Page 83 of The Way We Dance

Still, we agreed that I would sit in the office during the day classes, and get some work done. Then, when she was ready to present the first act, I would come in and watch inside the studio.

Inside my office, I quickly noted that there was not a thing out of place. My mother had not come in and messed with anything.

She must have really been scared when she got that call.

It was the only reason I could come up with her being so helpful and supportive. It was one thing to fuss over me after being shot, but it was another to take over everything that meant anything to me and not change it. She didn't even criticize me for things she would have done differently.

Several nights, we spoke about a mother getting a call that her child had been shot being the single most life changing and eye opening thing to ever happen. It made me think of Mrs. Watson the night we were at the game, and being there with her when that call came in, I saw first hand what happened to that mom.

They do what they have to do. They cry, panic, get strong, cry some more, and then move forward to go take care of them. That must have been what happened to my mother. The fear of losing me changed her.

Not entirely.

She was still the fabulous Galena Metrovik. She could still dance circles around me and anyone that dared to try. She was putting up with the kids at Brisé but she hadn’t converted to actually liking them. Her poise was still spot on, elegance was still intact.

I was told that I could be intimidating, but then when people met Galena, they realized I was just a puppy. I kind of smiled wondering what the mothers at the studio thought. I was sure it was a mix of awe and fear.

Making calls was the first thing I needed to do in the office. The theater I booked, which I now regretted, was still worried about their loss of ticket sales hosting a child’s ballet class. Even after I told them Galena Metrovik would be there, they still wanted more from me.

Getting comfortable in my chair, I logged into my computer but there was a folded piece of paper taped to my screen.

Opening it, I realized it was a handwritten letter. To me.

Giselle,

It has been six long ass weeks and I miss you so much. If you thought time would change things, or make things disappear altogether, you thought wrong. All it made me do is want you more. Please call me.

Ty

He was right.Things didn’t change where my feelings for him were concerned. I didn't regret pushing him away for a while, though. His brother was involved, we had unspoken things going on between us, he was in the spotlight all the time, he was trying to have a good season, and I was wanting to let my life sink in. I wanted to be sure that any decisions I made were not a result of him.

So, I flipped the paper over a million times before grabbing my phone and sending him a text.

Giselle: I miss you too.

Not even a full 30 seconds went by before he responded.

Ty: Oh shit it worked.

I couldn’t help but laugh at him. I pictured him looking at his phone and dropping it because I had risen from my secret cave and actually reached out.

Giselle: Today is the first day I have been able to think clear and move forward. It is the first day I don’t want to hide.

Ty: Can I just say one thing?

Ty: I promise, swear, vow, take an oath, anything else…. I was not a part of Mike’s plan. I had no idea what was going on and he made a fool of me by making me let my guard down.

Giselle: I know…

Ty: I know you thought I was a part of it. I know that it is why you pushed me away in the beginning and I don’t blame you at all. I just wish we had gotten a chance to talk.

Giselle: We will. I promise, vow, cross my heart…. We will talk this all out and decide where to go.

Ty: We already know where we’re going…. ;-)

I laughed because that could be taken so many ways and I was sure he meant all of them.

Giselle: I will call you when I get home tonight.

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