The Great Sacrifice

Chapter Five

"Are you thin enough to fly?" Mr. Francesca asked as we stood on the stage Thursday morning. I was terrified of heights, swallowing down the ball rolling in my throat, I nod. After dinner on Tuesday, things where moving quickly, the rest of the cast would be cast in three weeks. I had three weeks to myself, work by myself, and on myself.
"I am" I said. "I want you on the thinnest string they have so thin no one can see it, it will look like you are flying on your own. I will ask you again are you thin enough?" I didn't bat an eye, "Of course, I am". "Good, Mr. Potter call the cable guys, we need to start testing the them tomorrow" he said. At some points, I felt Mr. Francesca hated me by the way he talked to me and others he wanted his play to be perfect. He wanted it to go off without a single glitch. I could only respect that, but the fact that I would need to be under a hundred pounds to do what he was asking sounded cruel.
In the studio, I worked with the choreographer, Emitt Rucker who was as graceful as he was beautiful and all hands on. "Remember when you dance the stage will be filled with people. So your movement needs to be more precise then that" he said as I put my leg down my toes point out. "May I?" He asked coming close. Inclining my head, I move the center of the room letting him reenact the movement. " Speed its Important for the music, but approximate will allow everything to flow" hitting the remote he turned on the music and did the movements. Spinning on his toes he slowly raised his leg above his head, without falling and keeping a decent speed spin before clapping is foot down to the hard hit of the keys and sliding down leading with his right leg.
"Try it again" he says standing, turning off the music he allows me to do it with the music off several times, before adding the music, "Catch the beat all the way" he says over the music, I tap my foot down following it straight down, and hold it. Here is when they would grab me and pull me all the way to the back. Giving a slight exhale, I look up at him. "That was good, you don't look like that was all your own expression though" he said, "Yes, you want to get the movement, but movement without passion is nothing". Standing up, I huffed. "Show me passion" he said. I did it again. "Stay with the beat" i did it again. "Your timing is off" I did it again. "Your legs is to high" I did it again.
Leaving the studio, I felt pain everywhere I had never done the same move so many times so wrong. "You danced twelve hours?" Asked Mr. Francesca. I nodded, "Not a drop of blood wasted". He looked me over, "I understand you have a fashion show, Saturday?" I nodded again. "Take tomorrow off. We will resume Sunday" he walked away as if that was it. I was gratful for the day off I spent the day icing and prepping for the Fashion line.
"Lynn" my dad said as we arrived. I looked over at him, "your going to do great" he said calmly, patting my hand as I stepped out the car.
Fashion shows had a roughness to them that not many saw and even those who did, had little compassion for. Models starved more than dancers, I always felt. The makeup was heavier, the smoker thicker, expectations higher, yet they did the job and smiled.
"Your to elegant" Said Cody a makeup artist working this show. I had worked with him many times before and adored him. "Yes, well New York fashion" I said not moving my face. "Its all natural for you, no rehearsals, no dress fittings, nothing just show up the day of" that was not True. I got fitted yesterday after hours, the artist in particular wanted me to my surprise even after I told her how my schedule would work. She came to the house personally and did my fitting, Gabrielle Mayner was a pretty lady rough hands but definitely designers.
I did say anything, but quickly dressed, and slid into shoes due to the state of my feet from Thursday i had to wear closed shoes it hurt having them so tightly pressed together. I did flutter, not even a wince. I was to model two dresses once at the very beginning once at the end. The lights where blinding the only thing you can hear is the clicking of the camera. Its different then ballet in that way.
Standing in my final dress on stage with the other girls, Gabrielle came out wearing her own design. Everyone cheered, "Thank you all so much for coming to my newest line, 'A Stepmother's Dream'. It is a line I worked hard on this particular as becoming a stepmother is my only chance with children. I of course would want a daughter" the crowd laughed and clapped. "Tonight is a night I wanted to celebrate with all the models you see on stage for each of them has a stepmother" I froze. I looked at each girl my heart pounding. I did not have a step mother? Did Gabrielle think this would make a good headline lying. "I would hope they are all treated the way I will be treating my very own step daughter" the cameras flashed quicker. My pulse speed up. Had Gabrielle been to accommodating?
"I wanted to make this special announcement here, for all. Will you please all welcome my financee onto the stage, Lucas Carrel. Who has gifted me with the most beautiful Step daughter" I wanted to hit my knees. I wanted to run away, to scream, to cry, to...to something. All I could do though was smile because in front of a camera that was all I was trained to do.
