With Kaila finally in the "Big School" this year, she was able to participate in the school play. A few years ago, our Middle High school put in a big, beautiful, state of the art auditorium, and have been putting on spectacular school plays. When I went to NYC this past spring, and saw the Phantom of the Opera, I was actually shocked at the tiny somewhat worn theater, compared to our school theater back home. Anyhow, Kaila thinks maybe show business and singing may be for her. So, she is in chorus, band and, signed up for the school play. And to go see all the big Broadway shows at Shea's in Buffalo, with the school.
I was hesitant, as, Kaila already has a pretty full plate, but, she was all for it. The Pirates of Penzance was the play selection this year. My kid made her debut in an operetta. A pretty big undertaking for Middle/High kids!
For the last 2 months, Kaila has had daily practices. Every evening for 2 hours, then 4 hours, and then on weekends. Sometimes for more than 5 hours. The poor kid was just exhausted. Some nights I was waiting up for her to finish late night home work sessions, so we could go to bed.
Through it all, Kaila would come home fuming about one of the other pirates. Evidently he spent the last 2 months tormenting her. He didn't think a girl should be playing a pirate. (She was the only girl pirate) He thought she was too young (he is a grade ahead of her) He wanted her sword. He announced he didn't like her. He called her names. A serious feud between these two pirates was forged.
Last week, Kaila came home completely despondent. This other pirate had pointed out that, at the end of the show, everyone is dancing with a partner. Except himself and Kaila. And, that he thought it would be a good idea for the two of them to have to waltz, too. Kaila was adamant. This was NOT happening. Absolutely no way, was she dancing with the boy who had been torturing her for two months strait. This was catastrophic.
Then, the night before the play, Kaila came bounding into my truck all smiles after practice. And announced she didn't have to dance with "That Boy" anymore, as he had broken his leg during wrestling. The relief was great. Now she could enjoy the play. Also, she had found out that she was in the top 10 in her grade for Science! I was so happy she was keeping up with her grades, with the commitment to this play.
The day of the play dawned, and the E Mails began. "Hi Mom! Andrew wants to come to the play. He doesn't have a ride. Could you pick him up and bring him? Please?"
"Hi Kaila, I will call his Mom."
"Hi! This is Andy! Can you pick me up from wrestling practice at 5:00 if I can go? It's at the elementary school. If I can't go, can you just tell me how great she was?"
OMG. How can I NOT take this poor kid along, after that? So, I called his mother, and got permission.
"Hi Andy! We are going to pick you up and bring you to our house for dinner, then you can go with us to the play. "
"Ummm. What's for dinner?" Really? No pressure there. His mom only butchers her own meat, has laying chickens, milks her cow and goats, makes her own yogurt and cheese, grows her own veggies and herbs.....
"Frozen Wal Mart pizza"
"Okay! See you later!"
When I arrived home from work, this kid was in the kitchen, already friends with Kaila's dog, and soaking up anything and everything we had to say about Kaila. He was such a personable kid. Completely at ease. Until Bearded Man mentioned that Kaila was pretty upset, as the kid with the broken leg was STILL in the play. And worried she would still have to dance with him.
"WHAT? Kaila can't dance! She has two left feet! I had to DRAG her to the dance floor at the Homecoming dance! Who is she dancing with?"
We told him.
"WHO? Oh no! He is a big kid! Between his broken bone and Kaila not being able to dance, he is going to fall and hurt her! She should NOT be allowed to dance with him! It's dangerous! Besides, he is not a nice boy. You should not let them dance. It's not safe!"
With a hidden grin, I assured him it would all work out okay.
