Chapter 8 Reese
REESE
Reese chose All I Want For Christmas is You as the song for her first dance lesson with the kids.
She’d taught the routine to her adult class over the years during the holiday season, and it was always a hit.
There was something about the music that put everyone in a festive mood.
She hoped it would do the same for the kids.
She adjusted the lighting and did a quick sound check as she waited for them to arrive.
Hardwood floors were clean, thanks to the janitor who came by every evening.
Wall to ceiling mirrors reflected the thin winter light streaming through the tall windows.
Ballet barres ran along three of the four walls.
Above it all, a disco ball hung from the ceiling, always a hit with dancers of all ages.
She hoped the kids would come. She felt sure Emma would.
She’d been so excited yesterday, talking about how much she missed dancing.
Marcus had seemed interested too. Was it because he wanted to dance or he just needed a warm space to go to after school?
She couldn’t be sure. But wasn’t that the reason for The Bridge Program?
To give kids like Marcus a place to go. She’d brought nuts and dried fruit to slip into his bag for after class.
Reese thought Julia would show. However, she doubted Cody would come. He’d been adamant. I’m not dancing. Not a chance.
Of course, Roan had no reason to come. He wasn’t interested in dance. And he was probably busy at the gym. Still, a small—probably foolish—part of her hoped he might join them. Perhaps as a favor to her for joining them yesterday?
Her phone buzzed with a text. It was from Grace to their group chat.
Grace
Mia has offered up her restaurant for our gala! I’d love to talk through some ideas and see who I can entice to help me. Is anyone available to meet for dinner at La Danza tomorrow at 6:30?
Roan
I can be there!
David
I’ll be a few minutes late, but count on me too.
Mrs. Chen
Count me in!
Reese didn’t have plans tomorrow evening. She hardly ever did on a Saturday evening unless it was with Mauve.
Reese
I can make it too. Looking forward to hearing all about the gala!
Reese set aside her phone, catching a glimpse of herself in the mirror.
She had on her usual black leggings paired with a fitted tank top.
Her hair was up in a high ponytail. She wore minimal makeup to work but now she wondered if she should have done her face with more care.
It wasn’t often she thought twice about her appearance, but Roan Hayes’ arrival back in town seemed to have kicked in her vanity.
Did she look old to him? She’d been barely eighteen years old when he’d seen her last. What had he thought when he first saw her after all that time?
Did he notice the fine lines around her eyes?
The door opened. Emma arrived, her face bright with excitement.
“I’m a little early,” Emma said. “But I was so anxious to get here, I practically ran all the way from school. Roan will be happy I got some cardio in.”
“I’m glad you’re excited,” Reese said, smiling. “And you’re going to get a lot of cardio in this class. How are you feeling after yesterday?”
“So sore. My arms are like noodles. But that won’t keep me from dancing.” Emma dug into her bag, pulling out the leggings and top from the day before. “Don’t worry. I washed them after yesterday.” She ran off to change, practically skipping across the hardwood floor.
“There are sticky socks in there for you,” Reese called after her.
“Yay. I hope they’re pink.”
In fact, they were pink. Reese had picked them out especially for her. For Julia, she’d chosen a sassy, striped pair.
The door opened again. Julia and Marcus came in together, cheeks flushed from the cold.
“Shoes off or on?” Marcus asked.
“Off. But I have a pair of sticky socks for you.” Reese gestured to the other restroom. “They’re on the sink in there for you. You should get changed.”
“Will do.” Marcus scurried off, disappearing into the bathroom.
She instructed Julia to do the same in the girl’s bathroom, adding that socks were in there for her too.
The door opened one more time. Cody walked in first, hands in his pockets, a grimace on his face like he regretted coming already. She barely had time to register that, however, because right behind him was Roan. Had he just brought Cody? Or was he staying?
Roan wore athletic shorts and a T-shirt that showed off his arms and shoulders. His hair was slightly damp, like he’d showered recently.
“Hey,” Roan said, grinning. “Got room for one more?”
“Hey.” Reese forced herself to sound casual and professional. “There’s always room for you. But I didn’t expect you’d be here.”
“Cody and I made a deal,” Roan said.
“You did?” Reese raised her eyebrows at Cody.
“I figured since you came yesterday, he should do the same,” Cody said.
Touched, she hardly knew what to say. “Cody, that’s really sweet. Thanks for giving this a chance.”
“You’re giving us dance lessons for free,” Cody said. “It would be rude not to be here.”
