I’d begged, nagged, pleaded, bargained, coerced, cajoled. And finally,finally, I convinced Mom and Dad to take me and Annie to the circus.
World-class productions likeCircus of the Sundon’t come to little omega haven towns. It’s my first time in a city, and I’m dazzled. The lights, the shops, the sounds, andso many people. I ping back and forth, bouncing at the end of my leash: my hand held firmly in Mom’s.
By contrast, when we make it into the stadium—the biggest building I’ve ever seen—I don’t stray from my seat for a moment. I sit rapt, watching acrobats and contortionists, trick cyclists and clowns, eyes widening with every gravity-defying trick.
At intermission, Mom has to bribe me with ice cream to get me to go to the bathroom, I’m so worried about missing the show starting again. And once I’ve hurried back to my seat, ice-cream in hand, I beam up at her.
“I’m gonna be up there someday,” I promise her. “And then you’re gonna come back and sit right here and watchme.”
Her brow furrows, then softens. “I’m sure you will, Mylo.”
I glow with pride.
It’s the last day Mom will ever believe in my dreams.
After the show is over, we’re heading across the lobby when Annie starts fussing.
“She needs her nap,” Dad says. “Time to go back to the car.”
“No,” I gasp. “Please, I want a poster!”
Mom and Dad exchange a glance. “We can order one online, sweetie,” Mom offers.
“But this one is signed, and they said it’s anexclusive. We learned that word in Ms. Robin’s class last week; it means it won’t be anywhere else. Wehaveto get it today!”
Mom glances up and evaluates the lobby. “The line isreallylong, Mylo…”
“I’ll stand still and be very quiet. I promise!”
Mom and Dad exchange another look, then their expressions soften. Mom cracks a smile.
My heart soars.
“Alright, Mylo,” Mom says. “Since you asked so nicely.” She looks to Dad. “Why don’t you take Annie to the car? She can start her nap and we’ll catch up…” She looks at the line with a sigh. “…whenever we catch up.”
“Thank you, thank you!” I throw a hug around Mom’s waist.
Dad kisses her cheek, then he carries fussing Annie out of the stadium.
The line takesages, but I master myself, waiting with perfect patience. I go back over the show in my head, and the poster hanging at the top of the merch station—a trapeze-artist mid-leap large at the center, with the ensemble cast gathered around them—beckons me forward.
It’s fully dark outside by the time my treasure, the rolled-up and cast-signed poster, is in my hand.
I tug Mom’s hand to get her to look down at me.
“Yeah, Mylo?”
“This was thebestday.”
A soft, kind smile crosses her face. “I’m happy to see you so happy.”
All my pent-up energy needs an outlet, and I skip alongside Mom, humming the circus’s tune as we walk back to the parking lot.
“This looked different in the daylight,” Mom says quietly, warily scanning the darkness around us.
“It’s okay, Mom. I’ll protect you with my space cannon.” I point the rolled-up poster at the darkness and make laser noises.
As I scan the surrounding area, I realize there aren’t nearly as many people anymore, but it was fine when we came this way before, so it must be alright.
