The Great Sacrifice

Chapter Seven

"You need to lose ten pounds" Mr. Francesca said looking at the scale. I nodded, stepping to the side so the next girl could go. My understudy was Carrie White a very good dancer just someone who I didn't know personally. She was pretty and slim, and she had a thin face. She wasn't a natural blonde but she pulled it off decently. The cast was picked and everyone seemed pleasant enough, everyone was putting in nine to ten hour days. Me and Carrie, put in Twelve sometimes Fourteen hour days.
It was starting to snow and I was carful, but as the months had rolled by and the show was getting closer and closer, I was taking less and less side job. My father love life was forgotten and even though I knew that they had not stop seeing one another things became as they should be if they had to.
The snow fell softly, and from the weight room you could watch it fall down on the city. It seemed to cover of the past and even in my memories became a little white, and smothered.
"As many of you know Christmas is coming" Mr. Francesca started, pacing. "We will take off the two week to kiss family's, eat very little, and to laugh, but I expect nothing but perfection when we return! I want the same energy, good publicity, and be prepared to be opening night in a few months" he said loudly, clapping his hands. We all clapped. I was looking forward to resting for two weeks, my body ached, my feet could recover.
As I was leaving I felt a hand on my shoulder, "You actually gained ten pounds" Claire said looking me over. I was quite surprised, I had never meet a understudy that actually tried to bait the lead, but the bold. "Water weight" I said calmly, stepping back. She rolling her eyes,she dug something out of her pink parka. "Here, they'll help" she took out and orange bottle. "No thank you" I said. "Its prescription" she said. "Not for me, but you have a good week off" I say turning my back to her. It wasn't the first time someone offered me pills, it was the first time I felt offended by it. On the steps of the theater was a bold place to exchange something like that. Claire seemed like she cared about her position in the ballet, she practiced, she kept up she studied, and she was naturally graceful.
Shaking my head, I would never understand it. Some people would never be gratful, I suppose.
I walk through the snow, and pretended like it was chilling. Once I got home, Dad smiled at me, grabbing me by my shoulders, "Lake, I have a favor to ask of you". "A favor?" I asked taking off my jacket. "Yes, I know you are busy with your musical" he said. I nodded, "I actually just was told we got the holidays off". His eyes lit up, "The Christmas charity we attend, is looking for a ballet instructor for the girls. The orginal got injured, and won't be on her feet for another month or so". "Dad, the Charity is less then two weeks away I'd have what seven days" I asked, giggling. "Well, they usually only practice for two weeks anyway. The dance is simple, like the one from last year. You said it was all lights" Dad went on. I nodded, "That's true. They only give them two weeks? In that case the girls did stunningly".
"Lake, please?" He asked. I huffed, "Why? The gala will hardly fall without it". Walking past him to the stairs I look down on him, "Come to think of it, you never ask me to do things like this". I crossed my arms, I was suspicious, and though we had buried the past it lingered. "The gala make all the parents pay for the children to enter the dance. Canceling it would hurt the budget, your mother always liked the Ballet party of the party" that was true and for that reason I took part in it from ten to I was fourteen, just hoping my mother would be impressed with me. The danced every year was very simple, but we got more then two weeks.
"I suppose, it wouldn't be a bad thing" I said. He smiled, "Thank you, Lake, I'll call them and let them know. It was that simple phone call I was arriving at ten to practice. The previous teacher sent me over the choreograph. It was a very simple routine and she said the girls knew the dance for the most part she had been expecting one more student who would be needing some extra practice a late entry but other wise it would be easy.
"Ms.Carrel" greeted a women in long green dress and black waves of hair, and a iPad. "Yes" I said. "I am Topanga Madison. I came down to thank you personally, I host the Charity Gala" she said. "Oh, nice to meet you. Really no need for you to come down" I said. "I wanted to pay my respects, if we could walk while we talk" she said directing with her head. I followed, "I have never had a professional of your stature come out for the girls since your mother. Though it is for Charity that isn't always enough" she said, she walked fast. "Thats sad" I said. "We get by. Please let me know if you need anything, I will personally deal with it" she said. "There won't be any need for that" i said. "Well in that case, the girls are right in there" she smiled.
     Polite but in a hurry, the girls and I got along well immediately as they noticed me and admired me. The routine was a little rusty but so simple I had it memorized from last night.
The girls spent two hours before parents started showing up, and I was pretty happy with the progress.
    "Lets go through it one more time" I said, giving the parent a smile.  I went over to the stereo and pushed play, "Laklynn" said a sweet voice I remembered. Turning on my toes, I smiled. Unlike all the other girls, Daphne was wearing a solid black tutu and leotard and that for some reason suite her. She wore her hair down and she looked absolutely stunning.
