Scene 62

Scene Sixth-two...More Ballet
Time: Afternoon, Saturday, August 10, 1946
Place: Ballet school
Storyteller: Janet


Dance, that's what I need...not the Bahamas.
More ballet lessons...maybe Brodskys will agree to let me join their Tuesday adult class...if I act very mature. It will only be til school starts; school really takes a toll on my Rockettes career.

"Janet, pay attention. You missed a step." Anna caught me day dreaming.

"Echappe," she says.

We do an escaping or slipping movement to the second or fourth position. Feet go from closed to open. Both move equal distance from the beginning spot.

Class is finally over. I bring up the adult lessons to Anna, hoping she'll make an exception for me.

"Okay, give it a try. See you Tuesday." She waves goodbye.

Would love to go for a dip, but don't want people gawking at my bruise. My Bermuda shorts will cover it.

The water is knee deep. I scan for sharks.

Someone says "Hi."

Holy cow, it's Nancy.

"Thanks for teaching me fouettes. That's why I got to be Odile."

Holy cow, she's giving me credit.

"Wanna get a soda?" I ask. "One per week is all I'm allowed."

"Who says?"

We walk to Secrist Drug Store and chat about William.

"So he's your brother-in-law and you have a brother?" she asks.

"Yes, Paul. He's good looking, but too old for you...a vet. Hangs out at 'The Breeze', with the other U.M. guys."

 


Popular posts from this blog

Scene 95...Epilogue

WARNING Spoiler Alert !!! This is "The End" Please read scenes 1-94 first. EPILOGUE...Scene 95...Letter From Janet Time: June 16, 1948 Place: Nice, France Storyteller: Janet Dear Paul, I can't believe you missed the Monaco Grand Prix, all because of college. Nino won in a Maserati, per usual. The Prince kept staring at me again. Doris needs to see the Oceanographic Museum in Monaco. It's on a cliff above the sea. Betty likes her job at the hospital. Also, she's taking Mediterranean cooking classes. By the looks of her, she's eating too much delicious food, or she's pregnant. William will soon be joining the faculty of medicine at Aix-Marseille University. I wonder if they'll get an apartment? Can babies live on boats? Surprisingly, Dad didn't explode about Betty moving a hundred miles away. He's busy getting the vineyard perfect for Tony's visit. Mom continues to paint with the Big Shots. Guess you heard I graduated.
Read more

Scene 69

Scene sixty-nine...Medical issues #2 Time: 6:00 PM, Saturday, September 7, 1946 Place: Sal's Seafood Storyteller: Victoria "I'll pay the bill tonight. You're a college student." "A college student with a job. Don't insult me." "If you insist. This seafood platter is delicious. I should try different foods more often." "How about a Budweiser?" "Not that different." We laugh and click our glasses. "Victoria, I told you my sister is a doctor." "Yes...I'm not sick." "She'll be back from the Bahamas soon. Would you feel comfortable talking to a woman about that medical issue?" "Oh, the ovary. I was afraid to bring up the rest of that story." Paul turns white but replies, "You can tell me anything." "Remember the surgeon said I might not be able to have kids?" "Yes, which is why I recommended Betty." "You need to
Read more

Scene 21

Scene 21...Swan Lake Time : Afternoon, Saturday, March 2, 1946 Place: Ballet School Storyteller: Janet Mom is watching me drive. She says, "What do you suppose Brodskys were fighting about last week? And in front of us? When Madame called to say they accepted you, I almost dropped the phone." "Yea. I was down in the dumps, thinking I'd never see this studio again." "Park over there. "Mom points to a space in the shade. Anna introduces me to the class. The two dozen students are probably in high school.  We warm up at the barre, then move to the center. "Adagio," says Mistress. She leads us through a series of exercises, fluid and focused, performed slowly. "Arabesque," Anna continues. I stand on one leg. The other extends behind my body. My goal is to create a smooth line from shoulders to arms and into the toes of my extended leg. The door slams. Sergey enters, all smiles. I hold my pose until Mistress says ot
Read more