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The next fall, I was in Gainesville, Florida, basking in the glow of a pool, finally free from the five years of hell where I had to serve my father’s associates and his boss.I thought I would have a normal college life after that, but I was wrong.
ChapterTwenty-Four
Greyson
Then...
As time passes, we discover ways to keep our ballerina away from home.She attends overnight camps, sometimes she goes with my cousin Lyric who still enjoys dancing.Aunt Pria is great at convincing Mrs.Carlton that they’re dedicated to practice.It’s not a lie, but it’s not all they do.They have slumber parties where they watch movies with my other cousins and have fun during the weekend.
Mrs.Carlton also allows her to go to out-of-state recitals and after-school activities that are steppingstones toward her career.
With my family’s help, we find different ways to keep our ballerina away from home.When she turns twelve, Aunt Ainsley finds her a four-week summer camp in New York.The academy grants her a scholarship that covers room and board.It’s the same year Sanford and his friends move to Brooklyn.Like my cousin Grace, he’s allowed to go to college at sixteen.They’ll be attending Juilliard over the fall.He keeps an eye on her while she’s there.
Though everything seems to be shifting, our friendship remains strong.We text daily and call each other often—Sanford bought her a cellphone that she keeps hidden from her family.During the school year, I see our ballerina every day.Things get slightly complicated when it’s my turn to choose a college.I promise my parents that I won’t just go to a school based on where my friends are going, including San and our ballerina.
I get accepted at London’s Royal Academy of Music and Berklee.The obvious option is to go to Boston to be close to my friends.However, I keep my promise and choose to move to London.
Mom is happy, but at the same time worried that I’m going to be in another country—and continent.Dad house hunts during the summer.They want to have a place where they can stay when they visit me.
The day I’m leaving, my family and friends gather outside the private plane.The air is tinged with a mix of excitement and anxiety.Uncle Mason, who is a licensed pilot, is flying us to London.My parents will accompany me on the journey along with my younger siblings.
Sanford flew in two weeks ago from New York to spend some time with me before I left for college.Today, he drove our ballerina so they can wish me farewell.I only hope that we can keep our friendship.I’m not sure what I would do without him.
Just one more year, and he’ll be graduating from college.The month after they graduate, Too Far From Grace will release an EP, and their highly anticipated LP will be released in the fall.
They’ve been on tour several times, opening for Sinners of Seattle—Tucker’s band.It seems like everyone in the family is becoming a musician.I still don’t know what I’m going to do with my life.I love playing, but it’s a coin toss between classical music and becoming something else.
As hugs are exchanged, and genuine well wishes fill the air, I find myself face-to-face with my ballerina.Her gaze holds a delicate mix of hope and apprehension.“You’re going to call me, right?”she asks, her voice infused with a yearning that lingers in the air.
I nod.“And text you too,” I respond eagerly, my voice infused with excitement and longing.I’m going to fucking miss her.“Maybe next year you can come to London with me,” I suggest.
A fleeting smile graces the corner of her mouth.“We’ll see.That’s a decision for ...well, next year.”
I pull her into an embrace, her tiny frame trembling in my arms.She clings to me like a lifeline.I gently stroke her hair, whispering words of comfort into her ear.Telling her how much I will miss her and to call my family if her mother doesn’t treat her right.
Then it’s Sanford’s turn.He pulls me into a tight hug, his voice barely above a murmur.“I’ll miss you, and she’s going to miss you too, you know.”
“I’ll miss both of you,” I admit, unable to take my eyes off her.
When the time comes to leave, a wave of regret washes over me.But then I recall my parents’ words echoing in my mind: “You have to do this for yourself and no one else.”
As I ascend the stairs, a part of me lingers, glancing over my shoulder.I catch sight of their fading silhouettes, heading toward the waiting room of the private hangar.“See you soon,” I whisper, the words carrying a promise, a vow to return to them, and maybe we’ll become us.
I fly backto Seattle in October, and Sanford is already settled into his new apartment.We agree to meet there, and my heart quickens its pace as I catch sight of her.Our ballerina, all grown up.
“Hi,” I greet them, my voice filled with a mixture of familiarity and awe.
A strange unease settles within me as I lay eyes on them in this familiar setting.It’s not just the anticipation of reuniting but something deeper.A subtle disconnection that tugs at my heart.It’s as if an intangible haze envelops their presence, leaving me with the unsettling notion that I’ve been absent for an entire conversation or an entire chapter of their lives.
“Welcome home.I thought you would be here tomorrow,”San says, swinging the door open wider and pulling me into a warm, tight hug.“You came just in time for dinner.”
“Dinner, huh?”I respond with a smile, my stomach rumbling in agreement.
“He’s teaching me how to cook,” our ballerina proudly announces.
“Make yourself comfortable,” San says, gesturing toward the cozy kitchen.My eyes catch the graceful movements of the ballerina as she seamlessly navigates the space, her steps in harmony with Sanford’s.
“Pass me the pepper, San,” she playfully commands, her voice infused with a touch of laughter.I observe with a mix of fondness and envy as their fingers brush, a subtle connection that speaks volumes.
