Page 89 of Fall onto me
“I want in on this!” That would be my father, rushing over. Askena, Grace, and Mom are trailing behind him. He’s forever wanting to collect every milestone since he missed so many. Last week, when Soph got a new bike, I test rode it and Wes -bless him- videotaped it. He even taught me how to do a wheelie on it. We both know I ride motorcycles, but I let him teach me anyway.
I put my arms around everyone, mom included, and we create another core memory. Dad and mom get along, but Wes will never forgive her for keeping me a secret from him. Time will heal everything; is how I look at it. They don’t have to be friends, but I appreciate them coming together for this.
“Where are you going tonight?” Wes asks, his newfound parental radar on high alert.
“We’re going on a date,” I gesture between Foster and I, “then to Warren’s for a party.”
He nods, “and will you be staying the night there? With Foster?”
“Dad.” I drone.
He shakes his head. “I know, I know. You’re adults.”
Mom wraps me in a hug, “I’m proud of you, Skyler.”
“Thank you.” I grin.
Grace cups my face in her hands. “I was worried you were going to hurl!”
My hesitation was noticed, apparently. “I guess I’m just a little nervous.”
She moves a stray piece of hair from my face, “About what?”
“I still don’t know what I want to do.” I tell her.
Grace looks at mom, “Well, I have something you may want.”
A beat of silence passes, the anticipation killing me. I tilt my head, surveying them both. “What?”
She plucks a set of keys from her pocket, placing them in my palm. “The studio.”
“The studio?” I gasp, “What do you mean?”
She links her arm through my mom’s. “Cara and I have lost too much time together, and I need to retire anyways. We’re leaving the country.”
A heavy stone settles where my stomach used to reside, “Leaving?”
Mom catches my worries, “Oh honey, not forever. We’re taking a six-month international tour. You and Foster can stay in our place, and if not, we’re going to rent it out.”
“That’s amazing! Oh my God, Grace, thank you!” I cry. This is it, the thing I’ve woken up about every day, dreading. What am I going to do with my life?
Teach. I’m going to teach women and girls the art of dance, the magic of a group they can count on. Lessons that will stay with them forever.
And so, with my life in place, and my heart full, Foster and I leave that campus hand in hand, to start our future.
* * *
We exchangeour caps for helmets and our gowns for riding jackets. We ride through the streets of Miami. I have Foster’s guitar on my back, with my arms wrapped around him.
It’s been a whirlwind of emotions these past few months, juggling the care for Sophie along with starting our lives post-grad.
Foster and I have been through so much together, and I wouldn’t change any of it for the world. Aside from the physical pain our loved ones have been through, of course.
Strength is something I’ve gained from our trials, and while at some points it seemed like we wouldn’t make it out alive, we persevered.
Nothing can be said for the ones who put us through so much. I don’t waste my time worrying about them, but after the arrest, you couldn’t escape the news coverage.
Miami’s finest were on the screen proudly proclaiming their city back, Aneska was at the center of it all, a promotion came with her bravery.