Read Online In the Air by Crystal Serowka - Free Book Online Page B

Max returned with a carafe full of coffee and Samson's blueberry scone. Once we were both sure we wouldn't need anything else, Max walked away from the table, leaving Samson and I alone.
    "More coffee?"
    I nodded and Samson began pouring the heavenly liquid into my empty mug.
    "Sugar?" His blue eyes locked into mine.
    "Yes, dear?" I jokingly asked and began laughing. Samson joined in and we must have laughed for a good two minutes.
    "Think we can be friends, Natalia?" Samson took a bite from his scone, making my mouth water. I longed for the sweet, carb-filled pastry, but knew it would be a mistake.
    "I guess so," I said sarcastically.
    "Being friends and all, we should learn more about each other. Where did you grow up?"
    I wanted to open up to Samson, but I was still a bit wary. How much should I tell him? Would he use it against me someday? I decided to give him just the basics for now.
    "I grew up in Illinois. I've been dancing for about fifteen years. What about you? You don't seem like the typical ballerino."
    His right cheek quirked up, revealing his endearing smile. "My dad is a cardiologist at a hospital in Connecticut. I was supposed to follow in his footsteps and go to medical school, but I've always wanted to be a dancer. I haven't been dancing as long as you have, though."
    "You mean to tell me that you're that good and you haven't been doing it for long?" My eyebrows furrowed together. I had always been so jealous of the dancers who easily picked up on difficult techniques.
    "So, you think I'm good?" His crooked smile turned into a full-on one, exposing a set of perfect white teeth.
    "I think you've heard that enough times to know you're good. One more compliment and your head will explode."
    His laugh filled the cafe. It felt good sitting here and joking with Samson. I was happy I had convinced myself to give him a chance.
    "Do you have any siblings?" I had a feeling he didn't. Being an only child, it was easy to spot another.
    "No. My mom always wanted a daughter, but my dad was against having anymore after I was born. Since he got his wish by having a son, the conversation was over, though, now that I'm a dancer, I'm sure he wishes he would have had more kids." Samson looked down at his lap, dejected.
    "What about your mom? How does she feel about your dancing?" I didn't want to pry, but my curiosity got the better of me. I felt like I could relate to Samson. When he spoke about his dad, I sensed that the pressure put on him was immense.
    "My mom is the only person who supports what I do. She's amazing." Samson's face lit-up when he talked about his mother. I could tell they were close. "What about you? Are your parents supportive?" Samson asked and I immediately clammed up.
    When asked about my parents, I still didn't know how to respond. Parent. It was no longer plural. "It's just me and my mom," I responded quickly. "She's actually my dance teacher." Now I was the one who looked dejected.
    "I don't want to be nosey or anything, and you don't have to tell me, but where is your dad?"
    There it was. The question that made me sick to my stomach.
    "My dad," I paused, "he died last year."
    Samson's eyes met mine. I was expecting him to say the usual, "I'm sorry," or worse, "I know how you feel." After my father's funeral, I counted fifteen people who said that to me. I wanted to scream at them, tell them they had no idea how I felt because loss can't be compared. Samson didn't say either of those things.
    "I can't even begin to imagine that kind of pain, Natalia." His hand reached across the table and found mine. He didn't quite hold my hand, but his fingers caressed the inside of my palm.
    "It's a pain that's everlasting," I said quietly, not knowing if Samson could hear me over the loud chatter in the cafe.
    "Do you wanna talk about it? I'd love to listen."
    I wasn't used to sincerity. My mother didn't have a sincere bone in her body. I took a deep breath and began. "He had cancer. It was a long fight and we