Page 22

“Okay, I’m ready to learn,” I interrupted the boys, who were all engrossed with their phones. “Dion, your dad said you’ve got some ideas for me? Bring it on!” I smiled at my patient, who recently had a cavity filled.

Dion looked up from his phone and grinned. “I do. I can help you ace it, Dr. Vo!” He turned to his friends. “She’s cool. She’s my dentist, and she’s learning how to walk, yo.”

He jumped up from the couch and crossed his arms, striking a pose. His friends laughed.

“You gonna teach her something she already knows? That’s weird, yo,” said the boy with spiky blond hair.

Dion rolled his eyes. “These are my dumb friends, Tim and Raul.”

Raul had olive skin and curly dark hair that went past his ears. Tim had short blond hair and braces. All the boys wore jeans and T-shirts. These kids must not be cold. Here I was, wearing an oversized sweatshirt over a long-sleeve shirt with knit pants.

“Nice to meet you both.” I waved at Tim and Raul. “I’m playing a guy in a play. He has a certain walk I need to master,” I lied, and Lamar had already agreed to keep the story consistent. Teenagers didn’t need to know I was embarking on something illegal. “And Dion is gonna help me do it, right?” I patted his shoulder.

“That’s right! C’mon.” He gestured for me to follow him to the center of the studio floor and faced the mirror.

“Just watch me and mimic.”

Dion loosened himself up while Tim and Raul stood nearby, making a rhythmic beat with their mouths. Dion stepped forward, walked, and added the dip and faux-limp. He looked so natural doing it.

I tried my best to follow his movements and failed miserably. My hips swayed in the wrong direction, and my legs felt too stiff. I was off-beat and couldn’t perform the “dip” of one side of my body. I felt like a kitten in the body of a duck. It wasn’t working out the way I’d hoped.

Tim snickered, but Raul elbowed him.

Dion made a face, lifting a clenched fist at his friends. Then turned to me. “Try again, Dr. Vo.”

How was it I could pull out an infected molar with swiftness, precision, and ease but stumbled on a walk? I couldn’t give up with these kids watching me.

Insecurity flushed onto my cheeks as I gathered courage and tried again. I watched myself in the mirror, saw how horrible and silly I was, and burst out laughing.

Dion, Tim, and Raul joined in on the laugh.

“You’ve gotta loosen up, Dr. Vo,” said Tim.

“Pretend we’re not here,” added Raul.

“I’ve got it.” Dion lifted his hand. “Pick a song with a good beat, Tim.”

“We’ll help you win the Oscars.” Raul walked up and fist-pumped me.

“You mean the Tony Awards. Oscars are for movies. I’m in a small play.” I loved that these boys felt sorry for me and wanted to help.

“We can make our own award show. It’s called the Providence Oskars with a K,” Dion teased.

More laughter erupted in the room, and I realized how much fun these kids were. They truly made tonight’s lesson unforgettable.

Tim chose a beat I didn’t know.

Dion jerked a chin at Raul. The boys walked around me, and Dion rapped.

Yo, yo, yo, Dr. Vo.

I want no more fillin’

Just put my grill in

That’ll complete my style

For when I pimp roll up to the ladies and smile.