Page 78 of Perfect Enough

Olivia was one of the first ones to shuffle, and I nearly exploded with happiness. “Jump out, now in—and clap!”

The song ended, and all of the kids jumped for joy. Now, it was time for me to show off my skills, petty as that may have been.

“I’ve got a special treat for you tonight. Who wants to see me do a little Irish step dancing?”

All the kids cried out yes. Laughing, I motioned for them to sit down. I glanced at my mother and saw she was holding back a smile.

“Okay, I’m going to make a fist with each hand and keep them at my sides. My carriage is straight and tall, right?”

A chorus of kids replied with, “Yes!”

“My right foot comes out in front like so.”

Two of the dancers stood and followed my lead. I expanded the dance a bit more, went through the steps a little slower than normal for a few minutes, and once I was finished, all the girls ran up to hug me.

“I want to learn to do an Irish dance!” one of them called out.

“Maybe someday soon, but let’s get back to class.”

Once the class was finished, I made my way to my mother and Olivia’s mom, who’d both entered the studio. All the other kids had left to find their parents, except for Olivia, who took her mother’s hand.

“If that little show was for me, you failed to prove you’re a decent teacher.”

“Now, hold on one minute,” my mother said, as she stepped in front of Mrs. Habernathy. “You have no right to speak to Sophia that way. She’s been dancing since she was able to walk. She has a degree in dance and has been invited to join some of the most sought-after companies.”

Mrs. Habernathy folded her arms over her chest. “Then why is she working at her mother’s dance studio?”

My heart sank at her words. I glanced down at poor little Olivia, who was staring up at her mother in confusion. She clearly had no idea why her mother was upset. Before I could offer to speak to the woman in private without little ears listening, my mother calmly responded.

“I believe you need to find a new dance studio, ma’am. I will not have you disrespecting one of my teachers, regardless ofwhether it’s my daughter or not. If you’re such an expert, teach her yourself.”

The woman’s mouth fell open. “I’ve never in my life—”

“I find that hard to believe. If you’ll excuse us, this conversation is over.”

Turning on her heel, my mother left the studio, leaving me with the angry mom and her bewildered child.

I looked at them and said, “For Olivia’s sake, I was hoping this conversation would go in a different direction.”

Without saying a word to me, Mrs. Habernathy grabbed Olivia’s hand and started for the door. Olivia waved back at me, and my heart broke for the little girl.

Once alone in the studio, I changed my shoes, grabbed my bag, and headed to my office. I sat down and stared at my computer for what felt like a lifetime before I heard the soft knock on my door. Lifting my gaze, I smiled sadly at my mother.

“I’m sorry I lost my cool with her.”

“It isn’t like you to do that, but it’s okay.”

She pulled out a chair and sat down. “You looked like you were lost in thought.”

I nodded. “I was thinking about how my whole life, I always wanted dance to be my career. Whether it was teaching, or moving to New York and pursuing a different dream.”

“You don’t think that way anymore?”

I lifted a shoulder. “I’m not sure anymore. I used to get so much pleasure from teaching, but with more and more parents breathing down my neck, telling me I’m not teaching the right way or complaining that little Suzie didn’t get to be in the front during the first part of the show…it’s slowly sucking all the joy away. And I didn’t fully realize it until today—when I put on a show to prove to a parent that I could do my job. What does that say about me, Mom?”

“You were hurt by her words and wanted to prove her wrong.”

I shook my head. “Yes, but I would have ignored her email six months ago.”

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