Scene 22

Scene Twenty-two...A Dance for Two
Time : Afternoon, Saturday, March 9, 1946
Place: Ballet School
Storyteller: Janet


Mom watches me drive the Woodie to South Beach. We approach the ballet school.

"Don't park," she says. "I'll drop you off."

"And then what?" I ask.

"I'm going up to that three-mile stretch on Collins Avenue called 'Millionaire's Row.' J. C. Penney has a mansion there; Vanderbilt, European royalty..."

"Good for you! See you later."

After warm ups at the barre, Mistress calls Robert, the tallest student, to the center. She says "tour en l'air." He turns in the air.

They perform a "pas de deux", a dance for two, from act three of Swan Lake. As the story goes, the Prince proposes marriage to the imposter, witch Adile.

"Janet, come here please. Robert, lead her through some of Adile's easier movements."

Sergey watches and frowns.

Mom tip toes into the studio. Class is almost over, but she gets to see me shine for a few minutes.

As we walk to the car, I whisper to her, "Wait til Dad hears about me being chosen to dance with Robert. Dad loves a winner.

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