Second Chances – Chapter 59 July 30, 2010
Two days after Rob had left for Prague had passed and Beth was getting scared. Scared that he had not made it to Prague, scared that he’d gotten hurt, but most of all she was scared that he’d left her. She was heading out to her rehearsal with Misha when the phone rang.
Picking up the phone, she said “Hello.” There wasn’t a clean connection and she could hear the echo of her voice, which she knew was her voice was bouncing off a satellite.
“Beth? Hello,” the male voice said.
“Rob? Is that you? I thought you would never call.”
“Darling, forgive me. It took me a while to be able to get to a phone while you were awake.”
“It’s okay. How are you? Have you started filming?”
“I’m fine. We started work today. I’m about to get myself to bed. It was a long, cold day.”
“Then I guess you don’t want to know what it’s like here,” she said as she looked out the window at the sunshine pouring in. “I am glad you called, I was almost about to meet Misha for rehearsal.”
“Lucky him.”
“He asked me to perform with him this summer.”
“Are you going to do it?”
“I’m terrified but can’t wait.”
“You’ll be perfect.”
“It will be hard next to Misha.”
“I’ll be in the front row.”
“That’s sweet, thank you, but you don’t have to if you don’t want to.”
“I want to.”
“Thanks, so tell me about Prague.”
“Like I said, it’s cold, but some of the buildings are amazing. My hotel room is a little stark, but it will do. I’d be happier if I could see you again when I was done filming each day.”
“I wish I could see you too, but I’m hoping that the time will move faster then the last few days once I begin working.”
“Yes, I hope so, too,” he said. “Darling, I hate to do this, but I have to go. I hope you have a good rehearsal. I will call you as soon as I can.”
“Okay, Rob. Take care of yourself out there.”
“Thank you, Beth.”
“Sleep well.”
“Thanks, good night.”
“Good night.” Beth heard the phone hang up and did the same at her end. She felt so relieved that Rob had called that her pulse was still racing when she got to the rehearsal studio, only a few minutes late.
Rob hung up the phone and sat back in his chair, thinking about Beth. He missed her so much that it hurt. As strongly as he felt for Beth, the guilt was still there. Beth was so innocent and young. She could do much better than a middle aged actor.
Entering the rehearsal room, Beth saw Misha waiting for her. “I am so sorry Misha. Rob called from Prague right before I left.”
“Prague? What’s in Prague?” the older Russian asked.
“A movie he’s working on. He’ll be home in three months.”
“I can see you miss your love already.”
“How can you tell I’m in love?” she said, looking surprised.
“You glow. I’ve known since I saw the two of you at the SAG party. I am happy for you Elizabeth, but I want you to be careful. This is not New Jersey and take it from an Old Russian, relationships are very different out here.”
“Thanks for the advice. I’ve trying to be careful and I think with me here in LA and Rob in Prague it will give us a little cooling off time. I don’t want to think that what I am feeling is only from the movie.”
“It sounds like you are thinking with your head and your heart. This is good. Now, I think I have something to take your mind off of him.” Misha led her over to his bag that sat near the piano. “I think you are ready for this,” he said as he pulled out a brand new pair of toe shoes.
Beth was speechless. For years, she had dreamed of dancing on point, but never had been given the opportunity.
“Misha, are you sure? You think I’m ready for this?”
“Da’ it is time. It takes a bit to break them in. I will show you some tricks my friends have used, but that will be at the end of today’s rehearsal. Let us warm up.”
Beth nodded and she followed her teacher to the bar. She was amazed that she was dancing yet another of her dreams. The class flew by to the last ten minutes when Misha showed her how to lace up her new slippers. Walking felt a bit odd, but they were not made for walking. Once they were both satisfied with the ribbon placement, Misha told her to go to the bar where she rose to her toes for the first time. It hurt like hell, but as she saw her image in the mirror, standing taller than she’d ever been, looking sleek and streamlined, Beth did what every dancer had done before her and realized that the pain and discomfort was worth it for the joy of dancing and looking as close to perfection as possible.
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