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Chapter 19
Istoodontheside of the mock-stage (which was really just the doorway to studio A) watching the various performances. There were folding chairs set up for the audience, and my dad sat in his wheelchair next to my mom to watch Katy. It was an informal performance, but the parents expected their girls to do well. They wanted to see that all the girls’ hard work (and the parents’ money) was worth something. I leaned against the doorway for support, a little faint from not eating anything today.
Solos, duos, and trios went first. I didn’t have any of those this year, just my teams (and Blake’s). Everyone did well. A few girls lost their balance for a brief moment, but the parents were forgiving and clapped politely.
When it was time for teams, Blake’s elite mini team was first, the one with Katy. The girls came on stage with their adorable Little Mermaid costumes, sparkles and rhinestones galore, and struck their poses. I heard the parents whisper to each other that it was Blake’s team, and they all sat at attention.
The girls were incredible. They performed with their hearts and souls, technical and adorable. They had it down. I was so proud, knowing I had been the reason they succeeded this year. But then I looked over at the parents, who were nodding and cheering, and realized they had no idea who was putting in the hard work. Maybe some of the parents knew Blake wasn’t really involved, but they didn’t care. This was Blake’s team, not mine.
The girls took their bow to the loudest hoots and hollers of the afternoon. I gave them all high-fives on their way out the door.
Then it was time for the novice minis. My team. My little superheroes.
As soon as they took the stage, I realized that Raelynn’s costume was missing rhinestones. I couldn’t believe I missed it. I looked over at the parents and saw a couple of them pointing it out, along with whispers of my name on their lips.
The music started, and the girls were completely out of sync. I waited for them to come together and figure it out, but it never happened. Their technique was slightly better than the beginning of the year, but nowhere near the level of the group before them. Their performance was okay, but these girls were full of nerves and had never performed in front of a group like this before.
But the worst part was that they all forgot the dance halfway through. Doe eyes stared out at the audience. They looked at me for help, and I shook my head. I wasn’t about to come out on stage and do it with them. A few girls’ eyes filled with tears, and finally Raelynn ran out of the room, her hands covering her face.
I was humiliated.
The remaining girls took a bow and walked out of the room sadly, to the polite applause of the parents. The parents whispered to each other, and I heard a few of them say things like “embarrassing,” “Ivy,” and “disappointing.”
How was this fair? How? Why was I in charge of not three, butsixteams? Why did I allow this to happen? But at the same time, why weren’t the girls ready? They had practiced just as much as everyone else.
Fuming, I left the studio and headed into studio B, the “backstage” area. The elite team sat in a circle, playing games and smiling happily. The novice team huddled around each other. Raelynn was still crying.
“Girls.” I stepped up to their circle. “What was that?”
Their eyes all opened wide to look up at me. Not one of them said a word.
“How could you all forget the dance? We’ve practiced.” I shook my head. “I’m so embarrassed. That was so embarrassing.”
I watched eight eyes all fill with tears.
“We’re so sorry, Ms. Ivy,” Raelynn whispered, her cheeks wet. “We’ll try harder.”
“I sure hope so,” I said. My conscience pricked at me. I was going too far, but I couldn’t stop myself. “If you girls perform like that at competition, we’ll be laughed off the stage. This cannot happen again. It was humiliating.”
Raelynn sobbed and ran out of the room. I watched her go, remembering she didn’t have a mother to run to anymore. Here I was, her female role model, and I was failing her. The other girls huddled around each other and cried silently.
What was I doing? Who was I? I felt like a monster. But even still, I was so, so embarrassed and angry.
At who?
The girls, or myself?
I was too scared to think about the correct answer to that question.
Thea rushed into the studio. “Ivy, can I talk to you?”
“I don’t want to talk about the performance.”
She shook her head. “It’s not about that. Mark just texted me. They got called for a last-minute catering job. I guess it’s a huge event, and the staff all canceled at the last minute. Food poisoning. Mark needs people to work, and he said he’ll pay double. Can you do it?”
I looked at the room full of girls I had just disappointed. I couldn’t find a reason to stay. I didn’t want to stay any longer and face the parents and their judgmental stares. And if this was another opportunity to make more money, of course I was going to take it. “Yeah. Let’s go.”
I found my purse and was about to text Lisa when Katy ran up to me. “Are you leaving?”
