Learning to Dance

anew. Rosie’s smile was sad, but proud. “I know. Say hello
to Up, Ty.”
“Hello,” the little boy said seriously.
Rosie set him on the ground and he toddled about,
looking curiously around the room. “You look well, Up. I
think those dance lessons have been good for you.”
He eased himself into a chair and gestured for her to do
the same. “And you're expecting another one soon,” he
said, awkwardly gesturing in the direction of her stomach.
“Very soon,” Rosie agreed, her eyes on her son.
“Is anyone-” Up hesitated. “Is anyone looking out for
you, Rosie? Is anyone helping you out?”
“Connor’s mother moved in a few months ago,” she
said. “We don’t exactly see eye to eye, but she loves my
little boy, so that’s something we have in common.” Her
face grew serious. “I’ll be fine, Up. It’s you I’m worried
about.”
Up watched the little boy pull a series of books off his
shelf.
“Ty, don’t do that,” said Rosie.
“It’s okay,” said Up, eyeing the one the boy had in his
hand. “Hey Ty, buddy, can you bring that one to me?”
The boy considered him, and then brought it over.
“Thank you,” Up said, taking it carefully in his hands. It
was Taz’s book of Mexican folk tales. He traced the
unfamiliar words with his left finger. She’d said she wanted
to teach him to read it.
Rosie was watching him.
“I take it back,” she said, pulling Ty onto her lap. “I
think you’ll be fine. You’re in good hands.”
He looked at her, his old friend. “She deserves better
than me.”
“She doesn’t want better than you,” Rosie said. “Up, you
have been falling for that girl for as long as I’ve known