by B. Love
Wrapping his arm around her as he laughed, Hudson kissed her neck. “Relax, killa.” He looked at Paula as he said, “This is Paula Woodwick, the owner of this school and one of my mom’s closest friends. Mama P, this is my fiancée Reina.”
“How do you do?” Paula asked, kissing both of Reina’s cheeks.
“Hi,” Reina spoke, smiling widely.
“My Godson tells me you’re a ballerina?”
Reina looked from Paula to Hudson, face covered with the same innocence he saw the first night he came home.
“I’m trying to be.”
Paula laughed as she took Reina by the hand and led her away from Hudson. “My sweet baby. You either are or you aren’t.” Stopping in the middle of the room, she asked again, “Are you a ballerina?”
With a huge smile, Reina nodded. “Yes. I am.”
“Good.” Paula looked back at Hudson, and he slowly followed behind them.
When they made it to the theater, Paula asked Reina if she was ready for her audition. Her smile dropped and she looked back at Hudson, who was already making his way over to her with her bag.
“Audition? But, I thought auditions were only held in May? I haven’t put in my application or paid the three-thousand-dollar application fee.”
“Don’t worry about any of that,” Hudson ordered, handing her the bag. “This is your dream, right?” She nodded, eyes watering as she inhaled a deep breath. “Then this is your moment to chase it. And don’t hold back, Golden. You hear me?” Not even bothering to nod, she turned and asked Paula where she could change before scurrying off.
Hudson followed Paula to the middle of the theater and sat down. They made small talk, but he really wasn’t invested in the conversation. His thoughts were on Reina and how she was about to do. He’d seen her dance a few times by now, but not ballet. She’d seemed distant and detached, and today was the first day she’d ever said why. All Hudson could do was pray that today changed her mind and heart – in a good way.
By the time Reina returned and made it on stage, two women and three men dressed in all black had joined them and sat on the first row of seats. Hudson asked who they were, and Paula told him that they were the judges and admissions officers who usually handled auditions. If these were the people who usually rejected Reina, Hudson didn’t know what would make today any different. He thought Paula would make the final decision. And he knew she would accept Reina, not because they were close, but because she was a black woman who once struggled and understood the ropes Reina had to jump through to make a name for herself in the circuit.
“Are you ready, Reina?” Paula asked. Inhaling a deep breath, Reina nodded. “You understand that your acceptance isn’t guaranteed because of Hudson? He’s just the reason you are able to audition today.” She nodded again.
His eyes scanned her long, toned frame. She was poised. Stoic. Confident in her stance. With one motion of Paula’s head, soft music began to play. She began to call out different moves for Reina to execute, from the Grand Jete and Fouette to En Pointe and Pirouette.
Visibly impressed, Paula sat back in her seat as she called out, “Swan Lake.”
Smirking subtly, Reina inhaled and exhaled a few deep breaths. She walked from the back of the stage to the front, then nodded when she was ready. Hudson watched every fluid, graceful move she made in awe. He’d never seen something so beautiful. When she was done, he looked at Paula, who was nodding with a wide smile herself.
Giving her no time to rest, Paula called out, “The Dying Swan.”
Brushing her hands over her hair, Reina squeezed her bun as she looked at Hudson. He nodded, willing her to continue. Praying she could feel his energy and use it to fuel her own. Closing her eyes, she rolled her neck and nodded. The music began to play, and Hudson watched as she gave all that she had left.
With a chuckle, Paula looked over at Hudson. “How is she not my student already?”
Hudson shrugged. “Ask your judges. She’s auditioned once a year for the past four years. Well, this makes her fifth audition.”
Paula’s brows furrowed as she looked down at her judges. “Last one, Reina. Freestyle. No music.”
Reina’s face hardened. She removed her hair from the elastic band and turned her back to them. “Trapped Bird,” she recited before closing her eyes and inhaling one final deep breath.
