Page 32 of Allure

I nodded and walked around the island to hug my mother, then tipped my head to my dad as I made my way to the door. I wasn’t in the mood to entertain something I felt was wrong. When I got in my truck, I checked my phone and a text from Lore appeared.

Wife: I’m just texting you to tell you that you’re special and today is only as good as you make it. I can’t wait to be in your arms later. Call me if you need me.

I reread that message a few times. I wanted to call her, but I also knew she needed this time. I would allow myself some time to relax with my thoughts, but to know I had someone behind me was enough.

“Okay, good job, guys. It’s clean-up time, so you can take your paintings home,” I announced.

I walked around to each student to grab the cups of brushes that needed to be cleaned. They were taking turns drying their paintings as I continued to clean up. This was my last class of the day and Mahalia had called me earlier to let me know she would be here once she left the ice rink.

I could admit, I missed my girl and it hadn’t been that long. I appreciated the time she had given me to be with my husband with no distractions; it was very much appreciated.

One of the little girls in the class rushed over to me with her painting and she was so good at it. I knew she would be a big artist one day if her parents nurtured her spirit, as my parents did mine when I was her age.

“Ms. Reed, it came out so pretty.” She pointed at the sky she had been having a hard time blending until I showed her a new technique.

“You did beautiful, Analese. I knew you could, honey, and guess what?” I asked her.

“What?” she asked with a smile.

I lifted my hand to show her my ring. “Ms. Reed got married and now she is Mrs. Lockwood. Can you say Mrs. Lockwood?” I asked her.

She nodded and danced with excitement. “I sure can, Mrs. Lockwood. When will we get to meet your husband?” she asked.

I shrugged. “I don’t know. When do you want to meet him? I’ll check with him about his schedule,” I told her.

She smiled and rushed off to the other kids. I was sure to tell all the other kids that my name wasn’t Ms. Reed anymore.

“You better go ’head and correct these kids about your new name,” I heard from behind me.

I rolled my eyes and stood up, then looked over my shoulder at Mahalia.

She rushed over to me and hugged me, then she pulled back to look me over like it had been years since we last spoke.

“I missed you, girl. You don’t know how hard it’s been not to call you and tell you what’s been going on with me. Not to mention, we usually talk every day. I want you to know now that I appreciate you and our friendship.”

I squinted because she was scaring me for a minute and made me want to know what she had been going through. I hated the thought that maybe I was so wrapped up in my own bliss that I didn’t realize she needed me.

“You know I appreciate you too. But we’re going to talk because you have me slightly concerned right now. Let me get these kids together since their parents are here to get them.”

Mahalia nodded and walked over toward the window. She looked so far away in her gaze while staring out of that window. I returned my focus to the kids, helping them get their things together. As each parent picked up their kid and also congratulated me on my marriage, I knew they knew about it because of social media, unlike the children, who wouldn’t have understood even if they saw it.

Once all the kids were gone, I locked the doors and then returned my attention to her as she walked over to me.

“So, tell me what’s going on? Why do you appreciate me so much?” I asked.

I crossed my arms, waiting for her response.

Mahalia exhaled and took the seat across from where I was standing.

“Girl, it’s nothing too big. I’ve been thinking about putting my skates back on for real and not just as a teacher. But I haven’t been as inspired to leave all the doubts I have behind. What if I fuck it up again? I could have died from that last stunt I pulled that practically ended my career… or at least in my eyes it did.”

I grabbed one of the chairs and slid it so I was in front of her, then I reached out for her hands.

“I know how much you love to skate and I know how much the art of it means to you. You can do this. I have faith in you, but you also know that you have to have faith in yourself.”

Mahalia nodded and then stood, wiping the corners of her eyes.

“I hear you, but let’s head out. I know I’m on borrowed time. That husband of yours will be wondering where the hell you are soon.”