Mystery Dance - Songs As Chapter Titles

1977 - I was 3

What can I say about Elvis Costello's Mystery Dance? It's all there in the lyrics -- awkward sex! 

Aw yeah, Let's Talk About Sex! .... Damn, I missed an opportunity to spice up my play list with a little Salt N Pepa. <shrug> Mystery Dance is perfect for this chapter because, as I said, it's about floundering: 

she thought that I knew, and I thought that she knew
So both of us were willing but we didn't know how to do it 

The Mystery Dance is first timer sex at its most urgent. But for some, heavy petting in a car was the highlight of sex. We may not like to admit it, but not everyone is born a porn star. Sure, the basic gist is understood, but it's the nuances, the connection, the intimacy that people struggle to understand. 

This chapter is all about Sadi, and despite a stellar song for the chapter title, there's no underlying meaning hidden in the beat. In fact, it's safe to say that when music is linked to Sadi, it's usually pretty literal; ie, sex is still awkward!

Sadi who? Allow me to introduce the second protagonist, Sadi Chavez. When I want to conjure a quick snapshot of this character's personality, I think of Rachel, the New York Bitch, only short in stature and hair. 

People love to know who authors 'see' playing their characters. I've been hung up on this lovely lady for years:

Shannyn Sossamon

Over the course of writing Sadi's personal story, I learned that sex was an issue for her. However, that detail threatened to distract from Whitney's plot. I couldn't couple Abstinence Only AND someone who didn't like intercourse. Plus, I didn't want to be trite or boring with Sadi's story. The bitchy woman who just needs a good .... man is so yaaaawwwwnnn. With plenty of books to write, I decided to focus on one sex issue at a time. I mean, come on! 

Now let's play a word game. I'll write a word and then I'll write its opposite: 

Intimacy

Sadi

Ah HA! I didn't have to investigate a cold, frigid woman and dance around the stereotypes held within. Awkwardness with sex was a symptom, not the issue. 

So let's not talk about sex. Let's talk about affection.

Excerpt:

It was good. It was nice. At least, at the very least, she doesn't regret it. She lies on her side. One of his legs is intertwined with hers and for the moment she's pressed against his chest, enveloped in his arms. She likes him a lot. It makes a difference, whether she wants to admit it or not. There are thousands of stories in her store about frigid women meeting the perfect man who melts the heroine with an earth shattering orgasm the first time they have sex.  

It's a ludicrous fantasy to think that POOF! everything will work great instantly. Here in the real world she isn't fixed, but she does feel good—very good, sleepy and content, happy to touch all night long. 

Fact is, affection and trust are Sadi's achilles heel. This was far more interesting to develop, but you have to start with the Mystery Dance.  

Why don't you show me,

'cause I've tried and I've tried,

and I'm still mystified