Page 65 of Forbidden Dance
“I believe you,” she says. “He’s been good here. The best he has to offer. But when he’s back in that world, he’ll be back in that role.”
I can’t take any more. “I’m going to go now,” I tell her. “I’ll be here for Betsy’s class tomorrow.”
She stands up, but as I get up to go, she stops me. “There is something else.”
What now?
“I spoke to Betsy. You’ve completed your two years in ballet and you’ve done a heck of a lot of extra dancing the past few weeks.” She turns to the back corner of her office. “She expects you are about to earn these.”
She passes me a small pink bag from one of the dance supply stores that the instructors use. I’ve seen the logo a dozen times.
I accept the bag, my hand shaking. Too many reversals again. My life has been so complicated since Blitz arrived. I know what I’ll see inside, but I still take in a breath when I see them.
Toe shoes, perfect and gleaming in pink satin.
“We based these on your ballet slippers, but we can exchange them for a better size,” she says. “Bring them when you do your assessment and Betsy will check to make sure they are a good fit for you, and we’ll go from there. This was mainly a gesture from me to let you know that I have absolute confidence in you.”
I press the shoes to my chest. “Thank you,” I say. My eyes smart. “When will she do my assessment?”
“The week after Thanksgiving. Do lots of stretching and strengthening at home to make sure you don’t lose any ground over the holiday.”
“I will.” I place the shoes back in the bag.
As I head out of the academy, my feelings are a jumble. I pull out the phone and start walking down the street. There are a pile of texts from Blitz.
Hey, Danika has asked me not to come today.
I want to see you. Can we meet at the park?
Let me know if you can get away.
I’m flying to LA tonight. I really want to see you.
Please text me as soon as you get these.
I don’t know what to say exactly. I’m about to write him to come to the park when I hear Andy’s excited “Livia!”
I look up and see him running ahead of Mom. I guess they are going to the park for recess today.
I shove the phone in my string bag. I don’t think she’s seen. My heart hammers ninety to nothing.
Andy crashes into me with a hug. “Race you to the swings!”
I let him go without running. I need to face Mom first.
Her face is drawn with concern. “What are you doing at the park? You’re supposed to be at dance.”
“There wasn’t any studio space available today,” I say. “Everyone is practicing for the recital.” I hold up the bag. “But guess what! I get to be assessed for my toe shoes right after Thanksgiving! Danika gave me a pair!”
“Really?” My mom sits on the bench and holds out her arms for the bag.
I pass it to her and sit down.
She pulls out the perfect pink shoes. “They are beautiful, Livia.” She hugs me with one arm. “I am so proud you’ve stuck with this. Will you get to dance in them at the recital?”
“I don’t think so. It will be too new. But the spring one for sure.”
“We were going to get you a pair for Christmas, but now we can spend the money on something else,” she says. “You’ll have to let us know what you need. A new leotard, maybe?”
