had done, so she took it and developed it into a theme.
Well, I don’t know,
if I believe that’s true,
But I know I am
who I am today,
because I knew you...
I came out to Claire and we went to Closed. K went perfectly still.
Like a comet pulled
from orbit,
as it passes a sun,
Like a stream
that meets a boulder,
Halfway through the wood.
Who can say if I have been
changed for the better?
Because I knew you...
I have been
changed for good.
The Announcer came on: “Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls; school’s out and guess who’s back joining us? Charles & Claire!” A wonderful round of applause came up from the crowd, the returning kids smiled at us, the new kids glared at us. “But they are last today, so let’s get started.” He went on to announce the first competitors and it began. Things were moving along, I felt a bit more nervous than usual. Claire came up to me and said, “Charles, remember we’re waltzing today, this...
About three hours later, we’d gone through our new routines, polishing them all up a bit—also going over every routine we’d won a trophy using. Some of those were quite fun, since we hadn’t performed them in such a long while. “LUNCH!” The three of us all came in to see a layout of food that was amazing; we had lasagna or meatloaf to choose from. Also, there were Pan-fried home-made French fries, which is a specialty of the ladies, and the usual Salad Bar, but it had more things to choose...
“Wow, Charles—that’s quite ambitious and crazy, like you said. The minute we touch down, I will do all I can to make that happen. You certainly have been the showman this past year, introducing me, special guests that I sprung on you at the last minute like Idina and adding those fantastic musical routines that include all of your ... harem,” Michael said. “That’s what you pay me the big bucks for Michael,” I said, feeling a pull on my shirtsleeve. It was Claire, who wanted a kiss. Never...
By the time I looked it up, Claire had gone back into our room, Kalista was looking for a suit and the ladies went back to their room to change. “Charles, I may need you to put some sunscreen on me, later?” Kalista said swishing her hips as she went into her bathroom. She knows how to turn me on! I got up and saw my fiancée walking out of our bathroom, with a delicious red bikini on. “Come on X Man, we want to get there before they leave for the day,” Claire said. As quickly as I could, I...
Excusing myself from the ladies for a moment, I went back upstairs to take a shower and shake the ‘Claire-webs’ from my mind. I quickly got dressed and went to BallroomDancer.com, (real!) to see which steps I wanted to add to our various routines and there was a knock on my bedroom door. Rather than my usual ‘come in,’ I asked, “Who is it?” “It’s Claire, Charles ... Annie and my mom said I should come up and talk to you. We need to talk.” “Just a minute — All right?” I was feverishly...
“E-rog-en-ous Zones – look it up. They are places on a woman’s body that, when touched ... or kissed, can produce the female equivalent of your ‘problem,’ at least it makes us feel really good all ‘inside.’” “A young girl like Claire or Kalista doesn’t know they have places on their backs that control specific parts of their anatomy, and can create a lot of sexual feelings, and in your and their cases, sexual frustration. Be Careful, dude,” Sarah finished. “Since this doesn’t sound like...
At that point, Sarah and I had scheduled seven days off to recharge and refresh in Dallas, only three hours away at the Cooper Hotel & Conference Center. The place was awesome. I even scheduled a Swedish Massage for everybody in our group - each in their own rooms, which costs extra, but we’re all worth it. While in Dallas, we went off to Six Flags Over Texas, only thirty minutes away from our hotel. We even got Annie and Sarah to go on some of the rides. The place was pretty cool. While...
Leaning into Kal, I said, “I think you can do this better than Claire could, but you know I can’t tell Claire that and you can’t either, ever! You promise me? Pinkie Swear?” She put out her Pinkie, attaching hers to mine. I heard her say, “Pinkie Swear, Charles.” I looked over and saw a delicious smile on Claire’s face as K started to try the cut time tempo. She was hesitating. “Look at me, Princess? This song is called, ‘Hold On’ so you can hold on to me and I know you can do this. Try it...
2nd City Grand Rapids, MI Radisson Hotel Here, we performed at the DeVos Place Convention Center in the DeVos Performance Hall, which seats 2,400 people. Mr. Bublé told me we got in here because Harry Connick Jr cancelled, and we got the date. The irony of that is that the two of them have reasonably similar singing styles as well as they sing a lot of the same old crooners’ tunes. From there, we schlepped to, 3rd City Detroit, MI Holiday Inn Woodhaven 4th City Akron, OH Sheraton Suites...
