Chapter 12
CHAPTER TWELVE
Unfortunately, the lights of the auditorium were lowered. In the darkness, David squinted, hoping for his eyes to adjust quickly to the dim lighting. A horrible accident on the freeway had resulted in him arriving ten minutes late to Alexis’s dance recital in the neighboring town of San Luis Obispo. Due to a last-minute work emergency, David didn’t drive over with Claire and Alexis as was previously planned.
According to Alexis, this wasn’t a recital per se , but more of a performance involving a few different dance companies. Alexis invited him via text after cooking together. David had never attended a dance performance before and was excited to see Alexis in action. Any extra time with Claire was a bonus.
Unable to spot Claire, or an empty seat, David shot her a text hoping she could tell him the general location of where she was sitting. A packed auditorium, big enough for a few thousand, wasn’t what he envisioned. This was a production. A huge fancy backdrop with decorations filled the stage. The ballerinas were dressed in fancy and ornate costumes.
David wondered if he should’ve dressed nicer than his slacks and button-down shirt. He regretted not grabbing his sports coat on the way out of his house. Furthermore, he wished he wasn’t forced to arrive so late. His phone vibrated in his pocket. Discreetly, David cupped his hand over the screen to cut back on the light while he read the message.
Third row next to the right aisle.
David was on the wrong side of the auditorium. Exiting, he walked to the other side and reentered. Ducking down, he made his way to the correct row. Spotting Claire in her seat, David slipped into the row. Claire smiled and removed her jacket which she had placed on the seat next to her.
Sitting down, David leaned in and whispered, “I’m sorry I’m late. Did Alexis already go on?” He glanced at the stage, trying to see if he spotted Alexis.
“No. You made it in time,” Claire whispered back with her gaze still glued to the stage. “She’s in the next three numbers.”
Claire found his hand, interlocking her fingers with his. Soon the number ended, and he clapped along with the rest of the audience. The music changed from a jazzy upbeat melody to the soothing sounds of a famous classical song he couldn’t name, but recognized. Alexis en pointe , glided from off stage left toward the center with several other ballerinas. In perfect unison, the ballerinas went up en pointe then down again, followed by fast spins. Crisply, they turned together in tight circles. Around and around for what seemed like forever. David wondered how the dancers didn’t get sick or dizzy. It was mesmerizing.
Then Alexis emerged, taking center stage with her dance partner. He lifted and spun her with a single hand high above his head. David marveled at Alexis’s grace. With a twist, Alexis landed perfectly into her partner’s arms. Immediately, the lights went dark, ending the number. The audience erupted in applause. David sprung to his feet, clapping louder than anyone else.
After the applause ended, the stage lit up again for the next number. David settled back into his seat, leaning toward Claire over the armrest, he whispered, “I didn’t know Alexis was this good.”
“I know,” Claire smiled back. “She’s talented. Maybe moving her to Los Angeles will give her bigger opportunities for dance.” She shifted back, returning her attention back to the stage.
His stomach dropped like he was on weird elevator ride, knocking the wind right out him. Claire was leaving. Alexis was leaving too. And he’d be alone. Again. David knew it was happening, but na?vely he believed if he lived in the moment he wouldn’t ever have to face the reality of their future. Wrong. Everyone always left him, first his ex-wife, and now Claire and Alexis. For the rest of the dance performance, David sat in a nauseated haze.
Finally, the last number ended, and the lights in the auditorium turned back on. People stood at once, moving down the rows toward the exit. With the shuffling, David mindlessly followed the crowd out in a daze. He made the mistake of not glancing back for Claire, and by the time he made it out of the auditorium and into the lobby he had lost sight of her. Running a shaky hand through his hair then down the length of his face, David questioned everything. His stomach twisted in a knot, making his hands clammy. Why had he allowed himself to fall for Claire when she was leaving—forever?
Scanning the crowd as people continued to spill out from the auditorium, David still didn’t spot Claire. He moved out of the way of the traffic, leaning up against the wall. Pulling out his phone, he shot Claire a text.
I lost you in the crowd. I’m waiting in the far side of the lobby for you.
He waited, pulling up a social media app to occupy himself. His phone dinged. He tapped on the message to open it.
I know. You took off. I didn’t even get a chance to talk to you. I’m waiting for Alexis to come out. If you’re in a hurry to leave, you can go ahead and go.
The words stared back at him, making his insides churn. His behavior hadn’t gone unnoticed. David hated how he had acted in haste. His fingers slid across the screen.
Sorry. I’ve a lot on my mind. But I’ll wait.
The three dots danced at the bottom of text chain, showing Claire was reading his message and typing up a response.
It’s fine. Just go. It might be a while.
David sucked in the air. His back went rigid.
I want to wait with you. Where are you?
Back inside the auditorium to the left. You’ll see me with the other parents who are waiting.
I’m coming.
Ok
He slid his phone back into his pocket, pushing himself off the wall, David walked toward the back entrance of the auditorium. A few feet from the door, someone called his name. He turned toward the sound. Then unfortunately, his gaze landed on his ex-wife, Lauren, wrapped up in the arms of her new husband.
