It was as if every flower, every shop sign, and every overpass made a voice in her heart scream, ” This is the place! Ah, this has changed! Ah, this is still the same! ” This familiar city wasn’t her hometown, but it had once held her most brilliant youth and dreams. She got out of the cab, almost in tears, heading to the visa office. Everyone was already waiting there. Lauren spotted her and waved. Rebecca smiled and walked over, still feeling a bit uneasy. Among those waiting to record fingerprints were familiar faces as well as unfamiliar juniors.
They were all elites in the dance world. As someone with a limp, she stood out awkwardly in such a lineup. ” Rebecca! ” a girl called out excitedly, recognizing her. ” Rebecca! ” Several girls crowded around her warmly. ” We finally get to meet you! We’ve studied your dances in our textbooks! Can’t believe we’re seeing you in person! ” They surrounded her tightly, all beaming with enthusiasm. Rebecca’s anxiety finally eased up. Right then, her phone rang. She pulled it out and saw it was Vance calling. ” Excuse me for a moment.”
Rebecca rejected the call and sat down next to Lauren, escorted by the juniors. No one mentioned her leg, as if they hadn’t noticed it at all. But she knew that for a dancer, a leg problem was incredibly conspicuous. No one could miss it. The only explanation was that Lauren had given everyone a heads – up in advance. Regardless, in this small waiting room, she received the greatest kindness from strangers that she had experienced in five years. Her phone kept vibrating in her bag, so she simply turned it off and focused on chatting with everyone.
Desmond was there, too, which caught her by surprise. Wasn’t he the principal dancer at the Soliaridge Dance Troupe? Why was he here? ” This is a joint tour with several dance troupes, ” Lauren explained. ” Each troupe has its own repertoire. ” Desmond smiled at her, and she smiled back. The group went in one by one to record fingerprints and then left gradually. Rebecca and Lauren were among the last. Once done, they walked out together. Rebecca transferred some money to Lauren and asked her to pass it on to the school or the tour organizing committee.
Lauren had invited her with good intentions, but she couldn’t take advantage of everyone’s expenses for her food, lodging, and travel. She would cover it herself. ” You and your principles, ” Lauren sighed, accepting the money. ” I’ll check later on how to incorporate it into the funds. ” Desmond’s voice rang out. ” Mrs. Lemke, Rebecca. ” He was leaning against a car in the curbside spot, waving at them. Lauren put an arm around Rebecca’s shoulders. ” There’s something I’m not sure if I should bring up.”
“Go ahead.” Rebecca believed that whatever Lauren said was for her good. ” Are you scared to try treating your leg again? ” Lauren asked cautiously. Rebecca froze. In fact, she’d tried everything for her leg right after the injury. For those first two years of recovery, Vance had pulled out all the stops, but none of these treatments ever worked. Back then, Vance had been wracked with guilt. As long as there was a chance to cure her leg, he was willing to pay any price and had indeed spent a lot of money. Five years had passed, and she had long since given up hope for her leg.
She suppressed her disappointment and forced a smile. ” Lauren, it’s fine. I’m used to it now. It can’t be cured. ” Lauren glanced at Desmond. ” Want to give it another shot? Desmond knows an old expert in this area and has talked about your situation. If you’re up for it, we can go there today.”
“But… ” Rebecca was skeptical. ” Never give up until the last second. Let’s try, okay? What if there’s a miracle? Desmond didn’t dare tell you himself and asked me to bring it up. I … ” Lauren said, her worried look reminding Rebecca of Josette.
If Josette knew about this expert and saw the slightest hope, she’d want Rebecca to try. ” Okay, let’s go, ” Rebecca agreed. It was a chance anyway. She’d treat it like a sightseeing trip without expectations. Desmond and Lauren both lit up. The appointment was for the afternoon, and the three had lunch together. During the meal, the school summoned Lauren for something important, so she entrusted Rebecca to Desmond and headed off.
Desmond drove her toward the old alley. The old expert was seeing patients at a clinic at the entrance of an alley, and there was already a long line waiting. Desmond looked at the queue and worried that Rebecca’s leg couldn’t handle standing for so long. ” I’ll go line up. When it’s your turn, I’ll come get you. Just wait in the car. ” Rebecca felt embarrassed. ” I can handle it.”
“Don’t worry. I’ve got this. ” Desmond parked the car and hopped out to join the queue. Rebecca stayed in the car, pulling out her phone and turning it back on.
There were over a dozen missed calls. Eight of them were from Vance, and two from Nancy. Vance had texted: [ Where are you? ]
Wasn’t he on a business trip with Catherine? And he still had time to track her down? She called Nancy back. As soon as it connected, Nancy anxiously reported, ” Mr. Bradford is looking for you, and I didn’t know how to explain where you went.”
“Got it. Thanks, Nancy. ” She hung up, and immediately another call came in. ” Where are you? Why didn’t you pick up all those calls? And why did you turn off your phone?
“Vance demanded, his voice laced with anger. ” Something up?”
“I hear car horns. You’re not home?”
“Yeah. Just out for some air. What’s going on?”
“Nothing now. Forget it. ” He hung up, and she put away her phone, glancing at the line. Out there, Desmond was talking to a girl in a nurse’s uniform, holding his phone – probably checking the appointment. The girl nodded, and Desmond came back to the car. ” It’s based on online appointments, ” he said, opening the door. ” Our number is up front. The next one should be us.” Rebecca got out of the car, and Desmond continued, ” I just asked some folks in line. They’re here for all kinds of issues. This doctor is a general practitioner, but he’s especially skilled in orthopedics. ” She nodded and walked slowly, still not holding much hope. When she got from the curb to the alley entrance, an argument broke out. ” There’s no one now! Why won’t you let me in? ” protested a woman. The nurse explained, ” There is someone. The patient’s family went to call them over, and they’ll be here soon.
You didn’t get an appointment, but I’ll ask the doctor if we can squeeze you in.”
“Then squeeze me in. I want this slot.”
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