by Darlene J. Coomes

Created on: February 09, 2010

The Tango

Stacy crossed all but the last item off of her bucket list....learn to dance the tango. They had told her she didn't have long, although they wouldn't give her a time. She'd made the list just after that. Never thinking that she would complete even half of the things, but here she was two years later down to the end. The end of the list and the end of her life.

The cancer was back and there was nothing more they could do for her. She ran her fingers through her short hair. It had fallen out during the chemo. Her thick, black hair had always been one of her best features. She'd worn it long all of her life. When it started growing out, she'd decided she liked it short. It was easy to take care of and she liked how she looked.

Walking into the kitchen, she refilled her coffee mug, her thoughts turning again to the tango. She leaned against the counter. How did one learn the tango without a partner? All the other things on the list she'd done alone; white water kayaking in Colorado, riding in the hot air balloon, sky diving. Well, that wasn't alone, she had a professional with her. That one took the most courage, but if you knew you were going to die soon, what difference did it make how it happened?

She even considered jumping without the professional and not pulling the cord, but they wouldn't allow it. At least she would be in control and it would be quick. One big splat and it would be over. No drawn out, long suffering.

Death walked beside everyone on a daily basis. People just tended to think that the tap on the shoulder only came towards the end of the journey. She had. No one expected the grim reaper to show up before they even reached thirty. Old people died. It wasn't fair, but what in life was fair? Fair depended on one's perspective.

Stacy had saved the tango for last, because she'd wanted to avoid developing any relationships. She wondered if there was a Make-a-Wish organization for adults? She'd never thought to ask. They could probably get her a dancing partner from "Dancing With the Stars." She knew she didn't have the time or stamina to be good at it, but she'd put all she had into learning. She loved the elegance, the drama and passion of the tango. Learning it would be a fitting farewell to life. A kick in the ass to death.

She'd wanted to have a family. That was something she couldn't put on her bucket list, a husband, two kids, a girl and a boy, a home, holidays, graduations, grandchildren. None of those would ever be hers. Tears welled up in her eyes. Her fist flew to her mouth to stifle the gasping sob that escaped her lips. She thought she'd come to terms with all of it. She wrapped her arms over her stomach, rocking forward and back again and again as if holding herself together.

Finally, she took a deep breath calming herself. She straightened her shoulders standing tall, lifting her chin defiantly. Raising her fist, she said, "I will learn to dance the tango, with all the strength and passion I possess. I'm in control until the end!" Stacy opened her cell phone and dialed. "Hello, my name is Stacy McCoy. I want to learn to dance the tango."

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