Page 6 of Something Stronger
“That’s great!” I clapped my hands.
“Is love ballney.” She lifted her tiny foot in the air and then jumped. We’d watched Sesame Street together one day the week before, and there was a section about dancing. The ballerina had twirled around and done a few jumps and ever since, Amy has been smitten. “Mama? Can I be a ballnarina?” She stopped in front of me and placed her chubby hands on my knees.
“Maybe,” I mused. I’d never thought about putting her in dance lessons. Most kids were three or four when they started. Amy was only two. She’d be three in a few months, but I wasn’t sure she’d stick with this or how much time it would take up.
“Plwese?” she begged. “Mama, plwese?” She smiled at me, and I couldn’t resist.
“Let me talk to Daddy and see if the studio in town has any openings. You have to work really hard, though.”
“K.” She grinned before running through the grass and spinning more. I couldn’t help but swell with pride when I watched her. Amy and I spent many days out in the back yard. Charlie was working more and more, and when he was home he always seemed so disinterested. I stopped trying because we always seemed to get into some type of argument over it.
For a while, I was going over to my parents’ place. I cut back on those trips to save gas, but Mom has come out here some. Daddy can’t come as much because farm work is an every day job.
We spent the rest of the afternoon outside until I needed to go in and finish dinner. I brought Amy in and after giving her a quick bath to wash off the dirt and grass stains, I turned on cartoons and went to work in the kitchen.
I was just putting the finishing touches on dinner when I heard Charlie’s truck pull into the drive. The gravel crunched and Amy perked up and ran to the window.
“Daddy!!!” She clapped as she ran toward the door to meet him. Just as he opened it, she leaped toward him. He dropped his briefcase in order to catch her. “I missed you.” She giggled as she kissed his cheek.
“I missed you, too. What did you do today?” He set her down and picked up his things.
“I danced for Mama.” She proceeded to spin around in the kitchen. “I’m going to take ballney wessons.”
“You are, huh?” He glanced over at me.
“I told her we’d talk about it,” I stated. Charlie was always tight with the finances. He wanted me to be home with Amy, but he constantly complained about being the only source of income. Dance lessons would cost money.
“I see,” he mused. I could tell by his tone that he wasn’t happy, but he wasn’t ready to crush her dream just yet.
“What’s for dinner?” He came closer and kissed my cheek.
“Roast, corn, and homemade bread.” I leaned down to check the oven. I’d pulled the roast out to rest, but the bread wasn’t browning yet. “It’s gonna be another ten minutes or so if you want to change into something comfortable,” I suggested.
“That would be great.” He sighed as he headed toward our bedroom.
“Me too.” Amy rushed after him. She was a Daddy’s girl, for sure. I just wished he gave her more time.
By the time Charlie came back to the kitchen, I’d put everything on the table. Amy climbed into her booster, and we sat down to eat.
“How was your day?” I tried to get the conversation going. The last couple of nights, Charlie hadn’t wanted to talk about anything, really.
“Long and stressful. I don’t want to talk about it,” he grumbled as he stuffed a forkful of roast into his mouth. “Dinner’s good.” He nodded.
“Did the meeting go well today?” I tried again.
“I said I don’t want to talk about it.” He dropped his fork and glared at me.
“Daddy, no!” Amy banged the table with her hand. She’d been doing this a lot lately when she thought we were arguing.
“It’s ok, baby.” I sighed. “Daddy had a rough day. Mommy just wanted to help.” I dropped it and finished eating.
Afterwards, Charlie put Amy to bed, and I cleaned up. As I was finishing, I could hear their hushed voices chatting away in her room. I silently walked by as I didn’t want to intrude. I went to my room and changed before grabbing a book and climbing into bed. I’d been reading every night while Charlie watched TV. It was kind of our routine, and I was hoping to talk to him about the dance classes.
After several minutes, I heard him tell her good night, and then he appeared in our doorway. “She can be very convincing when she wants to be.” He sighed as I came over and sat on the bed.
“I think it would be good for her if I can find a class that will take her.” I glanced up at him. “Most studios require them to be a little older, but I do know that it would be good for her to bearound other kids. She doesn’t go to preschool, and it’s just us all day here.” I set my book to the side.
“I thought you liked being home.” He slid closer to me.
