Fading

"I called my boss and got my job back. She put me on the schedule for next week."

  "What made you decide to do that?"

  "You suggested that I stop avoiding situations that spike my emotions. Work has always been that place for me. It's always been a place I feared Jack walking into."

  "What do you normally do when your anxiety peaks at work?"

  "I go to the back room and restock."

  "And what are you going to do now when you start to feel that way?"

  "I know I need to stay out in the shop."

  "Just remember that a spike in emotions is okay. They will spike, but they will come down again and you will be okay."

  "When I get anxious, I feel that there will be no coming back down. I feel like everything is about to spiral out of control."

  "That's very common after the kind of trauma you've been through. It's normal to be afraid of feeling, but whatever you're feeling, you need to understand that those feelings will not be permanent. Instead of running from your feelings, I really would like for you to stay in them. Try not to shut down. Think about your anxiety level, and when it gets high, I want you to see that you're still okay."

  I nod my head and say, "I think that doing something like that at work is a good place to start. I'm not alone, and sitting here with you thinking about it, I can rationally say that nothing would happen. That I would be okay."

  "Good. And how has your sleep been lately?"

  "Restless."

  "Are you still on your sleeping pill?" she asks.

  "Yes. Honestly, I'm too scared to wean off of them."

  "That's okay. You're making progress in other areas, and so we will keep focusing on that before approaching your nightmares."

  After the session is over, I head over to Common Grounds to pick up my schedule for next week. When I walk in, I see Roxy behind the counter. She walks around it and comes to give me a hug.

  "I'm so glad you decided to come back. I've missed you. I've been stuck working with Sarah, and all she talks about is her stupid dog."

  I laugh at her and say, "Thanks. I'm so sorry for—"

  Cutting me off she tells me, "Forget it. I'm just glad you're here, hun."

  I walk to the back room with her, and she gives me the schedule for next week. It feels good to be back here. Even though Dr. Christman helped me to see that this place is a trigger for my irrational feelings, I feel like this will be a good starting point for me to try to overcome them.

  "So how are you and Kimber doing?" Jase asks me as we stand in the long line to buy our caps and gowns for graduation.

  "Really good. We've both been busy getting everything wrapped up for graduation. But we spend several evenings a week hanging out."

  "So are you excited about tomorrow night?"

  "You have no idea. Excited and super nervous," I say as the line slowly moves forward. Tomorrow night is our final production, and I have been living and breathing dance for the past few weeks.

  "Well, Mark has been dying to see you dance."

  "I wasn't sure if he was going to be able to make it."

  "Yeah, Ryan has a new band that alternates Saturday nights."

  Looking down to the ground, I am a little caught off guard by the mention of Ryan's name. I know Jase is still friends with him, but he makes a point to not mention him around me.

  "Sorry," he says.

  I look back up at him and tell him, "It's fine, Jase. I know you're friends."

  "So, can I go there?"

  Letting out a sigh, I nod my head and he says, "He misses you. He hasn't been the same since."

  "Neither have I. But, it's done. It's been almost two months."

  "So, that's it?"

  "In case you haven't noticed, I've been pretty busy trying to sort my own issues out," I tell him.

  "I know you have. And I'm proud of you."

  We take a few steps as the line continues to creep forward. "I just need to be alone right now. I realize how much I was clinging to people. I did it with you, and I did it with him. In a way, I guess I'm glad this all happened. It forced to me to finally find the will to try to pull myself out this hell. But, I had to do it alone."

  "I understand. I really do. So, how is everything going with all of that?"

  "We've been talking a lot about the attack. Dr. Christman really wants me to stay in the moment, feeling the power of those emotions without shutting down. The more we do those exercises the less scary it is talking about it."

  "That's really good. I'm really glad that you're doing this. I always felt so helpless. I never knew what to tell you."

  Grabbing his hand, I tell him, "You always said the right things to me. You always made me feel safe."