The sway of her hands. Point of her toes. Fluid in her hips. Bounce of her now flowing hair. The flexibility. The poise. The passion. The tears. He watched as she went from the middle of the stage to the wall to the floor. Fast and frantic. Desperate. Slow and stagnant. Falling. Fainting. Free.
He’d never seen something so beautiful. So ugly. So raw. So controlled. So reckless. So wild. So free.
Through movement, she told a story. A story of a bird that was trapped, scared, angry and anxious. Dehydrated and alone. Dying… and because of it… finally free.
The room was totally silent as she laid on the floor… rolling softly until she stopped. And eventually, you couldn’t even see the beating of her heart through the movement of her chest. Way too invested than he thought he’d ever be, Hudson leaped from his seat, prepared to go to her until Paula grabbed his wrist.
“She’s okay,” she assured him softly, tugging his arm gently for him to sit back down.
But he couldn’t.
He wouldn’t.
Not. Until. She. Moved.
After what felt like forever, her leg dropped, and she slowly stood. Everyone in the room stood to their feet and clapped as she bowed. All Hudson could do was stare at her in awe. He knew she was a great dancer… but that was nothing like anything he’d ever seen before. Making his way down to the judges with Paula, he relied on the Holy Spirit to guide him down the stairs, because his eyes could not be moved from her.
“What do you all think?” Paula asked the judges as Reina waited patiently in the middle of the stage.
“She definitely has raw talent,” the first one said.
“Could bring a new dynamic,” the second added.
“But we are known for creating classic dancers,” the third continued.
“She’s too… raw. And untamed. Even with her solitary movements, there’s too much…”
“Soul?” Hudson offered, gaining all eyes on him. “Passion? Blackness?”
Looking back at Reina, the first judge continued with, “I just don’t know if we would be a good fit. She doesn’t look like or move like a classic ballerina. Maybe she should look for a more urban school.”
Reina chuckled softly with a nod of her head. He’d watched her pour literally everything she had into every move she made. Hudson may not have been an expert, but he knew talent and gifting when he saw it. Reina was a rare jewel, and Paula would be a damn fool to let her slip away. As Reina prepared to leave the stage, Paula stopped her with…
“Stay where you are, my sweet baby.” All eyes were on Paula, but she focused in on Reina. “All of what they said was true. You do have raw talent. You could create a new dynamic, not just here, but in the world of ballet. Honestly, I’m honored that you even want to study under me.” Reina’s head dropped. “You dance well enough for Juilliard, The School of American Ballet, or even The Vaganova.”
Reina’s eyes were wide as her head lifted back up.
“Against their judgement, I want to extend the invitation for you to join us here this fall. By your graduation, I will personally help you prepare to audition for the American Ballet Theater, where I’m confident that with hard work, patience, and dedication, you will become one of the handful of black students there and eventually make your way alongside Misty Copeland as one of their principal dancers. And from there… well… the sky won’t even be the limit for you.”
Falling to her knees, Reina’s tears began to fall. She wrapped her arms around herself and rocked back and forth.
“Things will be tough for you starting in August, Reina. Will you be able to handle it?”
She nodded, tears stil
l flowing. “I was born for this. There’s nothing I cannot handle.”
“Babe!” Reina yelled, gripping his hand underneath the table. “Do you not understand how big this is? There’s literally like a million dancers at ABT, and like five of them are black! If I can get in there when I graduate, do you know how amazing that will be? I’ve auditioned for so many dance companies… not just in Memphis or Tennessee but all over… and to have the Paula Woodwick back me like that?”
Reina’s head shook as she sat back in her seat.
They’d gone home so she could soak, shower, and change before going out to celebrate.
Reina was still in shock over being accepted and the fact that Hudson had paid for all four years of her schooling before they left.
If he didn’t believe in her before, he certainly believed in her after watching her dance.
