Page 61 of Wrecked

Spinning around, I announce rather loudly into the room, “If you need me, I’ll be at home, clipping my toenails and watching a McConaughey film.” I let out a deep sigh and add, “All. By. Myself.”

I start to walk away. My shoulders are hunched, and my walk is slow and pathetic.

“Wait,” Suzanne calls out.

I halt with a smile.

“Why don’t you hang out with me and Rory? No need to be home alone on your night off.”

I twirl around, skip back, and lock my elbow with hers. “I love that idea. Can I have the purple ball?”

Suzanne shakes her head. “This is not mini golf, Leah. You pick a ball based on the right weight.”

“I’m a hundred and thirty pounds,” I state.

Suzanne stops and looks back at me with a blank face. I widen my eyes so as to ask what the problem is. She just starts laughing and then pulls me along, Rory following.

“You seriously are one of my favorite people in the whole world. Come on, let’s see what we can teach you.”

Pop music is playing over the loudspeaker. I dance-walk to the sound of Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” as we head to lane twenty-three. It’s literally the furthest lane we could possibly get from lane four. Between the strobe lights, packed lanes, and distance, I can’t see Jessica and Adam at all.

Rory stands by a computer at the foot of our lane and starts poking at the keyboard. In the television screen above me, my name appears.

“You’re up, Leah,” Rory says.

I pick up the ball that Suzanne selected for me and toss it down the lane toward the pins. It’s not five feet from me before it makes a serious left hook and goes right into the gutter.

“Well, that was awful,” I say.

Suzanne is staring back at the pins in disbelief. “I’ve finally found the one thing you suck at.”

I pinch her side, and she squeals.

“Don’t look so happy about it.”

“No, seriously. Other than playing music, which you are really bad at, you are the most driven person I know. Who would have known that bowling was your kryptonite?”

I shake my head and then stick my tongue out at her. “Are you challenging me? Because I will not leave this place until I kick your ass in this game.”

She holds out her hand. “You get two turns. Try again.”

I take her hand. Then, I claim my ball that came up through the machine and march up to the line. This time, Suzanne stands next to me and shows me good form.

“Put your fingers in the holes, and balance the ball on your palm. Hold it slightly to the right side of your body. Keep your knees bent, relax your shoulders, and put your left foot on the dotted line.”

I try to mimic her, and this time, I knock down seven pins.

“Yeah, baby!” I yelp.

I do a victory dance on the lane to The Weeknd’s “Can’t Feel My Face.” The shoes might be wildly unattractive, but they’re perfect for dancing. I do my dance down the lane until I’m at the pins.

I freeze when I hear Carolína’s voice over the loudspeaker. “No moonwalking on the lane.” She’s at the shoe rental counter with her head leaning down over a microphone.

I do as she said and march my ass back to my seat.

Suzanne and Rory offer me high fives and then take their turns.

While I should be wondering what is happening with Adam and Jessica, I find myself having a great time. By the way, the weight of the ball has nothing to do with your actual weight.