The Cinder Bullies (14)

Suddenly, from the distance, Cindy could hear the sound of a flute playing a very sweet, but mournful song. She stopped to listen.

"I love that kind of music!" she said to her puppy. "But, I wonder why is it so sad."

Nadia was overjoyed when she heard it and knew immediately, that Xavier had come home, as she recognized the sound of his sad, mournful music.

"Maybe Cindy will be able to help my son to overcome his sadness," she thought to herself. "I can only hope!"

"Better to dance to it, than to cry," decided Cindy, who was determined to remain upbeat in spite of the fact that it was sad and now, she was alone. "But I am not alone, puppy. I have you now. Will you dance with me?"

The puppy was delighted to play together like this, and so they danced.

Nadia watched Cindy sway to the music, holding the puppy's front paws, as he swayed on his hind legs.

"They both look so natural as dancers," thought Nadia to herself. "It is completely natural and effortless for both of them. There is no doubt that Cindy can relate to Xaviar's music, too. Not many people can, because it soon brings them to tears. Perhaps she has shed enough tears in her lifetime to find joy in his music."

The music came closer and closer. 

Cindy and her puppy were almost lost in their world of dance.

"I know!" She said to her puppy, excitedly. "I will call you Dancer!"

Suddenly, the music stopped.

"Who are you?" the tall, dark haired, young man holding a flute asked her quietly. "And who is your little dance partner?"

The puppy immediately ran over to him. When he bent down, the puppy licked his hand and tried to grab his flute.

"You are so cute!" he said to the puppy. "But no, you cannot have my flute." He held it high above his head.

To Cindy, who smiled, he seemed to be very shy.

"Your flute music is so beautiful," she said to him kindly, being careful not to scare him away like her sisters had often done with the young men who came to court them.

He smiled and blushed.

"I am Cindy," she continued. "I was just thinking about naming my puppy, Dancer. Do you like that name?"

"I was watching the two of you together and you both dance beautifully."

Now, it was Cindy's turn to blush.

"Toss something for the puppy to fetch and then call out the name 'Dancer', and see if he will go and get it for you. A pup will usually respond to a name he likes."

"May I ask your name?"

"Oh, I am sorry, I should have introduced myself to you. I am Xavier. I came to see Nadia. Is she here?"

Just then, Nadia came outside to greet him.

"Welcome home, son!" she said, as she hugged him tight.