Page 71 of A Play for Love

“I’m sorry that happened.”

“As sad as it is, I’m rebuilding a bigger and better school,” I said.

“I’m happy to hear that, Sofia. Nathan, let me get this out of the way. I want to apologize for what I said to you in New York. You are not a horrible man.”

“Thank you, Rose. I appreciate it. But I am not sorry for what I said to you.”

“Nor do I expect you to be. You only spoke the truth.”

“If you’ll excuse me, I’m going upstairs to change. I’ll be right back.” Nathan kissed the side of my head.

“There is a lot I need to say to you, Sofia,” my mother spoke.

“It’s all I ever wanted, Mom. For years, I wanted you to talk and listen to me. But now, I don’t give a damn, and I don’t want to hear what you have to say.”

The sliding door opened, and Charlotte walked in.

“Good lord. It’s like Grand Central Station here,” my mother spoke.

“Hi.” Charlotte walked over and hugged me.

“Hi.”

“Charlotte.” Nathan smiled. “Rose, this is the amazing therapist I told you about.”

“I’m here to help,” Charlotte spoke. “The two of you will sit down and tell each other how you feel. So, come on. Let’s go sit down.”

“Charlotte, I—”

“Sit, Sofia.” She pointed to the couch.

Nathan wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into an embrace.

“I’m going over to Conner’s,” he whispered in my ear.

“Don’t leave me.”

“You’re in good hands with Charlotte, babe. I love you.” His lips brushed against mine.

“I love you too.”

My mother and I sat on the couch while Charlotte sat in one of the chairs across from us.

“Rose, why did you come to Los Angeles?” Charlotte asked.

“Because I want to mend my relationship with my daughter.”

“Ha.” I breathed out a laugh.

“It’s the truth, Sofia. Regardless if you believe me or not, I do love you. I’ve always loved you and only wanted the best for you.”

“You mean for you. You wanted the best for you, Mom. You have controlled every aspect of my life since you put me in ballet shoes. You never cared about what I wanted.”

“You love ballet. You wanted to be a ballerina. It’s in your blood. That’s what you were born to do.”

“You’re right. I do love ballet. It’s a huge part of me, but I wanted more. I wanted a life—my own life. But you wouldn’t hear of it and dismissed my feelings.”

“How does that make you feel hearing Sofia say that?” Charlotte asked her.

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