Two crisp, clear, claps ring out, as Madame Bovary, spins on her heels turning away from the class in protest to their performance. "Girls what are you doing? This is not what I showed you. Again, from the top."
The expression across their faces rings out loud and clear. Maybe, even clearer than the claps they just heard. Everyone takes their starting positions two rows of six, and begins from the top. The girls begin to smile, knowing they are hitting each mark. Madame Bovary, almost smiles, letting the class of ten-year-olds know she is pleased.
Again two crisp claps, "Take five". Each girl runs to the fountain for a small drink of water, and to gaze out the window. The day is lovely; the swings on the playground would make a wonderful breeze to cool their red hot faces. The class returns to Madame Bovary, for the next string of moves. Everyone is standing in attendance but Mattie, who is only seven; she dances in the class with her cousin Michelle. She is watching a small red squirrel, which in turn sometimes hops in the window and watches Mattie.
Tonight Mattie gets to dance with the class, As a rule, she only goes to rehearsals and not to the recitals. However, tonight she will get her own solo.
Madame Bovary calls for the girl. "Child, do not keep me waiting all day, we must go over your dance."
Mattie a wild haired curly Q, rounds the corner, like a commando, shoulders squared and feet flat. "Tada!" she shouts.
The teacher is too proper to roll her eyes, or to snicker, but snicker to herself she does. Belinda, the red squirrel who longs to be a prima ballerina wraps her fluffy red tail around her middle like a tutu and watches the solo from her window perch. Mattie’s arms frame her stance, and Belinda also stands at the ready. They bend, and sway in unison. They dip, leap, and plié` across the floor, and windowsill. Madame Bovary claps her hands and proclaims the rehearsal is complete.
Now all that is left is hair, make-up and costumes, oh, and parents of course. Das himmlische Leben, in G Major rings out as the chorus line of dancers take the stage. Parents offer a small clap offering as the curtain goes up. Belinda the dancing squirrel sits in the corner of the stage to watch the dancers up close.
Mattie, our star watches the girls for her cue to enter. She is mesmerized; no longer can she hear the music. Soon her smile is replaced with a dead stare. Her feet become one with the floor and blinking is waved away. The spotlight is set corner stage for her to move into place, but the light remains empty. The small orchestra hits her cue again, but still no Mattie.
Whispers echo from the audience as they wonder about the empty light. Belinda jumps up with alarm; she is worried that Mattie will not be able to step into her spotlight. Again, her cue is played; again the lighted floor remains bare. Without thought, Belinda wraps her fluffy red tail around her middle, places a small broken acorn shell on her head, for a tiara and spins into the spotlight. The orchestra stands to their feet confused by the little red squirrel.
She places her little paws in the starting stance and the orchestra is seated, instruments lifted and the ballet solo begins. Mattie smiles as she watches the little red squirrel dance. She is now seated in the corner of the stage amazed with Belinda’s grace. The parents stare in disbelief and Madame Bovary thinks she will become famous. The dance draws to a close; the people stand and wildly applaud the little red squirrel. A piece of baby’s breath is tossed to Belinda, she curtseys to the room. Mattie smiles at Belinda and though the whole room wants her attention, she and Mattie skip away to play.
![[send message]](https://www.writerscafe.org/images/mail.png){kind=small}
![[befriend]](https://www.writerscafe.org/images/friend.png){kind=small}
Share This
Email
Facebook
Twitter
Read Request
My Library
Flag Writing
