Balance

Bernie walked into the high-ceilinged gymnasium, which still had the black smell of motor oil from the building's former tenant. He saw Annie, wearing dance shoes powdered in white chalk, standing high on the balance beam. She was holding her foil, eyes focused on the tip, her knees bent. She lifted the toes of her lead foot, then the heel, moved the foot forward, then quickly raised her back foot and brought it forward. Another advance, two, then a retreat, rear foot lifting and going back followed by a push off her front.