“An angel who can’t sleep, unfortunately. But still an angel.”
I laughed. “That sounds like a headstrong daughter you’d raise.”
“You have no idea.” Kathy chuckled. “But not why I called. Are you free for a minute?”
“Yes. I’m just at Rockefeller with Isaac and Aly.”
“Isaac and Aly?” she asked in shock. “They flew out to New York?”
“Yeah, and surprised me.”
“That boy. Ever the romantic.”
A secret smile crossed my face. He was, wasn’t he?
“Well, good. Maybe him being there will help with what I’m about to ask.”
“What’s this about, Kathy?”
“I’m going to officially retire from the Lubbock Ballet Company,” Kathy said.
I staggered backward in shock. “Kathy!”
“I know. I didn’t plan on it, but this baby is taking it all out of me. And having a little one again…it just makes me realize that I’d rather be home with her than working myself to the bone. I love the company and always will, but I think it’s time for someone else to take the reins.”
“I’m shocked, Kathy. I don’t even know what to say.”
“Say you’ll come back as the artistic director.”
My jaw dropped. “What?”
“I want you. Well, not just me. Everyone wants you. Everyone has been singing your praises for the month you worked as the interim here. You handled yourself with poise and confidence. You pushed the students to be better. You dealt with crises, even when it wasn’t your job. And you’re a damn good dancer.”
“Thank you, Kathy, but…wow, artistic director.”
“I know it’s not right for me to ask. You have years left at New York City Ballet. You are a principal there. I don’t know what kind of salary we could match, but cost of living is a big thing. There’s a lot to consider, but I thought I’d shoot for the moon before landing in the stars. You know—”
But I cut her off before I could think better of it, “I’ll do it.”
It was Kathy’s turn to be speechless.
“Kathy?”
“You will?”
“Yes. When would I start? I’m in New York through May. Would that be a problem?”
“No,” Kathy said at once. “We have an interim for the first six weeks, and then I plan to come back. We could still do that until you’re back in Lubbock.”
“Then, I accept.”
“Are you sure? I didn’t think…it’d be this easy.”
“Are you trying to talk me out of it?” I asked with a laugh.
“No!” Kathy said at once. “I want you back. I’m just surprised. Does that boy have something to do with it?”
I glanced over to where Isaac stood against the railing, pointing down at the ice skaters, his daughter at his side. “Yeah, I think he does.”
“Well, tell Isaac thank you from me. We’re pretty lucky.”
“I will. Thank you for thinking of me, Kathy.”
“I’ll email you with all the specifics. I can’t wait to have you back in Lubbock.”
“Me either,” I answered honestly. Something I never thought that I’d feel.
I hung up and slid the phone back in the pocket of my jeans. Then, I headed over to where Isaac was standing with Aly.
“Everything all right?” Isaac asked.
“Kathy just offered me the artistic director spot for the Lubbock Ballet Company.”
Isaac’s eyes bulged. “That’s incredible, Peyton. What did you say?”
“I said yes!” I gushed.
“Yes!” He picked me up and swung me around in a circle.
“Me next! Me next!” Aly cried.
Isaac laughed, setting me down to pick up his daughter and twirl her around.
“When do you start? How is this going to work?” He settled Aly against his hip and smiled wide.
“I start in May after I complete my tenure here. So, I’ll move back, and I’ll have a job.”
“That’s perfect.”
“Group hug!” Aly said, throwing her hands out wide.
I laughed again and joined them in a group hug, feeling like everything was finally falling into place. I didn’t have to give up ballet. I didn’t have to give up Isaac. I could have the best of both worlds. My two true loves.EpiloguePeyton“You did beautifully, Katelyn,” I said, touching her shoulder as she ran offstage.
“Thanks, Peyton!” Katelyn grinned wide, twirling in her Clara dress for our last performance of the season.
She had come back from the Joffrey summer intensive and worked harder than I’d ever seen her over the last six months to earn this role. It had been an easy decision to make.
Bebe stood there, waiting for her. They clasped hands and jumped up and down in excitement. Bebe was already dressed in her Arabian attire, a purple fitted top and sheer purple harem pants.
Some of the professional company members were still irritated with me for giving a pre-professional dancer such an important role. The solos and pas de deux were usually reserved for them, but Bebe was a star. She’d already been accepted to the School of American Ballet for the summer after she graduated. I couldn’t wait to see what she would do in New York. I hoped that she’d take my place one day in the New York City Ballet.