Page 73 of The Way We Touch
Craig has been texting me nonstop since I got here.
Craig
Let me know if you need me to be there.
I need you to be at the restaurant making sure everything runs smoothly.
Craig
This place could run itself during the day. Can Allie walk over?
She has to run the library. I’m fine. Stop worrying, Mother Hen.
Craig
It’s a media center, and that’s Uncle Hen to you. I know this is a big step.
I love you, and I’ve got this.
The truth is, I’ve been taking a lot of big steps in the past few weeks.
I dug my ballet skills out of the locked chest I put them in years ago, and I have a date with the gang to watch Monday Night Football tonight at the restaurant.
I’m not going to lie, my heart beats frantically at the thought, but I promised Logan I’d be watching, wearing my Number 12 jersey with his name on the back.
As soon as it arrived in the mail, I called to give him the fashion show. It’s navy and red and enormous, and the shine in his eyes when I spun around in my room for him to see unleashed a kaleidoscope of butterflies in my stomach.
Naturally, it was the only thing I was wearing.
“That looks really damn good, Dylan.” He laughed, low and naughty as he wiped the sweat off his brow. “Too bad I’m at practice or I’d let you model taking it off for me.”
I replied with a sassy, “Call me when you’re done.”
And that’s just what he did.
My ears are hot as I guide my students through the basic barre warmup. “First position and demi plié, straight. Demi, straight. Now grande plié, straight, bend forward, all the way up.” I lean down and touch my toes, then I arch back before moving to second position. “Let me see you do it.”
I leave the bar and count as I walk through the line of barres arranged in the center of the small studio. Watching the young dancers concentrate and move shifts something in my heart.
The days when I was in their place, a student, are over, and now I’m on the other side, a teacher, sharing a gift with them I hope will bring them the joy it used to bring me. It’s an unexpected, but welcome response to my first day back at the barre.
“That’s very good, Mia.” I stop beside a slim young woman with excellent form. “Remember to keep your chin parallel to the floor.”
Her cheeks lift with a smile, and she holds her head straighter. Returning to the front of the room, I look down the lines of straight posture, pointed toes, curved arms. I see so much beauty and so much potential here.
The music continues, and I go to where the boys are doing their best. Neither of them has a very good turnout, but Josh is able to get some real height in his sautés. Austin’s posture is good, and his arms are strong from football training, which is a promising sign for lifts.
We have a way to go, but I expect they’ll be able to perform some basic Nutcracker choreography by Christmas. Anticipation of the show, something I haven’t done in so long, forms a lump in my throat—of happiness. I’m so surprised, my eyes tingle.
“Very good, Class.” Real joy is in my voice as they finish their combinations. “Please move the barres to the side, and line up in the corner of the room.”
I lead them through a very simple walking routine with a grand jeté jump at the end. I’m able to do the small move, and when I finish, their eyes are all round.
“It’s just a basic move.” I exhale a laugh. “You’ll get it.”
Mia is the best going through the line, and I give them all lots of encouragement before moving through another simple move, the pas des chat, or step of the cat.
The ninety-minute class passes so fast, and by the time I dismiss them to change into their school clothes, I’m lighter than I’ve been in years. They’re hard workers, and they’re very invested in learning.