Page 53 of Dancing in Lake Mistletoe

The entire crowd shouts with him, and on the count of one, I hit the power on the base just as Hoyt flips the silver lever. A hush falls over the square as the tree comes to life, and thousands of tiny lights illuminate its branches. The giant star on top glows bright. When the base begins to rotate and the soft instrumental version of “Silent Night” fills the air, everyonestarts to clap and shout. Keller slaps my back, and we join the cheers.

Thank God.

Once we’re confident the base will continue spinning, we unite with our families on the lawn. Keller finds Willa and Beckham, and Bran joins Hannah, Sela, Isaac, and Cobie, who are seated with my crew. As I walk to them, I take in the scene. Cobie and Josie are giggling together while Sela, Hannah, Mom, and Mindi chat. The sight, the way it causes my chest to tighten, stops me in my tracks.

I want this.

I want this every year for the rest of my life.

I want her. Forever.

I shake the thoughts. There’s no point in wanting something that can never be. She doesn’t belong here. She’s meant to be on a stage in New York or LA, shining like the star that she is. And I’ll have to settle for what time we have left.

Pulling myself together, I join my girls, and we watch the parade, cheering loudest for Bob as the boats launch into the water, one by one. Under the Lake Mistletoe moon and the lights from the grandest Christmas tree on the West Coast.

Mindi

Sela, Lydia, and I get in line for a sleigh ride around the lake with the girls while Dutch and Isaac help Keller and Bob. Josie and Cobie are bouncing with excitement. I glance around the square at the families milling around and the ginormous tree. It’s really something to behold. Granted, New York City at Christmas is nothing to sneeze at. The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, Saks Fifth Avenue windows, ice-skating in Central Park, and the RockettesChristmas Spectacularare legendary, but this? This is magical. These people live this way year-round. Neighbor helping neighbor. Eating together. Working together. Loving each other. I’ve lived in Manhattan—an island with more than 1.6 million residents—for six years, andI only know a handful of people, and only three of those do I consider close friends.

I’ve made deeper connections in the past six weeks.

“Mindi.”

I turn at the sound of my name to find Soma. She’s standing in line a few feet back with another woman.

I look down at Josie. “I’ll be right back, okay? Stay with Nana and Sela.”

I walk back to greet my director. “Hi, Soma.”

“Hi, Mindi. This is my wife, Tasha,” she says, introducing us. “Mindi is one of my principal dancers.”

“It’s lovely to meet you,” I say. “And I’m glad you guys were able to make it out to join us tonight.”

Soma gives me a quizzical look. “Yeah, I’m happy we came too.”

“I’ll reserve my judgment until after this ride,” Tasha interjects.

Soma rolls her eyes. “She’s not a fan of horses.”

“Oh, you’ll love Prancer and Holly. They’re very docile,” I assure her.

“You know the horses by name?” Soma asks.

“Oh, yeah, we’re old friends.”

She considers me thoughtfully. “You know, Mindi, if you consider leaving ABT, there’s a soloist position with your name on it at Ballet Idaho.”

I’m taken aback by her comment. “What?”

“I see something special in you. And I know our company isn’t considered as prestigious, but we’re growing, and we have a lot of talented dancers. There’s a lot we can offer someone like you. An intimate work environment. Feature roles. Better cost of living. And ample opportunities for artist growth.”

I worked so hard to get into ABT. It was my single goal while in ballet school. I’ve never really considered anywhere else.

“I don’t know what to say,” I state honestly.

She reaches out and pats my hand. “Just think about it.”

“I will.”

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