“Looks like Cal disappeared.”
You should be so lucky.
He can’t have gone very far.
Unfortunately, that’s true.
FACT OR FICTION:
The Floor Is Hannah’s Best Event
Answer: Most of the time.
I’ve only seen her mess up
once or twice. She’s really good,
and I think it’s because the floor
combines tumbling and dance.
You can tell she loves it.
That’s her next rotation,
and to make up for the dumb
leotard (which I did accidentally shrink,
to be honest), I ask Aunt Taryn,
“Want me to video Hannah’s
floor routine?” It’s on the far
side of the gym, so shooting
it on a phone from our seats
wouldn’t be as good as up close.
You want her to trust you
with her cell? asks Uncle Bruce.
I think it’s a nice gesture,
responds Aunt Taryn.
That’s a brand-new phone,
and it cost a pretty penny.
It belongs to me, Bruce.
I’ll take care of it as I see fit.
These two argue a lot. I wonder
if they’ve always bickered,
or if it’s mostly my fault.
I’m pretty sure it’s me.
FACT OR FICTION:
Uncle Bruce Wasn’t Happy About Me Moving In
Answer: That is a fact.
He pretends it’s fine, but I know
what upset looks like
what impatience sounds like
how it feels when anger comes your way.
I can see disapproval
in his eyes
in his body language
in how he avoids touching me.
It’s weird. I’m not sure if
he worries he’ll hurt me
he thinks I’ll freak out
he believes I’m contagious.
Doesn’t matter. I’m not asking
for hugs
for pats on the back
to be tucked in at night.
But I wish he’d make me feel
understood
encouraged
wanted.
FACT OR FICTION:
All Families Are Dysfunctional
Answer: Can’t speak for all of them.
I’ve only known two,
which is
actually one,
broken
in half.
The left half
is beginning
to come unraveled.
The right half
has been ripped
to shreds.
A pair of threads
connect
what remains.
Aunt Taryn.
And me.
She can never be Mom.
But she comes close.
Uncle Bruce will never be Dad.
And that’s a good thing.
Living with them
isn’t perfect for any of us.
But what is perfect
when it comes to a family?
I wonder
if I’ll ever know.
FACT OR FICTION:
Cell Phone Videography Is a Talent of Mine
Answer: Guess we’ll find out.
Aunt Taryn takes a chance
and hands me her fancy phone.
You know how to work
the camera, don’t you?
I don’t have a phone of my own,
but I’ve watched other kids.
I locate the little camera picture
on the screen. “Push this.”
Which gives me some options,
all self-explanatory.
I take a quick practice session.
Still shot first. “Smile!”
Aunt Taryn grins. Uncle Bruce
looks surprised. Captured.
“Now a quick video. Sing!”
Instead, they make silly faces.
Forever remembered through
technology. “Okay. I’ve got it.”
Be careful where you stand.
Don’t get too close to the mat.
“Understood. But I’d better move
or I’ll miss her performance.”
I hold the phone against my chest,
do my best to keep it safe.
I start down the bleacher stairs,
and as I go, I hear Uncle Bruce say,
Bet you a hundred dollars
this doesn’t turn out well.
I’ll show him! I’ll take the most
amazing video of Hannah ever!
I just have to find the right
place to stand. Not too close.
But not too far. And the rotten
thing is, I’m sort of height deficient.
Which means I have to find a space
between one super tall coach
and some guy built like a bulldozer.
I move this way. That.
Hannah steps into the corner
of the mat and signals she’s ready.
Her music—Imagine Dragons’ “On Top
of the World”—fires up, and off she goes.
Her first tumbling run is awesome,
and I do a pretty good job of framing it.
At least, I think I do. Now she does
a few dance moves. I get those, too.
She retreats into the opposite corner,
preparing to launch her second
tumbling run, and just as she takes
off, the bulldozer dude pushes in front of me.