"You gave me the wrong DVD," Melanie said.
"Yeah." Jamie sank into her beanbag chair. "I figured that out this afternoon. I wasn't sure if you'd already watched it. I guess—I guess in a way it wasn't entirely an accident. This has to stop."
"Why did you do it?" Melanie demanded. "Those sweet little girls—"
"You don't understand." For an instant, his face took on the sullen, resentful look he so often directed at adults. Then he softened. "Melanie, I would never hurt them."
"Then what’s going on?"
"At first, well, the guys were just having fun." He shook his head. "I mean, that's what it seemed like. They did other stuff, too—breaking car windows, stealing real estate signs."
"Acting like jerks," Melanie said.
"Does that make me a jerk, too?"
"I don't know. Are you?"
Instead of answering directly, he began to talk, fast, as if afraid someone might interrupt. "At first, when Russ got the idea of harassing this Ahmed guy, it sort of made sense. I mean, look at all the terrorism and 9/11."
"The Ahmeds had nothing to do with that.”
"Yeah, but—" He picked up an open bag of tortilla chips and scooped out a handful. "At first it wasn't any big deal. Only the other guys, they wouldn't let go. Like it became this obsession with Russ, and I realized he might really hurt somebody."
He passed her the chips. Melanie took one.
"I couldn't turn them in. They're my buddies," Jamie said. "That's when I got the idea of making the video. I thought when they saw it, they'd realize what idiots they were."
"Why'd you take pictures of the little girls?"
"Because they're so cute," he said. "I thought Jerry or Phil at least would call a halt, and Russ wouldn't go on alone. I was trying to stop them, Melanie. It all sounds so stupid now. After you told me yesterday about the firebombing, I realized I'd let it go too far."
"My dad thinks you were part of the whole thing," she said.
"Yeah, he would think that." Jamie stared at his hands. "I don't know what I'm going to do."
"You can't keep running away. It just makes you look guilty."
"I'll go talk to the cops," he said finally. "After I tell my mom. It's just—Melanie, I want you to believe me. I was trying to make them quit, only I figured I could do it my way. As a friend.”
"I believe you," Melanie said. "But I don't think my dad will."
His gaze met hers. "You're special."
"He won't let me see you anymore." She felt angry all over again at her father. Just like those crazy parents in Romeo and Juliet, trying to run their kids' lives.
Jamie stood up. "I don't want him to catch me here and get you in trouble. I just wanted you to know the truth."
"Whatever they do to you, I'll be waiting."
"No." He paused at the window. "What if they lock me up? I don't want you wasting your life. Go to New York like you planned. I can always find you there."
"But I don't want—"
"Do it," he said, and slipped out the window.
Melanie lay back on the bed and closed her eyes, feeling the tears well up again. But inside, oddly, she felt better.
Jamie had come here because he was innocent. He trusted her, and he cared what she thought. And he hadn't tried to hurt those girls, no matter what Dad believed.
Things would work out all right. The good guys always won, didn't they?
Chapter Fifteen
Watching the advanced dancers move through their exercises, Kerry experienced a moment of disorientation, as if she were regarding them in a time warp.
Only this week of classes remained. True, most of the teenagers would continue this summer after a two-week break, but not all. And there would be different faces; she'd already accepted a couple of students new to Brea or transferring from other schools.
She would miss this class, its unity, its highs and lows. Teaching made you sharply aware of the divisions of time and how quickly children grew up.
Kerry forced herself to focus on the class, calling out comments as the youngsters leaped and turned. When you knew a dancer, it was amazing how much you could tell by his or her movements. Tom's leaps echoed with pent-up energy. He'd begun making the rounds of auditions, and she knew he was waiting for results of callbacks.
Another girl, an eighteen-year-old who would be married in August, moved with dreamy distraction. One boy spun with greater precision and determination than ever; he would be dancing the lead roles next fall in Tom's place and was eager to live up to the position.
