Slip Jig Summer Read online

  “Apology accepted,” Anna said. “You will not be doing that slip jig in class again until you’ve earned it. You may go now.”

  “We’re very sorry,” Molly said once more before grabbing my hand and pulling me out of the room.

  “What was that about?” Aunt Lydia asked as we got to the minivan. I glanced at Fiona and Lissa, but their faces were blank. Clearly, they hadn’t told their mother about my slip jig.

  “Nothing,” Molly said. “Anna just wanted to ask Natalie a few things about ballet classes, that’s all.”

  As soon as we got home, Fiona and Lissa banged open the door of the room I shared with Molly.

  “I suppose Anna set you straight?” Fiona said, glaring at Molly.

  “Yes, I’m sorry! I already apologized!” Molly said, throwing herself onto her bed and burying her face in her pillows.

  “You should apologize to Natalie too,” Lissa said. “You knew better—Natalie didn’t. But you taught her your steps anyway and got her in trouble. And you hid it from us!”

  “I knew you wouldn’t let me teach her!” Molly said. “And I knew how much Natalie wanted to learn a slip jig. But I didn’t know everyone would be this angry!”

  “But you know you’re not supposed to teach steps outside of class!” Fiona said. “Natalie didn’t. Apologize to Natalie.”

  “No, it’s okay. Really,” I said. I’d had no idea Molly was going to get into this much trouble. I felt awful.

  “No, I want to apologize,” Molly said, sitting up on her bed now, her face tear-stained. “I’m sorry, Natalie. I didn’t mean to get you in trouble.”

  “It’s okay.”

  The twins seemed satisfied.

  “Don’t do it again,” Lissa said to both of us on their way out.

  Fifteen

  The next day Molly asked her dad if she could go with him to the aquarium shop. I figured she wanted to get away from her sisters.

  “Can I come with you?” I asked.

  She shrugged. “I guess so.”

  We stayed all day. It was a good distraction that kept me away from my phone. I hadn’t received any more texts from Yumi or Amber, and I wasn’t sure if I even wanted to. I managed to successfully bag a fish for a customer. It was a goldfish, which move a bit slower than the other ones.

  “Good job!” Molly said.

  “Thanks,” I said. “You really like working here, don’t you?”

  Molly looked around at the aquariums with a sad smile. “Yeah, I do. I wish I could spend as much time here as I do at the stupid dance classes and competitions.”

  “Why don’t you tell your parents that?” I asked. “I’m sure your dad would understand. I bet he would love to have you at the shop more.”

  Molly shrugged. “I already asked to quit dance, like, two years ago. My mom said no. She said I’d eventually get better and start winning medals. And then I would be happy she made me keep going. It hasn’t happened yet.”

  “Maybe you should ask again,” I said.

  “It’s no use!” Molly said.

  Uncle Nolan came over to the aquariums.

  “Everything okay, girls?” he asked.

  “Yes,” Molly said quickly and walked away.

  “We’re fine,” I said and went to check on the new baby guppies.

  The following weekend the girls were getting ready for another feis in a nearby town. Their hair was in curlers, they had packed up their school dresses and solo dresses in garment bags, and they were using roll-on sock glue to keep their white dancing socks in place.

  “That does not look comfortable,” I told them.

  “It’s not,” Molly said.

  “Is the glue really necessary?” I asked.

  “Keeps your socks from falling down!” Lissa said cheerfully. The twins were always in a good mood on the way to a feis.

  “’Cause your socks falling down is just the worst,” Molly said, rolling her eyes.

  I smiled. Irish dancing certainly had its quirks.

  We arrived early and had more than enough time for the girls to register and get their numbers. The feis was set up in a large gymnasium on a college campus. The twins put on their matching school dresses so they would be ready for their two-hand reel. I was happy to see that Thomas would also be competing in the two-hand reel—but not so happy to see the beautiful Shaina at his side again.

  The twins danced brilliantly, as usual. Thomas and Shaina also danced well. I made a point of walking over to Thomas as they left the stage and congratulating him on a job well done. Molly followed behind me.

