Chapter 4
Louisiana
“Mama, watch!” Amy called as she spun around on one foot.
We were playing in the back yard after her nap.
It was a nice spring day, and Charlie had promised he’d be home for dinner.
I had a roast in the oven, and with the windows open to let the breeze through the house, you could smell it cooking from the back yard.
“That’s great!” I clapped my hands.
“Is love ballney.” She lifted her tiny foot in the air and then jumped.
We’d watched Sesame Street together one day the week before, and there was a section about dancing.
The ballerina had twirled around and done a few jumps and ever since, Amy has been smitten.
“Mama? Can I be a ballnarina?” She stopped in front of me and placed her chubby hands on my knees.
“Maybe,” I mused. I’d never thought about putting her in dance lessons. Most kids were three or four when they started. Amy was only two. She’d be three in a few months, but I wasn’t sure she’d stick with this or how much time it would take up.
“Plwese?” she begged. “Mama, plwese?” She smiled at me, and I couldn’t resist.
“Let me talk to Daddy and see if the studio in town has any openings. You have to work really hard, though.”
“K.” She grinned before running through the grass and spinning more.
I couldn’t help but swell with pride when I watched her.
Amy and I spent many days out in the back yard.
Charlie was working more and more, and when he was home he always seemed so disinterested.
I stopped trying because we always seemed to get into some type of argument over it.
For a while, I was going over to my parents’ place. I cut back on those trips to save gas, but Mom has come out here some. Daddy can’t come as much because farm work is an every day job.
We spent the rest of the afternoon outside until I needed to go in and finish dinner. I brought Amy in and after giving her a quick bath to wash off the dirt and grass stains, I turned on cartoons and went to work in the kitchen.
I was just putting the finishing touches on dinner when I heard Charlie’s truck pull into the drive. The gravel crunched and Amy perked up and ran to the window.
“Daddy!!!” She clapped as she ran toward the door to meet him. Just as he opened it, she leaped toward him. He dropped his briefcase in order to catch her. “I missed you.” She giggled as she kissed his cheek.
“I missed you, too. What did you do today?” He set her down and picked up his things.
“I danced for Mama.” She proceeded to spin around in the kitchen. “I’m going to take ballney wessons.”
“You are, huh?” He glanced over at me.
“I told her we’d talk about it,” I stated. Charlie was always tight with the finances. He wanted me to be home with Amy, but he constantly complained about being the only source of income. Dance lessons would cost money.
“I see,” he mused. I could tell by his tone that he wasn’t happy, but he wasn’t ready to crush her dream just yet.
“What’s for dinner?” He came closer and kissed my cheek.
“Roast, corn, and homemade bread.” I leaned down to check the oven. I’d pulled the roast out to rest, but the bread wasn’t browning yet. “It’s gonna be another ten minutes or so if you want to change into something comfortable,” I suggested.
“That would be great.” He sighed as he headed toward our bedroom.
“Me too.” Amy rushed after him. She was a Daddy’s girl, for sure. I just wished he gave her more time.
By the time Charlie came back to the kitchen, I’d put everything on the table. Amy climbed into her booster, and we sat down to eat.
“How was your day?” I tried to get the conversation going. The last couple of nights, Charlie hadn’t wanted to talk about anything, really.
“Long and stressful. I don’t want to talk about it,” he grumbled as he stuffed a forkful of roast into his mouth. “Dinner’s good.” He nodded.
“Did the meeting go well today?” I tried again.
“I said I don’t want to talk about it.” He dropped his fork and glared at me.
“Daddy, no!” Amy banged the table with her hand. She’d been doing this a lot lately when she thought we were arguing.
“It’s ok, baby.” I sighed. “Daddy had a rough day. Mommy just wanted to help.” I dropped it and finished eating.
Afterwards, Charlie put Amy to bed, and I cleaned up.
As I was finishing, I could hear their hushed voices chatting away in her room.
I silently walked by as I didn’t want to intrude.
I went to my room and changed before grabbing a book and climbing into bed.
I’d been reading every night while Charlie watched TV.
It was kind of our routine, and I was hoping to talk to him about the dance classes.
After several minutes, I heard him tell her good night, and then he appeared in our doorway. “She can be very convincing when she wants to be.” He sighed as I came over and sat on the bed.
“I think it would be good for her if I can find a class that will take her.” I glanced up at him.