Having brushed up on all of our routines the past couple of days; we were ready to begin rehearsals for the US Something Special Tour. We made our way to the Battelle North Room at The Performing Arts Center in Columbus and found Mr. Bublé there, along with his twenty-nine-piece orchestra and the Arts Center Staff working together to get ready to rehearse. Michael waved at us, as we came into the room. “So, Charles – did you really create a routine to ALL of my recorded music?” Michael...
Sarah went to her daughter and hugged her, tightly. “Yes, I do,” she said just loud enough for us all to hear. My mother started back up, “Claire, calm down. I believe you, but I need you both to be thinking clearly these next few days ... about only dancing! You may become stars whether you win this competition or not, if David Letterman has his way. He may even ask you to go on his show. I believe it broadcasts from Manhattan. I had better go and talk to Jimmy about this.” “Go ahead and...
I blushed deeply as we started to dance using our classic routine we’d made so long ago, to this—her favorite song. She glowed as we danced close enough together to push the ‘girls’ up and against my chest. I glanced quickly down at them, but I just as quickly, returned to the beautiful face of my future mother-in-law as we danced alone on the dance floor. The music ended as I rolled her out and in, ending with my arms completely surrounding her from behind. The audience had been as...
Even Pam and her cameraman Eloy, from WSYX-TV, were there, along with Dave the DJ and his following. I saw my girls changing into their slippers as I mulled over in my head which dances to perform. I quickly decided on ‘The Only Exception’ a Waltz with Kalista, and our new ‘Encore piece’ ‘Xanadu.’ Out of breath, Pam came up to me and said, “National in two minutes, Charles, please?” “Thank you - two,” I responded. Pam laughed. An energy always pulses through me every time I know we’re...
“I am glad you like it so much, Loverboy. If we move into your grandpa’s home, we better have a spa in the backyard, if not inside somewhere too.” “Yeah, inside—that’s the term your mother was using on me too.” We went out to dinner and got back early enough to work on our new routines some more. First, I got Kalista and we worked all of our numbers, then I got Claire to do the same. Lastly, we did out group numbers and the Claire/Kallie numbers as well. It was after eleven pm by the time...
I came back down dressed for the spa, Sarah was already in, so I checked and asked, “You do have a suit on, right Sarah?” She stood up and had on a beautiful one-piece swimsuit, that had the American Flag on it, but there was a mesh portion over the bosom area that flashed a bit more ‘skin’ than I had been expecting. I got in and turned my back to her saying, “Be gentle, Mrs. Robinson,” which caused her to laugh a bit. Just as she was starting to rub my shoulders, everybody came through the...
We all looked at one another and did not understand what she was saying to us. She tried again, “That man who just left here ... is ‘John McArthur,’ not Daniel. It was Daniel who died in June’s arms, all those years ago. John swapped ... all their credentials and took over the life of Daniel, including, being the f-f-father of all of my children.” She was sobbing very hard again. I remarked, “It seems like John and Daniel played the same kinds of tricks on everyone, being twins? Including...
Last year, being thirteen-year-olds meant we danced on Tuesday, but this year (2013) since we both will be tuning 14 in late July, we’re probably moving to Thursday nights. However, we got a letter from Jimmy with the upcoming Cotillion schedule. Things have changed considerably; Monday is now 17/18-year-olds, Tuesday 13/14-year-olds, Wednesday 11/12-year-olds, Thursday 15/16-year-olds, Friday is the 9/10-year-olds, and Saturday at ten am, will be the 7/8-year-olds. This was explained by an...
“MOTHER!” She was on a roll, so Sarah kept going, “Sorry Claire, but the truth is the truth. Most girls your age are getting ready to go to high school and plan to sleep with every boy they meet, until they find the one to bring home to Mom and Dad. You, however—hit the mother lode; he’s cute, he’s smart, he treats you like he’s known you for a dozen years, but it’s been barely over a year and a half, from when you first met.” “I know I didn’t originally understand what was going on with...
“You had me worried there for a minute, Tiger,” she said giving me a new nickname. “I thought I felt your hands moving towards my butt.” “They did ... a little, but I was in control of my hands the whole time, OK Love.” “OK Love,” she repeated quietly. Jimmy told us that during the next week we would likely still be working on the Tango and Cha-Cha. Claire and I only needed to refine our steps and learn a few more. We must keep Jimmy satisfied. ==== It was Saturday night, and Annie and...
