To many it seemed that Khloe would never break out of her shell. She had a learning disability, felt the need to stick to a routine, and was always too shy to speak in class. I was given the assignment (and later realized privilege) of dancing with Khloe on stage for her first ballet performance.

Before I even began learning the dance with Khloe, I was told by my teacher that I might have some difficulties. By the second week, I discovered that Khloe was just a Dora-loving, crazy-sock-wearing, sticker-sharing 5-year-old. I taught Khloe how to dance, and in turn she taught me what it means to be patient and understanding of those who may be different.
Khloe and I formed a special bond during the months we spent together learning and practicing our ballet routine. She began to refer to me as “my Renee,” which meant that I was all hers and every other little girl at the studio had better be aware of it.

On the day of the recital the song “Stay Awake” began to play, and we entered the stage dressed in our costumes. Khloe’s head was crowned with a rhinestone tiara, our hair was plastered with gel, and our faces were painted with makeup. Khloe glided across the stage like a young Martha Graham. She was performing perfectly until I felt one of her hands slip from my grasp. Before I realized what was happening, she raised her hand to her brow searching for her mother in the audience like a sailor searching for land. Evidently she spotted her because next came an enthusiastic wave followed by a loud, “Hi, Mom!”

I was initially embarrassed that of all the little girls to cause a scene it had to be my partner, but the audience broke out into appreciative laughter. As they did, Khloe looked up at me, smiling with such innocence I couldn’t help but smile back and eventually laugh too. We continued the dance without any further interruptions. We got into our final pose of me kneeling and her in front of me with her arms up in what my dance teacher calls “the picture frame.” The music came to a soft ending and the thunderous applause began. Khloe glanced over at me and in a whisper I told her to smile. Of course she did, and proudly. I stood up, took Khloe’s hands in mine, and bourréed off stage left.

Backstage, I scooped Khloe up into my arms. She looked at me with great confidence and asked, “Did we do good, Renee?” I hugged her and replied, “Yes, Khloe. You stole the show.”
As I performed my next number, she stood in the wings smiling her infectious smile that couldn’t help but make my night.

Never before had I cared so much about someone as I did, and still do, for Khloe. She is an important part of my life and will be watching me from the curtains as “her Renee” performs in her last recital. Khloe taught me what it means to be patient and understanding of those who may be different or have disabilities. I believe that when teaching others, they in turn teach you more.