The Ballerina's Puzzle

Chapter 2: A Web of Lies.

"Girls, girls, girls. Again from the top. First position. Second Position. Third. Fourth. And finally, fifth." Kenya called audibly to her girls in class. She smiled in return to the girls' whose smiles lifted her heart. She loved her students so much. They were one of her most treasured darlings in her life, next to her mother and her sister, because they didn't judge her imperfections. Rather, these young girls, saw her as a leading light. She stretched herself fluidly, to release all the knots in her limbs, after all the practice that had just transpired. It was 6pm, and the girls' parents were already awaiting them, to take them back home.

"Alright girls, your families are already waiting for you to take you home. You must remember to always practice at every chance you've got. Practice makes perfect." Kenya called out to the girls, who were gathering their personal belongings to leave. A few of the girls came over to give her a hug on their way out. Kenya gladly shared the affection with the girls and watched them all file out of the room to meet their families. A few of the parents were talking with the owner of the establishment, Claudine, who stood there, talking excitedly with them. Claudine was a beautiful and graceful woman, who had once been a top ballerina, back in her days. Her love for the art, as well as her drive to teach other young women, had motivated her to establish the dance school, years ago.

Kenya turned away to clear up the practice arena, so that she could get on her way home. She loved her job as a teacher very much, but sometimes she grew emotionally exhausted, watching the young girls trying to create a perfection out of themselves. No matter how she reminded them that they couldn't be perfect and should appreciate themselves, wholeheartedly, she always had a few girls crying in the corner, feeling inadequate. Their struggle usually reminded her of how much struggle she had put into being perfect, during the early years of her life. Now, as a grown woman, she no longer put in that much effort to be appreciated. She only carried herself to wherever the wind led her.

She heard the familiar foot falls of Claudine as she put the last of her stuff away, ready to leave.

"Sweet heart, the parents are so happy with all your hard work with the girls. They say you have built a certain confidence in their girls that is highly commendable." Claudine chimed.

Smiling back, Kenya replied, "Claudine, we all have you to thank for setting J'aime up, in the first place."

Claudine laughed, pleasantly and gave a look around the quaint, practice room. "I have Jimmy to thank, for his generosity after our divorce," Claudine said sarcastically. Kenya chuckled at the woman's words. Smiling at how Claudine never failed to let everyone know about her generous divorce settlement from her ex-husband from 10 years ago.

Grabbing her handbag, Kenya accompanied Claudine to the reception, chatting about a new dance routine that Claudine wanted the girls to learn. A dance routine, which Kenya doubted the girls had the heart to execute. But Claudine was a woman with a hard drive and she expected such from both her employed teachers and the students.

"Oh look," Claudine said, her focus on the TV screen, where the weather woman was rattling on, "The weather woman says it's expected to have hailstorms in Colorado, tonight. I wish it would rain tonight in NYC."

"Claudine, please, don't summon the rains with your mouth." Kenya teased, smiling as she picked up her mail from Katie, the receptionist.

"Kenya darling, I don't need to summon the rains. The weather woman already declared hail in Colorado. I only wish it could rain in NYC tonight, that's all. At least with that, one can have a weather for two. Just like Katie hopes for a weather for two. That is why she has Gerald out there in the car, waiting for her. Isn't that so, Katie?" She flashed Katie a teasing smile, which made the young woman, uncomfortably shy. Kenya laughed at the scene. It was an attribute of Claudine to tease her staff at every given chance she got. A funny woman she was.