Page 10 of Something Stronger
“It was great,” She grinned. “We’re doing a song about princesses and I’m in the front row.” She beamed.
“Wow! That’s great.” I moved over so she could sit down and finish with her shoes. “I’m going to talk to your teacher. You stay here with Grandma.” I stood up and made my way over to the front desk where he teacher from this year, Ms. Abby, was chatting with another parent. When she finished, she looked up at me and smiled. “My mom said you were wanting to talk to me about Amy and moving her up?”
“I do. She’s picking things up much quicker than the other kids in her class. I think she needs to move up to be challenged. I also think she’d be a good fit for our mini team.” She handed me some papers. “This lays out the commitment for that. The cost is more, and there’s an extra class she would need to take. This particular group only competes in one competition each year, but it’s still a major commitment.”
“Oh, wow.” I started scanning the papers. Another set of shoes, extra costume fees, makeup, special jewelry, hair pieces. There was a whole lot more we’d need.
“She can move up as early as next week if you decide to do this. This class meets at seven, and we finish around nine.”
“Amy’s used to being in bed by eight-thirty so I’m not sure she would have the energy to keep up. I’ll talk with my husband tonight, and we’ll let you know.” I folded the papers and put them in my purse. Part of me wanted to just say yes. I knew my daughter was talented, but also felt like Charlie and I were just starting to get back to normal, and I didn’t want to make a big decision without him and put us back to where we were a year ago.
“You ready to go?” I turned to where Amy was chattering away with my mom.
“Yes. I’m starving,” she exaggerated. “Grandma says ice cream can be dinner.” One side of her mouth curved up as if she were trying to be serious and failing at it.
“She did, did she?” I eyed my mother, and she shook her head silently.
“Grandma said that maybe if she ate all her dinner, she could get ice cream. Grandma also said she’d treat her to dinner at the diner tonight.” My mom sighed. “If you don’t have plans, that is.”
“Charlie had a late appointment, so no plan for us tonight.” I smiled.
“Ok, I’ll meet you at the diner.” Mom waved and headed outside to the parking lot.
“Let’s put your shorts on over the tights since we’re going out somewhere, so you won’t snag them.” I rummaged through Amy’s dance bag and handed her the cotton shorts she’d worn to school.
“What did you talk to Ms. Abby about?” Amy slipped the shorts on and then jumped up, ready to go. I held out my hand, and she grabbed it. As we went outside, I started telling her about moving up and being on the mini team.
Ooooooooo
“I get to dance with the big girls.” Amy bounced in the booth as she dipped French fries in ketchup.
“Maybe. We have to talk to Daddy about it first,” I warned.
“He won’t care.” Amy shrugged. “He likes it when I dance.”
“It’s gonna cost a lot more money. He might care about that.” I sighed.
“Maybe.” She smiled sweetly. “I know how to make him say yes, though.” She grinned devilishly.
“Really? How’s that?” My mom laughed.
“Well, first I say please, and do like this.” She folded her hands together and put them right under her chin. “Then, Ido this.” She pouted her lips and batted her eyes. “And then I say, ’Please, Daddy? I’ll love you forever. I’m your princess.’ He always says yes.” She gave a quick nod before going back to her fries.
“Always?” I asked.
“Most of the time. Crying helps too, if he starts to say no.” She giggled.
“You are in trouble,” my mom warned. “She’s figured out how to get what she wants.”
I dropped my head and sighed loudly.
“It’s ok, Mama. I don’t do it to you.” She patted my shoulder before reaching for the glass of milk on the table. “Daddy doesn’t always come to my stuff. You do, so I don’t need you to say yes.” My stomach dropped as her words hit me square in the chest. All this time I thought I was hiding it well, the times he missed important events, but I showed up. She’d noticed and in her quiet innocent way, she’d been keeping tabs.
“Sometimes Daddy’s busy.” I tried to act like it wasn’t hurting me that she’d voiced the one thing I’d been trying to shelter her from.
“I know, and he gives me what I want.” She shrugged before finishing off her meal. “Can I have ice cream now?” She turned toward my mom and batted her eyes.
“Oh no, you don’t. You don’t get to do that to me,” Mom teased her as she handed me the dessert menu. “Pick out something with your mom and we can get it.”
