7 to 7

Funny how the dance studio is the only place I don't hear her lungs rattling chest coughing hacking fur ball gagging heaviness...

I sat for three hours cross legged on the ottoman no longer worried about being a distraction because they've gotten used to me now and once in awhile glanced up to see her at the barre or on the floor and once she caught my eye and just smiled passing by...

I watched her whole body shaking, straining and alarmed, my body tensed and the ballet mistress said watch the shaking and I realized these are athletes pushing their bodies now, not little girls once or twice a week anymore and you know exactly why her body shakes and she does this with 100 % intention and focus...

And every now and then I look up and she passes by and catches my eye mid turn.