Chapter 16 - Which Ava Is Real?
Nora stood between two voices.
Behind the covered mirror:
“Nora, it trapped me.”
Outside the door:
“Do not uncover it.”
Both sounded exactly like Ava.
Nora’s hands shook.
The thing behind the cloth began crying.
“Please.”
Nora closed her eyes.
Then asked:
“What did I say was the worst thing I thought about you?”
Silence outside.
Inside the mirror:
“That you hated me.”
The real Ava outside shouted:
“You thought I loved you enough to be happy for you.”
Nora opened the door.
Ava stumbled in.
Together they dragged a dresser in front of the mirror.
The crying stopped.
Then laughter came from behind the cloth.
The Patron’s voice:
“Love as password. How touching.”
Ava sank to the floor.
Nora sat beside her.
“You okay?”
“No.”
“Good. Same.”
Then she became serious.
“If something happens tomorrow…”
“Don’t.”
“You need to know.”
“No.”
“Nora.”
Ava said:
“I’m sorry I needed to lose you before I understood I loved you.”
“Loved me how?”
Ava’s face changed.
The word had escaped ahead of courage.
“I don’t know.”
Nora looked away.
“Convenient time to figure that out.”
“I know.”
“Do you mean romantic?”
“I don’t know.”
“Friendship?”
“Yes.”
“Only friendship?”
“I don’t know.”
Nora laughed through tears.
“At least you’re consistent.”
For once, uncertainty did not feel like failure.
They slept sitting against the door.
Opening night arrived.
Backstage, the academy buzzed.
Ava’s white Odette costume fit differently.
The swelling was almost gone.
Nora wore black.
Madame Voss gathered them.
“Whatever happens, stop if either of you feels unsafe.”
Nora asked:
“Will you stop us if the board orders otherwise?”
“I’m seventy-one. I finally have enough seniority to disappoint everyone.”
Places were called.
The orchestra tuned.
Ava looked at Nora.
“Ready?”
“No.”
“Me neither.”
They touched foreheads.
Then a stagehand ran toward them.
“Madame Voss!”
“What?”
“Ava is already onstage.”
Everyone turned.
A white swan stood in the center of the stage.
Same face.
Same costume.
May you like
Same body.
The Second Ava had taken first position.
