The Dance
She sits nervously in the back room. Normally, she would
sneak outside for a quick cigarette but there’s no time. She’s on in two
minutes. She shoots him a quick text – ‘Are you coming?!?!’
Mary-Ann had been preparing for this moment since she was 3
years old. Mom wouldn’t let her start dance class until she was 5 – so she
would turn on some music and dance in front of her Dad as he sat in his
favorite chair. Usually all his attention would be on the TV. screen but when
she would dance – he would actually pay attention to her! Sometimes he would
even turn the TV. off – get out of his favorite chair and dance with her.
As Mary-Ann grew did her passion for dance. Every style she
tried – she excelled at: classical, ballet, tap, salsa and even hip-hop. She
loved having something she was good at, something that people respected her for
but more than anything it was her place to escape.
As she entered high school – her parents were growing
further and further apart. It wasn’t fighting – it was much worse – they
wouldn’t even speak at all. Mom would disappear into the bed room and Dad to
his easy chair. They were never all 3 together and when they were – it was
excruciatingly awkward. Except for when she danced. Her mom and dad would come
to the show together and they would all go out to eat together afterwards to
talk about the performance. It wasn’t much but it was some of her happiest
moments.
Even those meals were distant memories now. Her parents had
separated 3 months after she left for college. Her mom would come to her
performances but her dad hadn’t come the entire four years.
“Seniors – get in line! Get ready! Remember you have 5
minutes each and have fun out there” the dance instructor said. Mary-Ann was
first in line and she felt like her was going to explode. Her entire life had
built to this moment.
As she walked on stage – her eyes scanned the dark room. Was
he out there? Did he show up? There wasn’t any more time to look – the music
had started. Her body moved strong and gracefully. Each step deliberate and
beautiful. The first 3 minutes had been choreographed and called upon all her
years of training. The last 2 minutes were improv – completely reliant upon her
heart and passion. Her planned part had ended and she burst forth with all her
might!
Her heart shone through with joy as she rhythmically moved
to the music pounding out of the speakers. As the music trails off the crowd
erupts with applause. She soaks it in while wandering the whole time – is he
clapping too?
The performance is over and all the girls are leaving to
celebrate with their families. Mary-Ann is leaving with just her mom. “It’s
okay honey. He does love you – you know that right? Why don’t we go to your
favorite restaurant?
She puts on a strong face and says okay but inside she is
absolutely crushed. She opens the door to her car and slowly gets in. she flips
on the overhead light to find her iPod. And sitting on the passenger seat is a
note and a picture. The picture is of her and her Dad dancing when she was a
little girl. And the note says, “That was the most beautiful thing I have ever
seen. I am so proud of you. Your mother and I will be waiting at our old
restaurant. We would love it if you joined us. Love Dad”
Her heart exploded with emotion and she cried tears of
relief. It wasn’t much but for at least this one night – dance had brought them
together as a family once again.