  “Thanks!” Thomas said.

  “Yeah, thanks,” Shaina said and then pulled Thomas off in the opposite direction.

  “C’mon, Natalie, don’t bother,” Molly said.

  “Don’t bother what?” I asked.

  “Flirting with Mr. Dancy-Pants,” Molly said. “He’s very obviously taken.”

  “Actually,” Lissa said, as she followed my gaze toward Thomas and Shaina, “Thomas recently claimed he’s married to dance.”

  “What does that even mean?” Molly asked.

  “That he’s dedicated to dance and has no time for silly girls,” Fiona explained. “I think it makes sense. I’ve decided I want to be married to dance too, to keep focused so I can make it to the World Championships.”

  “Pfft. As if there are any boys interested in you,” Molly said.

  “Making it to Worlds would be amazing,” Lissa said. “One day—we’ll get there together,” she finished, looking at her twin.

  “Promise?” Fiona asked.

  “Wouldn’t want it any other way,” Lissa said.

  Molly began pretending to barf.

  “Cut it out, Molly,” said Lissa.

  “If you train hard, Molly,” Fiona quickly added, “you could make it too. All three Quinn sisters! At the World Championships together!”

  “Yeah, that will never happen,” Molly grumbled. “I mean, the part about me. You two go ahead. You can take over the world without me.”

  “I’d love to come watch that,” I said. I tried to forget about Thomas. After all, I was leaving at the end of the summer.

  Sixteen

  I decided to wander around the vendor tables while my cousins went off to change into their solo dresses. All sorts of Irish-dance items were for sale, including the kind of white socks my cousins and other dancers wore and the black leather shoes. If I was going to be competing in the feis in August, I would need proper shoes, wouldn’t I? My mom had given me some spending money for the summer. I was sure she would be okay with my using it to buy dance shoes. I stopped at one of the tables piled with shoes and socks.

  “Thinking about buying your first pair of ghillies?” Thomas was suddenly standing right next to me. He was in his performance clothes—black dress pants and a blue dress shirt with a black vest and tie. I had to admit, he looked pretty handsome dressed up. I was used to seeing him in shorts and a T-shirt. Okay, that wasn’t a bad look either.

  “Pardon?” I said, stalling until I could string more words together.

  “Ghillies,” Thomas said, holding up a pair of the black leather dance shoes. “That’s what these are called.”

  “Oh yeah,” I said. “I mean…if I want to compete in the Rose City Feis and all…I thought I might…”

  “You should definitely try out a feis this summer,” Thomas said. “You’ll win a medal for sure. You’re a natural.”

  “Thanks,” I said. I didn’t want to know what shade of red I might be right now.

  “Can I help you?” A woman on the other side of the table approached us. “Looking to buy some shoes?”

  “Um…yes,” I said. “And some socks.”

  “What size do you take?” the woman asked.

  She dug out a pair and then motioned for me to sit on a nearby bench so I could try them on. Thomas stayed by my side
as the woman showed me how to tie them up properly.

  “How do those feel?” she asked.

  “Good,” I said as I stood and pointed one foot in a tendu and then the other.

  “Ghillies suit you,” Thomas said. “Oh man. I better get going—my next dance is coming up soon.”

  “Okay. Um—break a leg!” I called after him.

  “Thanks!” he called back and then got lost in the crowd of people.

  “Shopping for new hard shoes too?” the vendor asked me.

  “Oh no, just these are fine. I don’t do hard shoe yet,” I told her.

  “Maybe next year,” she said with a wink as she packed up my shoes and socks.

  I paid her and then went off in search of my cousins and aunt, excited to show them my new purchases.

  Aunt Lydia was where I had left her in the gymnasium, in a camping chair, reading a book. Molly was with her, looking uncomfortable and nervous.

  “Look!” I said and opened the bag to show them my shoes and socks.

  “Oh! Lovely!” Aunt Lydia said. “Now we have to sign you up for the Rose City Feis!”

