Rumbling Thunder, Page 2

  “It’s going to work out Rainy. Everything will be fine. You’ll see!”

  Rainy didn’t say anything, but what she really wanted to do was go home before the afternoon session started. She had a feeling the dancers would be put together then.

  “Dad, would it be alright if I skipped out for the rest of the day?”

  Donavan looked at her now. “Absolutely not. I need you here today. I told you everything is going to be alright. It won’t be the last time you and Pedro have a disagreement. Now suck it up, Rainy. Act your age; you’re not a kid anymore.”

  “Gee, thanks for your understanding, Dad. I bet if Pedro wanted to take the rest of the day off you would say sure.”

  He grinned at her now. “I bet you’re wrong!” he said, his expressing changing and his jaw set now. “And that’s the end of this conversation. Don’t put words in my mouth when you don’t have a clue as to what I’m thinking. You remind me of your mother, who says it’s a boy’s club. Well, explain to me how it is when they’re four times more women in this company than men.”

  She stood up and was walking towards the door, but Donavan beat her there. “So now you’re angry with me.” He took hold of her arm. She tried to jerk away from him, only there was no room in the small office. She glared at him as a warning to let her go. “Okay, Rainy, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. Please sit back down.” His voice was softer now, almost pleading. She backed up and went back to the sofa, took a seat and waited.

  Donavan made sure the door was locked so no one could bust in on them. After he settled back in his chair, he looked right at her, placing his elbows on his desk and leaning forward. “I know you think I’m using you and to tell the truth, I am. I need you on this tour. I have a lot of new dancers and don’t have the time to bring them up to speed. I realize you’re giving up your free time. And I do appreciate what you’re doing to help me out. I don’t just need you to dance this tour, but to help me with the professional dance classes.”

  “That’s Miranda’s job. She is the Dance Mistress.”

  “She also has her hands full, Rainy. You know we’re short staffed right now, and a lot of the dancers are helping out. I need you to work with Shirly and Lisa.”

  Rainy frown and said, “Shirly? Isn’t she the one Tim has been working with?”

  “Yes.”

  “Dad, that girl has two left feet. How I’m I going to help her?”

  “If anyone can, it will be you. It’s her last chance, Rainy. Will you work with her?”

  She let out a long breath. “Alright, Dad.”

  “That’s my girl!” He smiled at her as he opened what looked like a ledger book, and he started to write. Then he tore off a check and handed it to her.

  Rainy looked at the check. “What’s this for?”

  “Your paycheck.”

  Rainy tossed it back on his desk. “I don’t think so!”

  “Why, it’s not enough?”

  “I’m not letting you pay me.”

  “Why not?”

  “You’re paying for my education, that’s why.”

  “I pay all my dancers, Rainy.”

  “Not this one.” She stood up and this time he didn’t stop her from leaving.

  She went to the board to see where she went after lunch. It read, “All dancers studio one.” Now is when the fun starts, she was thinking. Rainy took a deep breath and walked down the hallway to the second door on the left. She pushed it open and went down the many steps towards the dance floor. This was the biggest studio. It was as wide as the building and in the basement. Rainy stopped just before she got to the dance floor. She moved in to take a seat in the second row of chairs that were used by the dancers for meetings. She undid and retied her toe shoes while she waited for the other dancers to show up.

  They started to come in. The first group were three male dancers. Rainy looked for Pedro but he wasn’t with them. Next, a larger group came into the studio. Rainy started to feel sorry for her Dad with all these new dancers. It was going to take a lot of work. Some of them were still in high school in the performing arts program. There were others from the inner city program. And even more from out of state. Not like their youth dance group that was part of the company.

  It wasn’t long before the room was full of dancers. They were all standing on the dance floor ready for when Donavan or Tim came in the room. She remained seated; she wasn’t there to impress anyone.

  She heard Pedro long before she saw him. He was with a group of dancers standing off to the side of the room. A red-headed girl had her hands on his arm. She was smaller then she was and her red hair was not a natural color red. It was a bright red, like a fire truck. And Rainy knew that Donavan would tell the girl to change it, or she couldn’t dance on stage. But maybe things had changed, who knew?

