Page 107 of Dancing in the Dark

“You’re doing great.” I press my cheek to his chest and watch her from the corners of my eyes. There’s no way she could see us all the way over here. No matter how big he waves or how hard she searches, the room is simply too large, and our seats, too shrouded in shadow. “Now stop talking before the lady in front stabs us.”

40

MIA

Roses are red. The sky is blue. I can’t see my daddy. And I can’t fink of a word that rhymes with blue except glue, but glue doesn’t fit in my poem.

Poo.

You.

Clue.

Zoo.

I wish I was at the zoo.

“Come along, Mia.” Miss Debbie pulls me away from the stage and all the way to the other kids in my class. “It’s almost our turn. Are you ready to go out there and do our very best?”

I write poems. I like to rhyme. I want to dance. But not this time.

“Mia, honey?” Miss Debbie crouches onto her knees and holds my hands. “Are you feeling okay?”

My tummy hurts, and my chest squeezes. I don’t know how she finks I can dance on my feet, cos I don’t fink they’re even there anymore.

“I want to go home.” Tears make my eyes sting and ruin the makeup my daddy worked hard on. “I wish I could wear my watch when I’m on the stage, Miss Debbie.” I lift my arm and show her where she made me take it off. “Cato calls me on there sometimes and makes me feel brave.”

“I understand, sweetheart. But we can’t wear our watches when we’re performing.” She wipes my face wif her hand and smoodges my makeup more. “You understand, don’t you?”

No. I don’t. Cos it’s a dumb rule. And dancing is dumb. And stages are dumb.

“Mia?”

“Do you fink my daddy found his seat?” I swallow the icky taste in my froat and look toward the stage. “I didn’t see him.”

“I know he’s out there. I saw him with my own eyes.”

“Really?”

“Really. So I think you should work really hard and put on a good show for him. Don’t you agree?” She squeezes my face and smiles a smile that doesn’t look anyfing like when Cato smiles. Or when Daddy or Fifi smile.

It’s a bit like how my mom did it. It’s not real.

She stands up tall again and claps her hands so loud that all the other kids stop wriggling. But not me. Cos now I’m even more scared. “Our moms and dads and brothers and sisters are all out there waiting for us. Some of us have grandmas and granddads. Or friends. Or cousins. Or even each other’s families. They’re excited to watch us dance, so I want you all to try your very best.”

“Deb?” Miss Amanda rushes past wif a clipboard in her hands. “You’re up next.”

Miss Debbie gasps real loud and smiles really bright. “Did you hear that? It’s our turn!”

I want my watch. And my dad. And my Fifi.

Did Fifi come?

“Miss Debbie?” I grab her wrist. “Miss Debbie, did⁠—”

“Come now, children. Two lines. Put your hands on the shoulders of the person in front of you.”

“Miss Debbie? You said you saw my daddy. But did you see⁠—”