Where Dance Fits In

Chapter 20: Black Friday

Miss Laurie

In the morning I get a call from Mrs. Donahue that I find very interesting. Apparently Kyle Gray, the boy who tried to sabotage Conner's chance of winning, is staying at the Donahues. He was found wandering in the woods by Reagan and her cousin, and his mother doesn't want him anymore. I actually begin to feel sorry for the kid. But then I remember what he did to try to win and all my pity goes away.

Mrs. Donahue actually asks me if he could stay at my house, since theirs is a little crowed. She also asks me if he could come to dance for the week, just so he can keep up his practicing.

I think to myself 'Why should I help a boy who tried to sabotage two of my best dancers' chances of winning?' But then I remember he is only a child.

I agree to let Kyle come to dance for the week and stay at my house, besides, it might be useful to have an extra set of hands around here.

There's a chance that things might be very awkward between us, even Mark seemed to disklike him, but whatever happens at least he has a place to stay.

The next day Kyle comes over around 11 o-clock, and Reagan and Conner are there as well. Kyle is nicer than I would've expected: he's polite, cleans up after himself without being asked, he even offers to babysit the boys.

Kyle and Reagan seem to be getting closer as well. They started out just hanging around other people together, and then hanging out by themselves, now they're holding hands. At least Reagan is nice; the plus side to this situation was that I might be able to recruit Kyle to our school. He is an amazing dancer and it would be one more boy to add to Conner and Joe's age group. Kyle has been staying here for five days, and I'm afraid he'll never find a permanent home.

On Thursday, the last day that Kyle is supposed to stay at our house, I hear my doorbell ring. I open it and a woman barges inside. Her hair is a mess, her clothes tarnished, and she smells of alcohol and cigarette smoke.

"Where is he?" She screams in a raspy voice. "Where is who?" I say back, trying to be as calm as possible. Then Kyle starts to come downstairs. "Mom?" Kyle says, and he starts to back away carefully. Then he stops and says "Mom, why are you here? I thought you didn't want me anymore." The woman begins to cry and she doubles over. Her purse falls with her, spewing out pills and strange smelling bottles. Kyle looks distraught but he just says calmly, "Oh no mom, have you been seeing Dad again?" "Kyle why didn't you come home, I was waiting for you." The woman says in a harsh voice. "Well when I see a for-sale sign on the lawn I don't really see that as an invitation to come home!" Kyle begins to tear up, and I see his face fill with rage. "Mom, I think you should go." Kyle says with anger. The police pull up and take Kyle's mother away in handcuffs. I go back inside and Kyle just stands there, staring into oblivion. I stand there with open arms and Kyle runs into them. He just sobs for hours and I comfort him. I hadn't realized how much this boy had been through.

I let Kyle stay for another week, and another, and another until he's officially moved in. "Kyle," I say one day "It's been really great having you here, but wouldn't you feel more secure at a relatives house?" Kyle considers this, but says "All of my relatives live in Ireland, and I'm not kidding when I say all. They're also very mean, and don't like my family very much." "Why is that?" I say. "Miss Laurie I have to tell you something that may change what you think about me." I just nod my head. "The reason that my Irish relatives do not like my family, is because my parents are drug dealers. My mom and I sort of escaped my dad for a while, but I geuss the reason my mom was acting so crazy was because she saw my dad."

I think about this a little. "Kyle it doesn't change how I think about you." He looks relieved.

The next day at practice, I have Joe teach Kyle some steps, that he can practice. It's been quite hectic here because we are preparing for our big annual Christmas show that the whole school participates in. We always gain new students after the show's debut. It's time to get these kids into the Christmas spirit!