Her brows rose. “I was going to make dinner!”
“Well. You didn’t answer your phone, so I threw the apron on and got down in the kitchen.”
“Ooooou!” Avery laughed. “About not answering the phone. That was childish and spiteful too. Life’s too short for such nonsense. It won’t happen again.”
“Mmhmm. I don’t believe you.”
More laughter sprinted from Avery. “It won’t!”
“We’ll see.” DeAndre wrapped his arm around her, and together they strolled to the kitchen to eat dinner.
Seven
Avery
Aaliyah’s Dance Studio
It was her first day of lessons, and Avery was both excited and nervous. In a Black sports bra, tights, and socks, Avery stood next to the pole, facing Aaliyah.
“You look excited to be here today. Are you?”
A wide smile curved Avery’s lips. “I am.”
Aaliyah nodded, her eyes glowing with happiness for Avery. “That’s great! You’re almost ready to begin. I need you to remove your socks. You can toss them to the side if you like or put them in the locker with your purse and other items. When dancing on these floors, it’s easy to slip with socks on. You need to land solidly on your feet.”
Avery nodded and removed her socks, quickly tossing them to the side.
“Ready.”
A haughty laugh burst from Aaliyah. “I love it. Put on these knee pads, and we’re ready to go.” While Avery put on her kneepads, Aaliyah hit a button on a remote control she was holding, and soft ballet music played. “Okay. So first, we’re going to work on a simple dance. Let’s go down to our knees.”
They repositioned to their knees.
“This is what I call a hip thrust.”
Aaliyah sat on her back legs, braced a hand on the floor, and pushed her hips forward. “Try this with me.”
Avery followed Aaliyah’s movements, sitting on her back legs and thrusting her hips while her hand remained braced against the floor.
“Let your eyes connect with the ceiling.” Aaliyah nodded. “Do it three times. Sit back, plant your hand, hip thrust to your knees.”
Avery followed her instructions.
“Great. You’re doing fabulous. Now, with your other arm, swing it backward. It will help you enter the hip thrust move with grace. Sit back, plant your hand, hip thrust to your knees, and swing that arm.”
“Wow. That was a lot better.”
“Yes. I’m glad you feel that.”
“It’s easier this way.”
“I love that you’re moving into this without restriction. We’re going to have some fun.”
“Let’s do it!”
Aaliyah laughed. “Three more times.”
Sit back, plant your hand, hip thrust to your knees, and swing that arm.”