The Heart to Dance

By Joanne Currence

Alexis, a seventh grader, longs to dance with The Dance Company, the company that originated in Paris where her grandmother, Numsie, lives and was the premier dancer for. Alexis has danced since she was four and was heartbroken to not make her last audition. Since then, she's practiced long and hard for the upcoming one and needs to make it, since those that do will not only perform in New York for the Christmas holiday, but also in Paris for the New Year's Celebration. Not only that, but this will be the fifty-year anniversary of The Dance Company, and her grandmother will be making a special appearance which Alexis can't miss. In spite of what's happened, Alexis has a strong faith in God. Will she make the team and the New Year's celebration? Will her dance dreams come true? Or will God take her on a different path, one she didn't expect?

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Mar 23, 2018
• ISBN: 9781973619727

Joanne Currence

Joanne's first memories of writing started with a locked diary as a young girl in Minnesota. She loved writing her thoughts and feelings in it about all that was happening in her life, especially knowing it'd be kept secret. As a teen, those words found their way into journals, capturing those memorable life moments . . . from summer camp adventures and fun family trips, to travels to Europe during her college years. Throughout an elementary teaching career, Joanne's favorite times were writing with her students. It was a delight to see what stories they'd come up with, as most of them loved it, too. Joanne lives in Colorado and loves it there, where the mountains are gorgeous and the sun rarely hides. She enjoys golf, hiking, biking, and skiing, along with entertaining friends at home and venturing off to tropical places.

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Copyright © 2018 Joanne Currence.

Cover idea created by Bernadet Braudaway

Cover design by Cheryl L. Childers

www.CherylLynnChilders.com

Photo by Monica Bryant Photography,

www.monicabryantphotography.com

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.westbowpress.com

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

ISBN: 978-1-9736-1971-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-9736-1970-3 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-9736-1972-7 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2018901874

WestBow Press rev. date: 03/22/2018

Contents

Acknowledgments

Chapter One Painful Pirouettes

Chapter Two Bashed in Biology

Chapter Three Some Very Special Moments

Chapter Four Chocolates for Paris

Chapter Five Some Unexpected Happenings

Chapter Six Adventures in New York

Chapter Seven A Terrible Mishap

Chapter Eight A Few More Surprises

Chapter Nine Paris … at Last

Chapter Ten The Big Night

Chapter Eleven A Final Triumph

To all those of you

with dreams in

your heart

and those who love

to dance . . .

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Acknowledgments

Special thanks …

To Teri Martini and Alycia Morales for their help and encouragement in learning this craft.

To Bernadet Braudaway for her generous heart and her kindness in cheering me on … For the cover idea and her gift in whipping it up along with a gift she surprised me with, in creating the real thing.

To Kirsten, my niece, for her incredible thoughtfulness throughout writing this book and creating a precious replica to go with it.

And most of all, this book wouldn’t have happened without Michelle Medlock Adams, who first said I should write it. I’m so grateful to her, who encouraged and guided me throughout, and to God who brought it about.

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Chapter One

Painful Pirouettes

. . . and remember what I’ve always told you. Now only two weeks to go! I’m with you, my sweet Lexie. Love from Numsie

Alexis clutched the pale textured letter and pressed it to her heart. Nothing meant more than those special words. Suddenly, she trembled. It was heartbreak to not make it last time. What if it happened again? But no way could she think about that. Gazing in the mirror at her tall slender form with arms in a perfect arc, she twirled on one foot until jerking, startled by her mother’s voice.

Alexis, are you ready yet?

Coming, Mom! Alexis grabbed her pink and black dance bag and floated down the stairs.

Glancing at the yellow and orange leaves on the trees out front, Alexis inhaled the crisp mountain air on a Wednesday afternoon. Mmm … I love that smell, she said, pulling up the collar on her sweater. After slamming the door shut of the SUV, they sped out of the driveway and were soon on their way.