“Most studios require them to be a little older, but I do know that it would be good for her to be around other kids. She doesn’t go to preschool, and it’s just us all day here. ” I set my book to the side.
“I thought you liked being home.” He slid closer to me.
“I do, but it gets lonely at times. She could meet other kids this way, and I could meet their moms. It would be something we could do together.” I turned in his direction. “Just think about it. I have to call around to see if it’s even possible anyway, and it wouldn’t happen overnight.”
“I guess so. If you can find somewhere that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, then I’d be open to it.” He smiled.
“She’s going to be so happy.” I grinned. I was already imagining my little girl all dressed in pink with a fluffy little tutu.
Ooooooooo
The next morning, I got online and searched for every dance studio within a thirty-minute drive of our house.
I was able to find six and started calling immediately.
One was willing to take her. They normally didn’t start accepting kids until they were three, but since her birthday was so close and she was already potty trained, they said yes.
I asked what she would need and was told to get pink tights and a pink leotard, and then ballet slippers, and black tap shoes.
When I told Amy that I was able to find a class for her, she was so excited she wanted to go shopping right away.
I had to convince her that she needed to get dressed first. The dancewear store didn’t open until the afternoon, so I promised we’d go right after her nap.
“Is it time to go yet?” She stepped into the family room, hands clasped in front of her. Her hair was in need of brushing after her nap.
“I guess by the time we brush that pile of hair and drive there, it will be.” I motioned for her to come closer.
Her mouth pulled into a giant smile, and she bounced over.
I grabbed a brush and went to work on the snarls.
After getting it silky smooth, I tied a pink ribbon around a ponytail and called it good.
I grabbed my purse and made sure Amy used the bathroom before we left, and then we got in the car.
It was a nice day, so we rode with the windows down, and turned up the music.
Amy bounced around in her booster as Stevie Nicks’ voice came through the speakers.
It didn’t take very long to get to Mimi’s Dance Centre. Traffic was light, and finding a parking space was easy. Unlike the studio I found, this was closer and in the same town we lived in. Once Amy was older, I may look into getting her in somewhere closer if she decides that she likes dance.
“Ready?” I glanced over my shoulder and Amy was all smiles. She nodded as she unbuckled herself, and I helped her out. We walked hand in hand down the sidewalk to Mimi’s. “Maybe after, we can get ice cream,” I suggested.
“Yes!” She began jumping excitedly.
We went inside, and a salesclerk pointed me to the toddler sizes.
I held up one leotard with short sleeves and one with long.
I wasn’t sure which I should grab, but since dance class was all year, I got both.
She’d need something warmer for the winter classes.
She clapped happily as I moved on to the tights.
Once I found her size, we moved over to where the shoes were.
“I need a ballet slipper and black taps.” I motioned to the shoes displayed.
“What size does she wear?” the girl asked.
“Her shoes are a seven, but I know dance shoes are different.” I frowned as I began adding it all up in my head. This was getting pricy.
“Let’s try these.” The girl came out with several boxes. Amy sat down on one of the benches and kicked her shoes off. The salesgirl squatted in front of her and slipped on one of the ballet shoes. “What do you think?”
Amy stood up and held her foot out in front of her. “Ballney is going to be so fun.” She grinned as she looked up at me. “Can I dos the udder one?” She lifted her left socked foot. She salesgirl slipped it on and Amy spun around, waving her hands in the air in the process. “I loves them.”
“Let’s try the taps on.” Amy sat down and the salesgirl slipped the ballet slippers off and replaced them with the shiny black tap shoes.
After tying them, she motioned for Amy to stand up.
You could hear the clicking of the taps the minute Amy moved.
The salesgirl walked her over to a small, hard-surfaced square and told her she could try them out.
At first it was as if Amy wasn’t sure what to do, but then she stomped her feet and when the taps sounded, she began jumping around.
“I think we’re sold on them.” I laughed. Amy changed back into her sneakers, and I carried the items up to the register to pay. The shoes and clothes were placed in a giant pink bag, and as we left, Amy made sure to remind me that I mentioned ice cream.
“Let’s get one to share,” I suggested. “We just spent a small fortune in there.”
“K, Mama.” Amy squeezed my hand. I made a mental note to tuck the receipt away where Charlie wouldn’t find it. I’d promised him that taking dance classes wasn’t going to be expensive. Between the clothes and shoes, I’d already dropped over a hundred dollars, and I still had to pay for the lessons.