Ms. Liz asked if the extra class would interfere with her school work. She assured her it wouldn't. She always made straight A's and was careful to keep her grades high. Ms. Liz asked to talk to her Mother about it, too. This was the night for that discussion. She was worried her Mom would say no.
She saw her Mother come in right as class was ending. Her little sister was with her. She tried to stand up tall and suck in her stomach. If she was going to dance with the big girls she needed to improve her posture. Ms. Liz tapped her stick on the wood floor to the tempo of the music and walked through the students. She felt a warm hand on her shoulder blade. It pulled her shoulder back ever so slightyly, then tipped her head up by tapping just under her chin. Ms. Liz smiled and said "Nice work." She was beaming.
Class ended and Ms. Liz walked over to her Mother. They talked while she gathered her belongings. Things tended to get scattered in the small space. She really wanted to go over and stand next to the women, but she had a feeling it was a "grown-ups only" conversation. She slowly inched her way closer and tried to listen in.
"Oh, I have no doubts she is ready. She is more than ready," Ms. Liz was saying. "My main concern is all the bruising. She doesn't seem to experience any pain, and rarely remembers how she got the bruises. You might want to have her checked over just to be certain there are no underlying problems. It just seems excessive for a graceful girl like her."
Her Mother thanked Ms. Liz then walked towards the door. She waved at her teacher and smiled. Ms. Liz smiled and nodded her head. Yes! She was in! She was so excited. Ms. Liz believed in her. She felt like her heart would explode. She would make sure she didn't disappoint her.
The car ride home was quiet. Her Mother asked a few basic questions. and made some statements about the change in pick-up time. She reminded her it would be HER responsibility to make sure she had all her things together for the new classes. Her sister fell asleep before they made it home. It was late. Almost 9. She should have been tired, but she was too happy. She tried to enjoy the feeling. The giddiness and bubbling inside. It didn't happen often.