I stretch the material this way
and that, but a three-year-old
could barely fit into this thing.
A disaster like this doesn’t
just happen. Yeah, it could
have been an accident, but
I know in my heart it was—“Cal!”
No, Hannah. He wouldn’t.
I mean, he couldn’t . . .
There she goes, sticking up
for him again! Like he never
pranks anyone. Especially me.
“Why is he so mean?”
Oh, honey. Even if he did it,
he was trying to be funny.
We’ll get you a new competition
leotard. In the meantime,
wear your practice one.
“Fine.” I wipe hot tears out
of my eyes. “But Coach is going
to be mad. And I will never,
ever talk to Cal again!”
We’ll be in the car. You’d better
get a move on, or we’ll be late.
Definition of Idiom:
A Saying That Doesn’t Mean What It Says
I hope Mom makes Cal pay
for my new competition leotard.
Three months of allowance
might cover it. Maybe.
Obviously, he doesn’t get
that gymnastics team members
are supposed to wear matching
outfits at meets. Like he’d care.
Luckily, my practice leotard
is the right color, minus
the sequins and glitter.
Oh yeah, and this one fits.
I cover it up with my warm-up
suit, hustle on out to the car,
hop into the back seat, try
to pretend Cal doesn’t exist.
Tough to do when he’s across
the seat and turns to stare.
I look out the window but can feel
his eyes on the back of my head.
Nice ponytail, he taunts.
Make it bounce?
My cheeks burn. He’s dying
for me to respond, but I won’t.
I won’t. Mom starts the engine,
backs out of the driveway.
Don’t say anything. Don’t say
anything. We’ve gone maybe three
blocks, and I fight to force
the words back into my mouth.
But finally, I can’t help it.
“What did you do to my leotard?”
Your what?
“You know what I’m talking
about. You shrunk it!”
Hannah . . . warns Mom.
No, I didn’t, insists Cal.
“Yes, you did!”
I don’t even know what a lee-tard is.
“Le-O-tard, and yes, you do.”
Do not.
“Do.”
Enough, or I’m turning the car
around and we’re going home.
The tone of Mom’s voice means
we’d better be quiet.
Cal glares at me and I glare
back and silently mouth, Liar.
He shrugs and offers a lopsided
smile, and the anger inside me
burns white-hot. As Dad might say,
Drink a little water and steam
will come out of your ears.
Some of Dad’s jokes aren’t meant
to be funny. Some are just
supposed to make you think.
Definition of Break a Leg:
Idiom Used to Wish a Performer Good Luck
I stay mad all the way across
town, to the school where
the meet will soon begin.
Mom pulls into the parking
lot and finds a space.
Cal, you go on inside and save
a couple of seats. I’ll be right there.
We watch him disappear
through the big doors
into the gym. “You trust him
to do that all by himself?”
He’s not a baby, Hannah.
“No. Just a weirdo.”
Mom turns to talk to me
over the seat. I understand
he’s not easy to get along with,
but a little compassion would
go a long way toward—
“I try, Mom, you know I do.”
Maybe try a little harder.
Sure, I think. Just wait
until he starts shrinking
your clothes. But out loud,
I say, “Okay, Mom.”
Great. Now, break a leg.
We’ll be cheering for you.
I go on inside, find the list
of our event rotations.
First up for my squad: bars.
That’s good and bad.
I can hear Dad tease,
Hang in there.
Which means
Don’t give up.
But for me, it’s got another
meaning, too, because
out of all my events,
the uneven
parallel bars
have always
been the most
challenging.
Kips
casts and
handstands
aren’t so hard, but releasing
a bar to do a trick, then catching
it again?
Hit
or
miss.
So, starting with bars
is good because I can
get them out of the way.
And bad, because if I mess up,
my focus will be wrecked
for the rest of the meet.