Born A Dancer

Chapter 10: A New Decision

It's been 2 months after Violette Allegra was born, Mother still traveling, Father still working. Mother has been very stressed lately. She has more responsibilities, now that Violette's here. I'm still with Mrs. Jones and Bruce.

"Mom, what's the plan? You don't have time for me anymore, and I understand that, but what am I going to do?" Before I know it, I'll be too late for SAB.

"This was suppose to be a surprise, but here it goes. You're audition for the Summer Course is in 2 weeks. Mrs. Jones will help you, starting today, with the audition run downs." I stood there. Shocked. Surprise. No words.

"Thank you mom, I'm sorry for the complaint." I hugged Mother and almost walked away. I pulled away. "Mom, is it possible that Bruce can audition too?"

"I can paid for his audition fee. I'm not too sure how Jane would feel if I were to pay for his tuition." Mother shook her head.

I left home to Mrs. Jones. I wouldn't say Mrs. Jones was hard on me, but very strict.

"Point your toes! Length your neck! Look up! Look at your hands as you bring them up. You can jump higher, and you know it!" Mrs. Jones was demanding.

About 3 days pass by, I mold less of my mistakes and into a professional.

"Good. You're doing better. Smile more. Ride the music." Mrs. Jones smiles, feeling warm and accomplished.

After lessons, I climbed the extra staircases to wait for Bruce. A group of Asian men walked out of apartment 3B. They began to walk towards me, but stopped. The man in front yelled to the apartment door in Chinese.

"Don't forget our deal! You heard!?" He ignored me, and moved on. I rose up and walked to apartment 3B, but looked back. As I was about to knock, Bruce opens the door and pulls me by the wrist, inside.

"What's going on B? I thought everything was fine? Where's Jane?" I've seen those men before. When Bruce and I were kids, we were playing in the apartment. Then, the same men came around. They spoke to Jane, but they beat her. Wanting money that her ex-husband had, and left with it.

"My mom doesn't have the money that my father left with. We don't have enough money. Everything is for rent or our dinner. Nothing else." Bruce paces the living room back and forth. He stops and pointed his finger. "Lumina Belle Bowers, you cannot help us. It would be a burden to your parents..."

"Bruce, let us..." I cut him off.

"Belle, no!" His face was furious with anger. "Mary just gave birth to Violette. Don't push it." I stopped trying. That day, I didn't talk to him about it. I never mentioned it. Nothing about the money.

I talked to Mother about it. She listened and offered to help. "I must speak with Jane about it. Bruce cannot live in those conditions. He must go to SAB with you. Don't speak to Bruce about this, Lumina Belle. I will handle this."