Page 14 of On Dancer
Seven
Quick change:a costume change between numbers when there is no time for the dressing room, requiring a total or partial strip down backstage.
Alexander
“I’m going to embellish your tunic with extra gold braid.” Kitty cast a critical eye at me as Rudy took my measurements for the costume committee. Kitty would have been all too happy to attack me with a tape measure herself, but Rudy had volunteered, likely in a bid to preserve my modesty, not that I had much after decades of backstage costume changes and shared dressing rooms. However, Kitty or one of the moms on the committee would have been far less distracting than Rudy’s nearness.
“Whatever you think best,” I said to Kitty as I tried not to notice how Rudy smelled like peppermints or how his hair looked super soft as he followed Kitty’s instructions to measuremy chest. His cheeks were especially pink today, and his voice was strained as he rattled off numbers to Kitty. Good. I shouldn’t be the only one struggling.
“It’s the same base costume we used last year, but I’m adding more bling.” Holding her tablet in one hand, Kitty gestured at a row of garment bags along the rear wall of the huge storage room used for housing various costumes and set pieces.
The larger ballet company in Philadelphia had upgraded itsThe Nutcrackerperformance two seasons ago, enabling Hollyberry to obtain its old sets and costumes. The items all were showing their age, but were still serviceable. A group of parent volunteers was touching up the set pieces while Kitty and the costume committee handled wardrobe alterations. Two of the mothers on the committee were sorting kid-sized tutus in a corner.
“Sounds good.” I was a fan of simpler costumes, but I wasn’t about to limit Kitty’s fun. I’d also been in plenty of productions where we made do with existing costumes without as many alterations, but Kitty wanted to practice tailoring. “What do you have planned for Victoria?”
“What do you mean?” Kitty made a choking sound as her cheeks went redder than Rudy’s. Kitty had her mother’s paler skin and her father’s unruly hair. She wore denim overalls that likely predated Rudy and a flowy purple overshirt that might have started life as a robe. “I don’t have plans for Victoria.”
“He means costume-wise.” Rudy was fast to smooth things over as usual. I was coming to appreciate how he could soften the blunt edges of my delivery. He was far better than I was at dealing with all of the younger people and kids.
“Exactly.” I nodded, which brought my head closer to Rudy’s as he measured the length of my arm. I was going to spend all damn night trying to place his minty scent. “Irina said thecostume came with a lot of obvious wear, especially on the bodice, and missing rhinestones.”
“Oh yeah, that.” Kitty brightened as she flipped her tablet toward me to show off professional-looking costume concept sketches, complete with notes. “Victoria is getting a sparkle overhaul. My teacher is helping me to hand-clean the costume and add new embellishments. I want her to lookperfect.No offense to you, but the Sugar Plum Fairy is the real star of the show.”
“None taken. You’re right. Think of me like a picture frame displaying and accentuating my partner’s performance.” Dancing with much-younger costars was always a delicate balance. Common enough, but I preferred to think of the Cavalier role as a way to showcase my partner’s talents rather than attempting to convey chemistry like I might in a more romantic role likeDon QuixoteorSwan Lake. “Victoria and Cheryl need all the sparkles and spotlights.”
The two dancers would share the Sugar Plum Fairy costume along with the role as they were similarly sized enough for that to work with some minor alterations after Victoria’s school-day performance.
“Other than your variations.” Rudy was as quick in his defense of me as Kitty was of Victoria. “Then the spotlight is all yours.”
“I’ll try to do it justice.” My knee had felt strong for the last several days, and I was hoping with everything I had that we wouldn’t have to water down or omit my variations. “But seriously, Kitty is right. The production is all about the younger dancers like Victoria.”
“Yep.” Kitty furiously added a few more notes to her drawings before looking up from the tablet. “Victoria deserves all the attention. Did you know she already has an invitation to train full-time in New York? After another summer intensivewith them, and her senior year at boarding school, she’ll likely get hired into one of the companies and move to New York.”
“She’s immensely talented.” A few rehearsals had been more than enough to reveal Victoria was going places.
“She certainly has the makings of a star,” Rudy chimed in. “But it can be hard when a friend moves away, even for happy reasons.”
“Yeah.” Kitty sighed heavily. “She’ll miss all the senior year stuff here.”
“I had the same situation.” I tried for a reassuring tone. “She’d likely be too busy for much of those extracurriculars even if she stayed local.”
Far from reassured, Kitty tensed, head falling forward and shoulders slumping as she directed all her attention toward her tablet. Heck. I’d screwed up.
“I’m sure she’ll be sad to miss all the traditions.” Rudy had the soothing tone to make Kitty glance up as he asked, “Do they still do the Senior Surprise?”
Thanks to Isabella, I knew the Senior Surprise was an elaborate annual prank of sorts. Isabella’s year had taken over the faculty parking lot for a pancake breakfast, complete with tables and chairs and diner-themed decor. It had sounded like a lot of work to me, but Isabella and her friends had been delighted with the outcome.
“Yep.” Kitty managed the smallest of smiles. “I can’t wait to help plan.”
“I’m sure you’ll come up with something great.” Rudy returned her smile with a sparkling grin before glancing down at his smartwatch. “Speaking of Victoria, her class is ending. We better let Alexander get to rehearsal.”
“Yes.” Relieved to end the torture of a conversation I kept screwing up and Rudy’s nearness, I stepped toward the doorwayonly to be gripped by some force I couldn’t name as I nodded at Rudy. “You locking up tonight?”
“Of course.” Rudy beamed that much wider, and I knew without asking that he’d have the board game at the ready. We had a routine going, and we often played the game long after my icing time was finished. I had to admit that it beat long, lonely hours in my parents’ pool house. Rudy was good company, and the game brought out my competitive side.
And sure enough, as soon as rehearsal ended, Rudy appeared with my ice packs and the game. I let him do the usual fussing over me with positioning pillows and ice packs. I didn’t tolerate this sort of thing at the PT office well, but caretaking felt different coming from Rudy.
“Thanks for helping me remove my foot from my mouth with Kitty earlier.” Between the school visits and navigating working with teens, I seemed to be in a constant state of gratitude toward Rudy. “Not sure why I always seem to say the wrong thing even when I’m sharing the truth.”
