Page 5 of Declan
Yesterday, she watched Brandy teach the little girls. She loved watching the little ones in their tutus. She loved teaching ballet, but she was anxious to get started with the dancercise classes too.
She made her way down the stairs and into the studio. She had hired four women to teach ballet and one to run the front desk. Elise walked to the front lobby and smiled at Erica.
“How’s it going?”
“It’s great, Ms. Ramsey. Thank you for hiring me.”
“Call me Elise, please. I’m glad to hear it’s going well for you. Any new people sign up?”
Elise watched as Erica handed her a sheet of paper. Taking it from her, Elise’s mouth dropped open at all the names. Each class had more people wanting to partake.
“This is great,” Elise said.
“I think you might need to hire more people.”
“I’m just glad it’s more for the dancercise classes. I can’t take too many more for ballet in the youngest age group and we’ll be dead around here during the day, until the late classes after school.”
“Eventually, you’ll have to turn people away.”
“I know. I don’t want more than fifteen people in the ballet classes and especially the little ones. Ten in a class of four- and five-year-old little girls is plenty. They can get a little rambunctious and not pay attention. Brandy and I can keep a better eye on them.” Elise looked at the clock. “Almost closing time, Erica, I’m sorry your hours are shorter in the fall.”
“It’s fine. The last class ending at two-thirty is perfect. I can get some things done once we close at three. I don’t have to work, so this is fine. Do you need me to do anything before I go?”
“Not that I can think of. Once everyone leaves, I’ll be heading to my big tub and relaxing in a bubble bath.”
“That sounds good. My husband is picking up dinner tonight, so I don’t have to worry about cooking.” Erica smiled.
“Good for him. That’s a good man.”
Erica grinned. “Yes, he is.”
“I’m going back to my office. Let me know before you leave. I’ll lock up behind you.”
After giving her a little wave, Elise headed back toward her office. She peeked into the room where one of the ballet classes was taught and grinned when she saw Brandy sitting on the floor with a little girl.
Elise sat down on the other side of the little girl.
“Hi, Frankie. How did you like your class today?”
“I had fun. I can’t wait to come back.”
“I hope you do come back.”
“I will. My mama said I could if I liked it,” Frankie smiled.
Elise glanced at the clock, noting the time. Frankie’s pickup was running a bit behind schedule. Once summer arrived, her dance studio would welcome students from ten in the morning until five-thirty in the evening, Monday through Friday. From ten to one on Saturdays were the dancercise classes. Sundays were a sacred break, a time for everyone to unwind and recharge. Each class was at different times, but with school beingin, they all arrived at four pm, right after school let out.
The only early classes were for the pre-ballet dancers, ages four and five, and were held three times a day/one day a week, each session lasting an hour. From ten to eleven, eleven to twelve, and one-thirty to, two thirty, the studio came alive with the delicate pitter-patter of tiny feet. Each class gathered ten little girls, their hair tied up in neat buns, who twirled with infectious enthusiasm and giggled with delight as they learned the graceful movements. The room was filled with the soft rustle of tutus and the sweet sound of childish laughter, creating an atmosphere of pure joy. As the children grew, so did the challenge; those aged eight to ten attended the beginner/intermediate level, meeting twice a week from four to five p.m. The intermediate dancers, ages ten to twelve, honed their skills from four to five-thirty, four times a week, their discipline evident in every pointed toe and graceful arm movement. The intermediate advanced group, ages twelve to fifteen, dedicated the same hours to perfecting their art, while the advanced level students, aged fifteen to eighteen, pushed their limits from four to five-thirty, four days a week. Elise intended to adjust the schedule for the summer months, but with school in session, only the littlest ballerinas twirled through the studio during the day, their laughter echoing like a sweet melody. One day a week was filled with tiny dancers.
“Go ahead and head home, Brandy. I’ll stay with her until her ride gets here.”
“Are you sure, Elise? I don’t mind staying.”
“I don’t have to drive home, so yes, I’m sure. You just go home and get some rest. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“You don’t have to tell me twice.” Brandy got off the floor and after telling Frankie and Elise goodbye, she left.
Erica appeared in the doorway. “I’m leaving, unless you want me to stay with you while you wait?”
