A*M*E*R*I*C*A(Cricky)

Ricky's first performance!?

~ 12 years later~

Well today is the day. The day my boy would perform on stage for the first time. These years have gone by so fast I almost can't believe that Ricky was already about to take the stage for the first time. It feels like just yesterday I had found the baby boy all alone and abandoned.

Over the past years Ricky has grown to be a shy yet sweet young man who got along with all of the freaks. He would call me dad but what's strange is that he calls Ryan Ashley mom. Which she didn't mind one bit because she helped me raise Ricky. She even made Ricky's outfit for his first appearance to our day and night show. His  outfit was just a simple black button up with a white collar and cuffs on it with a beautiful gold necklace, black skinny jeans and black creepers. He had on a leather choker with a  blue-green gem in the center that Ry made for him. His long dark hair was flat ironed and rested neatly on his shoulders.

We thought it would be best if we didn't overwhelm Ricky with a flashy costume like ours since he was still young. At the moment I was helping people get settled and collecting their tickets before they got seated. The day show wasn't my favorite but I enjoyed seeing children fascinated by our group's performances.

Over the years Manson added a small shop where they sold hand crafted souvenirs, T-shirts with all of us on it, and fortune readings. The idea for the shop was thought up by Ryan Ashley and Balz since Ry was always crafting little mood rings and necklaces so Manson decided to give them a shop. Balz was way into fortune telling and terot card reading so that's what he did after the night show.

"Dad! How does this look on me?" I turned to face my little Ricky all dressed up with his make up all done to complete his look. Devin stood next to him flashing me a small smile.  I smiled at the bright eyed boy who gave me a grin.

"You look great son. Are you excited for your first show?" i kneeled down to meet with his face. I've also grown taller over the past years so i now stand at 7'5. Ricky gave me a spin, his grin never leaving his face.

"I sure am! I'm a little nervous though." he admitted. Devin giggled softly putting her hand on his shoulder.

"Trust me son. We were all nervous when we made our debut for the first time. But you'll be okay. Once that light hits you and that crowd cheers for you you'll be just fine." I gave Ricky a reassuring smile. Devin nodded.

"Yeah. My first time performing was really nerve wrecking honey. It was hard for me to grow my beard out when I wanted it to. But I managed and now I love it." Ricky let out a deep breath and nodded giving me and Devin a smile.

"Thank you. It means a lot." with that he gave me a hug wrapping his tiny arms around my neck. I put my hands on his back hugging back as best I could.

"Ricky. You're up next. You'll be paired with Ash and Dani so you can use your gymnastic skills. Are you ready?" Manson stepped out from the stage where Andy and Ronnie were just wrapping up their performances. Ricky stood up straight and nodded as I stood up.

"Sure am Mr. Manson." Manson chuckled and pat Ricky's shoulder.

"Call me Manson son. You're all grown up. Now I'm gonna go back out their to announce you and the girls. Devin go get the girls please." Devin nodded and quickly made her way to where the dressing area was. Ricky put a hand over his chest as Manson stepped back out to the now empty stage.

Andy and Ronnie made their way out and stopped in front of us smiling at Ricky.

"Ready kid?" Andy pat Ricky's back.

"I sure am Andy."

"We're all rooting for you Ricky." I saw the rest of our cast come over. Ryan Ashley smiled hugging my son tightly.

"And we're so proud of you. You're gonna do great son." I could see a tear run down her face which Ricky wiped away.

"Thanks mom. Thank you all for supporting me." we each gave him a hug, even our wolfman Ryan did and he never even talks much. I guess he had a soft spot for Rick because he was also an animal in some way. Ryan could turn into a wolfman on command so right now he was in his human form.

"Alright please welcome your favorite pair of contortionist, Ash and Dani!" we heard Manson announce. Ash and Dani quickly gave Ricky a hug before making their way to stage doing their usual flips. I kneeled back down to my son's height and smiled.

"You're gonna do great. Remember what I taught you. We're all believing in you." with that all of us came in for a group hug.

"And now we have a big announcement for you all before our ladies continue. Today they will be joined by a special new guest. He has been traveling with us since he was a small child but now he's ready to reveal himself. Give it up for our one and only, the human feline, Ricky Horror!" Manson announced making the crowd go wild. I chuckled slightly atthe nickname Ricky picked out for himself.

"Go get em tiger." were my final words before Ricky went out in the same manor as the girls.

Ricky's POV:

I did my flips out onto the stage and stood between Ash and Dani as the crowd cheered loudly. I let my ears out from under my long hair as well as my tail. I smiled widely showing off my sharp fangs making some people gasp.

"Now, take the stage ladies and gentleman." Manson spoke as he exited off the stage. The stage had tightropes, hula hoops and all sorts of equipment. But for this performance we were only going to be using the rings hanging from the ceiling. Ash and Dani took position hanging upside down on their own rings holding their arms out for me. I took a deep breath and took both their hands just as the rings began to rise higher in the air.

After we reached the limit I looked down to see the trampoline beneath me. First I had to do tricks on a separate ring that was being let down between the girls. I quickly grasped it using my tail and let go of the girls hands letting myself hang loosely on the ring making the crowd gasp. I smiled at the crowd as I did a single flip letting go of the ring but quickly grabbed back at it with my tail. Ash and Dani used their contortionist skills to do a hand stand inside the rings and bend their backs to wrap their legs around their necks  facing the crowd with wide smiles. Another ring appeared in front if me and I swiftly leaped over to that ring hang on it from my tail. I straightened out my tail sitting on it holding my arms out making the crowd cheer.

While the girls were on their rings it was time for me to jump down onto the awaiting trampoline. I leaped down only to bounce back up and do a double flip. I proceeded to bounce using my tail before jumping back up to my Ring. I hung their using my hands and started swinging back and forth. This was it. Since I was half feline I always landed on my feet so I let go of the ring and did a quadruple flip flying high. The crowd gasped loudly and i couldn't help but grin.

I was close to the ground. I'm supposed to land in front of the crowd. I was feeling nervous. But also excited.

This was it. If I didn't land I would be a goner

~CLIFFHANGER! What do you guys think? I'm really enjoying writing this story and I hope you guys enjoy reading it! More to come! Stay Purdy!~