  He kisses my forehead and asks, "How are your night terrors?"

  "I'm still taking my pills. She told me that the more I can cope with my anxiety and triggers during the day and realize I'm okay, then the night stuff should work itself out naturally. But for now, I still take them."

  He slings his arm around my shoulder and kisses my head. "You're pretty amazing, you know that?"

  "Stop embarrassing me. So, tell me about you. Any job offers yet?"

  "I have an interview at Dean Allen on Monday."

  "That's great! So, you're definitely staying in Seattle?"

  "Yeah. It's home for me. I love the city, and Mark is staying, so it only makes sense. What about you? I know you were thinking about the Pacific Northwest Ballet."

  "That's when I thought I could never leave. But, I'm really hoping for New York. I think I can go now and be okay. I'll miss you like crazy, but if I got the opportunity, I'd have to at least give it a shot, you know?"

  When we finally make it to the front of the line, we get fitted for our purple caps and gowns. I hand over my paperwork to order my honor cords and stole. Jase laughs at me and all the bells and whistles I have to wear. I just shake my head at him. I was still able to maintain my perfect four point this year, which makes a solid four years.

  "Want to grab a coffee before we go?"

  "Yeah, that sounds good."

  While standing in line for our drinks, I spot Kimber from across the room. I shoot her a quick text letting her know we are here, and I see her start heading our way.

  "God, this place is packed with every douchebag around!" she snaps as she joins us.

  I laugh at her as we walk over to take a seat at an empty table. "Did you order your cap and gown?"

  "No, did you see that line?"

  "Kimber, you have to get it ordered today. It's the last day."

  "Come with me," she begs in a whiney voice.

  Taking a sip of my drink I say, "Too late, I just did it."

  "Jase?" she says in a singsong voice, but her face drops when he tells her, "Sorry, I went with Candace."

  "You guys are hookers! Why didn't you call me?"

  "Because you were in class," Jase tells her while I laugh. She's going to be one pissed off chick when she has to stand in that line alone.

  "Well, stand with me anyway."

  "I can't. I have rehearsals in an hour. I have to run home 'cause I forgot my dance bag."

  "You guys are really sucky friends, you know?"

  "What are you doing tonight?" Jase asks Kimber.

  "Aside from standing in that long ass line, nothing. Why?"

  "Come out with Mark and I."

  "Drinking?"

  "When do they ever not drink?" I butt in.

  "Then I'm in! I'll call you when I can find my way out of this fuckin' crazy ass vortex," she complains as she stands up.

  "Where are you going?" I ask.

  "To go get my cap and gown. Alone."

  Jase and I laugh at her when she walks off.

  "Well, I better run too. I gotta get to the studio."

  "Okay, well I know tomorrow will be busy for you, but if we don't talk before then, I want to wish you luck now, sweetie. I am so proud of you, and we will be there to watch you."

  "Thanks, Jase. Love y
ou."

  "You too."

  "How have you been dealing with the blame?" Dr. Christman asks after I sit down on the couch.

  "I don't know. I guess I still feel responsible in a way. I can't get past how my actions led to his actions. I know his actions were wrong, but I still feel responsible for leading him there."

  "You can't hold your past responsible for your future."

  "What do you mean?" I ask.

  "You can't hold the past Candace responsible for the future Candace. You're holding your future self responsible for something your past self didn't know anything about. You can't judge your past behavior because of the way things turned out. You had no way of knowing what would happen next. It's only because you do know that you judge your past self."

  "I struggle with that. I get what you're saying, but I can't seem to see past all the poor choices I made."

  "Well, we will continue to work on that. For now, let's transition and talk a little about tonight. How are you feeling?"

  "I feel good. I feel like everything you and I have done has really helped me finally connect to this piece the way I always should have. I used to use Ryan's pain to draw on, but I feel strong enough now to pull from my own."

  "That's wonderful."

  "I just have to remind myself that it's all right to feel it. It's just a feeling and it will go away, and I will still be okay."

