Page 22 of Something Stronger
“In here.” She tugged and we stepped into one of the studios. Ms. Rachel was rummaging through a box in the corner.
“I found a top and a skirt. This is where we get the tights from, and you can borrow someone’s makeup kit for this one while we order one for you.” She handed us a bunch of fabric. “This is what it needs to look like.” She thrust a piece of paper at me with a dancer on it in the costume.
“Thanks.” I stared at the photo and then looked at the pieces she was holding. There was going to be a giant learning curve here, and I wasn’t sure I was up for the task.
“Daddy.” Hallie tugged on my arm. “We have to go. The next class needs to get in here.”
“See you tomorrow for ballet class.” Ms. Rachel waved as we left. When we got out to the parking lot, I could see Lou talking on her phone. She was standing beside her car and she looked rather upset. As I got closer, I could hear that she was talking to someone named Shawn.
“But I really need you to look at it tonight. I understand that. Shawn, it’s hot in there. I understand. You better.” She hung up and then shook her head no at her daughter.
“But Mama…” her daughter whined.
“I’ll call Grandma. Maybe we can have a sleepover,” Lou suggested.
“Anything I can help with?” I didn’t want to butt in, but it seemed that something was wrong.
“Our air conditioning is broken, and the super won’t fix it tonight,” her daughter grumbled.
“Amy, that’s enough,” Lou scolded.
“Thank you, but I got it.” She smiled before climbing in her car.
“See you tomorrow.” Hallie waved as they drove away.
I stood there watching as Hallie climbed in the truck. I didn’t know what it was but there was something about her that made me want to help. I didn’t know if it was the defeated look she gave me when she told her daughter she’d handle it or the fact that she was so quick to volunteer to help me with the costume. There was just something telling me that I needed to do what I could to help her because I thought I might have been the first person other than family to offer her any kind of support.
Chapter 14
Louisiana
“Come on, let’s go!” I rushed down the stairs of my parents’ house, dragging a duffle and stuffing clothes into it at the same time. “We’re gonna be late,” I warned as I stopped long enough to grab a water out of the fridge.
“I’m coming,” Amy called from the bathroom. She opened the door as she was placing the last hairpin in her bun. “Is it straight?” She turned around and showed me the back of her head.
“Looks good enough to me.” I shrugged as I motioned for her to go ahead. We rushed out to the car, jumped in, and headed for the studio. “Shawn called and said he fixed the air so we can stay at home tonight.” Amy did a little dance in her seat at that.
“Good. I like staying with Grandma, but I like my room the best.” She grinned.
“I feel the same way.” I smiled in the mirror as I rushed along. It was open highway between Sunnybrook and Myers and very few cars were ever on the road.
“You know what’s coming up soon?” Amy giggled and our eyes connected in the mirror.
“I think someone is turning eleven soon. I can’t remember who it is, though.”
“It’s me, Mama!” She pointed at her chest. Her smile faded as she cast her eyes down. “Do you think Daddy will come see me?” My heart squeezed at hearing her words. Charlie has had nothing to do with us in almost two years. He hadn’t even called. I wondered at times if he was ok? If he was drunk somewhere? If he even thought about us. It was like, we signed the divorcepapers and then he disappeared. All his protesting and fighting just went away.
“I don’t know, baby. We’re going to have the best day ever, though. I promise.” I watched as her smile came back and she nodded. I’d have to call my parents and see if we could set something up at the farm. There was more room there than at my tiny apartment.
When we reached the studio, Amy jumped out and rushed inside. I watched as eight little girls dug through bags and slipped ballet slippers on. When Ms. Rachel came out, they all stood and scurried down the hall. After they disappeared into a practice room, I took a seat and pulled out my e-reader. I needed a break to think about anything else because life was just too busy at the moment. Carrie had given me the day off since I was staying at our parents’ place and I just wanted to escape reality for a few hours.
“This seat taken?” His voice was deep, and when I looked up, he smiled at me. A face with perfect white teeth and full lips stared back at me.
“Uh, no.” I moved over a little to make more room. I was sitting on one of the loveseats that lined the lobby.
“There’s room over here,” Sophie’s mom, Janet, called as she patted a chair as if she were beckoning a dog.
“Thanks—” Issac nodded “—but here is fine.” He sat down beside me and sighed as he relaxed back into the soft cushion. Janet frowned as she went back to playing games on her phone. “I hope you don’t mind.” He glanced over at me.
