July

Teddy sat under the canopy staring at the dance stage. It was early in the morning and Annie was one of the many dancers at her level practicing, preparing for the day's Pacific Northwest Championship. It was Teddy's first highland games and Annie had told her it would be a long day. They were both looking forward to the following week. Dr. Milner was on vacation and had closed the lab for a week, sending Annie with some articles to read and summarize. Annie planned on doing her work between surgeries and both her classes were on line so she could watch the lecture videos anytime.

"Good morning Teddy," called Evelyn Hunt.

"Evelyn," Teddy replied, "Owen didn't say you were coming. It's good to see you."

"Spur of the moment, " Evelyn replied, "Owen said he was coming to watch with you today and Christina was with Merideth. So I thought the two of you would like the company. And it sounds like you might need a dance mom to help."

"Annie said the only thing she needs help with is the back of her national but there's snaps so it's a matching game and the zipper on the backs of her jig and solo dresses, I can do zippers," Teddy replied.

Evelyn smiled, "it's not just about costumes. It's a championship, these are big events and highly competitive. You said Annie was Canadian champion this year she's got a lot of pressure on her to be perfect."

"I hadn't thought of that," Teddy said , "I was thinking more about the fact that she has 4 championship dances a break then 4 nationals and 2 choreography pieces. And it's over 100 degrees today. I'm more concerned about dehydration and heat stroke."

"So as a mom and not as a doctor how are you going to stop that," asked Evelyn.

"I actually talked to Leslie," Teddy laughed, " we have her favourite flavour of gatorade, lots of water bottles, ice packs, cut up fruit, yogurt, veggies, cheese and deli meat. But the doctor in me also has an emergency fluid IV at home if it gets really bad, but don't tell Annie that."

"Is that the giant cooler," asked Owen, "and you would really do an IV if she gets that bad."

"I would. I was surprised at the amount of stuff she brought for a two day event," Teddy said.

"Cooler, tent, chairs, practice mats, costumes, shoes, hair stuff, makeup, snacks," Evelyn guessed.

"Yep," Teddy said, "does she really need it all?"

"Yes," Evelyn replied, "try having one dancing and one playing the bagpipes."

Teddy laughed, "Owen played the bagpipes."

"I did," Owen said, " it was high school. Ladies love guys who play instruments."

"But a kilt and bagpipes," Teddy asked skeptically.

"I was 13," Owen said, "I played through highschool."

"Is that why you wanted to come today," asked Teddy.

"I missed the highland games," Owen said, "they were always fun days. And I thought you'd need some support."

"I can be a mom on my own," Teddy said.

"I'm looking forward to today," Evelyn added, "where are her costumes?"

"Hanging on that rack," Teddy said, pointing to the costume rack sticking out of Annie's dance bag.

"She's not in her kilt yet," asked Evelyn looking at the rack.

"She wanted to warm up in her leotard and shorts," Teddy said.

Owen looked closely at the costumes, "Mom when you sold Meghan's national a few years ago who did you sell it to?"

"A dad drove down from Vancouver to get it from me, he wanted it for his 16 year old daughter," Evelyn replied, "why son?"

"Look at Annie's national costume it looks just like Meghan's did," Owen said.

Evelyn walked to the rack and picked up the cranberry coloured vest, she unzipped the back and saw the lining. Evelyn's eyes filled up with tears, "this was Meghan's vest."

"Mom are you okay," Owen asked.

"Her costume is still dancing," Evelyn said, "I remember making this outfit for her. Meghan chose the lining with the ladybugs. Her initials are right there."

Teddy hugged Evelyn, "I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry," Evelyn said, "Owen and I decided that it was time to part with her costumes. I kept her kilt but sold her other outfits to dancers that would cherish them. I'm happy to see it dance again and on your little girl."

"Meghan was taller than Annie," Owen said.

"Someone will have hemmed the skirt," Evelyn said. She flipped up the hem of the skirt and saw the deep 4-5 inch hem. When she made it for Meghan the hem was only about an inch.

Annie came into the tent, "Owen, Evelyn I'm happy to see you."

"It's good to see you Annie," Evelyn said.

"Is something wrong with my national," Annie asked.

Owen questioned, "how long have you had this outfit?"

"Dad picked it up about three years ago from a family in Seattle, their dancer didn't need it anymore," Annie said.

"I made it for Meghan," Evelyn said, "she was 14 when I made it."

"This was Meghan's costume," Annie asked, "I'm sorry."

"I want to see you make it dance again," Evelyn said, "it always moved beautifully. Please make it dance for me."

"I'll do my best," Annie said.

"Should you get your kilt young lady," asked Evelyn.

"They just called the 7-9, 10-11 and 12 year olds," Annie said.

"That means kilt and dickie," Evelyn said, "you can put your jacket on when you get called. Where's your number?"

"Already on my kilt," Annie said, "I only need help with the national and my jig."

Annie danced her morning dances beautifully. She was a jumping bean, her foot work precise, her upper body and head calm and steady. But what drew Teddy and the Hunts attention was her face, she was beaming. On stage Annie was confident and alive.

"She made that face when she held the retractor," Owen said.

"And in the skills lab with Richard," Teddy said.

Evelyn had tears in her eyes, "she reminds me of Meghan."

"I know mom," Owen said.