And then there was Melanie. As always, her movements and gestures were precise and skilled. Only the fire was missing.
Kerry leaned against the far wall and folded her arms. Just last week, two days after the explosion over Jamie, Melanie had announced her decision to go to New York. She'd received her father's reluctant go-ahead. Why then did she look so listless? And why didn't Kerry feel excited and hopeful?
She'd agreed, after consulting with Chris, to accompany Melanie to the auditions. Larisa, bless her, had offered to teach Kerry's classes in the interim.
Certainly Melanie would snap out of her depression by July. If not, the trip to New York, seeing that metropolis for the first time and feeling its vibrant hum, surely would fill her with new purpose.
Kerry could only hope so.
Bella's piano tinkled to a halt. The dancers took their bows and wandered out, giggling and chattering with the restlessness that always accompanied the end of the school year.
Melanie walked out with two other girls, but she didn't appear to be listening to their conversation. Neither did she look at Kerry.
It wasn't peevishness or resentment, Kerry knew. More the result of inner turmoil and a deep unhappiness. She wanted to reach out, but the girl would talk when she was ready.
Walking back to her office, Kerry reflected that if rehearsals for the Carrera Ballet weren't taking every spare moment, she'd probably sink into a depression herself. Frankly, she was grateful for the distraction. Only another week until the premiere.
And then? She stopped at the water fountain for a drink while her thoughts raced ahead.
In July, would she, too, be auditioning during that trip to New York? If so, she'd have to spend the previous weeks in heavy training. The decision needed to be made soon.
After Friday, she told herself. After the opening.
"Kerry?" Chris stood outside her office, looking ill at ease. "Is Melanie done?"
"She's changing."
Despite the bright light of the hallway, his face was shadowed. "I thought I'd pick her up."
"When's she going to get her driver's license?" Kerry opened the office door.
"She's lost interest." Chris shrugged. "Something about people not driving in New York."
"That's true." Kerry scooped up the pot from her coffee maker. "Like some?"
"I'm about caffeined out." He perched backward on a chair. "Damn, I want this case wrapped up."
She poured herself a cup. "I thought Russ confessed."
"He has, but he won't implicate his friends." Chris ran his fingers through his hair, which needed a cut. "We had to release the other three until we get more evidence."
That might not be such a good thing for Jamie, Kerry reflected. If no proof of his innocence came forward, he might escape juvenile hall but his reputation would be permanently tarnished. He’d have a hard time getting recommendations for college or for jobs.
Funny, but she'd believed Melanie's story at once, believed that Jamie really had been trying to stop his friends. It made sense from what she knew of the boy's character.
Chris, on the other hand, hadn't believed a word of it. Was that the best story the kid could come up with? he'd demanded.
Now Chris was saying, "We're circulating photographs of the three of them. There's got to be a witness out there, some motorist or passerby who doesn't realize what he saw. Someone who can place them all in the car at that particular time."
His gaze, when it touched hers, was haunted. "Like hell," he said.
"Armed camp?" She could imagine the tension infusing his household, although she hadn’t been there all week. Too busy, both of them.
"An armed camp where you love the enemy more than you love your own life." Chris gripped the back of the chair. "Why did she have to fall for a loser like that?"
There was no point in defending Jamie, Kerry knew. Chris had made up his mind on the subject and, given his experience as a policeman, she didn't blame him. "I miss you," she said.
He released a ragged sigh. "I miss you, too, Kerry, so much I—" He stopped in midsentence. "You haven't said anything about New York, but there's a chance you won't come back, isn't there?"
Kerry set her coffee on the desk. "I didn't want to say anything. I still haven't made a decision."
"Do you really think you can dance?"
"I don't know." Suddenly she wanted to confide everything in Chris. "I have to try. I'll be twenty-nine in August. There won't be another chance for me. Another year or two and it'll be too late to start over."
"So you have decided, then?"
