Two more weeks. In just two more weeks, it was bye, bye to Abby Lee and the ALDC. Maddie immediately thought back to every class she'd ever taken, all the tips on technique and pointers on aesthetics she had ever received. Every memory of rehearsals and competitions she'd participated in came flooding back to mind. As exciting and momentous as those things had been, she knew her future was going to be even better. She was all set to be that 'star' her mother and Abby kept telling her she would surely be.
"A-ha!" the youthful voice, coming on strong behind her, resounded in Maddie's ears. It was Jo-Jo's boistrous shout, intruding, messing with the ideas in Maddie's head. The spunky blonde wore a huge bow, violet-red, a very violent shade, in her shimmering pale locks. She smiled at Maddie mischievously until she turned her smile into a wide thousand-watt grin. "No more pyramids for you, Maddie!" she squawked, crowing, dancing around her in jiggy circles. Really whooping it up as Maddie stood looking at Jo-Jo as if she had lost her mind. The kid was kind of screwy, Maddie had always thought. Cute, but kookie, with spunk for days. Once, Jo-Jo had told her that she wanted to be the next Marilyn Monroe, or, Ann-Margaret, Pamela Anderson...or was that Anna Nicole Smith? Oh, well, some blonde bombshell from the past. Jessalynn and Jo-Jo had their sights set on that goal.
"I'm not going to miss them. Not one bit," Maddie snidely replied, rolling her eyes. The Pyramid of Shame was one of many Abby tactics to mess with their heads. Her heart wasn't in any of this drama anymore. The drama generated by the ALDC and the moms would always be rampant, and brutal. Maddie was so glad that she was so over it. She was heading straight for the 'big time.' True, drama would be there too, but she'd be making so much money, and be recognized everywhere she went. Even more people would demand her autograph. She was going to be one of the judges on 'So You Think You Can Dance,' on FOX. Talk about incredible. She could hardly wait; even more people would see her on T.V. Maddie grinned back at Jo-Jo, but thought about all the more interesting people she had already met, and would meet. Sounding as if she was speaking to someone much younger than Jo-Jo actually was, Maddie said, "We'd better get into rehearsal for the group dance before Abby screams her head off."
Before Maddie got the chance to walk away, she heard Abby calling her name. All the mothers, even the moms of the minis, were all eyes and ears, anticipating what she was going to say to Maddie. Would she be in not just a solo, but maybe in another duet with Kalani? They had been absolute perfection last week and had won first place hands down. Deservedly so.
"Maddie, I'd like to speak with you privately. In my office. If you don't mind." She didn't even spare Melissa a glance. The expression on Mrs. Ziegler-Gisoni's face, colored by too much make-up today, was blank. No amount of color could infuse animation into it. It was as though Melissa was on auto-pilot, physically in the studio, but absent mentally. Out of the blue, Abby said sharply, "Melissa, it's all right? Isn't it?" That was a first. Since when did Abby ask permission for speaking with Maddie?
"Sure, sure," Melissa automatically responded, giving Jill a faint nod, and whispered under her breath, "What now?"
To which, Jill answered, "Bet Abby's going to try making one, last plea for Maddie to stay."
"Ha, like that's gonna happen," Melissa snapped.
Behind the closed door of her cluttered, cramped office, dance flyers of every category piled high on her desk, Abby read:
"Her ... jétés and pirouettes juxtapose self-containment with a sort of reckless abandon. But it is her face ... that truly captivates her audience thanks to the tantalizing allure of catharsis through art. [Ziegler's] work ethic, not to mention her evident love for the art, has made her relentlessly relevant. She has something to say with her performances, whether in a music video for Sia, or in a solo at Nationals. Her technique is lovely, especially for a young teen, all of thirteen. She has stretched knees, pointed feet, and arms that float on clouds, her fingers perfectly placed. But still more important is her virtuosity, her connection with the public. She tells a narrative that resonates with the viewer, whether portraying a scorned lover or a werewolf. This maturity is astounding for one so remarkably young – she just gets it. She's meant to perform, meant to communicate with people. She has defied the odds of Generation Z's competitive, egocentric mentality to make her career about the work, not the celebrity..."
