Chapter 18
Age 11. Mary was in her tutu and was looking at the list for the latest ballet. The Swan Lake. FINALLY, the owners decided on an ending. This time it'll be original. In this version. Odette and Odile get lovers. Odile is the daughter of the evil wizard and is friends with Odette and so during the act where Odile tricks the prince, it'll be under the force of her father and is actually in love with the prince's friend Benno von Sommerstern. So in this case both swan will get their own lovers after a grand fight between the wizard and the men. The only hick-up was that for this to work, there need to be twin dancers so it'll be believable. Luckily with the power of makeup, it can happen. Thankfully the 2 main ones aren't the roles Mary was aiming for. She would be happy enough to be one of the swan extras during the hunt. Luckily her wish came true. "Did it grandpa." She said. 7 other girls Mary knows and is fond of looked at the list and saw their names. "Looks like we're gonna be in the same group girls." Said Mary. "Boss gave us permission is do a bit of comedy since it worked for me and…" She was silent as the rest of the girls were silent. "And Abby. Let's make people laugh again. For Abby." The girls agreed. "If there's time before the end of the early session, let's look up some comedy Swan Lakes and see what we can do and use. If push comes to shove, we'll make one up on our own." The girls nodded again and all of them went to their lockers and got their tech. Once on stage, they compared and contrasted what would be perfect for them to do. Finally, they came up with the idea. All 8 would be white and black swans in a pattern and during the dance of Act 2, there would be funny antics to make the audience laugh. Once that was decided they started to practice what they wanted to do.
Later on that night, she made it home and looked outside her house. Whatever happiness she felt she had, left. Things weren't going well. Instead of going inside of the house, she walked up to the front porch and sat on the stairs. Then she got out her special book and started to read the Swan Lake section based on the movie. As she was reading, she turned the page until she saw the swans dancing. She looked at the picture and then stood up. Then, like she was possessed, she started to dance as though she was the evil fairy from the story. As she was dancing, she made it outside to the backyard and Omi looked outside at her granddaughter as she continued through the window. Some of the birds and animals were in the trees watching Mary as she danced her ballet. She was dancing flawlessly that it was like she was dancing with the other 7 already. Then her mind went from determination to anger and was soon moving her arms up and down as though they were wings. She was channeling a different role. She moved around continuing to flap as though she was flying through the yard. The moon shined bright as she continued as though the moon was her spotlight and the yard was the stage.
Soon enough she was out of breath and landed on her back on top of the grass. She catches her breath and looks up at the sky. As she lay there, she heard someone and started to lie down next to her. She turned her head and it was Max. Max looked up and said, "Swan Lake?"
Mary nodded. "Yeah. Number 2 and grandpa won't be there." She went into her coat pocket and pulled out the tickets. "I even got the tickets for us." She looked at them and asked, "Can you at least make it?"
Max looked at the ticket and the date and said, "It's the same day as my Christmas recital at the shopping mall." He looked at her. "I think we both got the idea of which one our parents are going to. But I think Omi can make it and I know for sure Aunt Dorothy would make it. She never minds hitching a ride with our relatives." He hands her back the ticket. "Knowing you, there will be some funnies?"
Mary laughed. "You know it." She said. "The story is going to be different. Instead of 4 white swans dancing there will be 8: 4 white swans and 4 black swans."
Max asked, "Original story huh?" He nodded at the thought. "Not bad, not bad. But how will the good guys tell the difference between the 2."
Mary said, "Elementary my dear brother, with the power of make-up, we can turn any 2 women into twins."
Max laughed. He then looked at his watch and said, "We better get inside for dinner. Want me to help you up?"
Mary sighs in relief. "Please, unless you wanna drag me. Overdid it just now and I know I'm gonna be sore in the morning." The twins laughed as he helped her up and went inside the house.
And true to form, Mary was very sore from yesterday. Her family already left for breakfast and wanted Mary to go with them, but Mary kindly refuse since she couldn't get out of bed. As she lay there looking at her ceiling, her grandmother came in with the Icy-Hot spray. "Can you turn over?" she asked.
Mary said, "I think so." She gently turned over in her bed and Omi lifted up the pajama top a bit and started to spray the stuff on her back. Then she lifted up the pants legs and did the same for her legs and the back of her feet. "Any toenails ready to fall off?" she asked.
Omi gently lifted up her feet though Mary still felt the pain. "Still have all 10." She gently put her feet down. "BUT you are taking a break until you are no longer in pain."
Mary smiled and sigh in relief as she felt her feet on the bed. "No arguments from this corner." Then she remembered something. "Almost forgot." She pulled out one of the tickets. "Can you make it to the ballet? It's Swan Lake?"
Omi got the ticket and looked at the date. "I'll do what I can." She kissed her head. "Are you planning on asking your Aunt?"
Mary said, "I am, but given it's the same day as the cousin are coming, I don't know." She turned over and sat up a bit. "I hope she comes." Then she smiled. "I'm more excited I'm one step closer to opening that present."
Omi smiled and pets her head. "Well hold your horses. It'll be a long time before you'll be in Sleeping Beauty." She said. "Remember your grandfather's conditions. Either you do all three or until your 21st Christmas, and right now you only got one done and you're on your upcoming 12th."
Mary shrugged. "It'll still be nice though." Then she asked, "Should I even wonder what I'll get for my birthday? So far I'm seeing favoritism with my parents and my twin brother."
Omi put her hand on her cheek. "If that's the case, then we'll have the best birthday party here at the house."
Mary smiled and hugged Omi. "I love you, Omi."
Omi hugged her back. "I love you too Mary." She said.