“I am in a spa with four very healthy and attractive women; my mother, my girlfriend, my soul mate and my potential mother–in-law. The last thing on my mind is having fun. Wait a second ... that didn’t come out quite right.” “Charles,” Claire said swimming over to me, “Do I make you nervous right now?” “Not n-nervous, Claire. More uh — uhm, well ... uncomfortable,” I lied. Claire started to walk towards me with water dripping off ... everything. “Claire,” said her mother, “Don’t tease...
The next couple of days were something of a haze, with the practices, the new routines and such. Mom repeated that the musical guidelines for time are, to avoid a penalty, between 150 and 210 seconds. “Annie’s Song” was 180 seconds, but a song that goes 223 seconds, like “Footloose” does, might be stretching it just too much. Claire told me that Josiah could trim music from the front or the end of the song to make it fit the 210 maximum. So, I asked her to have him cut the opening eight...
Breaking the mood, Sarah said, “He’s not the greatest dancer ever, but he’s darn close. Thank you for stopping by,” she added, rubbing my back saying, “She’s not too far from the truth, Charles?” I leaned into Sarah and cried for a bit. Fed, showered, and dressed - we showed up early for our second Carnegie Hall Performance, these folks paid $2,500 each to see us, so we really needed to be jazzed and ready. Walking up to Michael, I saw he’d actually put on the T-shirt we got him. “Hey...
“Back to the Countdown, all right?” I hopefully asked. That settled them all down, at least a little. Claire said, “You were at 14, Charles.” “Thanks honey,” I said with a kiss. “Number 14;” 955,000 Sarah “Marilyn Monroe” pose “What’s that mean?” Kalista asked. I said, “There was an actress in the 40s, 50s and early 60s named Marilyn Monroe, Kalista. She exuded sexuality and one of her many famous pictures was with her bent over in a low-cut all-white dress, with her ‘girls’ pushed...
“Let’s get back to the hotel everybody,” Annie said. “Michael, when do we leave for Russia?” “In three days, we fly from here to Novosibirsk, Russia, about 2,950 miles, then on to Moscow, an additional 1,730-mile leg, after that to St. Petersburg, our final Russian stop,” Michael said. “Good, I might just sleep for the next two days Michael,” I said. Claire leaned in close and said, “Not without me, you won’t?” The realization of the previous evening, hit me when I woke up. I had my arms...
When they saw us walk up to their ticket windows, there was a scream from within, and they called their supervisor who gave us all free passes for the day. Ever-present Sarah showed me she had autographing pens with her. First thing we did was to take the Behind the Scenes Tour that showed off their zoological support area, and Jonathan, our guide, made a prideful point of mentioning all of the endangered species they had at their park. After the Tour was over, our guide, Jonathan stayed...
What was that? Did they say we had moved on, or were they telling us to leave the floor? The crowd was stunned and started to applaud very loudly. I guess that meant ... We made it! We waved back to the crowd, and Claire took me by my collar and kissed me in front of everybody there. I knew this was likely to come back on me, but I responded and kissed her back causing the other dancers around us to start applauding as well. We broke up both equally embarrassed, but happy as can be — we...
FIFTEEN YEARS LATER (2032) “Charles?” K said, now 28. “Yes, Princess?” I responded, now 33. “Everybody’s gone, leaving us alone.” “Where did they all go to?” I asked. “Claire, Annie and Sarah with Rose and Michael, along with Ken and his brood, went to check on the newest Charles & Claire Dance Studio in Pittsburgh. On their way back they were going to Columbus for the day, to check on the studio that Brian and Susan, and their family, are in charge of.” “That leaves us all alone,...
Well, again, Tuesday night couldn’t come soon enough for me. This week, Brian’s mother took us to Cotillion getting us there early so Claire and I could confer with Jimmy. We told him about the BBQ and about all the steps we learned. Mr. Bradshaw looked at us flabbergasted and said, “You have learned The Natural Turn Progression? I usually don’t even try to teach that to anyone under fifteen; they ... just can’t grasp it. You two really are something special, you know. Next week, I will be...
