“No?” She seems surprised by this.
“It’s a reminder of how quickly your life can change. It’s a reminder to cherish the things you have while you have them because you never know when they’ll be gone.”
She falls quiet for a long moment.
“I never meant to hurt you, you know.”
“Whether you meant it or not, the outcome was still the same.”
She falls silent after that, turning her attention back out the window.
I give her over to her own thoughts for a few long moments, but the silence is deafening, so I say the first thing that pops into my head.
“You know, just because you can’t dance doesn’t mean you can’t still have dance in your life.”
I feel her gaze on the side of my face as she turns toward me.
“How do you figure?”
“Have you ever thought about teaching dance?”
“Teaching dance?” She says it like it’s the most ridiculous thing she’s ever heard.
“Yes, teaching dance. How many times did you say you wish there were more options for dancers and performers in Wren Cove? How many nights did you complain about not getting home until ten o’clock on a school night because you had to drive an hour away for lessons?” I ask, realizing I might just be onto something.
Or you’re just grasping at ways to keep her here...That irritating voice in the back of my head decides to pipe in.
“What are you suggesting?”
“Have you given any real thought to what you’re going to do when Janet comes back?”
“Not really.” She scoffs. “That eager to get rid of me?”
“I’m not saying that. But Janet is coming back and when she does, I won’t have a place for you. Maybe you should take this time to figure out your next moves.”
“Okay, Dad. I’ll get right on that,” she snips.
“Why are you getting offended?” I ask, pulling onto her street. “I’m just trying to help.”
“I didn’t ask for your help.”
“Well, maybe you should. Do you want to know what I think?”
“No, but I’m sure you’re going to tell me anyway.” She crosses her arms in front of herself.
I know this play. She’s digging in her heels, the stubborn brat that she is.
“I think you should look into opening a dance studio here in Wren Cove.”
“Yeah, let me just pull out a hundred grand from my overflowing savings account and get right on that.”
“You don’t need a ton of money. You just need a plan and a lot of determination. The London I remember had that in spades.”
“The London you remember is long gone,” she says so quietly I almost don’t catch it as I turn into her driveway.
“I don’t believe that for a second.” I don’t say it until I’ve reached the house, shifting my truck into park before turning toward her. “You are the most driven, talented person I’ve ever met in my entire life.” This statement has her gaze finding mine, emotion swimming heavily behind those brilliant blue eyes of hers. “I don’t think you can do whatever you set your mind to; I know you can.”
“I wouldn’t even know where to start,” she admits, voice soft.
