“I saw her.” Bette lied for the greater good.

“I wanted to be a swan too but Miss. Anderson said next time I’ll be a swan.”

“She did?”

“Yeah.”

“And she said if I work real, real hard, one day I’ll get to be the princess.” Angelica grinned up at her mother as if being the princess was the greatest thing on earth and all she could ever ask for.

“That’s great Angel.”

“Do you think she will let me Mom?”

“I’m sure she will.” Bette smiled back as she watched Angelica continue to fiddle with her shoes. Instead of offering to help she decided to just watch and looked up when she heard a voice over her.

“Good job Angelica.” The teacher smiled down at them.

“What do you say?” Bette gave Angelica a raised eyebrow.

“Thank you.” Angelica smiled up at the teacher.

Bette stood up and met the teacher and briefly shook hands with the woman. “It was a wonderful presentation.”

“Thank you. We’re trying real hard to get an early start on individuality and originality with the kids.” The woman smiled and walked away to the next child and Bette knelt next to Angelica again who was still strugging with her shoes.

“I wanna take these off Mom. They hurt.”

Bette laughed as she took Angelica’s feet into her lap. She started to undo the ties of the ballet shoes and they smile at each other. And finally free, Angelica wiggled her toes inside her tights.  

Bette laughed and moved the little feet away. She took up the shoes. “Come on lets go get your stuff from your classroom and go home.”

“Okay.” Angelica stood up. “I have to say bye to Jessica.”

“Go ahead.” Bette nodded and watched as Angelica ran to Jessica and ran back. And Angelica later skipped next to her mother as they made it down the hallway to her class.

 “So do you love dancing Angel?”

“Yeah.”  Angelica looked up at Bette. “I really love dancing Mom.”

“Oh.”

***************

After Bette dropped off Kit, and Sonya dropped off Alice, Dana and Shane, Bette was left only with a sleeping Angelica sprawled across her back seat as she drove home.

Bette looked up in the review mirror and when she could hardly see Angelica, she took a glance behind her. She smiled. Though there was nobody to share Angelica’s special moments with, she often realized that she could not ask for more than this gift perfectly named Angelica.

“Damn it. I almost forgot.”

She reached across for her cellphone and dialed James’ cellphone.