Page 16 of Just Like Home

The lobby was much more spacious than she would’ve expected, with a reception area and the school’s logo neatly positioned on a brick wall behind it. The entire vibe was very Chicago, very upscale. Very Julianna. Her friend had always had impeccable taste.

“Can I help you?” A voice caught Charlotte’s attention. A girl, probably in her early twenties, stood in the lobby, looking disheveled.

“Hi, I’m—”

“Charlotte Page.” The girl said it with considerable awe in her voice.

“That’s right.”

“I’ve seen you dance,” she said. “I have season tickets to the Chicago City Ballet.”

“Oh.” Charlotte wasn’t sure how to respond. Typically, ballet dancers didn’t have the same kinds of fans as celebrities. She’d signed programs for many young girls, and stopped to chat with the gray-haired crowd, many of whom had a “lovely grandson I’d love to introduce you to”—but it wasn’t often Charlotte was recognized, in street clothes no less.

It made her feel self-conscious.

“What are you doing in Harbor Pointe?” the girl asked.

“I was a friend of Julianna’s,” Charlotte said.

“She told me. But I never would’ve thought you’d actually come here.”

Charlotte smiled. “I wanted to see if there was anything I could do to help out.”

“Here?” The girl sounded as shocked as she looked.

Charlotte laughed. “Yes, here.”

“Oh, wow. What did you have in mind? I’m Brinley Watson, by the way, Jules’s assistant.”

Charlotte shook the girl’s hand. “It’s good to meet you.” She looked around the space. “Show me around?”

Brinley grinned. “Happy to.” She led her down the hall where Julianna had everything she needed for the perfect dance studio. Two large spaces with windows for parental viewing and ample seating throughout.

“During the week, this space is full and loud. This is the only dance studio in Harbor Pointe, so Julianna has all the kids.” She faltered. “Hadall the kids.” Her face fell.

The pang of sorrow returned. Charlotte quickly replaced it with thoughts of Julianna in this space. She’d never seen her friend teach, but she didn’t have to to know she was amazing at it.

Brinley turned on the light in one of the dance studios. “This is Studio A. It’s a smidge bigger than the back studio.”

“How many teachers are there?”

“Julianna and two others. Jules taught most of the classes. I teach a few of the little kids’ classes, but I’m a novice and really more of an administrator. I shouldn’t even really be talking to you.”

Charlotte’s mind started spinning. “Do you have a copy of the schedule?”

“We’re kind of frozen, actually. We didn’t get to do the spring recital. Without Julianna, everything just kind of stopped. She just handled so much of it herself. The kids were devastated.”

Charlotte saw the disappointment in Brinley’s face.

“I mean, they were devasted about Jules most of all,” she quickly added. “We all were.”

“Where is the recital held?”

“In this great theatre outside of town,” Brinley said. “There’s an old campground with a lodge and cabins and a surprisingly cool performance space.”

“Sounds different,” Charlotte said.

“It is,” Brinley said. “It’s been getting harder every year to convince the owner, Mr. Kent, to let us rent it, but he had a soft spot for Jules. Said she reminded him of his oldest daughter. She’s on Broadway.”

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