“You’re beautiful, you know that?” he asked, getting another smile out of her. “I’m so proud of you, Golden. I know I’ve told you this a few times already, but you were amazing up there. Almost made a real nigga cry.”
She laughed, even though Hudson was dead ass serious. And he was ready to beat a motherfucker up when she looked sad and was about to walk off the stage too.
“Thank you for this. Thank you for not letting me give up on me.”
“I got you. Always.”
Reina smiled as she cupped his cheek and pulled him in for a kiss. When she released him, Hudson had to resist the urge for more. After everything he watched her body go through earlier, he wouldn’t dare subject her to sex. And if he did, he’d literally make her just lie there and take the dick while he did all the work.
Taking a sip of his champagne, Hudson looked around the restaurant. When a couple lingered by their table, he said, “Here I am,” as if he was the person they were looking for. They looked down at him, and when they realized he was a stranger, they laughed and walked away.
“Huddy!” she whisper-yelled, grabbing his arm with a smile. “Leave those people alone.”
“What? They’re standing in front of the table blocking my view. And his Kyle from Living Single looking ass had his ass all in my face.”
Reina laughed as she released his arm. “You’re always talking about people when we go out. Have you seen him lately, though? He has not aged gracefully.”
“Aged gracefully? That mane looks like he’s on the fifth stage of death.”
“Hudson!” she yelled, getting the attention of those seated around them as she yelled. “Shut uuuuppp!”
“What? I’m serious,” he clarified, even though he was smiling.
“Something is seriously wrong with you. That’s what’s serious.” He laughed softly as her hand went to his thigh under the table. “I’m going to fuck you so good tonight. You know that?” Her smile had dropped. Eyes lowered. Slowly, her hand slid up his thigh, wrapping around his hardening shaft.
“I don’t want to wear you out, bae. How about you let me fuck you good tonight?” He placed a few kisses to her neck, making a trail upwards to her ear as she giggled. “I’ll tie you to the bed to make sure you…”
“I thought that was you.” Looking up, Hudson was about to get irritated over the interruption, but when he saw Nolan standing next to their table, he couldn’t help but smile.
“Nolan,” he greeted, standing and shaking his hand. “What’s up, man? Long time no see.”
“I know, right. I don’t think I’ve seen you since about a month before your accident. How you feeling, man?”
“I’m good.” Hudson sat back down, looking over at Reina.
“That’s good. I’m so sorry for your loss.”
Hudson’s eyes shot back up at Nolan, unsure of what he was referring to. Reina cleared her throat, quickly reaching for her champagne.
“My loss? What loss?”
“I’m going to go to the ladies’ room,” Reina interrupted.
“Hold on, Golden.” Hudson grabbed her hand and kept her from getting up. “Nolan, this is my fiancée Reina. Reina, this is Nolan. We went to high school together. Every once in a while, he gets help with stocks from the family business.”
Hudson could tell Reina’s smile was forced as she extended her hand for Nolan to shake. “Hi.”
“Hello. Nice to meet you.”
“You as well.”
Reina quickly removed her hand from his and looked away as Nolan fought to pull his eyes away from her.
“Well, I didn’t mean to interrupt your dinner. I just wanted to come by and speak and let you know I’m glad you’re doing okay.”
“Cool. Good to see you.”
Nolan looked Reina over once more before walking away. Hudson started to ask her about it but he let it go. If they knew each other from the past, it was best if it stayed there.
Chapter 7
Reina
When Reina mentioned missing her brothers and wishing she could tell them the good news, she should have known he would suggest going to see them. Thankfully, she’d already told her mother and Rico as much as she could about what was going on without breaking the nondisclosure agreement, so she only called and let them know they were on the way when they left the restaurant. She also texted Harold and told him about their run in with Nolan.
Harold had assured her that those closest to Hudson knew about her and their arrangement, but Nolan looked at her as if he knew something she didn’t. Harold told her that he would speak to Nolan, but that still didn’t sit too well with her. Since there was nothing she could do about it she let it go. Besides, she was still on cloud nine from her audition, and she didn’t want anything to ruin her night.
