Read Learning for Free Online Page B

see how much the director enjoyed her job. She pointed at her assistant, poised over an iPod and speakers. “Cue ‘The New Girl in Town.’”
    Bailey smiled and then immediately forced herself to be serious. No matter the irony, it was time to learn. The others were here to help her catch on, and she would slow them down until she did. “Alright, Bailey, … line up behind the last line of dancers and watch feet. Only feet. We’ll go through it once, and then I’ll break it down.”
    Two hours passed in a blur of music and dancing and memorized movement. When they were done, Bailey was confident of the steps in “New Girl,” and she had a vague idea of how to get through “Run and Tell That.” But she had a mountain of work ahead — enough that she felt dazed and dizzy as Francesca dismissed them.
    “Don’t let her get to you.” A thin blonde came up to her as they were leaving. “I’m Chrissy Stonelake. I understudy for Amber.” Bailey shook her hand, and both girls apologized for beingsweaty. Bailey laughed, grateful to have a friend in the cast. But even as she did, she noticed how thin Chrissy was. Too thin. And there were dark circles under her eyes. Bailey wondered if one day she’d be close enough to Chrissy to find out about the dark circles. “I figured she’d work us this hard, but being here … going through it … nothing could’ve really prepared me for this.”
    “I know.” The girl seemed like she was trying to look confident, or like maybe the rehearsal had caused her to feel alive and complete. “But you’ll learn more from Francesca than anyone in the business.” She grinned as she grabbed her bag. “Our rule in the family — she always calls us her family — is just do what she says and bring a lot of water.” She waved. “See you tomorrow.”
    Bailey said the same, and found her bag along the wall. Her mom waited nearby, and as they walked out they shared a smile. “That was incredible.” Bailey wondered if her legs had the strength to carry her down the steps to the waiting car. Again, the producers had provided a ride. This time so they could take Bailey’s mom to the airport. Her flight was set to leave in three hours.
    “You did great.” Her mom took Bailey’s bag from her, found a small towel inside, and handed it to her. “She really worked you.”
    “I loved it …” Bailey’s laugh gave away how tired she really was. “I mean, I’m not sure I can take ten steps after that, but still … I loved it.”
    “You’ll catch on quickly.” Her mom had a single small bag herself, and they slipped it in the car. Already Bailey could hear a difference in her voice, the awareness of how little time they had together.
    On the way to the airport they talked about their morning conversation with the Kellers. Bob and Betty had already decided they would walk with Bailey to the theater every time she had a show, and they’d wait for her at the end of the night to walk her home again. As for rehearsals, Bailey would have access to a car any time she wanted. Part of the package of being a tenant inthe Kellers’ apartment building. “We’ll make sure the car picks her up and gets her to rehearsals and then brings her back when they’re finished,” Bob told them. “It’s part of our role … the way we handle hosting a young star like Bailey.”
    Now her mom smiled at the term. “I heard him say that, how he called you a young star, and I looked across the breakfast table at you.” There was a tenderness in her mother’s voice. “I wanted to say, no … you weren’t a young star. You were my little girl. My Bailey … and that, I don’t know, somehow I guess I expected you to come back home with me when you were done playing pretend on Broadway.” She reached over and put her fingers over Bailey’s. “But then I only had to remember how I’ve seen you perform … what you’re capable of doing. And I realized they were right. You’re a young star on