We got up, showered and met up with the group for a small and quick breakfast. Sarah got us a room in the hotel to practice in, we went through all of our newly restored routines two additional times letting the girls flash them up a little. We took a cab ride out to Wembley Stadium to check it out. We saw a very large dance floor being setup, it was maybe 80ft across by 100ft deep, easily the biggest we’d seen so far. As fast as they were setting it up, Michael and his merry men were...
That caused Jimmy to smile big as he said, “Now ... Charles & Claire will show us all, the Tango,” starting “Hernando’s Hideaway,” a different version than we had danced to before, but quite lyrical. Claire turned to me and said, “Charles remember, No rise and fall!” What a wonderful dimpled smile was on her face. We proceeded to Tango ourselves into a lather using steps that we know Jimmy wouldn’t be teaching tonight, but when you love to dance ... you do what you do, and what you...
“OK, last subject – turning professional and going on this tour. I am beginning to believe, that we are going to like dancing for people on this tour more than anything else, so I suggest we all turn professional right away, informing the NDCA at the proper time. We go on this US Tour, and maybe even Michaels’ World Tour as well.” “Then we maybe find out about going on the World Dance Council International Tour, or starting our own Tour, something along the lines of ‘The Claire and Special K...
“Ooooohhhhh — That was a joke, Charles? That was my soon to be fourteen-year-old sons’ idea of a joke. Ha-Ha. Hmmm ... you knew I was behind the door, didn’t you? Well, you got me pretty good there, Chuckles. I must admit.” She started laughing with us; so, I guess she was OK, but I am going to start being more careful, generally speaking. RING “Hello, this is Charles Newman, who may I ask is calling?” “This is Kalista McArthur, Mr. Newman. Calling to see how you are doing?” “Kalista. So...
Not having been there for over five years brought back memories. It was an all-new orchestra, with a new conductor, Herbie must have retired or passed on. After getting everyone settled, I walked up and introduced myself and met the new conductor, Harold Watson, better known as Hal. He was aware of who we were and had a large number of our music ready for us. There was no live singer this evening, just a nice meal and dance music. I sat between my wife and my daughter. “Daddy,” Rose said...
The next morning, after working out and coming back to take a shower, I looked at our list of cities we’d gone to so far and determined that we have been to 30% of the total cities, and we’re about eight months into our 24-month long Tour so far, which ... matches up. We’re less than two months from Kalista’s 12th birthday. Our second Anaheim performance was as electric as the first, then we had a day off, then Fullerton for a single, the next day was our ‘Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon...
I chuckled, put the phone down and ran to Mom in the kitchen asking her if Claire could come over in the morning to practice. Of course, she said, “Are you ready to be a proper gentleman this time, young man?” I bowed my head and said, “Yes, ma’am. I have got Claire holding on the phone. Could we get her this time, instead of one of her family having to drop her off, please?” That probably sounded a bit needy. “That was the perfect amount of groveling. Go tell her we will be coming to get...
The performances the next four days in Sydney, were quite outstanding. Kalista was extraordinary, and Claire was at the top of her game as well. I’d begun to go to the gym now and work out every morning. I did look up the latest news on Happy Birthday, finding that only three weeks earlier (On September 22nd) a judge in Los Angeles ruled that none of the companies that have collected royalties over the years, held a valid copyright claim. An attorney for the plaintiffs, Randall Newman (No...
Claire said, “I guess we’ll find out who wins the battle of the chesticles, won’t we, Mom?” Sarah did a shake and said, “In sheer size, dear – there’s no comparison.” They all laughed and snorted. “All right let’s go ... Dammit! The stat site is down, I need to call Ken about this!” “Oh,” Sarah said. “We got a request from Disney to make our posters available in the non-USA Parks. Without running it by anyone, I said to go ahead, but only in Japan. I figured we could find out how...
“Both of our mothers, along with our future stepdaughter, would kill us both if we did something as stupid as that,” she responded. “You’re right Claire, and when you are right – you are right,” I said, first looking over the delicious body of my soon to be wife, then starting another kiss. “I am so horny, and you are so gorgeous – a deadly combination, my dear.” “I am up for a little ‘afternoon delight,’ Charles?” she said grinning at me, reminding me again of that wonderful June evening...