Jaw slack, David froze.
Lauren moved toward him, hand in hand with the guy who had taken David’s place. “I thought that was you.” Breathless, Lauren landed right in front of him. David had nowhere to escape. “What are you doing here?” She adjusted her purse strap, dropping her husband’s hand.
Zach, her new husband, wrapped a protective arm around her.
The sight of them together made David’s knees lock and hands form tight fists. “I should ask you the same thing,” replied David, forcing himself to breathe.
“Zach’s daughter was in the performance.” Lauren glanced over his shoulder and around the lobby. “Why are you here? Are you here with someone?”
David folded his arms protectively against himself. “I’m here with a date.” He fiddled with his watch, appearing to glance down at it, though he didn’t even register the time. “I need to get going. She’s waiting with the other parents for the dancers to come out.”
“She’s a parent too?” Lauren’s gaze searched his face for more information. David tried his best to maintain a neutral expression, avoiding giving Lauren even an ounce of anything. “Well…” Lauren huffed. “We’re headed there ourselves.”
David paused. Zach remained quiet, averting his gaze to anywhere but on him. Maybe Zach finally found his conscience, seeing that Lauren and Zach’s affair had broken up both of their marriages. But that might have been wishful thinking. Lauren on the other hand, seemed to hold zero guilt, pushing up her chin and squaring the shoulders of her skintight black dress.
Pressing for further information, Lauren asked in a voice meant to be innocent, “Does your date have a daughter too?”
His blood ran cold. David took the few remaining steps to the auditorium door. “Don’t do that,” said David over his shoulder.
Aggressively, David opened the door, nearly breaking his balance.
“Do what?” asked Lauren with a sickly-sweet voice.
Jaw tight, he replied, “Act like you care.”
David entered the auditorium, refusing to glance back to see if Lauren and Zach were following him. But he didn’t need to look, David could feel Lauren’s presence only a few steps back. Weaving through the long rows of seats, David hoped to lose Lauren and Zach. The last thing he needed was for Claire to meet Lauren. Sure, his divorce would always be a part of his past, but he managed to avoid running into Lauren for three years. If he was lucky, he’d make it the rest of his life without seeing her again.
Though, knowing Lauren, David knew she’d make sure she wasn’t ignored tonight. Lauren demanded to be seen at any cost. One quick glance back behind him, confirmed his worst nightmare, Zach and Lauren were on his tail. Spotting Claire on the other side of the auditorium, David swam through the sea of parents.
“Sorry,” David managed once he landed next to Claire. Running a hand through his hair, David continued, “I didn’t mean to bolt.”
“I’m glad you didn’t leave.” Reaching out, Claire gave David’s hand a slight squeeze. Her gaze roamed his face. “Alexis was excited you were coming, and she’d be disappointed you left without telling her congratulations.”
Tugging at his collar, David asked, “What about you? Did you want to see me too?”
David knew he was acting foolishly, digging for confirmation when Claire never wavered in her interest for him. But seeing Lauren again, the woman who had rejected him and tossed him aside when she found someone new, was doing all sorts of things to his ego. Even though so much time passed, and David should be over it, seeing Lauren in the flesh made his wounds fresh, practically bleeding.
“Of course,” said Claire. Tilting her head to the side, worry lines sprawled across her forehead. “Why wouldn’t I want to see you?”
Rubbing the back of his neck, David shifted his weight. “I don’t know.” He stared blankly out at the crowd of parents surrounding them.
Raising an eyebrow, Claire asked, “Am I missing something?”
Then David didn’t need to look, his heightened sense of awareness alerted him to Lauren’s presence. His shoulders tightened, making his back straighten. Lauren’s nearness made him uncomfortable in his own skin. Suddenly, he was small, inadequate, and he hated himself all over again.
“There you are,” said a breathless Lauren. Tugging Zach forward by the sleeve of his sports coat, Lauren inched her way closer to Claire and David. Annoyingly, Lauren flipped her long blonde hair over her shoulder, making David’s gut clench tight. If Lauren noticed the narrowing of his eyes and locked jaw, she didn’t show it. Clearing her throat, Lauren pushed up her chin and continued, “I wanted to meet your date.”
“Why?” David hissed. His tone was harsh, making him immediately regret it.
He hated showing Lauren how unhinged she still made him feel. He should be over her, and he was, but seeing the one who outright rejected you, does something to you. Things you never thought possible. Every bit of your self-work you’ve done goes out the window, and you find yourself right back to where you were the day they left.
Claire’s eyes darted between David and Lauren then Zach. Looping her hands around the crook of David’s elbow, her touch grounded him a tad. Silence followed, so wide and vast, he didn’t know silence could be deafening.
Finally, Claire replied, “I’m Claire. Who are you?” She smiled back at Lauren and Zach.
