ALYSE
I shook my hands as I positioned myself and glanced at the judges sitting only a few feet in front of me.
I wanted my mom to be here, so I invited her, but she hadn’t shown up.
Jalen said he would come, but he wasn’t here either.
I honestly wanted to run off the stage and scream, but I knew this was my chance to do something that could show I was strong enough to do something without anyone holding my hand.
Then I thought about Flex. This was for the ballerina who never got a chance to do her last Jetè.
For the midnight ballerina who hid between the pole and pointe shoes.
When Jalen told me she was a stripper, I couldn’t believe it, but she wasn’t a stripper to me; she was my mentor.
I glanced at the person behind the curtain and nodded to signal that I was ready. When the music cued, I went in.
First position plié, spin, hip swivel.
Third position, glissade, pirouette.
I moved my body swiftly to the music as I used the entire floor. I spun, landing flat on my feet, then up on my toes. That’s when I spotted my mother. A smile eased on my face as I rolled my hips quickly to the beat before I did a light ass pop. I swiveled my body and came up to see Jalen.
You better kill that shit, baby. He smiled.
My heart skipped a beat, and I skipped my ass all across the stage. I had gotten so lost in him that I found myself doing sign language at the same time.
I’ll be your peace.
My mom’s head spun to see him standing there.
He looked at her, then at me. My mother patted the seat next to her, and he sat down.
Morgan was behind the curtain, cheering me on.
I made my way to the far corner. I took a deep breath.
Skip, skip, and leap. My legs and arms were fully extended as I performed the perfect Jeté.
Jalen jumped from his seat, while Morgan didn’t allow me to curtsey before she came running, hugging me tightly. “Girl!” She screamed.
The judges’ faces were neutral. Then one of them lifted their eyes, “Ms. Maverick, have you done anything beyond the courses you’ve listed?”
“Uh, no, sir. I have, however, been taking Ballet classes, so I am pretty advanced.”
He nodded slowly. “We do want you to join our play; however, I wonder if you would be interested in joining the Beau Cygne dance company.”
“Me?”
He smiled. “Yes, you. Listen, I will have Edith give you the information before you leave. Think about it and thank you.”
I rushed off the stage and jumped into Jalen’s arms, kissing him. I pulled away and hugged my mother. She kissed the side of my face, “Alyse, you did so well. I’m so proud of you!”
She pulled away, then handed me her phone. “Someone wants to talk to you,” she said.
I glanced down at the phone to see my father’s face. “Good job, sweetheart. I’m not going to apologize for wanting the best for you. I don’t want you to get entangled in what I did at TSU, but I also know you have your own life to live. I am proud of you,” he choked. “You’re not my baby anymore.”
A tear rolled down my cheek. “Thank you, daddy, I love you,” I said as I handed my mother back the phone.
When we left, I was supposed to ride with Morgan, but I hopped on the back of Jalen’s bike instead. I squeezed him tightly as he cruised through the city. Dancing did make me happy, but he made me happier.