Page 132 of Comeback
She touches her shorter locks with one hand. I hardly remember it being as long as it is in the old picture. She cut it to about shoulder length when I was in junior high, and then when she started chemo went even shorter to a cute pixie cut. It’s grown out now, almost to chin length.
“I’m so glad you’re here.” My voice breaks and I rest my head on her shoulder.
“Oh, honey.” My mom tries to smile, but it falls as she studies my face. “What’s going on? I thought you’d be happy.”
“I am. The day hasn’t even started and it’s already more than I dreamed. It’s just that everything has been so chaotic. The building owner is selling, and the new landlord is an asshole. I might have done all of this for nothing.” Just for a moment I give into that fear, then shake it off. “It’s the opening and I’m already worrying about the ending.” I swipe at a few more tears. “And I missed you guys so much.” I fling myself at her again.
She wraps her arms around me, then gently taps my back in soft, reassuring pats. “Only happy tears today.”
“I don’t want to lose this place. I know I haven’t even taught a class yet, so it’s silly to be so attached, but it feels like I am exactly where I should be.”
“Then you’ll figure it out. You always do. You’re a fighter.” She pushes my hair back away from my face and speaks the words like fact.
“I must get it from you.”
A small smile lifts the corners of her mouth. There’s commotion outside and I can see a group of women scoping out the studio through the window. I guess it’s time to pull myself together.
“How long are you staying?” I ask them.
“Through the weekend,” Mom says. “We rented a cute little house not far from here.”
“Can we hang out later?” I ask.
“Absolutely. We’re at your beck and call.”
“I want to meet this boy I keep hearing about too,” Dad says, voice gruff and stern.
“Archer,” I say, smiling even thinking about him meeting my parents. “And maybe you can finally meet Brogan too.”
“We’d like that,” Mom says as two women slowly enter with timid smiles.
I smile back brightly at them. “Welcome!”
Mom leans in and whispers, “We’ll get out of your way and let you talk with other people.”
I know I need to go mingle, but I don’t want them to leave.
“Okay. I’ll text you as soon as I’m done here.” I hug Mom and then Dad. I hadn’t planned on it, but now I wonder how it ever could have felt this perfect without her here today. “Thank you so much for coming.”
After those first people trickle in, others follow. Families, parents with their kids, moms out to brunch, and some locals who just want to see what’s happening in the neighborhood.
I’m dizzy with excitement as I talk with all of them. I’ve hardly had a chance to breathe when Olivia and Greer show up.
“Congratulations!” Olivia hugs me with one arm. In her other, she has a big bouquet of yellow roses. “These are for you, but I’m not sure where you’ll find room for them.”
I take them from her, blushing as I set them on the front desk with the others.
“Archer?” she asks.
“And Brogan. I think they were seeing who could send the biggest, most embarrassing display.” They had practice and meetings so they couldn’t be here today, but I felt their presence.“And my parents drove down for the weekend to surprise me. Now that you two are here it’s just been the perfect day.”
“They’re proud of you. So are we.” She looks down at Greer.
“Are all these people going to take dance classes from you?” Her big, green eyes stare around the studio with wonder.
“Probably not, but hopefully some of them.”
There are two girls dancing together in front of the barre. One has on a purple tutu and a big matching bow on each pigtail.
