One of the six a.m. ladies told a new client she had followed me all the way from my old gym because she did not want another trainer. She said it while tying her shoe, like it was obvious. Somehow I was happy and embarrassed together. Wanted to hear her say more and also wanted everyone to begin the warm-up immediately. I keep remembering the equipment leaving that place and the money still owing, so it surprised me that she remembered it as somewhere she liked to come. Told my boyfriend about it and he said yes, people like you. He sounded almost annoyed that this was news to me. I was still pleased on the boda home.

My father asked again about a proper job, then asked what time I needed to leave for work. Both questions in the same conversation. I nearly pointed that out but he had already opened his newspaper. I can explain sets and balance to a client who has never entered a gym, yet with him I start listing certificates as if the next one will finish the discussion. He has seen the diploma. It is on his wall. Maybe when he says proper he means the pay arriving even on a week nobody books a session. That I understand, but I wish he would say that instead of speaking as though I spend the day playing music for myself.

I stayed after the evening class to move without showing anyone how to do it. Put on one song from the old church youth days and started slowly, then my feet remembered the changes before I did. My shoulders felt loose and I was smiling at how serious we used to be about those steps. There was no phone facing me, no checking whether my hips looked a certain way from the side. Just sweat cooling down my back when the song ended and my breathing settling while I stood still. The shins were a little tender so I left the jumping out. I would like to say I danced beautifully, but the mirror was behind me, bambi.