Page 8 of Fourteen of a Kind

“That’s only because you’ve accomplished so much in your life already. Listen. I love you to death, but I have a pottery class to teach in five minutes. I’ll come over later, and we’ll talk.” She hugged me.

“Go teach your class. I’ll see you later.” I smiled.

CHAPTER 3

Ella

I went to the dance studio, changed my clothes, and put on my pointe shoes. Room three was open, so I played classical music and danced across the floor. Ballet, music, and painting were the only things that calmed and cleared my mind.

“You’re a natural.” My mom smiled as she stood in the doorway. “I heard you were here.”

I turned off the music and hugged her. “You were in class when I got here.”

“Dancing your troubles away?” she asked.

“Yeah. Something like that.” I smiled.

She placed her finger under my chin. “Chin up, my sweet girl. It only gets better from here. I promise.” She smiled. “I have another class to teach. I’ll see you later. I love you.”

“I love you too, Mom.”

“Keep dancing like the magnificent dancer you are.” She winked.

I danced for another hour and went home. Grabbing my surfboard, I ran down to the beach, put it in the water, and paddled out.

“You want some company?” I heard someone shout.

Turning around, I saw Nora standing at the shoreline with her board under her arm.

“Get in here!” I smiled. “Why aren’t you in school?” I asked as she paddled up next to me.

“I didn’t feel like going today. I told Simon and Grace I was sick.” She smiled.

“I take it they’re not home.”

“Simon’s at work, and Grace is out running errands. Besides, they know the healing properties of the ocean.” She smiled. “Let’s catch some waves.”

Nora and I surfed for a while and took our boards out of the water. When I looked over, I saw Grace heading toward us.

“Uh, oh,” I said.

“Nora, you said you were sick,” Grace approached us with her hands on her hips.

“I am, but you know the healing properties of the ocean, Grace. You’re the one who always told me that the salt water makes everything better. I’m trying to feel better.”

“You’re full of shit.” She smiled. “Go back to the house and change before your brother gets home. You know how he feels about you playing hooky. In fact, you know how all of your brothers and your sister feel.”

“I’ll talk to you later, Ella.” Nora hugged me.

“See ya, Nora.” I smiled.

“How are you, sweetheart?” Grace asked.

“You know what, Grace? I’m okay.”

“That’s my girl.” She hugged me. “You’re a Kind, and you’re strong. Nothing keeps us down for too long. I’ll see you later, honey.”

I walked back to my house. When I opened the sliding door, I heard my phone ringing. I picked it up from the kitchen island and noted it was a call from Mount Sinai in New York.