Chapter 5

Mary was a natural. All she needs is one lesson and she can nearly master it. If she ever need help her best friend Abby was there to help and vice versa. One day while they were warming up before the new lesson Abby said, "Oh I can't wait for next month. The tryouts are happening again."

Mary started to get worried. "So soon? I thought we had more time."

Abby said, "I did say every couple of months a few times now. Don't worry, we both got enough points to go to the audition this time. Luckily it's this town's company. The one that I missed was far away and my family couldn't make the trip even if I did get in." She looked at her friend and saw she had doubts. "Hey if anything happens we can still be friends. This is one step closer to your dream remember?"

Mary smiled a bit. "I guess so. Feels so real now."

Abby put her hands on her hips. "Well believe it, Mary." Then she got an idea. "How about this? To get our minds off of the audition we can ask our mothers if we can go to the park. We can decompress and relax a bit."

Mary nodded. "I'd like that."

In the parent room, the mothers heard what they said. "Is that alright Ziva?" asked Sarah.

Ziva said, "I have no problem with it. We always go to the park after lessons so there can be equal work and play. Can't have my 4-year-old burn-out so soon and not that young."

Sarah said, "Same here. I mean when I kid comes home, after ballet lessons she likes to practice in the garage with her grandfather. The only time she has time to relax is when she watches TV for 30 minutes."

Ziva asked, "Only 30 minutes?"

Sarah said, "We're trying to control their screen time at home. So I only allow 30 minutes a day. But somehow when it comes to ballet programs I'm always talked into letting her watch the whole thing. How long do you let your kid watch TV?"

Ziva said, "Before school 1 hour, and after school plus ballet lessons, another hour. On weekends, depending on the program, I allow 3 hours' worth but not back to back. That three hours helps me get the chores done around the house unless I ask Abby for help."

Sarah was dumbfounded. "I guess every parent's different I guess when it comes to screen time. Maybe I can get Mary more rest time during school and this class."

Ziva said, "Whatever suits you."

Later that day, and after the girls change their clothes so they won't get torn or dirty, the girls were playing at the playground while their mothers were still talking. Mary was going down the slide while Abby was on the small monkey bars. Abby asked, "What other ballets do you know besides the trio?"

Mary said, "The only one I know for sure is Le Papillon and the Dying Swan. Other than that there are not really other ballet performances I can find on TV. There are some French clips but only if my sister lets me use her laptop."

Abby asked, "I guess they don't show them as often as you wanted huh?"

"Yeah but that's ok." Said Mary. "I like ballet school. You get to learn lots of things. I'm just not looking forward when one gets hurt."

Abby knew what she was talking about. "You mean girls getting eat disorders, losing toe-nails, and that bad stuff?" Mary nodded. "I know the feeling. I felt the same way when I first started."

Mary asked, "What kept you going?"

Abby said, "Easy. I want to tell a story through dance. I know I might get hurt here and there, but I won't let that weigh me down. I'll keep going until I had enough and retire. And even if it isn't ballet, just being on that stage is more than enough. I'm sort of a theater brat if you couldn't tell by now."

Mary said, "I can. If not ballet what would you do?"

Abby jumped down from the bars. "That's easy, sing in a musical! They're becoming popular again thanks to Disney so it'll be fun to be in one of those. You?"

Mary thought about it and said, "I don't know. I do like knitting, crocheting, and sewing thanks to my aunt so maybe a crafter like my grandpa. He makes all kinds of stuff for me, my brother and sister, and my cousins. He said he's making 2 presents for me but I don't know what they are yet. Said I have to wait until either my birthday or Christmas to get one of them."

Abby said, "Saves a lot of money I guess. Homemade toys and all. Just like Santa Clause."

Mary nodded as the 2 went on the swings. "Exactly like Santa Clause. I'll always believe in him. You?"

Abby said, "Same here. My favorite movie is Santa Clause Is Coming to Town. Yours?"

Mary said, "That easy. Life and Adventure of Santa Clause. I just love to see all the little fairies and magical creatures. They look so cute. Reminds me of Tinkerbell."

Abby said, "Maybe for this Halloween, we can dress up as fairies."

Mary smiled. "That'll be cool! I always wanted to be a moth fairy."

Abby said, "Snow fairy for me, and if not this Halloween, maybe next Halloween. As long as we follow the rules."

Both recited the Halloween rules. "Wear a costume, pass out treats, never blow out a jack-o-lantern, respect the dead, and always check your candy." The girls giggled as they swing the swing back and forth. As they were swinging a boy dressed in a Halloween costume, consisting of an orange pajama set, and a mask made from a burlap bag with buttons for eyes was watching them in the park. He was a couple of months ahead of Halloween, but there are some that are almost the same in some respects like Día de los Muertos in Mexico or the Obon festival in Japan. It's not the same as Halloween but he respects them nonetheless since those holidays follow his rules to a certain degree. The boy watches them for a while longer before turning away from the park and walked away.

After Mary had her fill with the park, she and her mother were on their way home. "You had fun with Abby Mary?"

Mary said, "I did mama. Can we come to the park every other day?"

Sarah shrugged. "Can't see why not. Now, do you have any homework you have to do?"

Mary shook her head. "No mom I don't. I do want to practice a bit more to get ready for the company audition though."

Sarah said, "Seems fine with me. But only an hour this time. I'm sorry you're going to hurt yourself if you go overboard."

Mary said, "I'll be careful mom. Beth found some moves on her laptop I can use today. After that, I'll take a bath before dinner."

Sarah smiled. "Good because grandpa and grandma are making your favorite."

Mary beamed. "Egg benedict casserole?!"

Sarah giggled at her daughter's happiness. "The very same. It's been a month since the last time we had it and we have to keep up the tradition."

Mary cheered. "Yeah! I can't wait to eat it! But not too much. I still want to fly." Both giggled.