The weeks slipped by. Jena had become a sort of project for me as I helped him with his exercise schedule and watched her on Saturday mornings (for usually up to an hour).
One Saturday, the girls were doing a routine that involved them leaping at the teacher and being caught by her. They took a brief break and Mrs Reinke came over to me.
"Garth, would you do me a favour, please. I want to observe the girls from the side. I'm sure that you could catch them quite easily . . ."
Of course, I could.
"Jena, you go first."
Jena raced towards me and hurled herself at me with complete abandon. I caught her, lifted her up above my head and whirled her around making her giggle before I plonked her back on the ground.
"Oh, very funny you two," Mrs Reinke said sternly while struggling to keep the smile off her face. "Now go back and do it properly."
This time I caught Jena as she made a more gentle leap and with one smooth movement placed her lightly back on the floor. The others followed.
"Della, keep your feet together."
"Taya, you're a bird, fly."
"Kylie, Garth will catch you, he's very strong. Let yourself go."
It was actually quite fun.
The lesson finished.
"Garth, thank you. Now, I'm going make you an offer, young man. You continue to help me here on Saturdays and you can come to my Wednesday after-school class free of charge. That's the other one Jena goes to."
"Thanks, Mrs Reinke. I'm happy to help you here, but that other class, I don't know."
They almost said it in unison, "I'd really like you to come, Garth."
What the hell.
YOU ARE READING
A Nerd, a Tough Kid and the Wonder of Dance
Short StoryA longish short story that follows the lives of two young people through a formative period that ultimately defines who they are. Good times and bad times, and a happy ending.
