—Mark Twain Monday, January 13, 6:45 p.m.On the couch Today the dance team went to the Faraway Community Center and Ms. Baumann paired us up with the girls we’re supposed to mentor. When we first got there, the girls were all over the place with their books, phones, and snacks. They were talking and laughing and definitely not what Ms. Baumann calls “dance ready.” But it didn’t take her long to get everyone in order. She was pairing girls with dancers faster than most people brush their teeth. When she brought a tiny ten-year-old girl over to me and introduced her as Desiree, I thought the girl might be scared or shy. She had to be smaller than June, who is only seven. I gave her my best it’s-going-to-be-okay smile. “I’m April,” I said. “You can call me Des.” She put one hand on her hip and grinned. It was clear Des might be small, but her personality wasn’t. I sat down next to Des when Ms. Baumann started to talk. She told the girls we would be working with them for the next six weeks to help them prepare for a dance show they’ll put on for the community.