      Daphne skipped over, "You missed all of class". "Dad, got called into the hospital last second" she said. I felt myself feel only slightly disappointed, but shook my head. There was no reason for that feeling. "Why don't you go stand beside Valentine, you can get use to you position even if you don't know the moves. Just try to keep in line with Madison" I pointed to the girls so she could follow along.      Playing the music I didn't have much hope, but of course Daphne was born with a natural talent. I was almost heloud of how she so easily did all the moves with hair flying, she landed every move with grace. She was having fun and genuinely enjoying the five minutes.  When it was over, I was stunned silent. She had said she liked it, Damian though said he wasn't really intrested. 
      Fixing my composure, I put my hands together in front of me and closed my mouth. "That is all for class today, Daphne, if you will stay behind we will-" I cut myself off. What would I work on with jer, at her age with her skills she would be a better dancer than me in just a couple of years. "Work on tour placement" I smiled. Parents greeted and thanked me, but soon it was just me and Daphne. I helped her but for the most part she was all caught up.
      "I was so surprised to see you" she said. "My dad, made me promise not to bother you while I was home for holiday" taking the step carefully. "Why would he say that?" I asked. "Oh because your Ballet is coming out soon isn't it?" I nodded. "A few more mothers". "Its so pretty really. I wish I could dance in something like that" She said. "One day" I would not be surprised.  She smiled, "I only do it because they offer it at my school. Dad hates the arts, he isn't the fan of the people who tend to do them. Grandma hates how little they wear, so I will proabley never will. I'll probably become a doctor". "What a shame, I thought you were very good" I didn't say anything it wasn't my place. Yesterday on the stoop of the theater I had been offered drugs, prescription, but drugs. Daphne family wasn't wrong to worry about the world they would be letting her enter, but to take something that made the girl so obviously happy was ludicrous. I couldn't say that, her father didn't even want her to talk to me. That stung.
     "Daphne, you can always talk to me. You know that, your my friend" I said. She smiled up at me, "Really? You think of me as a friend". "My best friend" I tucked a long curl behind her ear and her pretty and red face was pulled from side to side face. Taking her hand, I pulled her close, "We are going to freeze". She nodded into my stomach, holding onto my warmth.
        When the driver did arrive he apologized promptly, and took Daphne away. The next couple of day went like that Daphne would arrive late and be the last to be picked up. It was Thursday and I had had enough. I waited for the driver as I always did at the curb. My arms wrapped around her, but today I had a few words of choose for him. He could not be this late, every single day even if it was only for the next two days.
      A dark blue Sedan pulled up and I stood a little straighter gathering my nerve, "Dad" Daphne said. Deflating me like a hot air ballon. Damian stepped out the car looking as good and put together as always, my heart speed was racing as if I was leaping off a tall building, instead of standing in the snow. He had not changed or aged in the last few months as I had. I was thinner noticeably thinner. He wore a gray suite, accented with his favorite color black, his dark skin was not effected by the lack of sun we had been receiving, he was still finding time for the gym, I noticed.
    Looking him over, I hadn't noticed how I was still holding onto Daphne. Letting her go, she went over to her dad, "Laklynn wants to talk to you. Your in trouble" she teased. She got in the front seat, instead, closing the door. Damian made a face then looked at his watch, before coming over to me. I stood my ground pulling my coat closer, but sooner I couldn't feel anything but heat.
      "I didn't know you did charity events" he said. I didn't know what to say to that, "Daphne is always late, and always the last to be picked up. Its unacceptable. I understand you aren't a father all year round, but when she is here you should treat her like a patient and not make her wait". I didn't realize how passionate I felt until the words left my mouth. Damian clenched his jaw, then let out a deep breath. "Ms. Carrel, I'll see it wont happen again" he said harshly. I nodded, "Well, good. Have a nice day. I look forward to seeing you and your mother as the Gala then". "My mother isn't here, she never travels out of country" he said, in a deep brooding voice. I fluttered, "Oh, Daphne said she was excited for her to see her dance I assumed". "It seems so" he looked me over and I left myself start to perspire. "You've lost weight" He noted. "For my Ballet" was all I said. "I'm sure Daphne is ready to go" I said hoping he'd leave. I needed to control myself. Was it that I hadn't seen him in a while.
     "I thought you were against your father's marriage" he said. "Excuse me?" I asked. No one had dared mention her in front if me, "Did you not know, this year her line a 'Step mother's Dream' is the main giver of the Gala the girls will wear costumes designed by her" he said. I was stunned silent. My dad had lied to me, I had been right to be suspicious. I had been fooled. I had learned about it all to late, I was hot now with rage.
     "Guess, I'm not the only father that forgets to put my daughter first" he smirked turning. He had told me that to hurt me intentionally and he had. My father had used my own mother against me to do this and while it was only two hours. I needed to be resting!