Tonight she must dance again even though her heart is heavy. Sadness fills her soul for out in the dirty cantina, leering men are waiting, hungry eyes are seeking but the owner demands....that she dance tonight.

She had always danced and even as a child her feet posssessed magic and her arms moved in enticing ways. All who saw her dance were surprised that so young a girl, could dance with such perfection.

But her family was very poor and her Mother was in ill-health and Papa worked so hard and long each day to be able to provide for the family. Her only brother, Jorge, played the guitar while she danced and her only sister, Margorita, 2 yrs younger was frail from birth. Elena was strong of body with startling green eyes and shining black hair.

Her dreams at night were always the same, to dance for the world!! It was only when she danced that she truly felt alive and fufilled. She danced on the street corners and when people saw her dance their hearts lifted from their weary existence and some even gave her a few coins for her effort. This money she dutifully gave to her family so there would be extra food on the table.

One night while strolling alone, she saw a dark-eyed young man staring boldly at her. He approached and bowing low, handed her a perfect rose. His name was Juan Gallegos he told her and soon he would be the "greatest bull-fighter in all the world." He told her he had seen her dance in the streets and promptly fell in love with her. She blushed at this candid and bold remark.

He wished to stroll with her but she was timid and afraid of this man since she was not versed in the "ways of men & women" and his intensity frightened her. Clutching the rose, she raced up the street for the safety of her dreary home. But alone that night in her bed, she smiled with rememberance and smelled the perfume of the rose and drifted off into a peaceful sleep.

Many days he was there in the streets, watching her dance and smiling a most charming smile. Soon, her fear was gone and she looked forward to seeing him in the crowd of people who always gathered to see her dance. Finally one day she allowed Juan to walk with her and he held her hand as their footsteps guided them to a small park with huge oak trees and beds of colorful flowers. He kissed her gently and her heart burst with love for him.

Now they were inseperable except when he had to practice for the bull ring. She was offered a job, dancing in another cantina and although the money wasn't very much, the men threw coins at her when she finished dancing and the family could now eat better and Elena's heart was full of happiness. Except when Juan was in the ring.

His reputation as a bull-fighter grew quickly and he promised that when he became the "greatest Matador in all the world".. he would marry her and build them a grand house. He wanted to have her family also live in this grand house for he knew how much she loved her family. She spent hours praying to the "Blessed Virgin" for his life, but fear never left her heart.

Finally, the day arrived for his most important bull fight and all of the most influential people were to be there. He begged her to come also and watch his greatest triumph and so she finally agreed but it was with total dread! She prayed again to the "Madonna" and placed a single small rose on her little altar in her bedroom. She attired herself in her finest dress and left for the ring.

The other, less well-known matadors were in the ring first, but Juan was to be last as he was the Star for the day. Finally he appeared and the crowd went wild with anticipation of seeing this Brave fighter. Women screamed and threw flowers and the men cheered wildly. The fierce bull was let loose and trotted into the ring. Juan was brillant with incredible cape work and feet that moved so quickly that he looked like a dancer. Elena clasped her hands together in morbid fear!

Suddenly, the bull charged straight for Juan who had turned his back with a flourish of his splendid cape. He was gazing straight at Elena and gave her his beautiful smile. The crowd screamed....but it was too late for the bull had reached Juan and as he turned toward the bull he was impaled on the horns and thrown up into the air. His limp body hit the ground as other matadors rushed forward to distract this behemoth of an animal. Others carried his body off from inside the ring. She rushed to be with Juan. His blood poured out of his body staining the exquisite costume he wore. A black rose was caught in his costume and he feeblely reached for it and passed it to her. He smiled at her and suddenly he was gone!

So tonight all her dreams have vanished and her beloved Juan lies cold and dead in a city morgue, but she must still dance! Her family must remain in their little miserable home and she will never feel his sweet kisses upon her lips again. She implores her boss to allow her to grieve Juans loss but he demands that she dance for he pays for her services and the customers are waiting. She still carries the rose Juan gave her and vows she will always carry a black rose in rememberance of her lost love.

The crowd of men are growing restless and bang their glasses on the table for her appearance. She dries her tears and straightens her dress... and slowly moves toward the cheap beaded curtain which seperates her from the audience. The guitarist strikes a cord on his instrument signaling her to appear. She parts the curtain and moves out onto the floor. All now is hushed as she begins to dance. Her red dress flows around her and in her hand is the black rose. She will dance as never before for this dance is for Juan. With magic feet and a tear-stanined face she dances but inside, her heart is broken and crushed.

This she knows will be her life, dancing for men whom she cares nothing about but dancing always for Juan and carrying forever, a black rose for rememberance. This now....is the life of Elena from....La Cantina.

SKYANGEL ©