Climbing the Walls (OFFICIALLY RESUMED!)

Chapter 20: Slip 'N' Slidin' Skanks

Chapter 20: Slip 'N' Slidin' Skanks

My saving grace comes from Louis, who quickly scoops up Bucky the Beaver’s head, making a funny face. As if it’s a hot potato, he juggles it around and then tosses it to Kathleen. Catching on, she dances with it as the audience quiets down, before chucking it to Harry. Harry swings it around in a circle, flailing to the delight of the audience. He soon heaves it to Kyle, who exaggeratedly fumbles it, pretending he’s too clumsy to pick it up. Once children are laughing again, he runs offstage with it.

Thunking it back onto my sweaty head and roaring "ARE YOU OKAY?" I nod while he pulls me up and we dance back out in front of the crowd. As I’m jokingly rubbing Bucky's butt and brushing his shirt off, the kids clap and cheer again. I waddle over to Kathleen and exaggerate a whisper in her ear: she grabs the mic, telling the audience that Bucky has to go lie down 'cause he’s got a headache. Everyone laughs and waves goodbye to Bucky, Gary & the counsellors, and we make our way out into the now empty lobby. As soon as I march down over the steps, helped by Harry and Louis, I fall flat on my back & tear off the furry head, panting.

“WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?” Sabrina yells at me, storming down over the stairs and making a beeline. “WAY TO RUIN THE SHOW, IDIOT!”

“Sabrina,” comes the shocked voice of Gary, now atop the stairs. “I’d like a few words with you. Now.”

“This isn’t over,” Sabrina whispers coolly, before leaving to catch Gary. Speechless, I just groan.

“Great save, guys,” Mere quickly compliments the fast actions of our co-workers, before everyone else spills over, laughing. Zayn and Liam literally have tears streaming down their faces.

“I seriously thought some of the kids were going to pass out,” Shane says.

“I know! I never want to hear that many kids screaming at once, ever again!” Andrea adds, “but you were hilarious, Beth! And good job, guys; way to save our asses!”

“Thanks!” Louis quips, “but we’d better go back to the gym!”

“Yeah, before Sabrina catches on,” Kyle adds with a smirk. After a few more chuckles and everyone patting the boys on their backs, it’s just Mere, Bucky and I.

“B, I had no idea where you'd gone earlier,” she says while attempting to loosen the velcro on the back of Bucky’s shirt. “I mean, I actually started to wonder if she had buried you in the woods.”

“Don’t be surprised when she does, after this mess,” I say, barely able to breathe. "Hurry!”

After freeing my upper body, Mere yanks off the giant shoes & tugs me out from the beaver tail & furry legs. All of the ice packs have melted - I’m soaked through all of my clothing with a mixture of condensation and sweat.

Mere takes one look at me and laughs, pointing to my boobs. My white camp shirt clings to my soaked body, revealing the black & lime green polka-dot bra I’m wearing. My light khaki shorts don’t look too sharp, either, when pressed against underwear of the same pattern. Awesome.

My bangs are soaked and matted onto my forehead. I’m constantly pulling my shirt as far away from myself as I can, more uncomfortable than ever before. We head to the storage room to cram Bucky back into his container, where he may rest for all eternity, Amen.

“You can’t go out there like that,” Mere says once we’ve finished. “Go change: I’ll tell Gary that one of the ice-packs broke open, or something." She shrugs, "he’ll be okay. Hurry up, though!”