Page 22 of Fall onto me
The pain will always linger, but you learn to live with it.
“Did he spark your love for dance?”
Her smile tilts on one side. “How did you know?”
“You keep looking at the program when you talk about him.”
She nods. “Yes, he did. He loved being involved with our extra curriculars. I think he realized that we were neglected for so long that he needed to love us that much more to make up for it. Nearly broke his heart when Colton left.”
“I can’t imagine why he would.”
“Sometimes …” Her eyes peer into mine. “Sometimes, Skyler … no matter how much love is received after pain, it can’t be absorbed.”
I let that sink in for a moment because it rings true for me. Yes, I’ve opened up to Foster and have a better relationship with my friends now that they know my story, but I have an impenetrable wall that I need help knocking down. The conversation is too heavy and raw. I grab a cookie from the plate and munch on it.
“How did you know this is what you wanted to do?” I gesture to the pamphlet.
“Dance is everything to me. I love the productions and performances, but I’m not getting any younger, and it takes a toll on the body. I don’t want my inability to mess any of you up. It’s something I’ve been thinking about lately.” She pauses. “And truth be told, I want to travel. I’ve been here forever.”
This astonishes me, I would have never thought this isn’t something she wanted to do forever. If the studio were mine, I wouldn’t leave until I was old and barely getting around.
Maybe after graduation, I really can start working for her, take a little of the pressure off. “I’d love to help you at the studio after I graduate.”
“I would love that.”
* * *
I swingby Mrs. Rita’s, checking in on her and Mario.
I barely make it on the second knock before she swings the door open and wraps me in a hug. “Skyler!” she sings. “I’ve missed you.”
“I missed you too!”
She holds my hand and guides me inside, pulling me back by my shoulders to check me over.
“You need to eat.” She shakes her head. “Sit, sit. I’ll get you some food.” I don’t have the heart to tell her I just ate at Grace’s, so I smile and take a seat at the table.
All of the talk about grandparents at Grace’s reminds me that I’ve had a grandma all along in Mrs. Rita.
“Do you want chicken casserole or stuffed pepp—”
“Skyler!” Sophie’s voice startles me, and I turn to see her running out from the hall.
“Sophie, you’re supposed to be napping.”
She throws her head back like a defiant teenager. “I don’t need a nap, I’m nearly an adult!” I give her the ‘look’ for talking to Mrs. Rita that way and she sighs, “Okay, I may need a nap. Sorry, Mrs. Rita. I’m just excited Skyler’s here.”
“Hey pretty girl!” I pull her in for a hug, surprised to see her here. “Weren’t you supposed to be having dinner with your brother?”
Her eyebrows bunch together. “No, I mean I saw him for a few minutes when he got out of school. He brought me here. Grandma is on her looooong shift.”
I nod, smiling, but inside I’m stiff. I try not to show just how worried her statement makes me. Foster lied to me. Rita is patiently waiting, looking between two vintage Pyrex dishes. “Casserole would be wonderful.”
As I sit at the table with Sophie and Rita, I think of a way to find out the truth.
Mrs. Rita asks me, “So, Skyler honey, how have you been?”
I twirl my fork around the plate, trying to have a normal conversation. But my pulse is quick, and my skin is hotter than the steam escaping the casserole. “I’m good, busy with school and ballet.”