Breaking Skin

Breaking Skin by Debra Doxer

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Authors: Debra Doxer
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faces, I write that I’ll text her the details later. Before I put my phone away, I glance at all the unanswered messages I sent to Renee, and unease creeps in. She’s not the most reliable or responsible person, but she’s never done anything like this before.
    “Maybe we’ll go by the studio on the way back to see if we can use it tomorrow,” I suggest. I know exactly where the dance studio Renee teaches is located since it’s been there forever. She and I practically grew up within its walls.
    Despite the shock I experienced earlier and the roller coaster of emotions, I’m excited to do this. I look forward to showing off for Langley in front of her friends and making them all see that she’s not a liar.

 
    T he dance studio is still at the same location, but it’s changed quite a lot. Miss Emily is gone and the building has been renovated, updated like so many other parts of Cooperstown. As I look up at the high ceilings with its exposed beams and ductwork, a woman emerges from the back and says hello to Langley, who launches into an excited explanation of why we’re here.
    Once she finishes, the woman extends her hand to me. “I’m Priscilla. It’s nice to see you again.”
    My eyes widen. “Priscilla? Miss Emily’s daughter?”
    She grins. “I own the place now. Didn’t your sister tell you?”
    “No.” My brow wrinkles and she chuckles in response.
    “My mother would be surprised too because I never wanted to dance. But this space came up for rent a few years ago, and I couldn’t let another coffee shop or hair salon come in here and demolish all my memories.”
    I smile at my own memories of this place.
    “I miss your mother,” I say. “Every time I dance, I hear her voice in my head, giving me advice.”
    Priscilla smiles. “She always had plenty to offer. How’s your mother doing? Renee tells me she’s making progress.”
    “Yes, she is,” I reply, rather than say I don’t know what progress my mother is making. Maggie Taylor has not been a part of my life for a very long time.
    “Well,” Priscilla says, grinning in Langley’s direction, “I think a performance for Langley’s friends is a wonderful idea. Our last class on Sundays is at two. You could do it afterward.”
    “That sounds perfect.”
    We catch up a little more and then I call for Langley, who’s wandered off to watch a dance class.
    Back at the car, she eyes me as I try to buckle her into her seat again.
    “Want me to do it?” she asks after letting me struggle a bit first.
    “Sure.” I hand her the seat belt and she fastens it easily.
    “Can we go to McDonald’s for dinner too if Mom isn’t back yet?”
    I laugh, but then realize I may have to actually give Langley dinner if Renee isn’t back in time. I check my phone yet again, and my jaw clenches with frustration. Still no word from her.
    When I ask Langley if she knows where the grocery store is, she directs me to a Safeway near the center of town that wasn’t there when I was growing up. As we make our way inside, I ask her what she wants for dinner.
    “You can cook?” she asks, sounding surprised.
    I narrow my eyes. “Why would you think I can’t cook?”
    She shrugs, but then suddenly a grin lights her face and she points to a spot behind me. “There’s Derek and his dad. I’m going to say hi.”
    My heart leaps into my throat as I reach out a hand to stop her, but I’m too late. She’s already walking across the produce section toward the boy from next door and a man who looks a lot like Cole.
    Who am I kidding? I take him in, and it feels as if all the air has been sucked out of the room. That is Cole. There’s no question about it.
    I nearly forgot how formidable he is, standing out among the other shoppers with shoulders so broad, they could block out the sun if you stood behind him on a clear day.
    When he sees Langley, Cole grins easily and then looks up to see who she’s with. When he clocks me, his gaze sharpens and I swallow

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