  "And the more you can deal with these emotions in a rational manner, the more your sleeping should start to improve. The goal is still to wean you off of the pills." She flips the page of her notepad and continues taking notes.

  "I know. I'm just scared."

  "But you just said that your emotions will come back down and you will be okay."

  "The day stuff seems so much easier than the nightmares. They are so real to me." I don't have the vivid nightmares when I take my pills, but even on the pills my sleep is still restless and filled with night terrors. I'm terrified that if I stop taking them, the bad dreams will start up again.

  Crossing her legs, she asks, "So, tell me, what do you think is causing your restless sleep?"

  "At this point, it's a lot of things. I still feel like I'm mourning the loss of Ryan. I miss him. A lot. I miss what we had. I wonder what he's doing now. If he's seeing anyone. If he ever thinks about me. I know I shouldn't, but I do."

  She leans forward, resting her elbows on her knees. "There is no right or wrong way. These thoughts are completely normal. Do you feel like you need more closure?"

  "I don't know." I feel a lump form in my throat, and my eyes prick and sting with tears. "It's weird because he lives a few minutes down the street from me, but it feels like he's a world away."

  "I want you to think about what you might need to bring you more peace over this situation."

  "Okay."

  I look at myself in the mirror. I have finished dancing my ensembles and am applying the last of my makeup before I take the stage for my solo. Adding a few extra bobby pins to my bun, I stand up and make my way backstage. I focus on keeping my muscles warm as I wait for my call.

  I feel nervous, as I always do, but I know the nerves will fade as soon as I hit the stage. When the curtain drops, the dancers clear the stage, and I walk to center stage and place myself in fifth position. My heart is pounding, and I'm anxious for the curtain to rise. I know I've worked my ass off for this moment, now I just need to nail it.

  The heavy velvet curtain begins to rise as I hear my music start. The heat of the lights sinks into my skin, as I feel the weight of everything I have been working so hard for in the tension of my muscles. Sliding into my chainès across the stage, the music is loud and it fills the auditorium. When I feel the vibrations of the low cello in my chest, I let myself fall into the tortured piece. The music pulses throughout my body while I take myself to my dark places as I begin my footwork across the stage. I know every seat is filled, but right now, it's just me in this room as I glide effortlessly, always leading with my heel to show off my perfect turnout.

  Everything about this year floods through me. I no longer need to take from anyone else; I only take my pain, my brokenness, my suffering. It pours out of me. Everything Jack did to me, and all the torment of losing Ryan. I let my heart bleed as I move through my piece. I throw it all out there and finally allow myself to truly experience this piece—I finally feel it.

  When the staccato violins enter the piece, I hit my fouettès one by one with a double pirouette on every second and sixth count. The applause rises as I finish and slide out. The spots are sharp on my piquès and I know I've nailed the routine when the music hits its second high then drifts away.

  The crowd is almost as deafening as the music was. I stand and pas marchè to center stage. With a strong port a bras, I take the final curtsey of my college career. Ms. Emerson catches my eye as she walks onto the stage, looking as stoic as ever, and hands me a bouquet of long-stemmed pink roses. I thank her, and I can barely hear her over the applause when she says, "I knew you could do it," and then steps aside, giving me a reverence, and I curtsey one last time before the curtain drops.

  I stand there for a moment while dancers for the next ensemble run and rush all over the stage and around me. I soak in the moment and then walk off stage, back to the dressing room. I'm overcome by the congratulations from my fellow dancers and friends.

  When the show ends, I wash my face and change into my old yoga pants and UW sweatshirt. I tie my running shoes and throw my bag over my shoulder as I make my way out of the building. Everyone is coming over to the house tonight for drinks to celebrate. Nothing big, just hanging out as we usually do. When I turn the corner, I have to do a double take when I see Donna standing there against the wall.

  "You were amazing, dear," she says as she walks toward me.