After we got home, I changed into a swimsuit and practically jumped into the spa. Being that everyone else was of a like mind, within a half hour, I was joined by my entire C.A.S.K of ladies. Kalista came up to me and asked, in an alarmingly sexual tone, “Whatcha doin, Loverboy,” and she sat down on my lap, spreading herself out in a leisurely manner. “Well, Special K, you sexy lump of clay, you, I was looking at the final leg of our US SST tour.” I had my laptop on a stool...
“Can we wait and not have sex, until we’re married? Too many kids rush into their first time and end up regretting their decision.” “Absolutely Charles, that’ll make it that much more exciting, when we finally do make love to one another, for the very first time.” Of course, that was exactly when Sarah walked in, knocking and saying, “I want the two of you to know something about love. There’s lust, and it is a very powerful and strong emotion, that can break up friends forever. It can ruin...
“I am so excited,” Annie said. “How do you calm down when you get this excited.” Michael knew, so he walked over to her and gave her a nice kiss, possibly the best kiss they had yet shared. She touched her lips and seemed calmer. “He certainly takes after his father,” Kallie said. “Charles did that to Sarah once, and she was never the same again.” “Five minutes please,” our tech girl announced through my headset. I passed that along to the gang. Turning to my wife, I said, “Ready for...
We all laughed for the next hundred miles or so as we headed towards our, 31st City Salt Lake City One Night SLC Marriott City Center We arrived in Salt Lake City about three am. Sarah had gotten us a large suite with two queens and a rollaway. We’re performing at the Salt Palace the day after tomorrow. We were emotionally drained from the last six hours of things happening, so Kalista got in the rollaway, provided I give her a goodnight kiss, which I did, and I crawled into bed with my...
Eventually, we all changed into rehearsal clothes again. We had less than four full months before we leave on ‘The Next-Generation Tour’, and these routines needed to be automatic. I introduced the third set into our regimen, two weeks later we added set number four. Six weeks later all seven sets were worked into the rotation. Sammi was right — the kids were catching on, smiling as they were barely out of breath after a day’s rehearsal. My daily workout did its job; I was back in the best...
The rest of the day was a blast, the farthest thing from dancing we could do. Occasionally, Sarah grabbed my hand as we walked to the things we wanted to see and accomplish. We’d gotten tired, and let our guide give us a mini-tour, while we stayed in the cart. We weren’t being bothered for autographs that much, but if someone asked, we’d stop and gladly do it. We were all dried out now. I’d seen a place on the Park Map I wanted to go to, so I asked to go to Topper’s Hat Shop. I got a light...
I opened the door to a wonderful scent, thank you Ken, and Claire and I quickly started a load of laundry, then stripped and got naked into our spa. I got a text from K, “Can I spa with U?” I asked Claire and she said ‘Sure’ and I texted K back. She was over in a flash. I was planning on putting on some boxers, but my legs felt so good, I stepped into the spa, naked. K came in already in a suit. “Princess, right now - naked only.” She got in, put Claire between us and stripped herself...
“Kallie?” I said pulling her to where we could talk and not be heard. “Yes dear,” she replied giving me again that smile that radiates love. “I found an ALS Research Center in San Francisco. They are expecting records from your doctor regarding your preliminary diagnosis. I have emailed you their information and would love it if you took care of doing that in the next 24 to 48 hours,” I asked. “It isn’t that important, Charles,” she said. “It is to me, please, Special K, do it for me,...
Things were breaking up and our group quickly surrounded us, as we exchanged hugs and kisses. I looked around and didn’t see Kalista anywhere, at least not until she was in the air, on her way to me and I caught her. I won’t be able to hold her much longer, she has gotten taller and thus, heavier; I certainly wouldn’t say that to her face. She went for the deep kiss, but Annie and Sarah were there in time, to stop it from happening. After signing autographs for over half an hour, Annie...
We laughed all the way down to the kitchen. I pulled the chair out for Claire and we went about our business. I made her a salad and brought it to her, then made us each a cheeseburger and grabbed some chips and took it to the table. Lastly I poured us a couple glasses of water and realized I was the only person moving at all. The ladies seemed perplexed over Claire’s ‘ensemble,’ but nobody actually said anything. Claire looked up and said, “Are Charles and I the only ones having lunch...
