"When did it start hurting?" Erik heard Rebecca's voice from the dancers' practice room. The door was slightly open and he gazed in. Rebecca was examining Jessica's foot and Jessica grimaced at Rebecca's touch.
"This morning was when …AH!" Jessica halted her explanation and reacted to the pain.
"Sorry," Rebecca said gently laying Jessica's foot down, "I think you might have landed on your foot wrong yesterday."
"You should be taking it easy." Jessica was concerned with her friend. Rebecca's color had not returned to her face and her voice was weak.
"I would feel better if we had a doctor look at it." Rebecca continued ignoring what Jessica had just said.
At that moment, Erik walked in. Rebecca could feel her face flush with redness and made no eye contact with him.
"What's this about a doctor?" Erik asked trying to sound as though he was not eavesdropping and only heard the last sentence.
"Rebecca wants me to see a doctor for my foot." Jessica said she noticed the slight awkwardness that was between them.
"I'll send for the doctor then." Erik looked at Rebecca. "Rebecca, I would like to speak with you."
Rebecca followed Erik out of the dancers' practice room. After telling Jessica to stay off her feet.
"He is so handsome." One of the younger dancers said followed by concurring giggles. Jessica said nothing. It was unladylike for her to speak of a man in such a manner. Her thoughts were occupied more heavily on a recent discover about the director and his assistance.
Jessica had two older sisters that had married in the past two years. She recognized the signs of when a friendship between a man and a woman change into something more intimate. But who was she to get involve in her friend's personal affairs.
◊
"To answer your question" Erik began.
"I'm sorry; I shouldn't have even brought it up." Rebecca felt embarrassed by her question and did not want to dwell on it. They were walking down the hallway towards the stage area.
"No, you shouldn't apologize," Erik stopped walking and gently grabbed onto Rebecca's hand forcing her to stop as well. "Your question made face some things that I have been avoiding."
"And?" Rebecca asked not looking at him.
"I still love her," Erik said quietly.
"You do?" Rebecca asked fearing what he might say next.
"As a teacher would love his student, who has done very well." Erik finished what he began to say. He was surprised himself when he came to that conclusion.
Rebecca felt a burden lifted from her chest. Erik's answer meant that his healing, the part that was up to him, was almost done. Erik also felt relieved by his answer and he was glad. Rebecca looked at him and they both smiled
"Which doctor were you thinking to send for?" Rebecca asked, changing the subject.
"Daquin suggested a doctor and I think I might use that one." They continued walking down the hall.
"Oh, what's his name?" Rebecca asked gently removing her hand from Erik's grasp.
"Harman, I believe," Erik said regretting the lost of his friend's hand. "Jake Harman." Rebecca stopped walking suddenly. A surprised look came upon her face.
"Jake Harman you say." She asked.
"Yes," Erik returned the surprise look to Rebecca, "Why?"
"How about I get the doctor?" Rebecca asked.
"Are you sure?" Erik asked wondering about Rebecca's surprised look. "I was going to send one of the stage hands."
"I need to get out and besides the fresh air will do me some good." Rebecca said trying to convince Erik to let her go.
"Well if you're up to walking…" He said.
"Thanks, I'll see you later then." She said going back up the hall.
"What aren't you telling me?" He yelled after her. 'Nothing!' her voice said in his mind.
Author's Note: I'm very sorry for the shortness, but my muse hasn't spoken to me. Please help my muse and review.
