En Pointe

She tried on three pairs of shoes. Each time the saleswoman had her stand in first position with her feet down. With the third pair she appeared happy with the way the heel fit and had her move to the barre.

"Hold the barre and extend your feet," the saleswoman said.

Anna looked at her expectantly.

"Extend my feet?"

"Stand on your toes," the saleswoman said.

Swoosh. She stood on her toes with her arm in first position while the saleswoman checked the fit again. I thought of the years of lessons, the promise of toe shoes, the French terms tacked to her bulletin board, the twice a week advanced ballet and pre-pointe classes that leave her with sore legs.

"Mom? Are you crying?"

I cried again when I got the total for the shoes, gel for the toes and an extra pair of tights.