We did one last walk in front of Gabrielle she smiled brightly beside my father, who stood smoldering holding onto her shoulder. He tried to smile at me, but I didn't want it.
In the back in was a different world with fans and admires who paid extra for up close first looks. I tried to walk away, but I knew I couldn't. I knew my father was coming to speak to me, but I wouldn't. I had nothing to say to him.
I tried to get around everyone, but there was so many people and I felt like I was sinking until someone took my hand. Turning I looked and saw a flowishe was holding a big thing of tulips. "These were supposed to be for Ms. Mayner, but Daddy said you should have them" Daphne sweet face glowed and she gave a smile. I felt the tears welling in my eyes she gripped my hand tighter. "You looked so pretty on stage" she went on. Taking the flowers I smiled not letting her hand go, "My mother loved Tulips" I said with a groggy voice. I was startled by the voice, but I should of expected him to be close by. "Should I get you another Hotel room. I'd hate to chase you around the city" he said. I only smiled, still holding onto Daphne as if I'd fall other wise, "No, but a ride would be greatly appreciated". "Where?" He asked. "The studio" I said. "Why don't you come home with us" Daphne said. I shook my head, "I couldn't impose on the last night with your dad". She only smiled back, "I don't mind". She guided me to the car, and her father drove us away.
Somehow, I showered and changed into an over sized shirt and shorts. Daphne sat on the bed, when I came out equally as freshly showered, but dressed a simple white cotton night gown. Coming to the bed She handed me a brush, "I thought you might need this". I smiled, sitting on the bed beside her, "Thank you".
"You really did a good job" she said. "Well thank you" I said, brushing my hair. Turning to her, "Why don't I brush your hair? My mother use to brush my hair every night before bed". She hesitated, "My grandma never brushes my hair, she said it was due to the Godess of Sif who hair means fertility. She wants me to be very fertile and have a son". I blinked, "Your a little young to think of kids" I said taking her by the shoulder and turning her. I started to run the brush through her thick soft wet hair. "My mother believed something similar about brushing hair" I told her. "Really what?" Daphne asked. "That by letting another brush your hair, you are allowing them to bond with your energy" I chuckled recalling being Daphne age sitting at the edge of the bed.
"Are you mad your dad's going to marry the Fashion Designer because of your mom?" She asked. I wasn't sure, "I think selfishly, its for me. All the same maybe you could give me a few pointers". She laughed, "You couldn't afford me". "Not even with my friend discount" I asked. "No such thinf" she was cut throat. I laughed now to. I went back to brushing her hair, we were quiet before she stilled my hand turning around. "What is it like having a mother?" She asked. I was stunned putting down the brush, "You never had a mother?" "No, that's why I stay in Italy with my grandma. My dad wants me to have a woman to look to for guidance. He says he would make me to much of a boy. My day always like projects he take in people and fixes them its his hobby. He wasn't always such a good man, grandma says. My mother was one of his projects, but one night she seduced him. She was a slut" Daphne spat. I gasped, "Daphne". "That's what grandma said, my dad fell in love with her. She didn't want me though as soon as she found out she was pregnant she tried to kill and when that didn't work, she tried to kill herself. Grandma says it a surprise I'm healthy she took so many drugs, to the point my father had to strap her down until I was due. When she finally was released she ran away" Daphne soft face was clinched, but she showed no signs of tears. My father told me she died in childbirth" she met my eyes. "My grandma never lies. I just wish I was a boy, so I could live with him. It unfair" she said. I was silent for a second unsure where to start. Turning her at the shoulders, I picked up the brush, "Mothers tell the best stories, my mother always had a story. She was a Prima Ballerina though and a true actor at heart. They kiss all you owes and have soft names for everything" she looked up then. "Could a step mother do this?" I rubbed her cheek, "I don't know, but Daphne everyone deserves a mother. Your father would never choose someone who doesn't adore you as much as he does, you are his entire world" I said hugging her. She hugged me tightly. "Now, back to my mother".
Waking up, I had Daphne wrapped close to me. I smiled, my best friend could only be a twelve year old. Rolling over I grabbed my phone, and jumped, there was Damian he was fully dressed in a black suite and a gray tie. He looked richer, his face was set, his eyes soft and wide.
"You almost gave me a heart attack" I said softly. "Yes, well we are even. Imagine if you will, how I felt when I couldn't find my daughter" he said lowly, but harsh. "We fell asleep" I said. He gritted his teeth loudly, "I have to run to the hospital. She seems attached enough to you, would you mind?" I stopped for a second to think, but Daphne's had done something incredibly nice for me, no reason I could not do the same for her.
"No" I said, "I don't mind".