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“Go rest. I have things to do.” He closed the call before I could argue any further.
I felt a pressing tiredness settling in my shoulders and even if it was still early, I dragged myself to the big plush bed.
Maybe it was a good thing that we had some time apart to cool down. What Salvatore and I had was so intense, it consumed my being all the time. Now that he wasn’t here and he treated me with the same warmth he treated the gardener, I could think clearly about everything.
It wasn’t worth much since I wasn’t sure if he was right to be angry, or I was right for picking something that made me happy over his wishes. Eventually, I fell asleep with no answer, and a foul mood.
~~~
The classroom the Scala has assigned for Franklin Walsh was fabulous. It was twice the size of the one Rosa Vitale used for practice back at my studio, with a tall ceiling, mirrors all around and abarreon each side. I trained here for a week, but only today I got to meet with Walsh again. According to the substitute Madame he sent to work with me – one Rita Aurore, artistic director of the Junior Ballet Company at the London Royal Theater – he was caught up overseeing the preparation of a new production. I had nothing to complain about because Rita Aurore was as much of a household name as Walsh and she really put me to work. She kept me in the studio for six hours every day, no breaks, no cutting corners, perfecting my technique to the point there was nothing to correct anymore.
“I like what I’m seeing, Grazia.” Walsh told me while watching from the corner. “Rita did her job well.”
“Yes, she was wonderful. Also, Rosa Vitale. She mentored me for years as you know.”
“Of course. Fabulous woman, Rosa. I’m pleased to see she not only made you an extraordinary ballerina, but also passed on some of her refined attitude. It’s not every day I get to work with a woman that knows how to conduct herself, and not some clueless teenager in a tutu.”
“Thank you.” Everything he said sounded like a compliment, but I was a little confused by his choice of words.
“Can you show me achaînes?” I started the turn right away. “Good. And apique turn?”
I twirled around him five times and when I stopped, we were face to face.
“You think my turns need work, Professor Walsh?”
“No. Absolutely not. You belong in a music box, my dear.” I blushed. I shouldn’t have, but I did. It was a big compliment coming from a man that was the king of classical ballet. “I’m a little worried about your flexibility though. I think that’s the area that needs improvement.”
“My flexibility?”
“You don’t lack grace, but you’re a little stiff. How often do you do flexibility training?”
“I took gymnastics for four years when I was young and I train once a week for maintenance.”
“I don’t think it’s enough. Do a front split for me.” I glided to the floor just like he told me. “Try to touch the top of your head with the tiptoes of the back leg, please. Go as much as you can.”
I placed myself into position and started arching back. I could feel I was close, but I couldn’t make contact like he wanted me too.
“I can’t arch my back more than this.”
“Ok. I’m going to press on your leg. Let me know if I hurt you.” He applied force to make my leg bend deeper and finally, I felt a touch on my head. It did hurt, but I didn’t say a word. There was no excellence without a little pain.
“Should I enroll in a gymnastics class, Professor?”
“No, that’s not the problem. Your back arches beautifully.” He placed his hand between my shoulder blades and followed my spine all the way down. “The problem is in your hips.”
“My hips?”
Walsh grabbed my hips to emphasize his point. “Your hips are too narrow. Too tight. I’m going to ask you something and I expect an honest answer.”
“Of course.”
“How much sex do you have?” I froze, thinking that maybe I’d heard him wrong and waiting for clarification. “Grazia?”
“I… what?”
“You need more sex to loosen your hips.” This time, the words were almost whispered close to my ear. “There’s nothing to be ashamed of. You’re a young girl, still have a lot to learn.”
“I need to get up.” I said through my teeth. Feeling him almost glued to my back was becoming too much to bear.
