Three afternoons a week, Derek collected Audrey after school. She did homework at the studio while he worked nearby, and he brought her home around nine.
She would burst into the kitchen starving.
“Mom, watch this.”
“Not while I’m carrying boiling water.”
“Put it down! You’re going to love this!”
One night, Audrey mentioned that Mia hadn’t made the advanced group.
She explained combinations I couldn’t pronounce and even corrected my posture.
Scott filmed her practicing in the hallway.
“Future superstar,” he announced.
“Delete that,” Audrey said, laughing.
One night, Audrey mentioned that Mia hadn’t made the advanced group.
By the fourth week, Audrey stopped showing us her steps.
“Derek says she’ll try again,” she said.
“Maybe you’ll perform together someday.”
“Maybe,” Audrey replied, without enthusiasm.
Later, Derek remarked, “Kids put so much pressure on themselves. Make sure Audrey knows there’s more to life than dancing.”
