“Maybe you could turn in a circle when we turn.”
Mr. Pierce told them to stay with the planned formation.
June said nothing.
That evening, she came home unusually quiet.
She refused to practice the routine with Theo.
When their mother asked what was wrong, June shrugged.
“Dancing’s for people who can stand.”
Marissa tried to reassure her.
She reminded June of the accessible arts program where she’d enjoyed movement workshops.
She offered to speak with the school.
But June didn’t want another adult arguing on her behalf.
“I don’t want them to make a special dance just because I’m there,” she said.
“I want to be in the same dance.”
Her father understood.
He’d spent years helping June find opportunities where her wheelchair was treated as part of how she participated, rather than a reason to exclude her.
But he also knew that telling her everything would work out didn’t solve the practical problems.
So he asked whether she wanted to talk with Mr. Pierce.
June said she needed time.
Then Elena canceled her traditional first dance.
Marissa mentioned it during a phone call with Owen.
June overheard.
The next evening, she asked Theo whether Elena was still having a wedding dance.
He told her he didn’t know.
June looked disappointed.
“I thought she was going to stand.”
Theo shrugged.
“Maybe she’ll change her mind.”
“What if she can’t?”
He thought about it.
Then he said, “Maybe she just has to try.”
