Page 30 of Forbidden Dance
“The front desk sent me here.” Her eyes light up as she watches the girls. The song comes to an end. “Was Blitz here before?”
Gabriella turns her chair to her. “Do you mean Benjamin?”
The woman blinks for a second, then says, “Yes. Was he here?”
“Last week!” Daisy says. “He’s a dreamboat.”
Her wistful expression makes the woman laugh. “Did you all have fun with Benjamin?”
The girls chorus, “Yes! Yes!” and “Where is he?”
Daisy rolls forward. “Is he coming back?”
“Do you want him to?” the woman asks.
Another loud “Yes.”
Janel and I glance at each other. A new song begins. Janel calls out, “Back to positions, girls. Livia, can you show the woman the front desk? Maybe Suze didn’t know about the change. She can track down Danika.”
Great. I don’t know who this woman is, but I’m not pleased to meet yet another Blitz worshipper. She might be older, but who knows? He’s probably into all ages.
I head toward her. When we’re back in the hall, she says, “I haven’t introduced myself. I’m Hannah Stanton, Blitz’s manager.”
At least I’m not having to escort one of his conquests. “I’m Livia,” I say. “I’ll help you find Danika. She owns the place and sets Blitz’s schedule.”
I head to the front, but Hannah doesn’t follow. She lingers by the window, watching the girls work on arm movements. “They sure seemed taken with Blitz,” she says.
Marissa’s mom pops up her head. “Do you know where he is?” she asks. “Marissa was crushed when he wasn’t here today.”
“Are you one of the mothers?” Hannah asks.
I lean against the wall, my arms crossed. This woman seems slippery.
Marissa’s mom stands and extends her hand. “Yes. Mine is the one in the middle.”
“Beautiful girl,” Hannah says. “Such gorgeous coloring.” She looks at the mother. “Gets it from you.”
The mom’s smile is enormous.
So slick. I stand in awe of how she’s working her.
Hannah looks around. “Any other mothers here?”
Gwen turns to them, and so does Daisy’s mom. The others aren’t in the hall, probably out running errands.
Hannah shakes their hands. “I’m so excited Blitz is here. He’s very devoted to inspiring new dancers. Your girls are exquisite.”
She watches them again for a moment through the window as if she’s just getting an idea. “I would love, and I do meanlove, to have your girls do a segment with Blitz for television. I think the world needs to see the incredible work your dancers are doing. It’s so inspiring. Anyone can dance. They are proof.”
She turns back to them. “They could be like little ambassadors, showing all the children that they can be anything they want to be.”
I want to snort with derision, but I can see all the moms are totally buying into it.
“What would they have to do?” Gwen asks. She’s skeptical, and I’m so happy about that I want to hug her.
“Just do their dance,” Hannah says. “I can bring Blitz back. That will make them happy, right?”
The moms nod.
