Arkady has dedicated his life to the world of ballet. He is known as the bad boy of the dance world, and is an ever rising star. Then he gets injured in what is at first thought to be a tragic accident but turns out to be so much worse. He's lost ballet, and his life feels unbalanced. A friendship with his no-nonsense physical therapist starts him on a new path. He has her friendship, a more honest relationship with his parents, his beloved dog Lou and, for the first time, maybe love in the form of an artist with a disability of his own. But the past isn't done with him yet.

Rise Again

“Arkady Alkaev, but I’m sure your notes say that, and do not worry. I’ve had to apologize to people for my name all my life. Some Americans, they are not very good with pronouncing unfamiliar names. I have had people ask to call me Alex.” Arkady hasn’t said that many words in a row in the last two days of being in the hospital. His parents have visited each day, but Arkady has found it hard to be chatty. There’s something about this woman feeling like she has to say sorry that makes him want to reassure her, though. He knows what it’s like to be a foreigner in America. Most people are amazing, but some are ignorant and intolerant. Arkady’s sure that, being a darker skinned brown woman, Prisha probably gets more negativity than a Russian man with just slightly dark skin.


“Oh, I know that one. I get called Trisha all the time.” Prisha smiles, shutting the door behind her. She puts down a bag and a pair of crutches.


Chapter 8