Page 20 of Fall onto me
Grace takes one look at my pale face and sends a warm smile. “The point of this,” she addresses the small crowd with a flourish of her hand, “is chosen family. Some of you may have large, loving families while others may experience a small, tight knit, yet amazing family or none at all. The point I’m wanting to make with this performance, for the crowd but more so for you ladies, is that as we grow older, we choose who we have by our sides. Bring whoever you want. Whether it be a father or a father figure. Your best friend, in a sister/sister dance.” She looks at me. “The sky’s the limit.”
We begin our stretching, and everyone is fawning over who they’ll choose. “I think I’ll go with my mom; it will make her feel special.” Kate stretches across the bar.
“I’m going with my best friend, Jacie.” Marie smiles. “She’s going to hate it, but she’ll do it for me.”
I’m curious if it’s because she just wants to dance with Jacie or if it’s because she doesn’t have another choice. “Did you …” I start but stop myself. It isn’t my place.
Marie sends me her charming, crooked grin. “Honey, you can ask me anything.”
“No family to bring?” I ask nervously. “I only ask because I don’t have any.”
“You’re correct. My momma and daddy were addicted to some bad shit, and they both got ahold of the wrong batch. Jacie has been my chosen family since I met her in the foster home we were in as kids.”
I nod. “I think I’m going to ask Foster, since Kate is in it.”
“Perfect!” she chimes. “You know I would dance with you if I weren’t.”
I grin. “I know.” I’m excited to tell him all about it, once he picks me up.
* * *
A text chimeson my phone just as practice ends. It’s from Foster.
Foster:Hey, beautiful. Can’t pick you up. Meet you at the race?
Me: Yeah, everything okay?
Foster: Yeah. Going to meet Grams and Sophie for dinner.
I don’t askwhy he didn’t invite me, since maybe he just wanted to see them alone.
“Want to ride with me?” Kate asks, leaning over to read my screen.
I shake my head. “Thank you, though. I want to swing by and see Mrs. Rita.”
“Damnit!” Grace walks back inside, tossing her keys on the entry table.
“What’s wrong?”
“Car won’t start,” she sighs.
“You live near Jack’s, right?” I ask, and she nods. “I’m going that way. I’ll take you home.”
“It’s fine, really.” She waves her hand, the annoyance of car troubles rolling off her. “I need to call a wrecker anyways.”
“No need.” I grab my phone and send a text to Foster to let Wes know where it is. “The school shop has one. I’ll get them to bring it there and Foster should have it fixed early next week!” Perks of having a mechanic boyfriend.
A flash of guilt washes over her. “I don’t want to be any trouble.”
“Oh, no. Any car breaking down is great for them. Gives them more hours and you get free work. Plus, I don’t have anywhere to be until tonight. Come on, I’ll get you home.”
* * *
“Take a left here.”Grace tells me.
We turn down a busy industrial road. I can’t imagine her living here, with the plumes of smoke and loud cranks of metal gears going off. We take one more turn to a small stretch of road where a couple of houses are. “Here.” She smiles, gesturing to a cute little cottage.
It’s unusual, seeing such a beautiful little home tucked in between an apartment building and newer townhomes. I marvel at it. “That is beautiful.”