Page 18 of You're the Reason

Grace closed her eyes a moment, then let out a deep sigh. If she did therapy here in Chicago, there was still a chance Madame Laurent would see her progress and change her mind. “I want to do therapy and reaudition for Odette for the end-of-summer show.”

“Excellent.” Madame Laurent slid her glasses back on and made a note on the paper in front of her. “Tell Alec on your way out, and you will need to turn in your key to him by the end of the day.”

Grace started to stand but then nearly tripped over her own feet. “My key?”

“Rooms are only for dancers of the current show. We will need your room for another dancer.” She moved her hand as if to shoo Grace away.

Grace wasn’t going anywhere. She leaned on the desk. “But I am coming back.”

Madame Laurent’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Then we will reissue you another room at that time.”

“Where will I go?” She dropped back into the chair with a thud.

“I am sure you will figure it out.”

“If I?—”

“Take the roll of Myrtha? No. Follow your courageous road. You will come out stronger. You’ll see. You may go.” She motioned with her hand once again for Grace to leave.

Grace stood and walked toward the door. Slow, steady breaths, in and out. It wouldn’t support Madame Laurent’s theory that her road was courageous if she passed out during the first few steps.

But what was she going to do? She couldn’t afford to rent a place in Chicago on her own. She couldn’t sleep on a friend’s couch. All of her friends lived here with the company. And where would she dance to even be ready to try out for Odette?

Ms. Margret’s face flashed in her mind. Like it or not, Heritage just might be her only option.

Grace lifted her phone and found Margret’s number. The woman answered on the third ring. “Grace?”

“Were you serious about me coming to Heritage for the summer?”

“Absolutely. What changed your mind?”

“I told them I am not taking Myrtha, and I lost my housing.”

“I’ve been praying, and God does work in mysterious ways.”

Well, Grace had never liked His mysterious ways. “You really think I could use the studio to practice?”

“And to teach.”

She let out a deep sigh. She didn’t want to teach, but if she had to, she would. “And to teach.”

“I already texted Leah, and she’s all for it.”

“You already asked?”

“I had faith God would bring you back. You need this, and we need you.”

“Leah was really okay with it?”

“At least that’s what I think the little cartoon picture of the thumb means.”

“Thumb?”

“Let me send you a screenshot. My grandnephew Kade showed me how to do that because he has to talk me through phone problems all the time.” There was a tapping then a chime on Grace’s phone.

Leah’s response was just a thumbs-up emoji. “I guess that’s a yes.”

“She did just have a baby yesterday so we may want to clarify later with a contract, but for now, I say it’s a go. When will you be back in town?”

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