Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 75983 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75983 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
I inhaled the roar of the crowd. This was it. The pinnacle of my career. I could never dance again and know I’d left absolutely everything on that stage. The last few years of working to rebuild Ballet Philadelphia with Julian had all led to this moment, as had my own grand love affair with Rudy. I was who I was as a dancer tonight because of him and because of our love. If the audience believed me as the idealistic young lover, optimistic about his future, Rudy deserved a great deal of the credit.
As we took our curtain calls, I glanced at Stefan, the guest dancer who’d come out of retirement for the title role of the older knight. That would be me in a few years. Far from dread, the thought filled me with peace. There would be life for me after ballet. In Julian and Tavio, I had role models for what that new chapter might hold. I was increasingly drawn to the idea of directing, a natural progression for my love of ballet and attention to minute details. Like Don Quixote, I would happily set off on my next adventure, best friend Rudy at my side.
After the curtain calls, we made our way backstage to a shower of praise from all corners. I downed an entire bottle of water as I scanned for Rudy.
“Well. That will do.” Melody Fox was the first to find me. Her jeweled black evening dress had gold detailing to match the clip in her updo and her newly acquired cane, all of which sparkled under the backstage lights. “All the critics will be raving about your virtuoso performance by Monday morning.”
“You’ve single-handedly elevated Ballet Philadelphia and put the rest of the country on notice.” Julian came up behind Melody, breathless and tie askew, but triumphant.
“Hardly alone.” I gestured at him and Melody. “None of this would be possible without you. Or without Melody’s vision.”
“My grandest imaginings have been far exceeded.” Melody gave a graceful sweep of her free hand. “This revival has been worth every penny, and I’m proud to invest in the next generation as well.”
“You’re too kind.” I gave her my most appreciative smile. She’d recently increased her endowment to ensure the company would continue this new level of excellence. While she was certainly our most generous patron, she had also become a dear friend.
“Nonsense. Ask that husband of yours.” Melody snorted. She was worse than I was at taking a compliment. “I’m a tough old bird. A terrible boss.”
“The worst.” Rudy came up behind her to give her a gentle hug. “The meanest boss ever.”
We all knew the tease to be false. She’d hired Rudy to oversee her arts foundation, managing her charitable giving and special projects, a role he loved in no small part due to Melody herself. He continued to do some part-time remote work for his mother and the Hollyberry Ballet, which had also benefited from Melody’s generosity. It was also entirely possible that Melody liked Rudy even more than me, and they made quite the team, a powerhouse of arts giving.
However, he was my husband, and after greeting Melody, he smiled tenderly at me, a private greeting amid all this chaos and crush of people. The warmth in his eyes said he’d prepared my usual post-performance retreat back at our condo, and I rolled my shoulders, already craving that bath. And him.
“And don’t you look handsome.” Melody turned to study Rudy. He wore a vintage black tux he’d scored on one of his many thrifting trips around the city. Over the holidays, Kitty had altered the tailoring for the perfect fit. In a nod to the Spanish stylings of the production, he’d added a red bow tie. Melody offered him an approving nod. “So dapper.”
“You sound like our mothers.” Rudy chuckled. “They took so many pictures earlier, I was afraid they wouldn’t have any storage space.”
“Wise women. You are a most attractive couple.” Melody sniffed as if making an official proclamation. She’d become friends with our families as well, especially with my mother and Margie. “Where are they? I should go say hello.”
“They’re around, along with Tavio and the girls.” Kitty and Victoria were home on spring break from college. Victoria was the star of the college’s acclaimed dance program, while Kitty majored in costume design. For her part, Victoria was as happy as I’d ever seen her. She could still pursue professional dance, but the decision to finish out public high school and go to a traditional college had been a good one for her. I couldn’t wait to hear all about her and Kitty’s first apartment as they’d recently left dorm life for an on-campus apartment complex.
“Girls.” Melody gave me a playful glare. “Young women now. I’ve got my eye on them both.”