  I haven't spoken to her since Ryan and I broke up. She has called several times, but I knew it would hurt too much to answer. Donna filled a place in my heart that was only hers to fill. She's the mother I'd always wanted—the one I'd always needed.

  "What are you doing here?"

  Pulling me into her arms, I savor her embrace as she says, "I told you I would be here." Leaning back, she adds, "I couldn't miss seeing you dance. You were beautiful. I knew you were amazing, but I just had no idea you were that amazing."

  "Thank you," I say as a smile breaks across my face. "I still can't believe you're here."

  "I tried calling a few times, but—"

  "I'm sorry. I know you called. It just...It hurt to lose Ryan, but it hurt to lose you too."

  "You didn't lose me. I love you, dear. You will always have me whenever you need me. I know Ryan hurt you, and I understand it might be easier if I'm not around, but please know that I am always here for you."

  Her words hit where they always hit: deep inside. My chin quivers as I try not to cry, and I go in for another hug. When she wraps her comforting arms around me, I let the tears free. "I'm glad you came. I've missed talking to you." When I step back, I add, "But you're right, it hurts. You were the best gift Ryan ever gave me, but I need the space right now."

  "Of course. I understand."

  "I'm sorry."

  "You have absolutely nothing to be sorry about. I am so proud of you. You will do amazing things. Just keep following that strong heart of yours."

  "Thank you, Donna. Really...thank you for everything."

  "Well, I better get going. Congratulations."

  I smile at her one last time as she turns to walk out of the building. Another pang of loss eats me from the inside and I cry. I don't fight it; I just let it envelop me. After a few minutes, I walk outside into the cold rainy night and welcome the chilling drops that plunk down on me and mix with my hot tears. I keep telling myself it'll be okay, because I know it will be. I have to believe in that.

  A few days after the production, the calls started coming in. I was offered placements in five companies. Pacific Northwest Ballet here in Seattle was one of them, but when the call came from t
he American Ballet Theatre in New York, one of the most respected ballet companies in the world, I couldn't say no. My dreams of dancing full-length classics such as Swan Lake and La Bayadere at the Met are about to come true. I can hardly believe it. Life has been a total whirlwind since I accepted their offer.

  Graduation is in two weeks, so I have been busy packing up my room and researching apartments in New York City. I found a flat in a walk up that is close to Lincoln Center, where I will be dancing every day. I rented a storage unit here in Seattle to store some of my furniture and the boxes of things I don't need or won't have space for. Once I'm more settled I will figure out what to do with everything.

  Everyone is out of town for Memorial Day weekend. I stayed behind because I just had too much to do. Kimber is still seeing Seth even though he is moving to California for grad school. She says they aren't in love or anything, just having fun. They went to Whistler for four days while Mark and Jase went to Vegas.

  It's Saturday night, and while everyone is on vacation, I am sitting on the floor of my trashed room, trying to sort through all of my things, deciding what to throw away, what to take with me, and what to leave behind in storage.

  My phone rings and when I pick it up, I see it's Kimber calling and that it's already past midnight. Swiping my phone, I answer, "Hey, Kimber."

  "Candace, hey." Her voice is shaky and slow.

  "Is everything okay?"

  "Yeah. Uh...Candace, Seth just got a call from one of his fraternity brothers, and I need to talk to you about something."

  My mind immediately goes to Jack. Why else would I care about any news from Seth's frat house?

  "Okay. What's up?"

  There is a long pause before she speaks.

  "Jack's dead."

  I swear my heart stops when she tells me this, and I have to remember to breathe.

  "What?"

  "Yeah. It happened earlier today. A drunk driving accident."

  "Oh." I don't know what to say. I feel numb.

  "Look, I can come home if you need me to. I just wanted to tell you before you saw it on TV or something."

  "No, I'm fine. Really." For some reason, I feel tears threatening, and I rush to get off the phone. "You guys have fun. I'm about to go to bed. I'll talk to you later."