"I guess so." She hadn't realized it before. "Chris, isn't there some way you could move to New York?"
He spread his hands helplessly. "Melanie would hate having me around. Besides, police work isn't something you transfer in and out of so easily. I've got nearly fifteen years invested here. Another five and I could take early retirement. In New York I'd have to start from scratch, assuming I even got hired. I'm not up to that."
The unspoken sentiment behind his words was easy to guess. If Kerry chose dancing over him, he'd merely be tagging along at her heels, a stage-door Johnny hanging around waiting for a spare moment. That was no way to build a life together.
"This may be the worst mistake I've ever made," she said miserably. "It's just a compulsion I can't shake."
"You still need to prove yourself, don't you?" Chris regarded her steadily. "For your own sake, or for your parents?"
"I wish I knew," she said.
He turned as several students flurried by in the hall. "I'd better go if I'm going to catch Melanie."
"You are coming to the premiere Friday night?"
"Of course." He reached over and gripped her shoulder. "Whatever you do, Kerry, I'm behind you. I want you to be happy."
When he walked out the door, she had to bite her lip to keep from calling him back.
The day of the premiere, Kerry nearly canceled her afternoon class with the advanced students. But that wouldn't be fair to them, she told herself firmly as she drove to the studio after a late lunch.
Besides, there was nothing left for her to do at the Carrera Ballet. The dress rehearsal the previous night had gone roughly, but that was considered good luck. It was too late to change anything; the dancers needed a good warm-up this evening, and that was all.
If she didn't go to class, she'd spend the afternoon worrying herself sick.
The minute she walked into the rehearsal room, Kerry knew something exciting had happened. The air buzzed with it.
"Well?" She regarded a knot of students.
"It's Tom!" one of the girls said. "He's got a job!"
Kerry looked around and spotted him at the piano, joking with Bella. "Tell all!" she demanded as she approached.
His handsome young face split in a grin. "Man, you were right about waiting till summer! The timing's perfect!"
Kerry gave him a playful poke in the side. "If you keep me in suspense any longer, Tom Hadley..."
"I surrender!" He held up his hands. "It's a new musical. We're opening in August at the Music Center and then we hit the road till next spring."
"And then?"
"We open in New York!" He grasped Kerry by the waist and swung her around. "Off Broadway!"
Catching her breath, she said, "What sort of part are you playing?"
"Well, I’m only in the ensemble," he conceded as he set her down. "But I get to understudy the supporting lead. And there’s lots of spectacular dancing!"
"What about singing?" Bella said.
"That, too." He winked at her. "I've been working with a vocal coach this semester. He says I've got a good natural voice and my technique is coming along."
"That's wonderful." Kerry's spirits lifted; she truly wished Tom the best.
"Melanie!" Tom darted forward as the girl entered the studio. "Did you hear?"
She managed a weak smile. "Congratulations. I'm pleased for you."
"It just goes to show," he announced, "that dreams can come true. Yours will, too, Mel. You'll see. Next summer we'll both be in New York!"
Her mouth clamped into a thin line. Tom didn't seem to notice as he spun away to accept more congratulations from his friends, but the misery was plain on Melanie's face.
It was time to start class, and Kerry tapped her students to order with her stick. Yet throughout the next hour, she observed Melanie closely.
Her dancing lacked spirit. If she auditioned like this, she wouldn't be accepted to anything.
But that wasn't what really mattered. The important thing was that if she felt this way, going on with her plans would be a terrible mistake.
As the others sauntered out, Kerry signaled to Melanie. "Can I talk to you for a minute?"
The younger girl came obediently, She didn't meet Kerry's gaze.
"You don't want to go to New York, do you?" Kerry asked.
Melanie shook her head.
"Then why did you say yes? Just to get away from your father?"
Sad brown eyes looked up at her. "Jamie told me to go."
"Jamie did? Why?" Kerry stared in surprise.
