Ma gives Mimi a bright smile.

“Your extra coaching, right. How’s that going?”

“Good. Great. I just wanted to, to…” She takes a breath. Kayla. Just be Kayla. “I think things are going much better with my grades and stuff,” she says, in one breath. “Kayla’s helping me a lot, we study tons in the evening, and tests and things are going well. Baruch Hashem.” Mimi slants a glance at her parents, they’re both nodding.

“We know, Mimi. We see you’re working really hard, and it sounds like that hard work is paying off.”

“So, basically, it’s okay for me to do — extra gymnastics and stuff, right? Even if Tova wants me in three times a week, or if I can start, I don’t know, helping out there…”

Ma looks over at Ta. “Why not? If it’s not getting in the way of your schoolwork…”

“It isn’t,” Mimi says quickly.

“Then we’re so happy for you, that you have a hobby you love.”

“And we trust you, Mimi, that you’ll continue taking responsibility for what you need to do, even if you’re doing more… extracurricular activities,” Ta adds.

“Of course.” Mimi grabs a plate. Pancakes, eggs, bagels, which to choose? Suddenly, her appetite is back.

Mimi had wondered, at first, whether private coaching would be awkward. But it’s not like there’s any time for awkwardness. Tova wants to use every second, intensive warm-ups, intensive practice, every move and every muscle needs to be perfect. It feels good to push herself, and it feels even better when she executes a series of moves that even Tova admits is “Good. Pretty good, Mimi!”

Mimi bows and pirouettes, giddy with her success. That, from Tova, is like blazing neon lights and a 60-piece orchestra. In other words, high praise.

“This isn’t a ballet class, you know.”

“I know.” Mimi winks, fearless. She knows Tova by now, she’s not gonna get scared off by a sharp one-liner. In a strange way, although they never really speak, they kind of connected ever since Tova had shared her story, pushed Mimi to take more responsibility for her choices, her life. Not something she usually thinks about too much, but maybe it’s time to… take stock a little.

Hello, what is she becoming? Something’s happened to her this year. Maybe the whole drama with Kayla joining her class is having one good effect at least. It’s making her think, not just… float.

Thinking is uncomfortable, like stretching a muscle you don’t usually use. But it feels good, really good, afterwards.

She flops down onto a mat, ready for cool-down and conditioning.

“So, I’ll see you Wednesday, and then again on Sunday for coaching?” Tova asks when they’re done.

“Yup. Schoolwork, family, and, you know, life permitting.” Tova frowns, so Mimi quickly adds, “I’m kidding. I’m in, I’m really in, and I’d love to become a coach someday. I’ll do what it takes, make it work.”

“You totally can.” Tova begins circling the room, switching off lights and unplugging the sound system. “Why not? If you work hard, and you’re determined to see it through—”

“I do. I am. But there’s not only that.” Suddenly, Mimi needs Tova to see this, know that she’s not just a flaky 11th- grader but that she’s dealing with stuff, real hard stuff, and that’s why she hasn’t been able to give gymnastics her wholehearted efforts. “My sister… it’s hard. I have a sister with kind of — never mind, I’m just saying, I haven’t had an easy year, okay? And then schoolwork — the work is crazy, I need to keep up my grades to get into seminary, you don’t remember that pressure? Or you got straight As without trying?”

“Neither. I didn’t go to seminary.” Tova doesn’t elaborate. “But seriously, Mimi, you know — you can handle all of that, everything you’re saying. Totally.”

“What, because I’m good at gymnastics?”

“No, because you’re strong.” Tova places one hand against the wall, turns to face Mimi squarely. “And I don’t mean core strength or muscles.”

to be continued…

(Originally featured in Teen Pages, Issue 924)