The Existence of Reconcilable Differences

Chapter Nine

The day of the recital arrived faster than she could blink and Dani tried to cover up her nervousness at work. She was busy cleaning the back shelves as Megan came in with her leech-like eyebrows leaping up.

"Are you okay Dani?" Megan asked.

"I'm fine. Just nervous about tonight's recital. Some important people will be there and... I'm just a little freaked out." Dani shuddered.

"Don't worry, Dani. You've been practicing every day. Hell, you've even practiced here. I'm sure everything will be fine." She patted her on the shoulder.

"Thanks, Megan."

"You're welcome. Hey, I uh, I asked him out." Megan giggled and Dani's eyes broke open.

"... And what did he say?"

Megan bit her red lips and muttered, "Yes."

Dani cheered for her co-worker as she gave a suppressed squeal.

"I told you! Tell me how it goes." She winked.

"Definitely... Dani, you're awesome. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have asked him out. I know it took me a while to finally build the courage but... I did it. Thank you." Megan said with a genuine voice.

"Anytime."

It was Gunner's day off with no projects to complete and absolutely nothing to do. He roamed around the house aimlessly and watched TruTV most of the day. He occasionally found his hands on the living room floor doing push-ups. It was 5:35 PM and Mary had clicked down the stairs in her $675 Louis Vuitton heels. She looked radiant and ready to mingle.

"Where are you going?" Gunner inquired with a confused scowl.

"Dani has a dance recital tonight," Mary answered simply as she adjusted herself in the mirror.

His response was a mumble.

"Do you want to come?" Mary invited him knowing he wouldn't say yes, but she wanted to shoot her shot.

"No." His response was quick.

Mary replied with a quick, "Okay. We'll be back by 10 or later."

But Gunner stopped her to ask, "...Where's the place?"

"Levesque & Societe. There's a big auditorium in the back part of the building." Mary explained. She had high hopes he'd show up because he asked where it was.

Nothing else came from his mouth.

"See you later." Mary clicked out of the house leaving Gunner to his thoughts.

The auditorium was packed with all types of people from all types of backgrounds. Dani practiced with her group: Yandy, Anna, Michelle, and Clarice. There's a specific part in the entire routine that the group breaks apart and does their own thing. Somehow, Dani became the leader of that group and no one was bothered by her leadership skills. Across from them, Stephanie's group practiced and Dani caught a misstep in one of the dancers.

"Why don't you girls drink some water?" Dani suggested. They agreed and broke off to the refreshments table.

Dani practiced on her own and watched carefully at the foot placement of the girl. Stephanie hadn't noticed the mistake. Dani smoothly made her way towards the girls and watched intently.

"Holy shit, Hillary!" Stephanie shouted at the poor girl.

There you go, you finally caught the mistake.

"Get it together, or else I'm kicking your ass out of this dance group!" Stephanie's voice covered the girl. Hillary shuddered and her cheeks flushed with embarrassment and fear.