Take a Bow, Kid

"Glunk."

She makes this noise after I tell her to get dressed. School today, and there's a field trip. The second grade is going to the theater district to see a children's production called, "Flat Stanley."

There are many scary things about the theater. It's usually dim and the steps are often steep. They turn the lights down before the show and even 10 seconds of "dark" is frightening. Sometimes the play on stage has too much noise, or scary parts, like lightening storms, or people being mad at each other. And worst of all, at the end, there are applause, often loud enough to hurt the ears.

She gets dressed, but is visibly nervous all morning, her brow furrowed. Her movements slow. But she does get dressed. No fights.

Two years ago this child could not tolerate standing outside at recess. The act of just observing, had her clinging to the teacher, turning her head.

---

After school, we're at the playground. She's on the swing. It's cold, her cheeks are pink.

"And Stanley was a human, not an animal." She says, floating back.

"Stanley wasn't flat at first. Until a bulletin board dropped on him!" She floats forward.

"I sat by Mrs. H. and Hannah!" She floats back.

"I sat by Tiesha on the bus." She floats forward, huge grin on her face.

Back.

Forward.

Only forward now.