AllFreeNovel
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I came back after that summer, started graduate school and started my business. Got serious, as they say.
I was serious about Carrie in the beginning, probably because I was so distracted. But it took less than a year for me to know she was not the one.
I raise my hand to get the flight attendant’s attention and then order a scotch and soda. I don’t normally drink during flights because it makes me feel like crap, but thinking about Carrie sucks the life out of me. I need something to help me forget.
I try to go back to Eleni, but the face that’s gone hazy in my memory suddenly morphs into Skylar’s. I don’t fight it or scold myself like I usually do. No, I let her in and let myself focus on the things in this world that are good and beautiful. Settling back into my seat, I take a sip and think of her without guilt, and without one ounce of self-restraint.
She blew me away last night.
Sky didn’t tell us about the recital. I only found out when I ran into her friend Grace when I was leaving campus one afternoon. I didn’t even question my decision to surprise her, told myself I was doing this for Olivia and no one else.
Yeah, right.
I didn’t spring it on Olivia until a few hours before the show when I stopped at a flower shop after picking her up from school. Libby was so excited picking out the bouquet for Skylar, and then she dressed up like she was going to opening night at Lincoln Center, complete with her Dorothy-inspired sparkly red shoes.
We got two seats around ten rows back from the stage. I had to remind Olivia that she couldn’t call out to Skylar, and raised up a silent thank you when she complied. I think for the first time in her life, Olivia was speechless, her eyes glued to the stage once the curtain came up and she spotted Skylar dancing back-up in the chorus. I’m sure the lead soloist was talented, but I didn’t look at her once. My eyes were trained on Skylar’s every move too.
And nothing could have prepared me for the second to last dance on the program. I looked down to see Olivia’s eyes go wide when Skylar took the stage with just one other person.
With her hair tied up like that, she looked poised. She was an entirely different version of the girl who dances around my kitchen in jeans, laughing and singing, hair down and untamed. Dressed in only a black leotard, every curve of Skylar’s body was on display. Every muscle in her slender arms, and in the strong legs that supported her through every graceful turn, spin and jump.
Her partner’s presence barely registered. It seemed like he was there just to highlight her beauty. But in the closing moments of the number, when she laid on the stage and he raised himself above her in a handstand, their eyes fixed on one another, then I took notice.
I cannot fathom the level of strength and control it took to lower himself down the way he did, slow and curving his body with the flexibility of a cobra. He made contact with her chin to chin, chest to chest, then hip to hip, until they were connected from head to toe and he moved with her in a way that wasn’t overtly sexual, but it was. And the way she moved with him left my throat dry. No different from a man crawling through the desert desperate for water.
I didn’t even watch when the next dancer took the stage for the final performance. Didn’t come back to my senses until the curtain lifted again and the crowd began clapping and getting up to give the troupe a well-deserved standing ovation.
I lifted Olivia up so she could see over the adults, and saw Skylar’s teary-eyed smile when she caught sight of Olivia waving frantically.
Olivia didn’t stop clapping until long after the curtain came down and just about everyone else cleared out of the aisles around us.
“The tulips, Daddy!”
I reached down to where I’d carefully placed the bouquet under my seat. “I don’t know how this works, baby girl. We might have to save these until tomorrow.”
“No.” She fixed me with the most earnest expression. “I have to see her now.”
And right on cue, Skylar and some of the other dancers came back out to see the few friends and family members who lingered.
Skylar made her way over with her dance partner and another performer. “This is the best surprise ever!” She wrapped her arms around Olivia and then looked back up to her friends. “Pilar, Misha…This is my Olivia. And this is Leo, her father.”
I take another sip and replay the way she said it:my Olivia. Maybe the scotch is responsible for mellowing me out, but I come to the conclusion that I like it. I like the way Skylar makes my daughter feel singled-out and special.
Olivia. I shake my head at that kid’s sometimes awkward, sometimes impeccable timing. Just as I was about to say my hellos and compliment them on the show, Olivia poked Skylar’s dance partner in the side and said, “Are you Skylar’s boyfriend?”
“Olivia!” Shaking my head in embarrassment, I looked to the guy Misha and apologized on behalf of my big-mouthed daughter even though I was secretly glad she’d asked. I was curious to know the answer to that question myself.
Skylar’s cheeks turned red as her friends busted out laughing. Misha said, “No, sweetie. She’s gorgeous and she danced like a star tonight, but sadly, she’s just not my type.”
Olivia answered with a simple,oh, obviously confused.
And I hate to admit it, but his answer made my night.
I cleared my throat and handed her the flowers. “These are for you.” Looking to her friends to mask my own discomfort, I added, “You were all amazing. It was a great show.”
Skylar crouched down. “Did you like it, Libs?”
Olivia answered her while twirling in a circle, “I loved it!”
