#3 Truth and Kisses by Laurie Friedman Page B

had said about me liking Matt. Suddenly, everything seemed so clear. I dropped Gilligan’s leash and wrapped my arms around Matt’s neck. I hugged him hard, and he let me.
    On the side of my cheek, I could feel his tears running into my own.

I’m just trying to change the world, one sequin at a time.
    â€”Lady Gaga
    Friday, February 28, 6:15 p.m.
Day before the show
    Every afternoon this week, I stayed after rehearsal and worked with Des. It was Matt’s idea. On Sunday, he told me this story about his first baseball coach in California who wouldn’t let him leave practice one day until he learned to hit.
    â€œI’ll never forget it,” Matt told me. “It was just Little League, but he treated it like it was the majors. He made me stay at the field and work on my swing for hours after the other kids had gone home. But somehow that night, I got it. You should make Des practice until she gets it,” he said.
    So I did. Today (which is good timing because the show is tomorrow), when we’d finished going over all the steps in all of the dances, I high-fived Des. “Looking good!” I said. “You’ve worked really hard, and I know you’re ready. I’m proud of you,” I added.
    When I said that, Des put her hand on her hip. It reminded me of the first time I’d met her. “I’m proud of you, too,” she said.
    I grinned. It was such a Des thing to say.
    Saturday, March 1, 9:39 p.m.
Big night!
    Tonight was the dance show at the community center, and it was amazing.
    The girls on the dance team and all of the girls who were performing got to the auditorium early. As I was helping Des into her costume, I could tell she was nervous.
    â€œI look like I’ve been playing dress-up in my mother’s closet.” She gestured to her costume, which hung on her small frame, and then looked around at some of the more developed girls who filled out their costumes better than she did.
    This was a topic I could help her on. I stuck out my own small chest. “I’m right there with you, sister,” I said.
    She looked down at my little boobs and cracked up. I was just happy I could help her relax. As I was putting her makeup on, we could see from our spot backstage that the auditorium was filling up fast. “Standing room only,” Des said.
    I knew it was code speak for I’m scared out of my mind.
    I wrapped my arm tightly around her. “You’re going to be great!” I reminded her how hard she’d worked. When the music started and it was time for the girls to line up on stage for the opening number, Des squeezed my hand. “You got it,” I mouthed as she went with the other girls to take her place.
    The opening number with all of the girls was pretty smooth. Des slid a few times when she should have shuffled, and once she went left when she should have gone right, but she wasn’t the only one who made a few missteps, and honestly, they were pretty minor. When Des came backstage, her eyes met mine. Ms. Baumann had drilled it into the girls that there was to be no talking backstage between numbers, so I gave her a thumbs-up. She knew she’d done her part.
    The rest of the show went well too. Des was in one more dance, and then everyone went back on stage for the finale. When it was over, the crowd went crazy. I’ve never heard so much clapping or cheering. The applause went on for a long time. I could see the girls on stage doing curtsies and bows and grinning like they’d just performed on Broadway. It was awesome seeing them all so happy. What happened after the show was cool too. “I’m a star! I’m a big, shiny star!!” Des screamed when she came backstage.
    â€œI don’t know about the big part,” I said.
    Des threw her arms around me and squeezed hard. It was a big hug for a little girl. “You’re the best dance teacher ever,” she said, ignoring my last comment.
    I