  Tim entered the room first and not far behind him, Donavan started down the steps. “Line up!” Tim ordered. Rainy stood up and made her way to the end of the line. The dancers were all talking and laughing, and then they became silent as soon as Donavan stepped on the dance floor. Donavan walked over to where Tim was standing, holding a clipboard. He and Tim talked for a moment and then Donavan looked up at the dancers. “I want the following male dancers to step forward. Jona, Matthew, Devin, Elliot, and Pedro.” Donavan and Tim went back to studying the clipboard. “Now I want the following ballerinas to come forward. Keena, Christina, Jillian, Mary, and Rainy.” He waited a beat before he went on. “The ten of you will be partners. Jona and Mary, Devin and Christina, Elliot and Jillian, Matthew and Keena, Pedro and Rainy. The rest of you go to studio three. Ellen will work with you.”

  Tim then showed them their marks on the floor. Because there were five couples, they had to stay in their own space. Tim pointed to the mark that was her’s and Pedro’s. They were in front of the other couples. Rainy looked at Pedro straight-faced; she wouldn’t even smile at him.

  Donavan took a seat in one of the chairs in the first row. He had the clipboard in his hands and Rainy knew he was grading them. Anyone of them could be pulled off this dance in a heartbeat. Not that she was worried about it. She couldn’t get kicked out of this damn studio if her life depended on it. However, she would still do her best on the dance. Tim showed them the dance routine and then he put the music on to help with their timing. The five couples went through the routine three times. Tim looked at Donavan and shook his head.

  Donavan saw the same thing that Tim did. Friction between Pedro and Rainy. He stood up and walked onto the dance floor. Looking at the five couples, He said, “Let’s try this. Matthew, you come here and dance with Rainy. Pedro, you dance with Keena.” Keena hurried to stand beside Pedro. She was giggling. “Is something amusing to you, Keena?”

  “Just happy to be one of your dancers Donavan.”

  They performed the routine three more times. Donavan leaned on the railing and watched them. And he knew Keena wasn’t ready for the lead. Even if Rainy seemed more relaxed, he needed her with Pedro. “Again!” he ordered. He wanted to see if maybe one of the male dancers were up to Pedro’s speed. But this time he heard talking. “Stop!” Donavan shouted. All the dancers came to a halt and waited to see what he was going to say. “Who was talking?” No one answered. “I’m waiting!” Still, no one said anything. “Alright, if that’s the way you want it.”

  Rainy knew they would be in for a week of hell if no one said anything. “Sorry, it was me.” She said looking down.

  Donavan walked over to her and stood there for a moment then said, “You think you can keep quiet for the rest of this session?” Rainy nodded. “Good!” he walked away from her. “Let’s try this again.” Tim started the music and they started the dance. Donavan watched but he already knew his choice would be Pedro.

  After they were shown more of the dance, Donavan went back and sat down. He watched them as Tim took them through the moves. After a good half an hour, he stood up and walked back onto the dance floor. He went to Tim and said, “I need to do s
ome work in my office.” Tim nodded. “Put Pedro and Rainy back together and let me know how it goes.”

  “I will,” Tim replied, and he turned his attention back to the dancers as Donavan left the room. “I need Pedro and Rainy back up front and we’ll go from there.”

  Rainy couldn’t believe this. But that was just like her dad to do this and then take off. But there was nothing she could do. She wished they would have left her with Matthew. But really, it didn’t matter. She’d have to deal with Pedro one way or another. She just wished she knew why he was acting funny towards her.

  Tim showed them more of the dance. And in this scene, Rainy and Pedro danced alone while the other four couples watched. They went through the routine five times before Tim stopped them. Pedro still had his hands on Rainy’s waist. She jerked away from him. Pedro grabbed her by her right arm and spun her around. “What’s up with you Rainy?” he demanded to know.

