she didn't remember asking for dance lessons.
just one day, she and momma went and bought a black leotard, pink tights, and some little black slipper shoes.
they stood out behind the old brick building with all the other little girls and moms. looking up at the ivy weaving its way up the fire escape. there was cait with her thumb in her mouth. patty with her wavy black hair tied neatly in a bun at the back of her head. missy with her nose in the air.
the door opened, and a flood of middle-aged women in dance gear gaily chatted their way past the new little dancers.
out peeped a slender, cheery young woman, with long straight brown hair and kind brown doe eyes. she waved her new students into her large, mirror-lined studio. payments accepted, mothers ushered out.
'okay girls, let's begin.'
*****
several months pass and she has learned all the first through fifth and fifth low positions. she has learned pliet, arabesque, pirhouette, grand something or other, and how to make several turns without getting dizzy. best of all, she gets to hear all kinds of different music! she especially liked the duck song, and the songs with funny words.
there is talk of a recital. so exciting!
*****
she overhears teacher talking to momma.
'she has a lot of talent.'
*****
she dances at the back of the stage with all the other new girls. dazed by the bright lights. so frightened. all she remembers is the girl beside her making funny faces the whole time.
*****
after the recital, teacher moves her to a new class. 7 years old. surrounded by hips.. big hips, little hips.. hips everywhere.. this was an adult class! she felt so important, talented.
but..
no more cait.
no more patty.
no more funny faced girl.
no more duck song.
she even missed missy.
bored.
she tells momma, it's not fun anymore. she wants to quit.
momma says to stick with it a little longer, and they will discuss it.
*****
a few months later, momma has to take her shopping for her first.. bra. little brothers weaving in and out of racks of bras.. big bras, little bras.. bras everywhere. how embarrassing.
she notices her dancing is somehow different.
she loses her balance
she trips
momma says 'ok, you can quit.'
*****
the career of a young talented dancer..
thwarted by early onset.. adolescence.
as told to me by my sister.
ReplyDeleteI was gonna say...you sure had me fooled!
ReplyDeleteahaha.. uh fooled? grins
Deleteyes i once dreamed of being a .. pretty ballerina ROFL
'course i embellished a bit ;)
Oh JC....that is such a neat writing! You know my faves are when you talk about your momma. She is snuggly kept in your heart.
ReplyDelete