Ed Maurer and Laurie Parker are trying to figure out what is the next phase of their life after their life dreams were brought to a halt.Ed Maurer was a semi-pro football player but neck injury ended his football aspirations. Laurie Parker dreamed of being the next Mikhail Baryshnikov until a scandal ended his dancing career. Both are in a cross roads, trying to figure out how to move on and if they could truly be happy doing anything other than football and dance.They met as Ed taught Aerobics and Laurie taught dance and it was not love at first sight. But dance bridged the gap and they began to connect emotionally and physically. This story features two men who are broken: Ed, a footbal linebacker, who Injured his neck severely enough to be told not to play football again; And Laurie (Laurence), a dancer, who saw his carrer burn apart when he entered a ballroom competition with another man and was completely rejected and ejected. They are both injured emotionally, Ed also with the physical injury. They meet and clash at a center for economically disadvantaged family in the central city area of St. Paul. Laurie is a product of the well-off burbs and Ed is from a more humble background.After many confrontations, Ed asks Laurie if there is anything he can do for Laurie in exchange for him not using the PA to broadcast the music for his Aerobics class throughout the center and interrupting Ed'd weightlifting class. Laurie asks Ed to be his assissant at Laurie's dance studio. Ed agrees, Laurie is unsure of what to do. he even gets Ed's phone number from the center's director, who is Laurie's best friend, so he can call Ed and cancel the arrangement. Laurie never make the call and was worried when inspite of wanting to cancel, Ed doesn't show up and is few minutes late when he does show up.Laurie not sure of what Ed knows has him lean up against the barre in the back of the class while he tries to teach a group of Baptist older folk some of the basics of ballroom dance. Ed, sick of doing nothing, ask to help and when Laurie hesitate, Ed take him into his arms for dancing and leads the dance well, a few miscues but not bad for a non-professional dancer. the families and other secondary charaters are given more than a stock cardboard personality. It is hilarious to see Ed's former teammates try to include Laurie in their good times. Laurie is shocked expecting rejection and realizes after a while that because the team loves Ed, who they know is gay, they are willing to accept whoever brings Ed happiness.
What do You think about Dance With Me (2011)?
Great book! Fun and sweet! Great writing, too. I'd surely recommend to anyone :)
—Jbvg
