Out of Step: Chapter 37

Maybe, just maybe, some good has come out of my no longer being able to dance
Oh, I’m sooo happy for you, I think sarcastically. Then I feel bad for my silent dig. I actually am happy for her, and besides, I’m the one who helped her get the dance head position. Not that I’d ever tell her that, not after she confessed to feeling like second best with the winter recital solo.
“That’s great, Tar,” I say.
She looks at me and then smiles. “And you’re the costume designer… It’s amazing how you had this whole other talent you never honed, no? Like, who knows what else you’re good at?”
I shrug. “Nah, that’s it, trust me.” I pat her glossy locks. “I wasn’t even that good at Fraidy’s course, though you totally aced it. Who has secret talents now?”
Atara flutters her eyelashes and we both laugh, although it feels a bit forced. I wonder if Atara feels it as well. So much has happened this year, to each of us personally, as well as between us. Will our friendship ever feel easy again?
And on that lovely thought, I say goodbye and head off to my sewing class.
***
Judy Cooperfeld might be the most surprising relationship I’ve ever had. “Eccentric” is a good word for the woman with the red sheitel. Mother of four boys, owner of three parrots, yet has the sharpest instincts about design of anyone I’ve ever met. I mean, if Goldie thinks I’m a natural, she should meet Judy. All I have to do is hold up a project and Judy can immediately point out three or more tweaks that will take it from nice to wow.
I show her my sketch for the Chometz team’s dance. I thought I would have the choir dressed as pizza delivery men, complete with motorcycle helmets and black jackets with a pizza emblem. The dance, though, I have outfitted in old fashioned peasant dresses with white aprons and white ruffled hats. Kind of like old-timey bakers. Just with a graceful feminine twist.
“Nicely done,” Judy says. “But what would take the aprons to the next level?”
I think about it. “A front pocket?”
“Nice. And how about some exposed stitching?”
I think some more about this. That makes it much harder to do a good job, but she’s right.
“Can you help me? I want to make one of each, just to show the committee.”
Judy winks. “Then let’s get to it.”
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