6.9 Disappointment

K has spent the last three months practicing twice a week after school, an hour and then two hours at a time, working on a song and dance routine with the Show Choir. For the 9th graders, this is their last year in Show Choir, last chance to shine, their turn to be the Big Dogs. Tonight's the night to strut their stuff, then cry all over each other; it's over it's done, on to other things but this time in their lives is finished.

K's in bed, trying not to throw up again. She's been in bed all day, ever since the school called at 20 minutes after first bell, nauseous and miserable and unhappy. Nauseous and miserable with illness, miserable and unhappy over missing her night. There will be other nights, but this one has been and gone without her.