Striving for Greatness: A Vladimir Chigvintsev Story

10

Valerie and I walked into the party and I was immediately greeted by Peta who gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek and then she and Valerie began chatting about something dancing related. It's all our world revolves around.

I quickly escaped to get myself together mentally and I found Maddox running past me.

"Hey." I said "where's my hug.. Are you getting too old for me?"

"No!" Maddox said cutely before hugging me and then running off again with his friends.

"He's a cute one, huh." Maks' voice boomed beside me.

I jumped. It was like he was reading my mind and seemed to show up at the most awkward moment.

"Yeah." I said quietly unable to look at him.

"I remember when you were that age.."

"I bet you do." I barked at him.

"Excuse me, Vlad.. What does that mean...?" He paused. "He told you didn't he?"

I nodded, "how long have you known? My whole life? You never wanted me to be your son..."

"It was not like that." Maks said, finally confirming the truth. "Please let me explain."

"Not here." I said trying to keep my composure as so many people were coming and going all around us. I was afraid to cause a scene.

"Oh there you are!" Valerie said, saving me from the conversation I was dreading.

"Perfect timing" I said "we just finished our conversation.. Shall we?" I motioned Valerie to follow me to the other room.

"Hi Maks." She said as she turned around to follow me.

"Valerie." He nodded with emotion inflicted in his voice.

After getting away from Maks I instantly felt relieved. Then suddenly Valerie pointed behind me.

"What?" I asked her, turning around to see what kind of doom was about to face me next.

When I looked towards the back door I saw my dad. He was panicked.

"Dad?" I said "you came.. Did you bring Alek? I haven't seen him."

"That's why I'm here I was hoping he was here."

"Why what's wrong?"

"Oh no." He said frantically "where could he be, where could your brother be?" He asked

"Mr. Chigvintsev" Valerie said as a group began to form around us trying to make sense of what was going on, "what makes you think something bad is happening?"

"Alek left a note on my office desk, he said he didn't fit in and that he doesn't want to live in such a big house and feel so lonely." He said. "Oh, Vladimir, please help me find him. I'm going to change, we are going to get a smaller house and be together more."

"I've heard that before" I said under my breath.. then I spoke louder, "I know exactly where he is, Valerie you stay here, let's go dad." I added.

We hopped in his car and he gave me the keys.

"Where do you think he is?" He asked me.

"Dad, think about it." I said "He's looking to connect with mom, I told him yesterday that he has it in his genes to be like us, I think he's at Tony's studio."

"You think so?" His ears perked up. It made him proud that his son may have a newfound interest in dance.

"I really think you should dance again." I said "you are the greatest dancer I have ever known, Dad, and I know nationals is in two weeks but I was thinking, I want you to take over our rehearsals, and choreography. I want everything to be perfect and you are the guy for it."

He rolled his eyes. "Of course I can't take over Maks' job, it wouldn't be right."

"It's so awkward to be around him dad, I didn't want to know that I'm biologically his son, it hurts knowing that. It hurts knowing that mom wasn't faithful to you, that she and Maks..."

"I am ready to answer any questions that you have, son. I don't want this to interfere with your national championship. Please let me explain it to you."

"I want you and Maks both to be present and I want to hear all sides of the story."

"That is fair." He said as I pulled into the parking lot at the studio that my mother used to dance in.

"For now," I said "let's go make Alek feel like he's a part of a family. Our family. We Chigvintsev men need to stick together."

Dad gave me a proud smile and a nod of approval as we walked in to find my brother.