Read Online And Then There Were Three by Renee Lindemann - Free Book Online

and watch us perform?”
Sabrina asked unable to meet my eyes. Mark had taken her to dance
class but begged me to pick her up. He didn’t like the way Sabrina
glared at him every time he dropped her off or picked her up from
the studio.
    “Are you sure you want me to come in Brina? I
will be at the performance on Friday,” I replied not wanting to go
inside. Seeing Nicole after this grueling two-week absence would be
too much for me. I had physically lost weight going through the
whole break-up process that was so foreign to me considering I had
been married for over fifteen years.
    “I just want you to see my solo,” she
explained. “That is if you can contain yourself.”
    Well that was the usual teenage sarcasm I had
missed, not! With that I parked the SUV and ventured into the
building. Nicole was instructing a group of elementary school
children while the older dancers looked on. As soon as she saw my
face a ghost of a smile crossed her lips. It was immediately
quashed by the look of disdain on Sabrina’s face.
    “Oh, it’s fine Brina, really calm down,” I
mumbled, then gave a shrug of my shoulders. Sabrina ‘harrumphed’ as
she went to join the older dancers. I tried to reel in the forlorn
look that I was certain plastered my face. The look slowly
materialized to horror as I took in the vision of Nicole, now
standing with the older dancers. I had lost a few pounds, which I
could gladly spare, in the past few weeks. Nicole had lost a fifth
of her weight, which she could not spare. Her frame looked
emaciated compared to just being petite or thin. I wished she would
let me know if she was really okay or extra stressed because of the
upcoming show. I redirected my attention to my daughter as she
began her solo practice.
    To say my daughter was graceful would be an
absolute understatement. She looked exceptionally beautiful as she
moved to the music. I could see Nicole’s influence on her moves and
how dramatically she had corrected what another dance teacher had
called, “poor turnout.” I was near tears when Sabrina finished her
solo and clapped wildly. The embarrassment that brought Sabrina
garnered me a hefty scowl but it soon dissipated into a soft smile.
After her solo we watched the other dance numbers. Nicole sat down
a lot, which was unusual for her. Generally she was very involved
with their dance routines. I stalled as much as I could to make
sure that Nicole was okay.
    “Miss Nicole doesn’t look so good,” Sabrina
whispered. The other students were filing out of the building to
their parents. When the last student left the building Sabrina and
I walked over to Nicole. She was holding on to the back of a chair
almost like a wheelchair. My heart broke the closer I got to her I
could see the dark circles under her eyes. She looked so painfully
thin I felt the tears hit my cheek before I realized I was crying.
I quickly wiped them away lest Sabrina see them.
    “Nicole, are you okay?” I asked before I was
even in front of her.
    “I am fine just a little tired. This showcase
is a lot more work than I thought,” she said trying to bring a
smile to her lips. The smile quickly faded, as did Nicole. The
chair slid away unable to balance her weight as she began to lose
consciousness. I managed to get to her before she hit the floor
completely.
    “Nicole, sweetheart, what’s the matter,” I
yelled. I wasn’t sure if this was safe but I shook her to try and
get an answer. She mumbled something incoherent as I did my best to
scoop her into my arms. The tears were full on spilling down my
cheeks as I tried to rouse Nicole.
    “What’s the matter with Miss Nicole?” Sabrina
asked hysterically.
    “I don’t think she has been eating properly.
Sabrina, grab her purse and keys from the office we are taking her
to the hospital.” Now I am no Hercules but by the grace of God I
managed to carry Nicole to my truck. I was completely out of breath
and barely able to stand once I got her in the back seat.