“I wanted to surprise her. Is she in another room?”
Ms. Alvarez’s expression changed.
She looked at me carefully.
“Mrs. Bennett, may I speak with you privately?”
My stomach tightened.
“Of course.”
She led me into a small office and closed the door.
Then she asked a question I wasn’t prepared for.
“Your daughter hasn’t told you what’s been happening, has she?”
I stared at her.
“What do you mean?”
Ms. Alvarez looked concerned.
“Audrey hasn’t attended class in almost two weeks.”
For several seconds, I couldn’t speak.
“That can’t be right. She comes here three evenings a week.”
“Yes. She has been coming to the building, but she hasn’t participated in lessons.”
I felt my heart begin pounding.
“Why?”
The instructor hesitated.
“She told us her parents didn’t think she was talented enough to continue.”
I stared
at her.
“I’m sorry?”
“She said you and your husband believed she wasn’t ready for advanced ballet.”
I shook my head.
“No. Absolutely not.”
***NEXT PAGE
Ms. Alvarez looked surprised.
“Audrey said it was your decision.”
“I never told her that.”
I pulled out my phone.
“Look. I’ve been paying her tuition. I even asked her about recital auditions.”
Ms. Alvarez examined the screen.
Then she sighed.
“I had a feeling something wasn’t right.”
“Why didn’t anyone contact us?”
“She insisted you’d made the decision and begged me not to intervene. Our office sent messages about her absences.”
I checked my email.
The messages had landed in my spam folder.
I looked up.
“Was Audrey having trouble in class?”
“She’s been nervous about performing, but she’s improving. She earned her place in this program.”
I felt tears gathering in my eyes.
For weeks, my daughter had believed her own parents
wanted her to quit the activity she loved most.
And I had no idea.
“Do you know where she goes during class?” I asked.
“I’ve seen her in the lobby, but I don’t know where she spends the rest of the time.”
I thanked her and hurried outside.
I found Audrey near a vending machine.
She was still wearing her school clothes.
When she saw me, she stood abruptly.
“Mom? What are you doing here?”
I tried to keep my voice calm.
“I came to see you.”
Her expression hardened.
“Did you talk to Ms. Alvarez?”
