Finding Home by Kingsbury Karen & Russell Tyler
Author:Kingsbury, Karen & Russell, Tyler
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books
Published: 2020-02-24T16:00:00+00:00
12 The Cartwheel Queen
ASHLEY
Butterflies tumbled around in Ashley’s stomach. She was in the car with Mom, headed to her very first gymnastics lesson, and all her confidence about this sport was gone.
Ashley pressed her hand against her tummy and turned to her mother. “I don’t feel good. This leotard is cutting off my strangulation.”
Every way she twisted, to the right and left, back and front, the pink material wouldn’t smooth out. What had she been thinking? Gymnastics was Marsha’s sport, not hers. Ashley closed her eyes. “Mother, please go back. Turn around.”
Mom glanced at her. “Your leotard is not cutting off your circulation. It’s a little large, if anything.” She looked straight ahead. “You haven’t even tried gymnastics, Ashley.” She smiled. “You’ll probably love it.”
“Probably not. Circulation is a big deal.” Ashley blinked her eyes open and tugged at the fabric around her shoulders. Strangulation felt more like it. And now they were almost there. “Plus, Marsha started gymnastics when she was three. It’s too late for me.” She paused. “Don’t make me do it.”
“Ash, honey.” Mom kept her eyes on the road. “You’ll be fine.”
“I won’t.” Ashley crossed her arms hard. Mom didn’t understand. “I can’t compete with Marsha and her friends. Not in a million years. I could never be them.”
Mom’s voice stayed calm and patient. “Remember last year when you tried to be like Brooke?” She paused. “You stopped soccer and tried to study harder? To be like her?”
“Yes…” Ashley shrank back in her seat. “It wasn’t my best moment.”
“Right.” Mom stopped at a red light and took a deep breath. “So be yourself. Gymnastics is fun. And everyone has to start somewhere.”
The butterflies stopped tumbling. “True.” Ashley hadn’t thought of it that way. “This could just be my starting place.”
“Exactly! You might turn out to be a cartwheel queen!” Mom patted Ashley’s hand. She pulled up in front of the gym. “I’ll be back early so I can watch you.”
Mom had to pick up Brooke from middle school. Brooke was playing violin this year for the school orchestra. And Kari was at the rec center swimming. Ashley felt her confidence coming alive again. “Sounds good. Then after we can go to the house and hear how everyone’s activities went!”
“Home, you mean?” Mom gave her a half smile and waited.
Ashley stared out the window at the gymnasium. “It’s not home.” Her words were quiet. Because she didn’t want Mom to think she was being rude.
“Kari told me you’re thinking of running away. Taking the train or… asking Marsha’s mom to drive you.” She looked straight at Ashley.
“Well…” Ashley swallowed hard. Kari wasn’t supposed to say anything. But at least she cared. “Maybe those were the wrong words.” She folded her arms and looked out the window again. “But I am planning on returning home one day. As soon as I can.”
Mom sighed. “I wish you wouldn’t. We would all miss you a whole lot if you left us.”
“You can always come visit.” Ashley turned back to her mom and smiled.
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