Alexis gazed out the window, her mind drifting back to when she first started to dance, when she was only four. Her mother and grandmother had both been dancers and were her greatest fans. She’d started out doing ballet and tap and later, adding jazz—the moves and beat had gotten her hooked. Already in the seventh grade, time had flown fast. Alexis glowed inside thinking on it when her mom turned a corner, jarring her thoughts.

Only two weeks away, Alexis gasped, staring off, as she thought about her audition.

You’ve been counting the days for months, honey. Think you can make it ’til then?

Hey … ! Alexis said as she looked at her mom, who winked at her and smiled.

The Dance Company … the finest company in New York, she thought. Alexis’ heart soared, envisioning her moment on stage. Her life-long dream—just like Numsie’s—and nothing would stand in her way.

They rode in silence as Alexis thought about the days ahead and her dream coming true when lost in a trance, she hadn’t noticed they’d arrived.

Hurry, Lex. I’ll be back in an hour, her mom said, giving her a hug.

Grabbing her dance bag, Alexis rushed inside. She, at once, spotted Lauren with her wild and wavy reddish-brown hair as she and Rachel stretched at the bar. They waved at her, and Alexis waved back. She slipped on her jazz shoes, pondering how they’d been with Denver Dance since grade school, her heart leaping when they’d made the competition team just a year ago. Dance was their passion—it’s what they lived and breathed. Since then, Ms. Natalie had leaned them toward being with The Dance Company, and now was their time. It was a must that they all make the team.

Alexis tugged at her laces and tied her curly blonde hair up tight. Then she moved to the floor to stretch.

You’re never late, Rachel whispered as she and Lauren joined her. Rachel stroked her spiked brown locks and bent toward the floor, curving her arms overhead.

I know, Alexis whispered back, her thoughts turning toward the letter as she smiled deep inside. Then looking at Rachel she followed her pose when she heard Ms. Natalie’s voice.

You’ve all worked hard over the past few months, she announced, patting her long blonde hair piled on top of her head. Take a few minutes to warm up, and then we’ll do the real thing. After that you’ll work on your own routines, and remember … make sure they’re no longer than two minutes.

Alexis still remembered when Ms. Natalie had first told them … how she’d love to help them all make the team. She’d agreed to even choreograph their team audition. Alexis couldn’t believe it—her heart leaping with joy. They’d audition as a team and then individually—each girl choreographing their own. Perfect, she’d thought—she was thrilled they’d do both.

Now focus on clean, sharp movements, especially those jazz walks and pirouettes, Ms. Natalie said as she stepped toward the sound system.

The girls bounced up to work on their moves, just like they’d done for months. As they all took their spots, in perfect form, the music started to play. Alexis moved with strength and ease, strutting across the floor. With quick shoulder lifts and strong dramatic steps, she moved to the jazzy beat. Over and over, she turned and leaped when, suddenly, she stumbled, out of breath.

Alexis sighed and walked with a hand on her hip, wiping beads of sweat off her face. She rested a second, the music still playing, as she chatted with others close by. Then lifting her arms for one last turn, she caught a glimpse of Morgan, the best dancer in the class. It was the girl’s icy stare which caught her off guard, and, at once, Alexis’ ankle jerked, and she fell to the floor.

The girls all shrieked as they all scrambled toward her, Alexis clutching her ankle, trying to ease the throbbing pain. Moments later, Ms. Natalie squeezed through the girls all huddled in close.

Let me take a look, Lex, she said. She knelt beside her and gently pressed her ankle.

Ow! Alexis winced.

Looks like you’ve sprained it, she said in a tender voice.

Alexis looked at her, her eyes open wide. No … she moaned, burying her head in her hands.

Rachel, go get some ice, please, Ms. Natalie said, nodding toward a door, when Alexis heard her mother’s voice.

Oh, honey … what happened?

Alexis gasped as she looked at her mom.

