“It’s fun. I did it years ago and I got to lead Paula Michaels, who is the national champion with Dion Reyes. She’s really nice. I learned a lot just from dancing with her.”
A plan starts to form in my head, right out of a teen movie.
I am going to become an amazing dancer in the next three weeks. I am going to win the Novice competition and then dance with Ollie in the Novice/Champion Jack & Jill competition, even though the names will be picked out of a hat and by definition, as with any Jack & Jill event, I won’t get to pick my partner. And I am going to prove to Ollie that his (top ten in the country) ex-girlfriend doesn’t have nearly as much chemistry with him as I do.
My wild scheme might even be possible. Hannah is going to Newfoundland for a visit with Abby and will be there through the first two weeks in July. I will have the time to prepare. Aside from my job, I could do nothing but dance until the festival weekend.
It feels like a Rebel Laura move. When I was young, I did a lot of things that pushed my limits. I worked as a bartender, followed a band across the country, drove a motorcycle, jumped off cliffs into swimming holes. When I had Hannah, I became the grown-up, the one who set limits. I forgot what it was like to want something just for me. And I want Ollie. As stupid as it sounds in my own head, I want him to choose me.
I am out of breath by the time I return to our usual corner of the dance floor. Helen has arrived, and we watch Jody dancing with Téa. The two of them have been circling each other for a while and tonight may be the night when one of them finally asks the other to meet outside class. But at the end of the dance, Jody gives Téa one of her friendly, brisk nods and returns to us.
“What happened?” I ask.
“We danced. It was fine.” Jody is still hard for me to read; I can’t tell if she feels nothing about Téa or feels a lot and is determined not to talk about it.
“I like her lavender hair,” Helen offers.
“She wanted to talk to me about gifts,” Jody says, a bit wearily. “‘What do you think your gift is in life? Mine is being able to pick out people’s outfits.’ I told her mine was sarcasm and she said she wasn’t sure that counted.” Jody sighed. “I don’t know if we really click, but we’re going on a date.”
“That’s great!”
“Maybe.” Jody glances down. “Anyway, I just got more interesting news. Ben texted me back, and the wedding isn’t happening. They broke up.”
“What?” Helen and I look at each other, aghast.
“And he’s quitting dance,” Jody says. “Of course.”
“Can you text Ben and tell him to come with us to practice?” I say. “Or maybe to the Garden State Swing Festival in a couple of weeks?”
“You do it.” Jody gives me her phone, and I send the message.
“Nobody else should stop someone from dancing,” Helen says. Jody gives me a meaningful look.
When I get home,Nick has put Hannah to bed and is sitting in the living room, watching an action movie at a barely audible level.
He takes me in. “Black tank top, black jeans. There’s a look I haven’t seen in a while.”
“Wearing a cream blazer while dancing to Nelly Furtado is frowned upon.”
“You look good.”
“Thanks.”
He takes me in. “You’re different, Laur.”
“I hope so.” I walk back toward my room to take a shower.
