Marc crept up to his sister's closed door. He wanted to ask her something. It was something very important to him. He waited a moment before knocking.

*** KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK ***

“Come in.”

“What's up squirt.”

“Renee, I wanted to ask if I could borrow something?”

“What do you want.”

“It's a big thing...”

“Tell me what it is.”

“...But it is something you aren't using.”

“Stop beating around the bush. Tell me already.”

“Can I borrow your ability to dance ballet?”

“My what?”

“Your ability to dance ballet. You used to go to ballet class, but you don't dance anymore.”

“Why do you want that?”

“I want to take dance class like you did. But, I don't want to be a total beginner.”

“Why would you want to do that?”

“I've always liked it. I just wanted to try.”

“So take lessons. That's why you take lessons, to learn.”

“I'm nine. Everyone else has been taking lessons since they were much younger. I don't want to look like a fool.”

“Everyone?”

“OK, Jacqueline. I want to dance with Jacqueline. I don't want to look stupid.”

“Your girlfriend, Jacqueline?”

“She's not my girlfriend. We're just friends.”

“I see.”

“So will you lend me your ability to dance?”

“I can't do that.”

“You aren't using it. I haven't seen you dance in forever.”

“No, I mean I can't give you that. It's not possible.”

“It is possible. If you let me have it, I can use it.”

“Look, I can help teach you.”

“That isn't good enough and it'll take too much time.”

“I'll help you practice. That is all I can do.”

“But, if you could give it to me, you would?”

“Sure anything for you, Marc. You're my little brother. I'd give you anything I could.”

“Gee, thanks!” Marc yelled excitedly as he ran out of the room with a smile on his face. He knew that Renee agreed.

“Where are you going?” she called out. She wasn't sure what happened. First Marc wanted for her to teach him. Then before she couldm he scampered out of the room.

Marc ran to his room. This was better than he could have hoped. Renee had given him everything he had asked for and more. She gave it to him. He didn't even need to give it back. Not unless she asked for it.

Out of Renee's room and into his room, Marc slammed his door. He spryly ran to his dresser. There was a grace and fluidity of motion that came with years of ballet that he newly possessed. He opened the third drawer and looked inside. The drawer contained a couple of leotards that used to belong to Renee. Now, they were his..

Marc smiled broadly at the dancewear But he knew this wasn't the only dancewear he owned. Most of Renee's dancewear had been packed away when she quit her dance lessons. Marc nimbly bounded up the stairs two at a time to the attic. He opened the door and saw a plastic gallon tote box with his name taped to the side. He ripped open the top of the plastic container.

Marc looked through the opened box. Everything he would need for dance class was neatly folded within. This included leotards, unitards, crop and bra tops, skirts, leggings, tutus, tights, and dresses. It was wonderful to see them all. Most of this stuff had been packed away long ago when Renee quit her dance class. But now they all belonged to him.

“Hey wait something is missing,” he thought, then he found a smaller container. Inside were his dance undergarments. There were so many, that it took up the small container. Most were in nude hues to be invisible under his dancewear. He saw camisole bra tops, mesh leotard liners, seamless briefs and thongs, and many pairs of tights.

The excitement grew in him as he saw the dance apparel. He wanted to bring it down to his room and put it away, but he had to do one thing first. He pranced down the stairs. He didn't head toward Renee's room this time. Instead, he looked for his mother.

“Mom, I want to take dance!” he told her with a huge smile on his face.

“Again?”

“Yeah, I have missed it. I want to start again.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, I'm very sure.”

“You've grown quite a bit since you last danced. You think your dance clothes will still fit?”