I’m not quite sure, but it’s definitely sprained, Ms. Natalie said. She’ll need it looked at right away. She looked at Alexis with her deep-blue warm eyes. Here … we’ll help you up.

Ms. Natalie and Alexis’ mom grasped her around her waist, and Alexis threw her arms around both as they lifted her up. Alexis fought to hold back tears, but catching the smirk on Morgan’s face, they flowed even more as they walked her out of the room.

I’m so sorry, Lex, Rachel said moments later when she showed up with ice. Rachel reached toward her and hugged her tight, and then all of them grabbed onto her and lifted her into the van.

Alexis pressed the icepack against her ankle and sobbed as her mother drove home.

So what happened, honey?

Alexis sat for a moment—her mind was a blur. I really don’t know, she finally said, still sobbing, as she choked out the words. My ankle jerked, and I fell. Alexis paused and looked at her mom. But I couldn’t believe when I saw you. Why did you come back? she asked, catching her breath, as tears rolled down her face.

Ms. Natalie called after dropping you off and asked if I’d help out. It’s good I came when I did.

Alexis didn’t mind her mom helping at times. She kind of liked having her there. But now with this happening, what did that matter now?

Alexis’ heart ached, her world falling apart, when it suddenly all came back to her, and her heart ached even more.

Minutes later, her mom pulled in the driveway. Look, Lex, her mom said, glancing next door. There’s Dr. Cline’s car. He must be home. I’ll see if he’ll take a look.

Tucking strands of her short, wavy, brown hair behind her ear, her mom reached for her phone and slid out of the SUV. Moments later, Alexis heard mumbling as she gazed off through tears when the van door suddenly opened.

Oh … thank you so much, her mom said, ending the call. Her mom looked at her. He’s on his way. Let’s get you inside.

Alexis grabbed onto her mom and slowly stepped down when, at once, she sighed—she could breathe once again—the ice had numbed the pain. She hobbled up the steps, and her mom opened the door, when Alexis heard Dr. Cline’s voice.

So sorry, young lady. Let’s go take a look.

Alexis looked at him and tried to smile, and with arms around both, she limped up the stairs as they walked her to her room.

Dr. Cline sat next to Alexis as she lay on her bed. Grasping her ankle, he pressed it in different spots. Looks like a sprain, Alexis, but not too bad, either. Keep it elevated with ice for now, and no dance for at least a week. He looked at her mom. Simone, you can stop by my office anytime and pick up a walking brace and ankle wraps.

Alexis’ mom nodded, and after further instructions, Dr. Cline stood up and smiled. You can stay with your daughter. I’ll let myself out.

Thank you, her mom said, smiling, while shaking his hand.

Alexis sobbed, pushing her head into her pillow. This couldn’t be happening.

I’m sorry, sweetie, her mom whispered, laying her hand on her. Just rest for a while, and I’ll check on you later. And then she left the room.

Alexis lay awake, reliving the painful memories from early that summer when a letter from The Dance Company read, Not accepted. With try-outs in Denver, she’d been the only one brave enough to audition, but not making it had shattered her heart. She’d devoted hours of practice, days and weeks, since then. She knew she’d make it. Now there was no way.

Feeling trapped by sinking thoughts, Alexis drifted off to sleep. She missed school the next few days and refused to eat. Even talks with her dad hadn’t helped. Numerous calls came from Ms. Natalie and the girls at dance, but she would speak with no one, not even Rachel or Lauren. She’d been ignoring their text messages, too.

Alexis lay in bed obsessing over her lost dream when she clumsily reached for Dance Dreams, a special edition issue she kept close to her bed whose pages were worn with use. Nanette DuBois, Soaring on Stage … Alexis gazed at those words and the dazzling photo on its cover. It was Numsie, years ago, with sparkling blue eyes and a lovely warm smile, lunging in a silky flowing gown. She was beautiful and radiant, just like a principal—or premier—dancer should be. She loved her grandmother dearly and longed to