Evelyn praised, "she's a beautiful dancer. She should do well today."

Annie finished the championship and finally rejoined her Seattle family. Teddy saw her red face and the sweat beading on Annie's forehead.

"When was the last time you drank anything." Teddy asked.

"Between Sean Tribhuas and Reel," Annie replied.

"How much," Teddy asked.

"A couple sips," Annie said, "Teddy I'm fine. I know how to do this."

Owen directed, "you need more water, it's over 100 degrees."

"It's just hot," Annie said, "and what is that in celsius."

"None of us do Celsius," Teddy said, "how long until your nationals."

"The pre championship should be about an hour and a half then 2-3 hours for all of the pre premieres. Then the judges get an hour for lunch," Annie said.

"When will they post call backs," asked Evelyn.

"Soon," Annie said , "awards are after pre championship fling."

"I'll go check the board," Owen said , "you need a drink and food."

"What do you want from the cooler," asked Teddy who was using the cooler as a seat. Annie was laying on the blanket on the ground.

"Just fruit," Annie said, "nothing drippy."

"Apples and grapes," Teddy said.

"Sure," Annie replied sitting up.

Owen came back , "we have a call back."

Evelyn and Teddy cheered.

Annie waited her turn for awards. Teddy played with the hem of her shirt while Annie was on stage for awards.

"Nervous Altman," asked Owen.

"I hate this part," Teddy said , "waiting to hear how she did."

"She's placed," Evelyn said.

"But as well as she wants to," Teddy asked.

"That's up to the judges," Evelyn said.

They called the dances one at a time and Annie won every dance. She was the Pacific Northwest champion. She returned to the tent and was greeted by hugs and cheers.

"Owen I need to change, can you turn around," Annie asked.

"Okay," Owen replied.

Annie hung up her kilt and jacket and unpinned her dickie. She pulled her shorts over her leotard.

"Do you need sunscreen," asked Teddy, "or a shirt."

"Teddy you sound like my mom," Annie teased, "it's too hot to put a shirt over my leotard and it would mess up my hair."

"I'm one of them," Teddy replied.

Annie grabbed the sunscreen from her bag and sprayed her arms and chest. She tossed the bottle to Teddy and turned around so Teddy could spray her back.

"Annie is there any more of that sun screen," Owen asked.

Teddy tossed him the spray bottle, "maybe if you spent more time outside you wouldn't need so much of this."

"Not my fault," Owen said.

They spent the afternoon wandering the games grounds watching other events and enjoying the sounds of the games. They made their way back in time for nationals.

"Annie do you need help with the back of your national," Evelyn asked.

Annie stood in the white underskirt and blouse looking at her outfit, "yes please."

"I'll help you," Evelyn said. She grabbed the skirt and unzipped the back of it and opened the buttons on the waist band , "arms up."

Annie raised her arms and the skirt was pulled over her head and buttoned at the back. She grabbed the unzipped vest from its hanger and slipped it on. Evelyn zipped up the back of the vest and connected the snaps on the plaid and the vest, "you're ready except for your shoes."

"I know," Annie replied.

Annie sat on the blanket and pulled in her dance shoes. She laced them tightly around her feet and tied the bows at the inside of her ankle.

When Annie's age group was called Evelyn pulled her into a hug , "go dance. Make that outfit dance again."

"I'll do my best," Annie said.

Annie stepped on stage ready for her Village Maid, she knew that today, this performance was different. She had learned the story of her favorite outfit, the costume that made her feel strong and confident, the one that moved as if it were her own skin. She also wondered about the person the outfit was made for would she be okay with Annie wearing her costume?

Annie began the dance and Owen wrapped his arm around his mom's shoulders , "Meghan would be happy. Annie reminds me of Meg."

"I never thought I would see any part of her dance again," Evelyn said through tears, "thank you for bringing me today."

"It fits that Teddy's daughter got Meghan's national," Owen said, "Meghan used to call Teddy the big sister she never had."

"Meghan also wanted you to be with Teddy," Evelyn whispered, "but she would be pleased that Teddy's daughter has her national."

"Annie is my only niece," Owen said, "at this rate the only one I'll have. I'm glad she can share a bit of Meghan's legacy."

"She would have loved Annie," Evelyn agreed.

Annie came back to the tent and hugged Evelyn, "thank you for choosing my family for Meghan's national."

"She would have loved to see you dance in it," Evelyn said , "Teddy and her were as close as sisters. She would have wanted you to have it. Maybe it was her that sent it to you knowing the whole story."

"I like that idea," Teddy said, "I prefer seeing you do nationals. You come alive."

Annie did the rest of her dances and won every one of them. Teddy smiled when Annie fell asleep in the car on the way home. She didn't know if Annie was exhausted or had heat stroke so she turned up the AC and let the girl sleep. Teddy was overwhelmed by the love she felt for the girl and the love shown to Annie by Owen and Evelyn. She had heard their conversation during the nationals and in her heart she knew that if Meghan was alive she would want Teddy's daughter to wear her national. She also liked that the outfit connected Annie symbolically to the Seattle family that had opened its heart to both of them. For years she had feared people rejecting her because of her past or recently because Annie was an important part of her life but today she knew that this was their family, Owen, Evelyn and maybe hopefully Meghan was still out there somewhere.