  “What did you buy?” Fiona asked as she and Lissa walked over in their solo dresses.

  I showed them, and they clapped giddily.

  “So exciting!” Lissa said. “I still have my first pair of ghillies!”

  “C’mon, Molly, your reel will be starting soon,” Aunt Lydia said, getting to her feet.

  “Ours might be starting soon too,” Fiona said. “We’re going to go check our stage. See you later!”

  I decided Molly needed my cheerleading more than the twins did, so I followed Aunt Lydia and her to the stage where Molly would be dancing. Molly checked in with the rest of the dancers her age and took a seat until the judge was ready. Aunt Lydia and I found a good spot in front to watch.

  Molly and the other girls walked onto the stage single file, and then the accordionist began to play. Two by two the dancers did their reel steps—just like in class. Molly was in the second pairing. She moved up with her partner, pointed her foot, rose up on her toes and began to dance. For all her grumbling and complaining, she was actually pretty good.

  Molly was just about to start her second step when she lost her footing. She tumbled to the floor, landing hard on her side. The other dancer glanced in her direction but didn’t miss a beat. Molly got back to her feet—but it was obvious she wasn’t quite sure where to pick up. Her face was crimson.

  “Oh no,” I heard Aunt Lydia say softly.

  Molly waited until she could begin her second reel step on her left, so she would finish around the same time as the other girl. It didn’t look like she had injured herself. She bowed to the judge and the musician and then got back in line. She had to stand and wait until the rest of the girls were done, her face remaining a deep red.

  “She’s never fallen before,” Aunt Lydia told me quietly. “I hope she’s okay.”

  My stomach was in knots because of what I knew. Should I tell Aunt Lydia how Molly felt about dancing? That she didn’t want to compete anymore? Or should I mind my own business and let Molly tell her mom when she was ready?

  When the dancers finally finished and were allowed to leave the stage, Molly walked briskly away from the other girls. She hurriedly brushed past me and her mom and ran to the bathroom.

  “Molly! Wait!” Aunt Lydia said, rushing after her.

  I wasn’t sure if I should follow. I decided I would, but I kept my distance. If it looked like this was strictly a mother-daughter situation, I’d be able to quietly back away. I followed Aunt Lydia into the ladies’ washroom. I could see Molly’s feet under the stall door. I could hear her sniffles.

  “Molly? Honey? Are you okay? Did you hurt yourself?” Aunt Lydia asked.

  “No!” Molly shouted. “Go away!”

  They definitely needed some privacy. I headed back to our camp to find that the twins had already danced their reel and were eagerly awaiting their results.

  “Where are Molly and Mom?” Lissa asked.

  “Bathroom,” I said, deciding to keep it short and simple.

  “How did Molly do?” Fiona asked.

  “She…um…well, she fell. But she wasn’t hurt,” I added quickly. “She got back up and finished her reel.”

  The twins exchanged worried looks.

  “Is Molly upset?” Lissa asked.

  “Um…yes,” I said. “Your mom is with her though.”

  Fiona sighed. “I hope everything is okay.”

  “I’m sure she’s fine,” Lissa said. “C’mon. Let’s go see how long we have until slip jig.”

  I went with them. Their slip jig was coming up soon. Some younger girls were onstage. I watched them dance—with grace but also with speed. They looked like butterflies gliding across the stage. I couldn’t take my eyes off them. How much longer would I have to wait before I would be allowed to dance a slip jig?

  Seventeen

  On the way back to our camp, Lissa stopped dead in her tracks. She was looking over at the stage to her left. Fiona walked right into her.

  “Oof!” Fiona said. “What are you doing? Learn how to walk.”

  “Stage three—sixteen and over,” Lissa whispered to her sister, nodding toward one of the stages where a group of dancers waited. At least three of the dancers were boys.

  “C’mon!” Lissa said, grabbing my arm and hurriedly walking over. “Thomas is in this group too.” She winked at me.

