Page 4 of Christmas Bubble

They all sit on the mat, slouching against each other, gathering their breath. Every single one of them looks exhausted and exhilarated. The best feeling in the whole world. After good sex, of course. But I can’t tell them that, or I’d be fired.

“Okay, can you tell me what you need to work on?”

“We’re still a bit wobbly,” Terry says.

I nod. “How do we fix that?”

Everyone looks around as if the person next to them holds the answer, which they do.

“You’re a team, and you need to trust your teammates one hundred percent. Mary, Selina, Hannah, and Petra, the guys will hold you up, and they’ll catch you if you fall. But if you don’t trust them, then you won’t fall right, which means you might do something that’ll hurt them. If they stop trusting you, they’ll be afraid of what you might do when you’re up there. You all see how wrong it can go?”

The team nods.

“One team. One hundred percent trust. Now tell me what went well,” I say. “Can anyone tell me what went well?”

“No one fell and broke their neck,” Sasha says.

“True, but let’s go for something a little less dramatic.”

“I didn’t have to call the nurse,” Justin mutters next to me.

“Come on, people. A year ago, you couldn’t do a cartwheel, and look at you nailing a twenty-person pyramid. Now, canIhave a cheer for that?” I shout and jump on the spot.

They all stand and cheer, and the energy is electric. I soak it up like my own personal sunshine.

“Okay, okay, we’ll keep working sections this week and building for a full run on Friday. You all up for that?”

“Yes, Coach!” they all shout.

“What was that?” I ask, putting my hand to my ear.

“Yes, Bubble!”

“That’s better. I’ll see you all tomorrow.”

As the kids all spill into the locker room, Justin shows me the footage he captured with his tablet.

“I think Taylor needs to take a rest. Look at his face there. He’s clearly in pain but doesn’t want to let the team down,” he says, rewinding the clip to the moment Petra is flying down from the pyramid. You’d never notice Taylor’s pain unless you’re looking for it.

“Can you have a word with him?” I ask.

“I sure can. I reviewed some earlier clips during the practice and saw nothing else wrong. I think they just need more time on the mat.”

“Can you send me what you have?” I ask.

“Sure.”

We walk together to the coaches’ office via the locker room.

“Your earthquake detection kit still makes me laugh every time I walk past,” he says.

“I have my moments.”

He bumps my shoulder.

“You more than have your moments, Bubble. Since you got here, it’s like this place has lit up with happiness and joy. I know it sounds sappy as shit, but it’s true. The kids are focused, and they work hard. Even the teachers. All they talk about is you.”

I laugh. “That’s because I bake them cake. Everyone loves cake.”