And that was why she considered telling the driver to turn around when they pulled up in front of her mother’s home. If she knew her mother as well as she thought she did, Laditra was going to say or do something to piss her off. Still, Reina wanted to rub the fact that she’d finally gotten accepted into a ballet school in her face. And it wasn’t just any regular ballet school… it was one of the best in the South.
After Kole opened the door for them, Hudson helped her out of the car. They walked up the cracked walkway hand in hand. She fished around her purse for her key instead of using the keypad figuring the code had been changed, releasing a loaded sigh in the process.
“Hey.” Hudson cupped her cheek. “What’s wrong?”
She smiled softly with one side of her mouth before taking his hand into hers and kissing his palm. “I just know she’s going to say something to piss me off.”
“I won’t let her. We will leave whenever you are ready.”
He kissed her nose, getting a smile and nod out of her. After ringing the doorbell, Reina used her key to let them in. Not to her surprise, Wykeem and Bentley came charging towards her as soon as they heard her voice. She hugged them both tightly, spinning Bentley’s five-year-old body in the air as he laughed.
“I missed my babies so much,” she almost sang as she placed him on the ground. “What y’all been up to?” she asked, grabbing the top of Wykeem’s head and pulling him into her side.”
“Nothing,” he answered, wrapping his arms around her.
“Get up off my sister punk,” Rico teased as he entered the room.
She watched as he walked over to her, arms open and ready to receive him.
“Hey, baby boy. You been staying out of trouble?”
“Don’t I always?”
“No!”
Rico laughed as he held her tightly. “Whatever, sis.”
As she released him, Reina took Hudson’s hand into hers. “Well, guys. This is…”
“About damn time you showed your face, little girl. I was starting to think you forgot you had a family over here.”
Reina’s smile fell at the sound of her mother’s voice. Hudson’s grip on her hand tightened. He stroked it with her thumb, smiling gently at her as Laditra made her way down the stairs. Reina’s entire body filled with heat, and not in a good way, at the sight of her mother. She thought thi
ngs would get better between them when she moved out, but every time she came over to visit, Laditra was still on some bullshit.
Her brothers stepped out of the way so that Laditra could stand in front of her. To her surprise, she pulled Reina into her arms for a hug. At first, Reina’s body was still. But eventually, she relaxed within her mother’s embrace. “We need to talk,” she almost whispered into her ear before releasing her. “And you must be Hudson? Pleasure to finally meet you.”
“You as well,” he agreed, shaking her hand.
“Make yourself at home. The boys won’t bother you. Me and Ray will be right back.”
Hudson nodded as he looked down at Reina. He didn’t move towards the couch until she smiled and assured him that she would be okay. As Reina followed her mother into the kitchen, she knew Laditra was about to be on some bullshit. They hadn’t even sat down yet, and Laditra already had Reina on edge.
Leaning against the stove, Reina watched Laditra’s every move. She opened the refrigerator and pulled out her lemon liqueur, then grabbed a bottle of vodka from the cabinet.
“Would you like a drink,” she offered, to which Reina shook her hand.
“No thanks. We won’t be here for long.”
Laditra smiled as she fixed her drink. Two parts lemon liqueur, four parts vodka. After taking a sip, she pulled her Newports and lighter from the pocket of her robe. Her eyes were locked with Reina’s as she lit the cigarette, and she didn’t walk over to her and stand on the side of her until she’d taken two puffs.
“Your good fortune won’t last long.”
“What is that supposed to mean, Ma?”
“It means, I looked him up and I know he was in a bad accident months ago. According to the papers, he lost his short-term memory. How, then, are the two of you engaged to be married?”
Reina exhaled a hard breath as she shook her head. With a chuckle, she turned slightly and faced her mother. “I told you, we fell in love quick.”
