Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80199 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 401(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80199 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 401(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
My mom and Star were in the audience, along with all the other parents and families who would scrutinize every routine and dancer. At least that was how it always went down in the recitals I’d participated in. The mothers and some fathers would appear backstage to try and “help,” only to be kicked out by the instructors because they were getting in the way or making their child nervous with over-the-top reminders to smile or remember certain steps. Maybe they were living vicariously through their children or had missed their own calling. Mom never had that sort of interest and always gave me the space to breathe, and damn, I was grateful for that. She’d been in the audience for all my performances and had given me a big hug and plenty of encouragement when it was all over.
I watched from the wings as the act before us was performing onstage, waiting anxiously for ours to be announced. Our number was a version of “Black Swan” from the iconic Swan Lake production, and the costumes of the two female leads were so kickass I was a bit envious. The guys were wearing dark footless tights with black sequined shirts to match the mood of the piece, but not so blingy as to detract from the girls.
Our dance moves weren’t as complicated as the leads’, especially since we were used to performing plenty of lifts to showcase them. Still, it was rigorous, and I needed to be on my game. Any wrong move could throw everyone off. My stomach fluttered with nerves, but the second I stepped foot onstage and got into position, I felt electrified. Almost like an out-of-body experience.
When the curtain went up and the crowd grew silent with anticipation, I refused to look in the audience for my family. I stared at a fixed point above the spotlight in the back of the room, a trick I’d taught myself over the years.
The routine went off without a hitch, and the crowd clapped vigorously.
“We rocked it,” Emil said as he followed me backstage.
We high-fived, then went our separate ways to focus on different things. After my second ballet number, I jogged to the changing room to prepare for my tap number. It required a change of clothes from tights to black tuxedo pants and shiny shoes I’d made sure to polish for tonight. Then I strode back toward the stage and got in line behind Justin.
The cool thing about this number was that it featured all the male tap students. The audience roared with applause as we came onstage and began the routine with a popular jazz song. It was snappy and showed off our skills as we formed a circle and performed cool solo tricks that made the crowd cheer louder.
The number was a success; Ms. Bardo’s kickass choreography helped us shine, and she was so thrilled; her whistling and clapping made me grin as we filed offstage.
By the end of the two-hour show, I was smiling so wide my cheeks hurt. I thought I might wither away without being able to dance in some way, shape, or form because it was everything I loved. According to Mom, my grandmother had been the same. I’d always wished I could’ve gotten to know her, but she died when I was a baby.
Our finale involved a clap-out number where each act was announced, and the dancers came out to bow for the audience. After we were called, we stayed onstage but moved back to allow the next group to be acknowledged. We performed a line-dance routine in the background while we waited. It was to a pop song that all the classes had learned for the recital. It was fun and a release of all the tension. The crowd was up on their feet, applauding and swaying to the music.
That was when I finally allowed myself to look for my family in the audience. I spotted Emil’s parents first, and then a couple of rows back, Mom and Star were smiling wide and clapping to the music. I nearly stumbled over my own two feet when I saw Henry standing next to Star and clapping so hard I thought his palms might sting.
Holy shit, what? Were my eyes deceiving me? But no, there he was in the crowd, smiling and looking so proud and happy. My heart ballooned in my chest just watching him.
Afterward, we filed off the stage to the dressing area to change. There was excited chatter everywhere, but I was having trouble concentrating. Even Emil had to say my name a couple of times before I responded. Once I was back in my clothes, I stuffed my things in my bag and followed Emil out to the lobby, where all the families were waiting for us.
I couldn’t breathe as my gaze scanned everyone until it landed on Mom and Star…and Henry, holding a bouquet of flowers.