“I never
said that.”
“He said Ms. Alvarez thought I wasn’t ready.”
I shook my head.
“She just told me you’re improving and that you earned your place here.”
Audrey stared at me.
Then she began crying.
“I thought you didn’t believe in me anymore.”
I pulled her into my arms.
“Never, sweetheart. Not for one second.”
She held on tightly.
***NEXT PAGE
For a long time, neither of us spoke.
Then she began explaining what had happened.
Derek had started making comments during their car rides.
At first, they seemed harmless.
He asked whether advanced ballet might be too demanding.
He suggested Audrey was putting too much pressure on herself.
Then he began claiming her instructor had concerns.
Eventually, he told her Scott and I had privately agreed she wasn’t ready for the program.
“He said you didn’t want to hurt my feelings,” Audrey whispered.
I felt sick.
“Why didn’t you