“I’m Lauren.” Lauren wrapped her arm around Zach’s waist. “David’s ex-wife.” She squeezed Zach’s middle, looking up at him with eyes that made David want to hurl. “And this is Zach, my husband.” Reverting her glance back to Claire, Lauren narrowed her eyes.
“I see,” slowly Claire nodded. Her lips formed a tight line. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Another awkward pause, then Claire being the brilliant, fantastic woman she was, managed to exchange some pleasantries with Lauren, while David stood frozen, unable to form a single coherent thought. He wanted to run, but he couldn’t, so the rest of the conversation continued in a blur. David blacked out, managing only a few mumbled phrases, a nod here, but he couldn’t focus or remember anything other than he hoped for Alexis to appear to end this whole miserable exchange.
Finally, to his great relief, Alexis along with the other dancers emerged from the side of the stage. Soon parents moved en masse , each hoping to reunite with their child. The chaos brought an abrupt halt to a conversation he didn’t want to remember.
Up on her tiptoes, Claire waved to Alexis. “My sister’s here.” Tugging David away from Lauren and Zach, Claire declared, “We need to go.” Claire pushed them forward through the throng of people, over her shoulder she said with a polite wave, “It was nice meeting you.”
They blended into the sea of people, moving further and further away from Lauren and Zach until they slipped out of sight. David trailed along behind Claire, gripping onto her hand like she was a life raft.
Before they made it to Alexis, Claire tilted her head up to his. “Are you okay? You look pale, and you left me hanging, making me talk to your ex-wife and her husband without any help.” She peered back toward Alexis nearly to them.
Hands clammy, David released his grasp from hers. Shoving them into his pockets, he couldn’t rid himself of the uncertainty rising in him. Lauren managed to do what she did their entire marriage, annihilate his self-worth.
David cleared his dry, scratchy throat. “I’m sorry. I froze. Seeing Lauren after three years threw me for a loop.” His body stiffened as he replayed the exchange over in his mind. “I really don’t know…”
Claire put a hand on his forearm, settling the spiral of thoughts whirling around in his mind. “We’ll talk about this later. I don’t want Alexis involved in this.” She turned toward Alexis, smiling brightly as her little sister arrived.
David’s cheeks burned. A trickle of sweat ran down his back. Though it was stuffy and crowded, he knew his cold sweat wasn’t due to his surroundings. No, it had everything to do with having to further explain the complexities of his failed marriage.
David plastered a smile on his face. “Alexis, you were amazing!” He held his arm out and gave her a quick side hug.
Beaming, Alexis asked, “Did you really think so?” She wrung her hands together, casting her glance down at her feet. “I messed up on one turn.”
“Are you sure? You fooled me. I thought you were fantastic,” said David with enthusiasm. “Claire told me you were talented, but I had no idea.” He made a mind blown gesture.
Alexis stood up straighter. “I’m glad you think so.” Her cheeks grew redder by the minute. “And I’m glad nobody could tell I messed up.”
Claire shifted, looping her hands around the crook of Alexis’s elbow. “You were stunning.” She winked at David, loosening the knot wound up in his gut. “I, too, was amazed at how much you’ve improved since the last time I saw you.”
“When was that?” questioned Alexis. “I don’t remember.”
They moved toward the exit of the auditorium, the crowd thinning around them with each step.
“Christmas. The Nutcracker.” Claire’s voice cracked. She bit her bottom lip. “Mom was so proud you landed the lead, she’d be proud of you today, too.”
With misty eyes, Alexis said in an almost whisper, “I know.” Dragging her feet, Alexis slowed her pace as they exited the auditorium and spilled into the lobby. “It wasn’t the same with her not here.”
Claire blinked rapidly. “I agree…” She swiped at the corners of her eyes. Holding her arms out for an embrace, Alexis entered them. Claire squeezed Alexis tightly. “But I’m glad I was here to see you.”
Alexis nodded. David’s heart clenched. He wondered how many times the sisters would be met with grief at their major life moments.
Breaking their embrace, Claire let out a long raspy breath. “I guess we’d better go.” Her gaze skidded to David.
David nodded, holding open the lobby door for them to exit. Once outside, the sticky, salt air filled his lungs. Cool relief hit his skin. David needed to lighten the mood, anything to help the sisters not end the evening on a bad note.
“Can I buy you both some frozen yogurt to celebrate?” David pulled his keys out of his pocket. “Or, do ballerinas not eat frozen yogurt?”
Pointing at her chest, Alexis said, “This ballerina does. Can we go back to Pismo Beach and go to Pismo Yogurt? I like that place the best. They have the best toppings.”
“Sounds good to me.” David looked to Claire for confirmation. “Does that work?” He raised an eyebrow.
Smiling again, Claire replied, “I’m not one to turn down an opportunity to be treated to frozen yogurt.”
David wrapped his arm around Claire’s waist, hoping to push away the interaction with Lauren from ruining their evening. She mirrored his movement, putting her arm around his middle. Maybe they’d be okay? Maybe they’d figure it out and find a way to be together? But a pit formed in his stomach, because deep down he knew this might be the beginning of the end.