I closed my eyes.
All those evenings when I’d asked about class.
All those conversations when Audrey had seemed angry with me.
She’d believed I was pretending to support her while secretly wishing she’d give up.
Suddenly, her behavior made terrible sense.
She wasn’t simply being moody.
She felt betrayed.
And the person who’d convinced her of that betrayal was someone we’d trusted for years.
***
On the drive home, Audrey told me more.
She’d been spending lesson time sitting in the studio lobby or at a nearby café, doing homework and waiting for Derek to pick her up.
She was afraid that if she kept practicing, I’d become angry with her.
She thought
Derek was trying to protect her from the embarrassment of hearing the truth directly from her parents.
“Was that what you were asking him about yesterday?” I asked.
She nodded.
“I wanted him to talk to you about letting me audition.”
My hands tightened around the steering wheel.
“What did he say?”
“He told me I needed to accept your decision.”
I took a slow breath.
“Why didn’t you tell Dad?”
“He said Dad agreed with you.”
I pulled into a safe parking lot for a moment.
I needed to collect myself before continuing.
***NEXT PAGE
Audrey was quiet.
Then she whispered:
“Mom, are you going to tell Derek I told you?”
I turned toward her.
“Yes. But you’re not in trouble. You haven’t done anything wrong.”
She looked relieved, but still frightened.
Then she said something I would remember for a long time.
“He told me you always say
nice things to my face but complain about me when I’m not there.”
I reached for her hand.
“Audrey, I am proud of you. Whether you become a professional dancer or decide to do something completely different, that will never change.”
Her eyes filled again.
“But I want to dance.”
I smiled through my tears.
“Then let’s find out how to get you back into class.”
***
When we arrived home, I told Scott everything.
At first, he looked confused.
Then Audrey showed him the messages Derek had sent her.
One read:
*Your mom says no auditions. Don’t make things harder by asking her.*
Another said:
*Your teacher thinks you should step back. I’m trying to spare you.*
Scott read them twice.
His expression changed.
