I can’t completely avoid him, though. We already made plans to rent a room at my old dance school so I can teach him how to move.
I get there first and see the owner standing behind the desk. She is well past the age of being able to teach anymore and looks ready to retire.
“Hi, Madame Genvieve.”
She comes around the desk and gives me a big hug. I come by and say hi sometimes when I’m in town, but the last time we really talked was when I was eighteen.
“Look at you,” she says in her thick Louisiana accent. Her voice still sounds the same even though she is in her seventies.
“Look at you. I hope I age this well. You look like you just turned fifty.”
“Stop with your flattery, cher. I already gave you the room for free.”
“I’m being honest.”
She waves the words away and leans against the counter.
“I may look young, but I’m past my prime. I think it’s time to sell this place and go back home.”
I look around and see so many memories just in the reception area alone. I can’t imagine this place being something different.
“Well, I hope whoever buys it appreciates its history. You have started a lot of careers here. I know mine would be nowhere without you.”
“I’m actually hoping a former student buys it.” She looks at me with a clear intention in her eyes.
“Me?” I ask, my hand flying to my chest.
“Why not? You taught a few workshops in the summers, and you have made quite a name for yourself.”
Something jumps in my gut, a feeling I haven’t had for a long time. I look around again, imagining this place as my own. The idea feels more enticing than the one that would lead me back to LA. Maybe this is my fresh start. Maybe this is my way to speak the language of dance again, or at the very least, teach it to someone else.
“I’m supposed to go back to LA next year. I’m only here for a little bit.” I haven’t told anyone outside of my immediate friends and family about the diagnosis, but I’m sure she can see something is wrong with me by just looking. I don’t look like the woman she has come to know. I don’t look like myself.
“Well, think about it, yeah? I’m going to be reaching out to people over the next few weeks.”
I nod, knowing I will. If only to further explore the excitement I felt at the possibility. This really could be the dream of the person I have come to be today. I’ve reached the goals of that little girl, and this new one might be for the woman.
Callahan walks in, ending the conversation. Genevieve looks him up and down before batting her eyelashes. Apparently she’s a cougar.
“Hello, fine young man. What can I do for ya?”
“I’m here for her,” he says, coming up and wrapping his arms around me.
I let him hold me for a few seconds before stepping out of his grasp. I don’t look at him to see how it’s affected him.
“Well, have fun you two.” She shoots me a wink and points in the direction of the room we are supposed to take.
“You ready?” I ask as soon as we get in the room.
“Sure,” he says, sounding the opposite of that.
I ignore it and plug my phone into the sound system in the room. “So hip hop or ballet?”
“Whatever you will want to use at our wedding.”
“Let’s focus on the present for now.”
I see him frown in the wall of mirrors, but don’t acknowledge it any further.
