Read Online The Ballerina's Stand by Angel Smits - Free Book Online Page A

surprised her even more by pulling her hand back and preparing to leave.
    They were at the front door before Maxine said anything else. Hudson was at the curb, standing in the awful LA heat in that ugly black uniform. He’d already opened the back door of the Cadillac.
    Maxine stopped and met Lauren’s gaze. She didn’t sign. “You know I love you as if you were my own.”
    Lauren nodded.
    â€œIf you ever, ever need anything, you know you can always come to me.”
    Lauren’s eyes misted. “I know.” She pointed at her heart, then her forehead, slowly, making the first part longer than the second, to emphasize the strong love that beat in her chest for this woman.
    Did Maxine actually think she wouldn’t turn to her if she needed her? Her last, and best, foster mother had been there so many times, Lauren had lost count.
    Maybe she should have called Wakefield... No. She’d have only been doing it to please Maxine, which would have given her the opportunity to interfere.
    Jason was the best choice. She didn’t stop to analyze why she’d come to that conclusion.
    On impulse, Lauren hugged Maxine hoping that somehow that told the woman how much she meant to her.
    * * *
    T HE CLASSROOM IN the basement of The Y had to be fifty years old. Long tables were set up classroom style. Susan was already there, still wearing her business suit and pumps. He’d have to tell her that while this was technically on the clock, she could dress down.
    Several other people were also present. An older man, two teens and a young woman who stared at her phone. A middle-aged woman was at the front of the class, pulling books and papers out of a satchel.
    Old habits died hard, and Jason snagged a chair in the back. He’d just settled when the teacher turned around and counted heads. Then she turned to the old-fashioned chalk board and wrote Anne Sidel on it. She pulled out a notebook and faced them.
    â€œThat’s me,” she said, a slight accent to her words. He frowned, finally noticing the hearing aids nestled in her ears. “I’m your teacher for this class. Let’s take care of a little business before we get started.”
    From the list in her hand, she read names, waiting for a raised hand instead of the spoken responses. He felt like he was back in fourth grade but abided by her rules. He lifted his hand and spoke. She nodded and check marked on the page.
    â€œOkay, let’s discuss how I’ll conduct this class.” She walked around and sat against the front of her desk. “Tonight is free. We talk. I’ll answer your questions and we’ll go over a few things. After tonight, the class is silent. No speaking.”
    She waited for that bit of information to sink in, looking around and meeting every eye with a solid stare. Everyone nodded to her unspoken query. “Questions?”
    The girl with the phone tentatively lifted her hand. “No talking. At all?”
    â€œNope. None.”
    â€œBut what if we don’t understand?”
    â€œFinger spell. You’ll have this week to practice.”
    â€œBut what if I have to leave unexpectedly?”
    â€œAgain, we’ll sign to each other.”
    â€œWhat if there’s an emergency? Like there’s a fire or something?”
    The teacher struggled not to laugh, and Jason realized he liked her.
    â€œYou can tell us that. But let me ask you—does the deaf person you’re learning to sign for have that luxury?” The girl stared. “This is the sign for fire.” Anne raised her hands, waving her fingers.
    The girl mimicked her. “Oh!” She grinned. “I’m signing.”
    Anne turned away briefly, hiding her smile. “I have information and a book for each of you. By next week, practice the alphabet. Here.” She passed the packets to each of them. Jason smiled. He already knew the alphabet. Well, part of it anyway. He just wasn’t very