I have watched her for years. She is one of the most graceful people I have ever known. She is beautiful, and has a good head on her shoulders. She knows what she wants out of life, and she goes after it. She has made a few mistakes along the way, but she has always rebounded stronger than before. She is a ballerina.

She attended her first class when she was three years old, and was on her toes when she was thirteen. Now, at sixteen, she is vying for the lead in the next ballet. She practices all the time, making sure, as she always does, that she learns from anything she may do wrong.

I have always wanted to be near her. I was backstage as she grew up on stage. I got a job on the stage crew just to be within watching range of her. Over the years, I have fallen deeply in love with her ... and she never knew it. I never got up the courage to tell her how I feel, because I didn’t want to distract her from her dreams of becoming what she wants to become.

I stood at the edge of the doorway, watching. She danced around the room as if it were the ultimate stage for the world to see her. Her concentration and efforts were flawless. Her precision moves were angelic. Her beauty would shine no matter where she was, or what she wore. She didn’t know I was watching her.

Her name is Katarina. She commands respect from her peers and friends. She is a very peaceful person, with love and feelings. I have seen her laugh, and cry. I have seen her generous side, and I have seen her in her vengeful meanness. I have watched as her hopes come true, or have shattered. As I said, though, she is resourceful. She will always rebound.

To her, the dance conveys a message. That message may be love, hate, joy or mournfulness. It always does something to her when she gets it right. It’s almost like, or seems like, a sexual climax for her. She envelopes the feeling. She pulls it in. She expels just what she must, when she must. She is always one with the dance. That is what makes her good, and that is what will make her great.

I got to the doorway of her practice studio just as she was about to finish her part in the coming show. She was bent down into a curtsy, facing me. I guess I wasn’t hidden quite enough this time. She looked up and saw me standing there.

“How long have you been standing there, Steve?”

“Long enough to see your curtsy, Kat.”

“That’s too bad. I flubbed it a little while ago, and fell on my ass.”

“I don’t believe it. You never do anything wrong.”

“If you only knew.” She hesitated a minute. “You ... uh ... watch me a lot, don’t you?” I nodded. “Why?”

“You’re the most graceful dancer in the troupe. There is no reason that you shouldn’t get the lead this time.”

“It’s all politics, Steve. Besides, you’re just saying that because...”

“Because it’s true. You make all of those other girls look like rag dolls out there.”

“Well, at least I have one person in my fan club.”

“I’ve heard all of the jealous remarks back stage when you’re performing. They all think you’re sleeping with the director.”

“And what do you think? Do you think I am?”

“I don’t think you’d have to. You were born with your talent. Anyone can see that.”

“Just to set the record straight, I have never slept with anyone, much less some sixty years plus director.”

She twirled around a little, going on toe a few times. She worked herself around the room, running and jumping like a gazelle. She would twirl one way, and then the other. She didn’t leave one square inch of that floor untouched.

She had her long blond hair rolled up on top of her head. She normally wears a pair of leotards, a body shirt and a pair of shorts. This time, however, she was minus the shorts and the leotards. All she had on was that skin-tight body shirt.

She stopped when she was near me.

“Why was it that you never took up dancing?” she asked.

“I have bunions. It would be hard to dance on my toes like that.”

“Hey. How would you like to be my practice dummy? Mostly, all you have to do is stand there while I dance around you. What do you say?”

“I don’t know, Kat.”

“Just stand over here, and don’t move. That’s all you have to do.”

She grabbed my shoulders and moved me to the centre of the room, then started dancing around me. I did move. I couldn’t help it. She was so graceful and beautiful, my eyes just had to follow her. After about five minutes, she stopped. After she caught her breath, she walked back over to where I was standing

“There is one move in the last act that you can help me with. When I tell you to, I want you to hold my waist. You’ll have to hold me firmly though, or we’ll both be on our ass. Ready?” I nodded.

She put her left hand on my right shoulder, then turned her body to my left. Her right leg came up and over her head. It was fully extended, with her knee locked. Then she turned to me.

“Now,” she said.

I grabbed her waist just as she laid her leg on my shoulder. She put her hands on my waist too, and pulled me to her.

“I know that you’ve been watching me, Steve.”

“It’s just that you’re so good at what you do. I haven’t seen your match anywhere.”

“No. I suspect it’s for another reason. What is it?”

“That’s ... the truth.”

“What would you say if I told you that I suspect that you’re in love with me? I’m not complaining, just observing.”

I didn’t say anything, but I couldn’t make eye contact with her. She moved her head so she could see my eyes.

“It’s ok, Steve. In fact, I’m flattered that you are. I’ve been so busy with this ballet that I haven’t been able to say anything. I think ... No, I know that I’m in love with you too.”

“Kat, you can’t be.”

“If you can, why can’t I? You have been here for me all of my life. I know you took the job you have just to be near me. I’m not blind, you know. What kind of ballerina would I make if I couldn’t see what was going on around me?”