A week later, Audrey auditioned.
She earned a place in the spring recital.
Laura called a few days afterward. She said Mia hadn’t known what Derek had done and was horrified when she found out.
“Mia always wanted Audrey to do well,” Laura said. “This was Derek’s jealousy, not hers.”
By the time the recital arrived, Audrey was dancing around our kitchen again.
I told her Audrey needed time before seeing Mia again.
By the time the recital arrived, Audrey was dancing around our kitchen again. She still got nervous before rehearsals, but she’d stopped hiding her shoes.
On the night of the performance, I found her waiting near the auditorium doors before she went backstage.
“Nervous?” I asked.
“A little.”
Minutes later, Audrey walked onto the stage beneath the bright lights.
She adjusted the ribbon on her costume, then gave me a small smile.
“Mom, watch this.”