The play went along without a hitch. Kaila looked so pretty up on stage in all her pirate gear. And, I had to appreciate a kid who had just broken a bone and was still able to participate in this play, crutch under one arm. I decided Kaila probably had been exaggerating a little. The end of the play, I happen to notice Kaila nonchalantly side step around another pirate, neatly putting him between herself and the pirate on the crutch. And I watch the pirate on the crutch look over at Kaila, who was studiously ignoring him. And then I watch him step around the pirate between them, glaring at Kaila. Who promptly scowled back at him. He sidled closer to Kaila, who side stepped away. Earning another glare, which was immediately returned with a look that clearly states "Come near me again, and I will break your other leg, and finish you off by beating you with your own crutch." He determinedly grabbed her and tried to get closer, as everyone danced around them, Kaila shoots him another look, shrugs away, and steps to the side again. I was laughing with tears streaming down my face, and stole a quick peak at Andrew. Who was sitting on the edge of his seat, watching the whole thing intently with narrowed eyes. For the next several minutes, the boy on the stage tried his best to get next to Kaila to sway alongside her for the end of the show, and my kid tried her best to not have to touch him at all, the two of them glaring murderously at each other the entire time.
At the end of the day, I am a mom. And I am a nurse. And I realize that the poor boy on the crutch is probably in a lot of pain and functioning on pain killers. My daughter needed to be nice. So, I instruct her to behave and be nice to this poor kid the next night during the play. I pointed out that, when she broke her wrist 2 years ago, she cried for days and was completely unable to function. This boy was in the school play in a heavy costume the day after breaking a bone! I didn't think it was a broken leg, but, he had definitely broken something near his foot.
The next night the play seemed to be going well. They were actually smiling at each other on stage! I was hopeful that the end would be better the second night than it had the first. The second night, the pirate on the crutch was not wearing a fake beard, and I was kind of surprised by how grown up this kid looked. Wasn't he only supposed to be 13?
As they headed into the end of the play, and into the dance scene, I held my breath. And tried not to laugh. I watched my daughter tense up as the pirate on the crutch sent a look her way. I watched her face change from happy to blank, as the pirate came closer. She did not step away, but did lean away a little. And became completely stiff, staring into the distance, refusing to sway with him. He kept getting closer and closer, and I saw her jaw tense as she glared into the distance. Even I was becoming alarmed, watching this boy edge closer and closer, glaring at Kaila the entire time. Who absolutely refused to look at him. Oh goodness. I took a picture, and figured it was in that boy's best interest to make himself scarce after the show. I wasn't too sure I would rescue the boy again.
After the show, Kaila came and found me, and dragged me into the dressing room, completely excited and riding high from the play. As she went to change out of her costume, the boy on crutches hobbled in.
"Hello. How are you holding up?" I ask, determined to give him the benefit of the doubt
"Fine" He bit back
"Good for you, still doing the play with a fresh break! Good job!"
"Eh."
"What did you break?"
"Ankle."
At this point, Kaila walked back in, breezing by him toward me, to hang up her costume. He sent another glare her way, included me in it, and left the room. Came back in a few minutes later, as we were getting ready to leave. "Bye!" I said. He shrugged, scowled at my kid once more, and we were gone.
"Mom. I have to tell you something."
"What's that, Kaila?"
"You said I couldn't step away, and to be nice up on stage during the dance thing."
"Yes. You didn't look at him quite like you were going to beat him to death with his crutches tonight."
"Well. He kept getting closer and closer and closer. So, I had my hands on my sword, between us. You know, still in the sheath? Well, I just kept swaying with him and swinging my hands and body enough to hit him as hard as I could with it. I figured he would stop getting so close. And it worked!"
Oh goodness. What do you say? She can certainly hold her own.
On my way out the door to the play last night, Bearded Man's sister came over with a wrapped package for me. It had circles with things written on them taped all over it. "What's this?"
"My friend sometimes reads your Blogs with me. She sent this over for you!"
Upon opening it, I discover a book titled "1001 Things it Means to be a Mom" Wow! How neat was that??
Some of my favorite gems from the book so far?
Being a Mom means deciding that this whole "Balanced Life" thing is a myth
Being a mom means explaining to your toddler why people don't swing on chandeliers
Being a mom means suddenly realizing that your child has spent two hours drawing on himself with permanent markers
Being a Mom means believing your children are hearing impaired since they don't seem to hear a thing you say.
Loving this book! So, thank you, Marrilee! It is much appreciated!
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