My foster daughter vanished from my life at eight. Eighteen years later, she returned with a box I’d spent years searching for. But the real reason she’d come was still a mystery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I used to believe there wasn’t a problem in the world that couldn’t be made easier with music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou could teach,\u201d my husband, Daniel, suggested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTeach what? How to fall gracefully?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Easier with music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHow to get back up.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I opened a dance studio. For years, I loved every minute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But dancing wasn’t my only love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I’d always adored children and dreamed of having one of my own. Daniel and I tried for years, but no matter what we did, I couldn’t get pregnant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was performing professionally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One evening, Daniel took my hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat if we became foster parents?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAfter everything we’ve been through?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe still have a home. And love to give.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I couldn’t get pregnant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
***<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Three months later, eight-year-old Ivy arrived at our doorstep, carrying a duffel bag and a plastic grocery bag full of clothes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHello, sweetheart. I’m Margaret.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHello.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWould you like to see your room?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She nodded, but when we reached the bedroom, she hesitated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Love to give.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAm I allowed to sleep in that bed?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOf course. It’s yours.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFor how long?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I exchanged a glance with Daniel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFor as long as you’re here, honey.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ivy arrived at our doorstep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She didn’t unpack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During those first weeks, Ivy asked permission for everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCan I open the refrigerator?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOf course.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCan I sit on the couch?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For as long as you’re here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAbsolutely.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One evening, she accidentally knocked over a glass of water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI’m sorry! I’m sorry!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She dropped to her knees, desperately wiping the floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIvy, sweetheart, stop.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ivy asked permission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI didn’t mean to!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI know. It’s just water.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAre you mad?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNot even a little.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She stared at me in disbelief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I didn’t mean to!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Every night, she packed her clothes back into her duffel bag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Slowly, Ivy began feeling at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMargaret, where are my crayons?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUnder the couch, sweetheart.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd my shoes?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It’s just water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhere you left them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Daniel grinned. \u201cShe finally knows this is her home.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One evening, Ivy stormed upstairs because Daniel wouldn’t let her watch television past bedtime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat’s so unfair!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGood night, Ivy!\u201d he called.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ivy began feeling at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She slammed her bedroom door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Daniel turned toward me, grinning. \u201cShe’s finally being annoying.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I laughed so hard I cried.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But everything truly changed one evening in our kitchen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was dancing to an old song while preparing dinner when I noticed Ivy watching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She’s finally being annoying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWant to try?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She shook her head. \u201cI can’t dance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNeither can Daniel.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHey!\u201d my husband protested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I extended my hand. \u201cCome on. Just one step.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Everything truly changed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat if I do it wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen we’ll invent a new dance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She hesitated before taking my hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLike this?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPerfect. Now turn.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Just one step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI’ll fall!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI’ve got you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She stumbled into my arms, laughing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From then on, dancing became our evening ritual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMusic time?\u201d she’d ask after dinner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We’ll invent a new dance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOnly if you’ve finished your homework.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat’s blackmail!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat’s parenting.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Soon, she was dancing around the kitchen every night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One evening, she asked something that stayed with me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dancing became our evening ritual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMargaret, can families stay together forever?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSometimes they can, sweetheart.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCan we?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I held her tighter. \u201cI hope so.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unfortunately, hope wasn’t enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can families stay together forever?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
***<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Eleven months later, our caseworker called.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe’ve located Ivy’s relatives.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat does that mean?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey’ve been approved to take her.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShe’s happy here,\u201d I argued. \u201cSurely that matters?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hope wasn’t enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt does, Margaret. But the decision has been made.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCan we stay in contact?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe’ll discuss that with her relatives.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When we told Ivy, she stared at the kitchen table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We’ve located Ivy’s relatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNext Friday,\u201d Daniel answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
***<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That night, her clothes went back into the duffel bag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two evenings before she left, I found her sitting beside it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAre you sending me away because I was bad?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My heart nearly stopped. \u201cNo, sweetheart.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The decision has been made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBecause I yelled at Daniel?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBecause I broke that blue cup?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAbsolutely not.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her eyes filled with tears. \u201cThen why can’t I stay?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her clothes went back into the duffel bag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I pulled her into my arms. \u201cYou haven’t done anything wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut I don’t want another house.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI want this one.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I couldn’t answer without crying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why can’t I stay?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
***<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On her final evening, Ivy asked for our song. We danced slowly in the kitchen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPromise you won’t forget it,\u201d she whispered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI promise.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd you won’t forget me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I couldn’t answer without crying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
***<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The following morning, Daniel carried her bag to the car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ivy hugged him, then wrapped both arms around me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI love you,\u201d I whispered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI love you too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then she was gone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We danced slowly in the kitchen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For several months, we received updates through her relatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Eventually, those stopped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We tried asking for news, but nothing came.