“This isn’t an obligation, but I’m thrilled you’re here,” Reese said. “Now go change. We need to get started.” She explained about the sticky socks to Cody and Roan. “There are pairs in there for both of you.”
The two of them wandered off to the bathroom. She heard Roan ask Cody, “I wonder what a sticky sock is.”
“So we don’t slip,” Cody said.
“So we’re not wearing tennis shoes?” Roan asked.
She smiled to herself, tickled by their presence and their questions. They were in for a fun time.
Soon, everyone was changed, wearing sticky socks and workout clothes.
“All right, everyone find a spot on the floor. Spread out so you have room to move.” Reese walked to the center of the studio as they arranged themselves.
“Okay, first off, there’s no reason to be nervous or self-conscious.
As I tell all my adult students, there’s no wrong way to dance.
We’re here for exercise and fun. That’s it. ”
She looked directly at Cody and Roan. “I know this might feel uncomfortable or awkward. That’s totally normal. Just try. That’s all I’m asking.”
Cody shrugged. Roan nodded.
“Okay. Let’s warm up. Shake out your arms.” Reese demonstrated, moving her arms from the shoulders down to her fingertips. “Get all the tension out. Shake, shake, shake.”
Emma giggled, shaking enthusiastically. Julia did the same, smiling as she did so.
Marcus started out tentatively but soon began to get into it, even raising his arms over his head.
Cody held his arms stiffly next to his side, with only a few twitches to indicate he was participating.
Roan shook his like he was trying to rid himself of a school of ants crawling under his arm hair.
“Now your legs. One at a time. Shake it out.”
They complied, the energy in the room starting to shift from nervous to playful.
“Roll your shoulders back. Big circles. Get that tension out of your neck and upper back.” Reese demonstrated, rolling her shoulders in exaggerated circles. “After yesterday’s workout, I bet you’re all feeling it in your shoulders.”
She led them through more warm-up—arm circles, hip circles, gentle twists. The hip circles caused a side-eyed glance from Cody and Roan. Emma and Julia laughed at their response.
“All right. Now we’re going to stretch at the barre. Find a spot anywhere and face the mirror.” Reese walked to the front of the room. “Using the barre is a great way to stretch out your hip and leg muscles.”
She placed her right leg on the barre, standing tall on her left leg. Her extended leg rested at hip height, perfectly straight. She leaned forward slightly, folding over the extended leg, her chest touching her thigh.
Reese continued with her instruction. “You’re trying to lengthen your hamstrings and open your hip. You should feel a stretch, not pain. And breathe. Never hold your breath during a stretch.”
“Everyone try. Don’t worry about how high your leg goes. Just put it wherever feels like a good stretch.”
Emma’s leg went up easily, nearly as high as Reese’s had been. She leaned forward, folding into the stretch with natural ease.
“Emma, well done,” Reese said.
“I’m sort of naturally bendy.” Emma looked uncertain, like being flexible might be something to apologize for.
“That’s a gift,” Reese said. “Natural flexibility doesn’t come easy for everyone.”
Emma smiled, looking pleased with herself.
“Come on, let’s see the rest of you try,” Reese said.
Marcus placed his leg on the barre and Reese was surprised to see it go up fairly high for a fourteen-year-old boy. His slight build helped, and he had the flexibility some kids had before they grew into their bodies and everything tightened up.
“Marcus, that’s excellent. You’ve got natural range of motion.”
Marcus ducked his head, clearly delighted by Reese’s praise.
Julia approached the barre, then stopped. “I can’t get my leg up that high.”
“That’s totally fine. Let’s find something better for you.” Reese grabbed a folding chair from the corner. “Rest your leg on this instead.”
Julia placed her leg on the chair seat, much lower, and leaned forward slightly. “That actually feels good.”
“Great. You should be stretching during pregnancy, especially if it feels good,” Reese said.
Cody and Roan were in various stages of trying to get their legs onto the barre. Cody had hold of the barre with one hand, while hoisting his leg up with the other. It made it to mid-thigh. He forced it, jaw clenched.
“Is it supposed to hurt this bad?” Cody asked.
“No, don’t force it. You’ll pull something.” Reese walked over. “Just ease into it. Flexibility takes time and consistent stretching. Your body will adapt.” She brought over another chair. “Try this height. And breathe.”
Cody’s jaw unclenched. He yanked his leg from the barre, nearly falling in the process.