When Abby finished, clearing her throat, obviously affected by what she'd read, there were tears in her eyes. They threatened to spill any moment. Taking time to compose herself, she took a deep breath and lauded, "Maddie, I'm going to miss you like you were my very own daughter." She waved her right hand in front of herself, trying to calm. "You are truly a star. Don't let anyone tell you any differently." This was so hard. Abby silently kept repeating that to herself, over and over.
This is so incredibly hard...
"You're irreplaceable...no one will take your place." Looking crushed, Abby trembled, her words gushed from her mouth, past quivering lips. Her tears could not be contained. They rolled down her cheeks. "They'll never be another like you on the ALDC Junior Elite Team."
Tears from her teacher, training her since Maddie was two years old, were falling faster now. Abby wasn't ashamed of her tears, letting her feelings flow. Maddie, deeply affected, rushed to Abby to give her a big hug. "Don't cry," Maddie softly said, sniffling. "This is what you spent all the time and worked so hard preparing me to do. It's why we came to L.A."
Nodding furiously, her teacher listened, being counseled by her sincere student. "I know, I know. I want this for you." In addition, she croaked, "Nothing but the best for you, Maddie."
Possessed of a maturity she wielded as naturally as the grace when she danced, Maddie confided, "I'm going to miss you too. I'll never forget everything you've taught me. And if I ever forget all the important things I've learned." Her look alone assured this was a promise. "I'll come back for you to remind me." Maddie hugged her harder and Abby quaked, fraught with profound emotions she couldn't control. This little girl, not so little anymore, was more than a student. Over the years, despite the chasm of age difference, she'd become a good friend and confidant. They'd had their ups and downs, but as Abby now reflected, mostly ups. Indeed, it had been a fantastic ride.
"Maddie," Abby said, sounding more in control of herself. "Come visit me, when you can. I'll never be too busy for you." She smoothed down Maddie's hair that was tightly pulled back by the ponytail holder. Forcing her smile, Abby continued, "All right then. Back to rehearsal. I want 'The Atlantic' perfect. We've got to win at Sheer Talent. It's in Fresno and the team and the moms, the minis and their moms too, are going by bus."
"By bus?" Maddie hooted, wondering if she'd heard right. The plane ride to Sacramento for the XPressions competition had been way great.
"Yep, you heard me. Plane travel is very expensive. I'm in business to make money, not throw it into the Pacific. Now, out. Out. I'll be out in a minute." More her old, tough lady self, she shooed her star performer out. Running hands hastily through her hair that was still molded in the shape of hair rollers she'd removed not long ago, Abby sighed. She looked at Maddie with fondness as she was about to scoot from her office. But, in that moment, Maddie turned on her heel, ran back to Abby to give her another hug. Stunned, Abby embraced Maddie, burying her face in the top of her head. "Don't say anything about this to anyone. I'm taking you, Melissa and Mackenzie out for a special dinner at Spago's, in Beverly Hills. The food is beyond fabulous. Black Amex card all the way."
"Wow! Thanks Abby. I can tell Mom, right?" Maddie asked, bubbling with excitement, coupled with youthful enthusiasm.
"I'll tell her. That way, no one else overhears, then gets offended, causing even more drama, because I didn't ask them. This dinner is just among us. For us. No one else. My way of thanking you guys for all the memories I'll cherish, always."
Nodding that she understood, Maddie left the office, closing the door behind herself. Lost in thought for a moment, Abby shook preoccupation off, then went out to the Dance Moms and their brood that clamored for her presence.
The minis were jumping up and down and as Abby took stock of them, she smiled, contemplating the future and the part they would play in her continued success.
