Nicole’s Story Prt 6

Nicole spent a lot of time with Paul over the next few weeks. She learned that Paul’s mom had been very young when she became pregnant after a brief fling with Paul Senior. She’d left Paul with his dad when he was only a year old, and returned to Puerto Rico where she was from. Paul’s aunt Ivy, his dad’s older sister, had brought him up. She was a spry white-haired woman in her 70s who lived alone in a small apartment just across the street. Paul’s dad had never married, choosing instead to immerse himself in his work.

When her classes started, Nicole felt as though there were so many things to do but so little time to do it all. She lived for the evenings when she could finally see Paul. They would meet for coffee most days before she had to dash off to her dance class with Cindy. Some evenings when she didn’t have a class he would take her out to dinner. On weekends they would go for long drives to some of his favorite places and after a month of his company, Nicole was beginning to fall in love.

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Nicole’s Story Prt 5

The seductive beat of the Latin rhythm that filtered through the speakers into the darkened interior was almost hypnotic as the car glided effortlessly along. Nicole did not feel in the mood for conversation and apparently neither did Paul. Eventually, he pulled over and parked along a busy street and looked over at her with a smile. “I hope you enjoyed the ride?” he asked.

“Yes, very much,” she said. “Ok, let’s check out this club,” he said as he opened his door and stepped out. Nicole sat where she was and watched as he came around to the passenger side and opened her door. She reluctantly unsnapped her seat belt and stepped out into the cool night air. He escorted her across the wide street and through glass doors and into the club.

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Nicole’s Story Prt 4

She was accepted into the program of her choice! Nicole could hardly believe her good fortune! She danced around the room hugging herself, everything was falling into place! Retrieving her backpack from the floor she rummaged around for her cell phone. Her mom answered on the first ring and she quickly blurted out the good news as she danced around the room again.

Nicole’s parents were as happy and as excited as she was. After they had spoken at length about how proud they were of her and how sure they were that she would make them even prouder, her dad asked to speak with Marie. He seemed disappointed that she was not at home and asked Nicole to tell her to call him at her earliest convenience.

After the conversation with her parents, Nicole resumed her perch in the window seat and contemplated how much had happened in the few months. As happy as she was she couldn’t help feeling a little lonely, and the thought of dinner alone threw a damper on her excitement. Marie habitually came in late at least one night during the week. During the past week, she hadn’t made it home until Nicole had gone to bed.

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