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“That old man tells me everything.”
“You know he’s probably still upset that you didn’t accept his date offer.” I smiled as I tied my ribbons.
She sighed. “He’s cute, but I don’t know.” I stood up, and she did as well.
“You want that job?” She asked, and I nodded.
“I just don’t know if I’ll get it. But, if I do get the position, I don’t know what I’ll do with Delilah.” I began, yet I jumped when I felt her slap my bum. Some people would be surprised, but whenever anyone in the studio does or says something that she doesn’t like, Madam Alexandrova hits us, and you do not want her to hit you.
“You act as if I’m not here to care for Delilah. You stop with this nonsense immediately. Now hurry up into that room! You have a class to teach. Don’t make me bring out my stick.”
I was already running before she even said “stick.” A few years earlier, when she taught me ballet, she pushed me so I could become strong enough to care for Delilah. I would clean the studio daily in exchange for classes and a paycheck.
As I would dance, she would be with Delilah, ensuring she was okay. I even overworked myself once, and she hit me with her stick, saying, and I quote, ‘Brielle! You have a 2-month-old baby to take care of. Stop mopping that floor right now and take her and yourself home.’ She’s always been supportive and even bought me things to care for Delilah and me. For that, I am forever grateful and terrified of her.
I walked into the studio, and the girls turned to me as they smiled. They were all stretching, and I was happy to see each of them here.
“Is everyone stretched and warmed up?” They nodded.
“Alright, well-” I was cut off when we heard Madam Alexandrova’s voice.
“I hope you’re all practicing. I would hate to see you girls playing around.” We heard her bang her stick twice, and we all panicked. I turned to Floral and pointed to the stereo. She got off the floor quickly and ran to play a Beethoven symphony.
“Alright, girls, combination 12. Ready?” I whispered, and they nodded as they ran to their places. We started on the eighth count, and the second we did, Madam Alexandrova opened the door. We continued as if we were already doing it and heard her hum.
“Hmm… I thought so.” She closed the door, and we all halted and looked at the door in utter relief.
I had just finished my final class and knew my little baby was exhausted. It was past seven, and I was packing our things up so we could go home. I sat her on my hip and walked out of the dressing room as she dozed off onto my shoulder.
Turning the lights off, I walked to the office where Madam A was putting her things away. Before I even made it past the door, she spoke.
“You sit your little bottom right on that seat. You know I take you girls home at night.” I groaned as I took a seat in one of the waiting chairs. Five minutes passed, and she left the office, turned off the light, and locked the door. Soon, we were in her car, and she spoke as she drove.
“You know, Brielle, I really need you to get that job. Fall is already here, and winter is approaching us. I want you to be able to support yourself and Delilah throughout the cold. I don’t want a repeat of last year.”
I looked down as I wiped the hair from Delilah’s face. Last year, the heat was turned off when it was freezing and snowing. We were extremely cold that day, and Delilah even got sick. I didn’t want us to sleep through it, so I called Madam A, and she instantly hopped in her car and drove over to us.
We stayed at her home for a whole week, and she even paid my overdue bills. I begged her to let me pay her back, but she brought out her stick.
“If anything, I’ll be here 24/7 to take care of Delilah, and so will Mr. Burkley,” she said, rolling her eyes at his name. I laughed softly as I nodded my head.
She stopped in front of our apartment, and I grabbed our things and smiled at her. “Thank you, Madam.” She smiled.
“You’re welcome, darling. I might see you tomorrow, but who knows what Burkley has up his sleeve.” I was about to ask her what she meant, but she shooed me out.
Delilah woke up slowly as we made our way to my apartment, and I rubbed her back. “I’m gonna give you a little bath, okay, baby?” She nodded, and soon, I’d gotten both of us ready for bed. I didn’t want to wake her up for dinner now, so, as usual, I waited an hour or two for her to get up. Picking up my phone, I walked over to the bed and turned it on to see a text from an unknown number. Sitting on the bed, I opened the message.
Unknown: Hello, Brielle. Sorry, I didn’t come by today. I’ve been a bit busy with work. I’ll be stopping by soon. Goodnight darling. Killy.
I smiled as I read the text, feeling my heart flutter slightly. I saved his number in my phone and texted him with a slight blush.
Goodnight, Killian.
Not even 30 seconds passed before my phone buzzed in my hand as his name popped up. I answered it slowly and held it up to my ear. “H-hi Killian.”
“Hello, sweetheart. How are you?”
“I’m good.”