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Eventually, we lost all contact with Ivy. As the years passed, we stopped hoping we’d ever hear from her again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But eighteen years later, something happened that neither of us could have imagined.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She was gone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
***<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Last Sunday, at fifty-eight, I was washing dishes when the doorbell rang.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A young woman stood on our porch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCan I help you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She smiled nervously. \u201cHi, Margaret.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Something about her eyes made my breath catch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We lost all contact with Ivy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDo I know you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI hope so.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then she gave me a familiar, crooked smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIvy?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She nodded, already crying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Made my breath catch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I pulled her into my arms. \u201cOh, sweetheart!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI wasn’t sure you’d recognize me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAre you kidding? Look at you!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Daniel appeared behind me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMargaret? Who’s\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I pulled her into my arms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He stopped. \u201cIvy?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHi, Daniel.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He hugged her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, you’ve certainly gotten taller.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She laughed through her tears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I wasn’t sure you’d recognize me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inside, Ivy looked around. \u201cYou still have that table.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDaniel refuses to replace it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt’s a perfectly good table,\u201d he protested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She touched a chair. \u201cI used to sit here and draw.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd complain about vegetables,\u201d I added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You still have that table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSome things haven’t changed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo where do you live now?\u201d Daniel asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy own apartment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd your aunt?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe moved around a lot. But I finished school.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some things haven’t changed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI’m proud of you,\u201d I whispered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But every few minutes, she touched the inside pocket of her coat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Finally, I asked, \u201cIvy, is something wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDo you need help?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We moved around a lot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She shook her head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cActually, there’s a reason I came.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She stood and pulled out a wooden box.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I recognized it immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI haven’t seen that in years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She touched the inside pocket of her coat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ivy placed it on the table. \u201cI took it the night before I left.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHow?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI hid it under my clothes in my duffel bag. I was afraid you’d find it before I left.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Daniel leaned forward. \u201cYou took it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI thought if I kept something important from this house, I’d always have a reason to come back.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I haven’t seen that in years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her voice trembled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen I got older and realized I’d stolen it. I was ashamed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, Ivy\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI kept promising myself I’d return it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She pushed the box toward me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reason to come back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI think it belongs to you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I slowly lifted the lid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And suddenly, I remembered everything that had happened after she left.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
***<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For months, I’d continued teaching at my studio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But every time an eight-year-old girl walked through the door, my heart jumped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was ashamed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One afternoon, a little girl asked me to teach her a spin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat if I fall?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I froze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ivy had asked me those exact words in our kitchen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMrs. Margaret? Are you okay?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It belongs to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I forced a smile and asked another instructor to finish the lesson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After that, even walking into the studio became difficult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMargaret?\u201d my assistant would ask. \u201cAre you listening?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSorry. What did you say?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I began canceling performances and handing classes to other instructors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My heart jumped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
***<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At home, Daniel tried to help. \u201cWhy don’t we go dancing Friday?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy knee hurts.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen we can just listen to music.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI’m tired.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMargaret, you haven’t played a song in weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I began canceling performances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI don’t feel like it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
***<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Three years after Ivy left, I closed my studio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou love teaching,\u201d Daniel said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLoved. Past tense.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYour knee isn’t that bad anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You haven’t played a song in weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMaybe I’m just finished.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He studied me. \u201cAre you finished with dancing, or are you afraid to love something you might lose?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEvery time I teach a child, I remember Ivy,\u201d I whispered. \u201cAnd every time, I have to lose her all over again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I packed my competition photographs into boxes and stored them in the attic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even my wooden box, which held my old medals, had vanished.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I closed my studio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI must have misplaced it during the studio move,\u201d I told Daniel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Eventually, I stopped looking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Years passed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Eventually, I stopped expecting either Ivy or my old life to return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Until that Sunday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I have to lose her all over again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
***<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inside lay dozens of medals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gold, silver, bronze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Awards from competitions I’d almost forgotten.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, my goodness.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But I had no idea the medals were only the beginning. Ivy had brought something far more important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I stopped looking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I picked up a gold medal. \u201cDaniel, look.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He smiled sadly. \u201cYour first national championship.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ivy nodded. \u201cI used to watch you polish those.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou remember?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou told me every medal had a story.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Something far more important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I laughed through my tears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd you asked whether the bronze ones meant I was terrible.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou said they meant you’d been brave enough to compete.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I looked at her. \u201cWhy take these?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBecause they mattered to you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Every medal had a story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut why not take something of yours?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBecause I thought if I took something you loved, maybe you’d come looking for me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI never imagined you’d taken it,\u201d I whispered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI thought you’d notice right away. Maybe you’d even come looking for me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIvy, after you left, I could barely look at anything that reminded me of dancing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They mattered to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She lowered her eyes. \u201cAnd when you didn’t come, I promised myself I’d find you when I grew up.