Our Three Sports Stadium Performances were not technical sellouts, but they were the loudest frikking amounts of people we ever had, with Dan the Man in his elements. Well, back to the Tour: 40 cities left in California; starting in Oxnard, then Ventura and Santa Barbara for 3, Santa Maria for 2, Bakersfield for 3 (In a new multi-use stadium capable of holding 125,000), followed by Visalia, Clovis, and Fresno for 2, Modesto, Stockton and Sacramento for 3. We were planning an extra two days...
“Yes, a Terrible Tango routine,” I said. “Must find just the right music,” as I started rummaging through our music collection. “What about ‘Hernando’s Hideaway,’ Charles? We have practiced to it a couple of times?” Claire suggested. “No, Claire ... it’s a great song to Tango to, but I want something that works for only you and me ... so nobody else will dare dance to it, after we do.” “Aren’t we getting a little full of ourselves, Charles?” mom asked. “No Mom, the music is important;...
Finally, we went back to dancing. I thought we could now practice the Cha-Cha and the Tango. Those were the dances we were expected to know for Cotillion later. We went back over the four Basic patterns, the New York step, along with both the Spot and Walkaround turns again. I added to that, the Crossover steps, and a really cool derivative step called The Chase. After going through this without music, I looked at their selection. They had the Eliane Elias version of “Oye Como Va;” a perfect...
Disney’s Hollywood Studios was impressive. With twenty attractions to choose from, including Rock ‘n’ Roll Coaster, Star Tours in 3D, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, that Annie and Sarah wanted nothing to do with, Toy Story Mania, the newly refurbished Fantasmic, and a 25-minute long Live truncation of ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ with five of the wonderful songs from the movie, including the Oscar winning ‘Be Our Guest’ and ‘Beauty and the Beast.’ We also watched the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt...
She pounced on my slightly diminished erection, enjoying it like a kitty cat that just got a fresh plate of milk. She got me clean and pushed me on my back. She dropped her butt down on my erection, causing her to practically scream bloody murder. I threw her a pillow, as she performed at first a ‘Cowgirl’ then without stopping turned it into a ‘reverse.’ I pulled out and got her on her hands and knees and I plowed right into that beautiful butt of hers, again doing most of the work. Only...
My girls all came up to me wondering exactly what I was going to say. As usual, I said that I didn’t know yet, I’d planned to wing it. The cameraman was getting instructions through his earpiece and I got Claire and Kalista on either side me. He backed up a bit and gave me a 5 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 1. The reporter handed me her mike, and I said, straight into the TV camera in front of me, “Ladies and Gentlemen, and kids of all ages, from the Pacific to the Atlantic. Welcome to the Columbus Mall, in...
We got back to Caesars about twenty-five minutes before things started. The same gentleman we’d spoken to before helped us to our seats. The lights dimmed. As part of her show, she does many of her most popular musical selections, including practically all of her music that we had. After her first couple of songs, she took her microphone and said, “Ladies and gentlemen, last fall I was lucky enough to be part of a very special wedding event. It was at a football stadium in Columbus, Ohio....
“I plan to ask her to marry me at graduation, not to marry me at graduation. I know many teenagers as well as older folks seem to think two or three months is plenty of time to be engaged. I hope to be engaged for two full years so when we turn twenty, that year’s McArthur Family BBQ could become our Wedding Day.” “I know you usually hold it in June, Sarah, but that year it could be the Sunday between my and Claire’s birthday’s in July. Could that be planned? Maybe you can get that dunk tank...
We landed in Fairbanks, Alaska, for the first of four performances in the 49th state. Fans in Fairbanks, Anchorage, and Juneau all loved our Next Generation Tour. Our hop from there to Hawaii was wonderful. Our Tour of Pearl Harbor was amazing. Michael explained it to his ‘girls’, causing all three of them to cry a little. Sammi did the same with Lily. My Great-great grandfather, Richard Noble Newman, was shipped to Pearl Harbor during the late summer of 1941. By the grace of God, he...
The next night’s performance was something of a letdown. Michael Bublé performed flawlessly, but every one of us fumbled something. After saying goodnight to him and getting our money, I called a meeting for when we got back to the hotel to pick up Sammi and her crew. After we all assembled outside our vehicles, I said, “What happened tonight was totally unacceptable! Even I messed up!” That garnered a laugh. “In the entire history of Charles & Claire, that has never happened. I don’t...