Story Thirteen

As a little girl, 
Emma knew that she wanted to be a dancer. 

Her parents encouraged her with enthusiasm and worked extra jobs to pay for lessons and costumes. 

After graduating from high school, she immediately left for New York City to begin her dancing career. 

Her first audition was a brutal awakening to the fact that she had very limited skills and could never compete as a professional. 

Shame prevented her from returning home. 

She remained in the city and struggled as a clerical worker but wrote weekly letters to her parents,
richly detailing the life she dreamed of living. 

She wished someone had been honest with her when her younger heart might have been more buoyant.