Caroline the Ballerina
Chapter 3
It was May, a month before third grade ended for Caroline and Sally. Seven months after their first lesson, the girls were about to give their first public performance. They were dressed in identical white tutus, both of them members of the corps de ballet. Every year towards the end of the school year, Miss Morgan's students of all ages got together and rehearsed for a performance at the Peshtigo High School auditorium. That year, they were to perform excerpts from the classic "Swan Lake". After many months of hard work, getting to dress up and perform for their parents and friends was the highlight of the year for the students, none more so than Caroline.
But mixed with Caroline's excitement was quite a bit of nervousness. She tended to freeze under high pressure situations. Caroline swallowed hard as she remembered the Wisconsin state spelling bee a couple of months back. After that disaster, most of the kids at school had started calling her 'Caroline Doofy'. Caroline closed her eyes, bit her lip, and started breathing deeply, trying to relax.
Sally looked at her friend and could almost read her mind. Touching her arm, she said "I know what you're thinking… all the kids'll be watching, waitin' for 'Doofy' to freeze. But don't worry, Caroline. We've rehearsed so much, we can do this dance in our sleep. And if you forget anything, just follow my lead. Anyway, nobody's expecting much from us. Everyone's eyes will be on Lee – she's dancing Odette. We're just members of the corps and we'll only be on for a few minutes. No one will even notice us, unless we flub really badly. You'll see – it's gonna be fun!"
Caroline smiled at Sally. "That Sally - She always knows just what to say." She eyed Miss Morgan walking from the wings to onstage. "Look! It's almost show time!"
Miss Morgan stepped in front of the closed curtains to the mike to address the audience. "Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls: Thank you for attending this year's performance by the Peshtigo School of Ballet." She paused briefly for a smattering of applause. "This year, we will be performing scenes from the classic ballet "Swan Lake". "Swan Lake" is based on a German fairy tale about a beautiful princess, Odette, who is turned into a swan, along with her friends, by an evil magician. Every midnight, they become human again for a few hours. One night, she is discovered by Prince Siegfried, who falls in love and promises to rescue her. On a later night, there is a ball in Siegfried's castle, at which he is to choose a bride. The magician's daughter, dressed as a black swan, appears looking exactly like Odette. Siegfried declares that she will be his bride – only to see Odette later entering the ball. Crushed, she rushes off back to her lake. Siegfried gives chase and finds a sad Odette there. That's where our dance tonight will start. In some versions, there is a tragic ending: Just after Odette forgives Siegfried, the magician conjures up a storm which drowns them. We'll be dancing the happy ending: Siegfried fights the magician and breaks the spell. Tonight, our prize student, Lee Stillwell will be dancing the role of Odette… Ladies and gentlemen, scenes from "Swan Lake"."
The curtains opened to polite applause. The younger girls were circled around Lee, posing, arms outstretched. The circle slowly opened, 'Odettee' began her dance.
"Step, step, step, cross, bow, hold…" At first, Caroline was nervous, but she had rehearsed so many times, in class and in her mind, that her 'muscle memory' started to take over. She smiled at Sally. "Sally was right. This is easy… and fun!" Caroline glanced at Lee. "Wow! She's on pointe. Miss Morgan doesn't allow us on our tiptoes, only on the balls of our feet." Then Caroline noticed something more, beyond the more advanced positions and movements. Lee's face… her whole body… her every movement expressed sadness…
"Psss… Caroline! You're out of step!" whispered Sally.
Caroline quickly got back in step… and then, almost before they knew it, their part of the dance was over. Caroline and Sally quietly giggled and briefly hugged each other.
A few minutes later, the entire dance had finished. The curtains lowered, loud applause could be heard.
"Alright girls!" Miss Morgan commanded, clapping her hands for attention. "Back on stage! Take your bows, you've earned it."
Caroline, Sally, and the rest of the corps de ballet returned onstage, behind 'Odette' and 'Seigfried'. The curtains rose and they all bowed together. They finished their bow, Mike gestured to Lee, and the applause thundered even louder. Though she was only basking in the reflected acclaim and glory directed at Lee, young Caroline got a real adrenaline rush. To Caroline, who was the type that wanted everyone to like her, a large building full of applauding people was like heaven. "Some day that'll be me."
******
After her performance, Caroline, her parents and brother were walking back to their car.
"We're so proud of you, dear" said Margaret.
"That's right, Puddin'! You were the best" added Fred.
"Yeah…! Which one were you?" asked three year old Chris.
"She was the best one, dear" answered Margaret.
"Oh."
"So, Puddin… Do you think you'll continue dancing next year?"
"Sure, Dad. Why wouldn't I?"
"No offense, honey. But every year you start something and love it, then every year you start something new."
"Well, that won't happen this time, Dad" Caroline replied. "Or will it?"