  Pushing him back away from her, she said, “When we’re not dancing, keep your hands to yourself.”

  Pedro had a shocked expression. “Don’t push me!”

  “How does it feel, asshole?” Rainy countered.

  Pedro held his hands up in surrender, then he bowed to her. “Yes, Your Highness.” All the other dancers laughed. Not that Rainy cared. She wanted him to feel the way he made her feel. But the fact he was making fun of her, she knew he didn’t care.

  Tim was watching them and said, “That’s enough. Go take a short break. Be back here in ten.”

  Rainy was glad to hear that. She went into the lobby just to get away from the dancers. Matthew came up to Pedro. “You know, man, you have a big set. I would never talk to one of Donavan’s girls like that.”

  “I didn’t say anything wrong.”

  “No, but you were making fun of her. What happened? I thought you two were crazy about each other.”

  “Yeah well, it didn’t stop her from going off to college now did it?”

  “Why don’t you tell her you want her to stay here and go to school.”

  “I tried that. You think I’m going to wait four years for her? I don’t think so.”

  “You don’t have to wait for her. But if I were you, I would play nice. This guy told me a story about Donavan and Rainy’s mother. It was back before Donavan married her. And one of the male dancers said something out of the way about her. The next thing they knew, this guy was out. And the bad part was, he couldn’t get a job with any other dance company here in the city. If I were you, I would play nice with Rainy Graystone. Maybe she’ll find her a new boyfriend at college and forget about you. That’s all I’m saying.”

  ***

  Rainy sat in the lobby and stared out the large window. It was raining, and she wanted to take a nap. But that would have to wait. She dreaded going back to studio one and wished her dad would let her take the rest of the day off. But she already knew the answer without even asking again. She laid her head back against the chair and closed her eyes.

  “Why are you out here and not with your group?” asked Donavan.

  “Sorry, Dad, I must have gone to sleep.” She scrambled to her feet and took off before her father could say anymore. Reentering studio one, the dancers were at work learning the dance. She stood off to the side and waited. Not much else she could do. She had no idea how long she’d been asleep. Then she realized Pedro wasn’t in the studio. She thought that was strange. But she hadn’t been here either.

  Tim took his phone out of his pocket and said a few words, then he shoved the phone back into his pocket. He looked at Rainy and mouthed, “Your dad wants to talk to you.”

  She went up the stairs and just when she got to the door, Pedro came busting in. He breezed past her as if she wasn’t even there.

  ***

  She stood in front of her father and waited. He was busy with something. Finally, he glanced up at her and motioned for her to take a seat. But she remained standing. Donavan leaned back in his chair and said, “Pedro said you don’t want him to touch you. Is that true, Rainy?” She couldn’t believe this. Pedro came running to her dad. Why? “He also told me you pushed him, and that earlier, you jumped on him and hurt his back.” She stood gaping at her father. She didn’t know what to say. “Are you going to talk to me?”

  Throwing her hands out, she said, “What’s the point? No matter what I say, I’m wrong. Maybe you should send me home.”

  “Maybe you need to stop. We have already had that conversation. And as far as Pedro touching you, he has to. That’s what dancers do. And if you are pushing him, it seems to me it’s you that needs to keep your hands to yourself.”

  Now she was so angry she could just throttle Pedro. But she knew she wouldn’t get out of this room without saying anything. “It’s true, Dad, I did push him and jump on him and told him to keep his hands off of me.”

  “Why?”

  “I don’t know, just having a bad day, Dad. But I won’t do it again.” And she wouldn’t. She would never talk to the slimeball ever again. “Can I go back now?”

  Donavan glared at her, his chin resting on his fist. He sat up straight and pointed his finger towards the floor next to him. Oh, she knew what that meant, and the last thing she wanted was to go to him. Being called on the carpet was bad enough, but her dad could be ruthless. Slowly she moved towards him, coming to a stop beside him. He reached up and took a hold of her waist. The next thing she knew, she was sitting on his desk in front of him and he was standing over her. “Don’t you dare lie to me and try and sweep this under the rug. We have a show to get ready for. And I can’t have my two best dancers at each other’s throat. Now you tell me everything, Rainy. What’s going on?”

