The Turning Pointe by Vanessa L. Torres
Author:Vanessa L. Torres [Torres, Vanessa L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Published: 2022-02-22T00:00:00+00:00
Gloria Estrella Dominguez Corredor
âI wanted to tell Gloria about something that happened in school. I canât even remember what it was now. Probably something stupid. It always was. I was fourteen. And Glo was the age I am now. Itâs weird to think about that.â
The confessional disintegrates and Iâm back in our kitchen, a year and a half ago.
âItâs winter. And Geno is relentless about her training. Summer-program auditions for American Ballet Theatre are the next day. And we all know Glo will be perfect. Sheâll make it to New York. Which, for me, means an entire July as Genoâs sole focus, because Mom will go with her.
âGlo tries to make me feel better, saying things like Iâll totally write you every day. Or, Iâll smuggle back some real New York pizza. But I know those things are impossible. Sheâll get off that plane and forget all about me.â
A break in my voice brings me back to the now. For the first time, Iâm not making up a bunch of shit to pacify some priest. I stare at the cross hanging in the corner, my heart thumping against the one around my neck.
Iâm gone again, to winter 1982.
âMom scolds me when I come home because I slam the door for the thousandth time. My sister, she doesnât even look up, so engrossed in tricking out her shoes for the audition. Sheâs at the kitchen table, burning the ends of her pointe shoe ribbons, Mom peering over her shoulder to make sure she does it just right. Gloâs wearing jean overalls. Funny how I canât remember why I needed to talk to her just then, but those stupid overalls are so clearâthe iron-on flower patch on the bib, the left strap fastened with a giant safety pin.
âGloâs callused feet are bare, toenails painted with chipped black polish. Momâs hair up in a fuzzy bun. No plastic tubing and nutrition bags on the counter, just a pitcher of strawberry Kool-Aid and a box of graham crackers.
âIâm, like, waiting by the edge of the table for Glo to notice me. When she doesnât, I shake the snow off my jacket, which she totally ignores too. So, I start pacing, because Iâm pissed. I want her to see me, hear meâmaybe feel sorry enough to blow off the audition. I poke at her back and she spins around, barking at me like Iâm five, Patient pants, Rosa!
âBut Iâm done being ignored. I snatch her pointe shoe and race out the door. Glo chases after me, bare feet and all. She laughs at first. I can hear her behind me. But then she realizes Iâm not joking and starts yelling, Donât even, Rosa! Grow up!â
I press my thumbs into my temples, Nikkiâs breathing heavy from the other side.
âIt happened so fast. Seconds maybe, because I canât see it anymore. Not really. Not the way I want toâ¦.
âA truck drives down our street, and I see my opportunity. I want Glo to pay for leaving, for acting like she doesnât give a shit, when I know she does.
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