  “So?” I said, pretending not to care though I could feel my heart rate quicken.

  As we got closer the twins slowed their steps and pretended to be casually walking by. We found a spot to watch as the competitors walked onstage. Thomas was in the first pairing. We watched as he performed his reel, making perfect clicks with the hard heels on his soft shoes.

  As the next pair of boys got ready, Lissa grabbed Fiona’s arm.

  “Ouch!” Fiona said.

  “It’s Riley,” Lissa whispered.

  “I know!” Fiona said.

  “The Riley?” I asked quietly.

  “Yep. She’s got it bad,” Fiona said with a roll of her eyes.

  “He watched my reel once. He told me I danced beautifully,” Lissa said. “And he’s so cute!”

  Fiona rolled her eyes again but then turned her attention to Riley. He was wearing a green dress shirt and black dress pants. He did dance wonderfully—but I still thought Thomas was better. And cuter.

  As the dance ended Lissa grabbed our arms and began to drag us back to camp.

  “You don’t want to say hi?” I asked Lissa.

  “No! That’s—no!” Lissa said, then sighed. “I’m terrified to say hi. I’d end up saying something stupid.”

  “I’m sure you’d be fine,” I said. “Maybe you could tell him you liked his reel.”

  Lissa nervously chewed on one of her nails. “No, not today,” she finally said. “Maybe next feis.”

  Fiona rolled her eyes again. “She’s never going to talk to him,” she told me. Then she laughed. “Hey, we’re not identical, but we look enough alike. I could pretend to be you and talk to him?”

  “Don’t you dare!” Lissa said.

  Fiona and I both laughed. “Okay, relax!” Fiona said.

  We noticed Molly and Aunt Lydia returning to the camp. Molly had changed out of her solo dress into denim shorts and a T-shirt. Her eyes looked red.

  “What’s going on?” Fiona asked.

  “Molly is going to sit this one out,” Aunt Lydia said crisply.

  I could tell Molly definitely wasn’t happy, even though she wouldn’t have to dance for the rest of the day.

  Eighteen

  At our next dance class I got to try out my new “poodle” socks (the twins told me that’s what they were called) and ghillies. I didn’t bother texting Yumi or Amber about how excited I was. I knew they wouldn’t understand.
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  I felt like I was fitting in much better now—I wasn’t that girl from out of town who kept wearing the wrong shoes to class. The ghillies were similar to my leather ballet slippers, but somehow they had the power to suddenly transform my feet. When I wore them I felt like I was really becoming an Irish dancer. I kept my legs crossed as I danced and my hands down at my sides. My years of ballet meant my posture was excellent, and I could easily make the Irish steps quick and clean. I didn’t care what Amber thought—Irish dancing was keeping me sharp. I was sure that when I returned to ballet class, my jumps would be higher. My stamina was improving too.

  At the end of the week Anna asked to speak to me after class.

  “You are doing remarkably well,” Anna told me when the other dancers had left the room.

  “Thank you,” I said.

  “Have you thought about competing at the Rose City Feis? It’s only three weeks away, but I think we can still send in a registration if you’re interested.”

  “Yes!” I said. “I would love to compete at the feis!”

  Anna smiled. “I thought you might say that. I filled out your registration form for you already. Just make sure your aunt sends it in right away, okay?”

  “Okay,” I said as I took the form. I glanced down and saw that she had filled in the dances I would be competing in—reel, light jig and slip jig!

  “Really?” I said, looking up at Anna.

  “You’ll be learning your slip jig steps next class,” Anna said. “You’ve earned it.”

  “Thank you!” I said.

  I didn’t want to let Anna down. I spent all of the next day practicing in the home studio.

  “Geez, even Lissa and Fiona don’t practice this much,” Molly said from her favorite spot on the bottom step. She had a large hardcover book about tropical fish open on her lap. The twins were over at a friend’s house. They had invited me to join them, but I wanted to practice. I only had three weeks until my very first feis.

  “I just don’t want to mess up,” I told her.