Page 9 of Something Stronger
It was a long day for the recital. It had started late morning and lasted until after dinnertime. By the time we left, Amy had fallen asleep in my arms. I didn’t even want to think about the fact that I was going to have makeup on my shoulder, or the amount of work it was going to take to get a brush through her hair tomorrow when she woke up.
On the drive home, I thought about the fact that Charlie missed this. I knew Amy was young, and there’d be plenty more things in her life that were important, but any firsts are a big deal, and I just wish he saw it that way. When we arrived home, I carried Amy inside and put her in bed, clothes, and all. I was tired too, and I just didn’t have the energy to try and wrestle her into PJs. After she was settled, I went back out to grab all of our stuff. I came in, hung up the costume, and placed her flowers in a vase with water. I was wiped out. I left the light on for Charlie in the kitchen and then went to run a hot bath. I planned to spendthe rest of the evening relaxing. After undressing, I slipped into the hot water and sank down until it came up to my chin. I closed my eyes and sighed. I wasn’t sure if I was overreacting or not, but I was definitely frustrated with my situation. I wasn’t sure how I was going to get through to him, but Charlie and I needed to talk about this and decide if we wanted the same thing, and how we were going to keep what we had from falling apart. I couldn’t always be the glue. I needed him to be there more, and I needed him to want to be.
Chapter 6
6 years ago…
Louisiana
The summer seemed to fly by this year and as we were all adjusting to our new reality, Charlie seemed to be listening more. “So, who’s doing pick up today?” Charlie was gathering his things in the kitchen. I was rushing around making breakfast, and Amy was sitting at the table to reason with me on why she could have ice cream for breakfast.
“But it has milk in it,” she whined as I placed a plate in front of her with toast and a glass of juice.
“There’s strawberry jelly on there. It’s your favorite.” I smiled as I leaned down to kiss the top of her head.
“But I don’t like that anymore.” She pouted.
“Since when?” Charlie gave her a look as if he could tell she was making a big deal out of nothing.
“Since today.” She crossed her arms over her chest.
“Do you want to go to dance class after school?” I warned. School had started last week, and Amy was loving it. Kindergarten seemed to be her favorite thing after dance.
“Fine.” She sighed as she picked up the toast and took a bite.
“My mom offered to get her today since you have that appointment. After this week, my schedule should slow down some.” About a month ago, I went back to work part-time. There’s a small ad agency in town and I’ve been working three days a week. It gives me something to do during the day while Amy’s at school and Charlie’s at the office, but it’s been an adjustment. Our house isn’t far enough away from the school for Amy to qualify as a bus rider, but I think it’s too far to walk, especially as a kindergartener. Charlie and I have beentaking turns with the drop-off and pick-up. Usually, he takes her because he can drop her off and go right to the office and it’s perfect timing. I pick up because I’m usually finished with work at that point, and then we just go straight to the studio. I have a big meeting today, and Charlie has an appointment, so my mom offered to step in. “I’m just going to meet her at dance, and then Mom can leave.” I waved my hand in the air as I finished packing Amy’s lunch.
“Sounds good.” He nodded. “Things been going ok at the office? You seem happy with this new role.”
“Yes, and I am.” Being around other adults has been nice, and I feel like I have something for myself outside of taking care of the family. Charlie was skeptical of me working at first, but he’s really changed since I started.
“I’m happy for you.” He stood and brought his dishes to the sink. “I need to brush my teeth and then I’ll be ready to go, kiddo,” he called to Amy as he left the room.
“Better finish up. You need energy for school and dance class.” I smiled as I set her lunch box on the table. She polished off the last of her breakfast and then rushed to the bathroom to brush her teeth.
When Charlie and Amy reappeared, we said our goodbyes, and they were out the door. Watching her skip over to Charlie’s truck with her pigtails bouncing made my heart squeeze. She was growing up so fast, and I was just trying to take it all in.
Ooooooooo
“Everything go ok?” I sat down beside my mom. We were in the lobby area at the studio. The lobby was lined with couches around the outside of the room and then more in the center for parents and dancers to wait on between classes. There was a door on one side that lead down a hallway full of classrooms. The room Amy was in had closed circuit TV so parents could watch.The other rooms had windows so you could look inside and see the kids practice.
“She was telling me about how you won’t let her have ice cream for breakfast.” Mom laughed lightly. “I still remember when you tried to convince me that chocolate was a vegetable. She gets all of that from you. You know that, right?” She nudged me in the side.
“I was like twelve when I tried that. She’s five.” I shook my head.
“She’s incredibly smart,” Mom retorted.
“But pick-up went smoothly?”
“Oh yeah. She was happy as a clam when I pulled up, and I got her changed as soon as we got here. Her teacher mentioned that she wanted to talk to you, though. Something about moving her up a level.” Mom shrugged and went back to looking at a magazine she had in her hands.
“Hmm. Last year Ms. Kirsten mentioned that Amy was advanced for her age and picking up the choreography quickly. I didn’t think she was ready to move up, though. She’s already dancing in the class above her age; this would be two above her age.” I began thinking about it. Amy was in the level one class. This was mainly first graders— six-year-olds. The next level up would be level two, and that’s mainly seven- and eight-year-olds. That class happened to meet in the evenings and didn’t get out until after her bedtime. It might be a significant adjustment if we were to move to that class.
“I’m sure they have their reasons.” Mom patted my hand and acted as if I were concerned over nothing. When it was time for class to end, Amy came bouncing into the lobby with her shoes in her hand.
“Mama!” she squealed as she saw me and threw herself into my lap.
“Did you have a good class?” I took the tap shoes from her hands and replaced them with her pink sneakers.