"He doesn't want me to waste my talent." Melanie sagged against the wall. "Only it doesn't mean anything anymore."
Sorrow shadowed Kerry's heart. So many years invested, so many hopes... But it was Melanie's life. "You don't want to dance anymore?"
"Oh, yes!" Melanie straightened. "I can't give it up. But Jamie wants to study filmmaking in college. He thinks he could get a scholarship to UCLA. I could study dance and acting. I'd stay here in L.A.—I don't know—Jamie and I would work something out."
A voice within Kerry longed to protest. You have a talent other girls would kill for—you can have the dreams I've lost. Everything lies ahead of you. For God's sake, don't throw it away!
But she had no right to push her dreams onto Melanie.
"Do what feels right for you," she said slowly. "We grown-ups have a way of projecting our hopes onto kids we care about. It's hard to stand aside when they choose a different path. But sometimes we have to."
Melanie threw her arms around Kerry and hugged her. "I was so afraid—I couldn't talk to you—I knew how disappointed you'd be."
"You would have gone to New York to please me?" Kerry asked.
"Well, partly," Melanie said. "It's okay if I don't?"
"Of course." Kerry restrained herself from asking about Chris. He certainly wouldn't push Melanie to leave; the problem was, how would father and daughter go on sharing one house, when they stood on opposite sides of a chasm. "You're coming to the opening tonight, aren't you?"
"Of course." The light died in Melanie's face. "With Dad."
"I'll see you then." Kerry watched thoughtfully as the girl left.
She'd forgotten about Bella until the pianist paused beside her. "It's complicated to be young. I'm glad I'm past it."
"I hope I feel that way in a few years," Kerry admitted.
"Things will work themselves out," Bella said, "as long as people listen to their own hearts."
After she left, Kerry went to stand at the barre. She ought to step up her practice beginning now, but her knees didn't want to bend. Her whole body felt stiff and inflexible, although not from physical pain. The hurt she felt was for Chris and Melanie. Perhaps a little for herself, too.
"Miss Guthrie?" The quiet masculine voice came from the side door.
"Jamie!" Kerry turned toward him. "How are you?"
Ignoring her question, he edged into the room. "I came to get my sister and to give you this." He handed her a DVD. "I can't give it to Mel. If her dad saw it, he'd think she'd been seeing me on the sly and he'd get mad. But I thought maybe later you could give it to her."
"Later, you can give it to her yourself," Kerry said.
"Maybe." He stood reflected in the mirror, duplicate images of misery. "Her dad's out to get me. He'll find some way to send me to juvenile hall. Maybe I deserve it."
Kerry tucked the disc into her skirt pocket. "I'll take good care of this."
He studied his hands as if they belonged to a stranger. "And I wanted to say thank you. For what you've done for Suzie and Melanie. And me. You treat me with respect. I hope I haven't let you down—"
His voice breaking, he stumbled out of the studio. Embarrassed by his own sentiment, Kerry thought.
She stood there alone for a while, feeling the DVD in her pocket as her thoughts collided and roiled with images of the two teenagers and of Chris. At last the solitude calmed her and her thoughts drifted to the days ahead.
She really should be taking classes with Alfonso. That was what she'd do during her two-week break, of course.
Except that now, since Melanie's change of plans, Kerry would be going to New York alone. Struggling alone, sacrificing alone, with no one to else to root for. No one whose successes could compensate for whatever setbacks Kerry encountered.
She wished she felt sure it was worth it.
Chapter Sixteen
Kerry watched the video as she slipped on her designer gown, the one she'd worn to Tony and Leila's party. The camera work was much smoother than on the video of Russ and the boys. Clearly Jamie had planned his angles, cut smoothly and maintained control over the lighting.
After a minute, she forgot about the technical aspects as the duet came alive on her computer screen. Melanie bloomed, dancing for the camera, dancing for Jamie, and he captured every nuance of her silky, youthful exhilaration.
By Leaps and Bounds Page 20