"It worked for Julie Andrews." Howie interjected quietly.

Samantha laughed, thankful for Howie's attempt at humor. "You met Christopher, Peter and Nicholas and you have heard me talk about Rachel. I was also raised with my father's niece Taryn from the time I was almost 6 years old until we went off to college. Taryn was 3 years older than I was. Her parents were impressed by what my father had achieved with the boys and I so they turned her over to him hoping for the same results. We looked so much alike when we were younger that unless someone knew we were cousins, they thought we were twins. That changed when were teenagers, I didn't grow for a long time and I was very thin whereas Taryn grew tall and had a great figure. By the time I reached 20 we were identical again. Anyway, Taryn was bright and advanced for her age but she had a lot of catching up to do to get to the point we were at. She was willing to work hard though and over the course of the first summer she was with us, my father got her to the point where she was accepted into the 7th grade at the local junior high. She was 9. My father was very proud of her. He was still home schooling me at this point because the school board refused to believe a 6 year old was capable of working at 5th grade level. He saw her as an accomplishment because they did accept her into the school when they wouldn't accept me. I started regular school the next year. I was 7 when I started 6th grade." Samantha closed her eyes and exhaled deeply. Talking about Taryn was always a tiring experience.

"My mother started my ballet training when I was 3. I started taking regular classes when I was 5. My mom still worked with me after classes and on weekends though. Taryn had never taken dance classes before she came to live with us but she did take gymnastics classes. When she came to live with us, my father decided I should add gymnastics classes to my schedule as well so he enrolled both of us at a local gym. He enrolled Taryn at my dance school too so we were never apart. Never. Taryn hated ballet but she learned early on not to question my father's decisions. The last thing she wanted to do was disappoint my father. Ballet came naturally to me. I could put in half of the effort Taryn did and still get better results than she would. My father took that to mean I was lazy and undisciplined. He would make me practice beyond classes just to show me laziness would not be tolerated. That is why the wide-open space exists on the lower level. So I could practice after classes. The better I got; the more he made me practice. I started dancing en pointé shortly before I turned 10. That is very early. Most instructors will tell you bones usually aren't strong enough and your body may not be at the point where gaining the necessary strength is possible. My instructor told my father I was more than ready to go en pointé, but she hesitated because I was so small. Taryn was 13 at the time. She was ready as well. My father insisted I advance despite what my instructor recommended. It was too early for me growth wise. I have a permanent curve to spine and my hips dislocate very easily from the hours I put into dance." Samantha trailed off. 'Get to the point Sam.' She chided herself. "I'm sorry. I am rambling."

"It is OK sweetie. I can see this isn't easy. Take your time."