Natasha turned toward the long mirror on her wall and to calm herself, lowered into a plié.
Her fourteen-year-old body was as slim as her brothers', with just a hint of curves at breast and hip.
Ballet lessons had taught those limbs, those
joints, those bones, to bend, twist, adjust to demands, had schooled her mind
toward discipline.
Taming Natasha
___________________
The Dancer's Journey
The path to
becoming a professional varies greatly from one dancer to another, but it
involves not only natural talent but also years of coordinated effort and
study.
___________________
Lindsay could see that Ruth had talent, and more important, she had endurance and drive.
She was further gifted with the build and face of a classical dancer.
Her every move was an expression of her love for the art, and Lindsay responded to her involvement.
In part, Lindsay felt pain for the sacrifices and self-denial that lay ahead for Ruth, but her joy overpowered it.
Here was a dancer who would make it.
Reflections