  At first, she was babbling, but then she slowed down and told him exactly how she felt; that Pedro was not acting the same towards her.

  “Now you know why I don’t want the dancer’s dating each other. Okay, for the next week, I’m going to have you work with Matthew in a different studio. And I won’t put you and Pedro back together until just before the tour. You think you can live with that?”

  Rainy shook her head and got off the desk and was heading for the door. “Oh, and one more thing.” She stopped and turned towards him. “Thanks for talking to me and for everything else you’re doing to help me out.”

  For the life of her, she couldn’t figure her dad out. One minute he’s telling her off and the next he’s thanking her. She left his office and went to meet up with Matthew to see which studio they would be working in.

  For the next two weeks, everything was fine. She and Matthew had mastered the dance. Donavan came into studio three and watched them go through the routine. He nodded his head in approval. “Starting Monday you two go back to working with Tim.” Rainy wasn’t too thrilled, but she knew this was coming.

  ***

  Monday morning she went to studio one. She was early and no one was in there yet. She sat quietly and waited for the other couples to enter the studio. They filtered in two or three at a time. Some of them spoke to her, others didn’t. She was busy texting Quinn, telling her she couldn’t wait until she and Rosa got back. That way she would have someone to hang out with. She then put her phone down on the chair next to her. Tim came into the room. “Partner up and let’s get started,” he ordered. Rainy stood up and went onto the dance floor. Keena was already next to Pedro. So, she went and stood next to Matthew. “Rainy, you’re with Pedro.”

  “I want to be Pedro’s partner,” whined Keena.

  “You’ll have to discuss that with Donavan. He did the lineup.”

  “I will.” She huffed and took off towards Donavan’s office.

  “Matt, you want to take them through the routine since your partner took off on you?”

  “Sure.” He came to stand where Tim was. Tim then left the room. Rainy wasn’t sure what was going on. But it wasn’t something she cared to know either.

  A few minutes later, Tim returned with another ballerina. She was very young and Rainy knew that she knew her from
Imakey’s youth dancers. Not that she wasn’t good. Rainy didn’t know because she’d never seen her dance. Tim walked over to Matthew and said something to him. Matthew nodded his head and walked out of the studio with the young ballerina. Rainy knew at once that Matthew had a new partner. And he would be the one to teach her the dance.

  Chapter 4:

  Timing is Everything

  Now that Keena wasn’t in the studio with them, Pedro was acting more like the boy she’d fallen in love with. She still wouldn’t talk to him. But he was being nice to her. No more smart cracks.She started to relax around him. They more than likely would never be a couple again. But she could get through this as long as he would act like a human and not some jerk.

  This was her third week here. The tour would only last two weeks. And as soon as it was over, she would be returning to college. They had the coming weekend off. Donavan had told them that morning. She was going to spend it with her mother. They had seen so little of each other.

  Later that afternoon, Rainy was in the locker room changing her clothes to go home. Pedro came in and leaned against the lockers next to her. “You want to hang out?” he asked her as if nothing had ever happened between them. Rainy wouldn’t even look at him and was waiting for the butt of his joke. “Hey, look, I’m sorry I pissed you off. I really did miss you, Rainy. My Mom wants to see you. She’s missed you too.”

  Finally, after Rainy was done dressing, she looked right at him. “Just so you know, you’re in the wrong locker room. This is the women’s.” Then she tilted her head and said, “But then, after the way you went crying to Donavan, maybe you’re in the right room.” She pushed past him and headed for the back door of the studio.

  ***

  That night at dinner Rainy wanted to ask what had happened to Keena. After all, she hadn’t been at the studio for days now. She was hoping her father would just tell her, but he never did. There were times when she wished they had the same kind of relationship that he and Samie had. But it was getting the best of her, and she wanted to know. “Dad, can I ask you something?”