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhy wait eighteen years?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She looked down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I was little, my aunt wouldn’t let me contact you. Later, we moved, and I lost your address.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut you could’ve found us when you got older.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I never imagined you’d taken it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI know. I found your address almost a year ago.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA year?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She nodded. \u201cI was afraid you’d forgotten me. Or that you’d never forgive me for taking the medals.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo what changed?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I lost your address.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI realized I was still that scared little girl, waiting for someone else to make the first move. And I didn’t want to be her anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIvy, we never stopped thinking about you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Daniel reached across the table. \u201cNot once.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She wiped her eyes. \u201cI thought about you both too. Especially when things got difficult.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought she’d come to return something from our past. But I was beginning to suspect she had something else in mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You’d forgotten me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWere things difficult?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSometimes. My aunt tried, but we moved around a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I squeezed her hand. \u201cI’m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou gave me something that stayed with me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She touched the medals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She had something else in mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhenever I felt like I couldn’t do something, I remembered what you said about being brave enough to try.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I smiled. \u201cDid you keep dancing?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She laughed. \u201cActually, I became a dance instructor.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I nearly dropped the medal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou did?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She touched the medals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd I opened my own little studio.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Daniel clapped his hands. \u201cWould you look at that!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I stared at her. \u201cYou became a teacher?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cJust like you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought that was Ivy’s biggest surprise. But she had something even bigger planned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I became a dance instructor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then she reached into the box again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cActually, there’s something else I need to show you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
***<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ivy pulled out a folded piece of paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Childish handwriting covered both sides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDo you remember this?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Something even bigger planned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I unfolded it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the top were three words:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our Dream List.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I laughed softly. \u201cWe made this after watching that movie about wishes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou said everyone should have something to dream about.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There’s something else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I began reading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then I reached the final sentence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My vision blurred. \u201cYou wrote this?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Something to dream about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou helped me spell ‘nobody.’\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I remembered that evening. \u201cYou really kept it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOf course.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She took a deep breath. \u201cMargaret, my studio was supposed to be that house.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nobody has to leave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI wanted somewhere children could walk in without feeling like visitors. Somewhere they’d belong.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDo you teach foster children?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMost of them come at a discount. Some attend for free.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cJust like you once needed someone to help?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She nodded. \u201cSome barely speak when they arrive.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Somewhere they’d belong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLike you,\u201d I whispered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She nodded. \u201cBut I’m struggling.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWith what?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRent. Insurance. Equipment. The discounted classes don’t cover their costs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I immediately reached for my purse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I’m struggling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHow much do you need?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMargaret, no.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLet me help.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI didn’t come for money.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen what?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rent. Insurance. Equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She took a breath. \u201cI came for you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I froze. \u201cMe?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI need a partner. Someone who knows how to teach and build a studio.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIvy, I haven’t taught in eighteen years. What if I can’t do it anymore?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou taught me to dance when I was afraid to take one step. Remember?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I didn’t come for money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I couldn’t speak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere’s already a room for you,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou prepared a room?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI hoped you’d say yes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Daniel looked at me. \u201cPerhaps you should see it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I came for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I studied the medals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then I looked at Ivy. \u201cI’m not promising anything.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat’s okay.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBut I’d like to visit tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her smile returned. \u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A room for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cReally.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
***<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After Ivy left, Daniel took my hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou know, I lost her too,\u201d he said quietly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd then I watched you lose the thing you loved most.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I’d like to visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I looked down. \u201cI don’t know if I can be that woman again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou don’t have to be. Just don’t let fear take another eighteen years from you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
***<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The next morning, I visited Ivy’s studio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The mirrors were old, but children were laughing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While Ivy gathered her paperwork, I noticed a little girl standing alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I lost her too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWant to dance?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI’m bad at it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen let’s try one step.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat if I fall?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI’ll help you get up.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I noticed a little girl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She took my hand. Soon, we were both laughing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After class, Ivy approached. \u201cYou looked happy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI was. And I have a plan.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes. I’ll organize a charity performance. But I’m coming back as your partner.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ivy hugged me. \u201cDeal!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What if I fall?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
***<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Three weeks later, our charity performance raised enough to cover three months of rent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou saved my studio,\u201d Ivy whispered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe saved it together.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The following week, we taught our first class together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Daniel hugged me afterward. \u201cThere’s my girl.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You looked happy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then Ivy played our old kitchen song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou remembered?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI promised.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I extended my hand. \u201cMay I have this dance?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She smiled. \u201cThis time, neither of us has to leave.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The little girl I’d once taught to find her courage had returned to help me find mine.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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