CHAPTER 5
KEEPING COOL

Sweat dotted Tobias’s brow. He was thick into his morning dance routine, doing double time to build endurance. His hands and legs were moving to the beat and the hoops were flying.

It had been almost a week since Declan spilled Tobias’s secret. He wasn’t so angry at Declan anymore. In a way, Tobias was relieved to have the secret out. However, he wasn’t ready to admit that to Declan. Nor was he ready to ask him to come back to morning practice.

Twirl. Twist. Kick back.

The grass beneath his bare feet helped him feel grounded. To the earth, to the dance. He pushed everything else to the side.

Twirl. Twist. Kick back. Spin.

Tobias felt the energy move through him. The beat of the drum became him.

But the word robot came back to him. Josh and Joel’s teasing had only intensified. Fear pulled in his stomach. Since that day, every morning and afternoon Josh and Joel made a joke of hoop dancing. Those boys didn’t understand hoop dancing or its history. Their words and actions cut Tobias deeply.

Plus, everyone at school kept asking Tobias about hoop dancing. Tobias felt like he was in the spotlight, and he wasn’t sure he liked it.

It was kind of like the time when Declan’s mom made him do a year of Irish step dance. No one left Declan alone.

The sun rose higher. Tobias had about fifteen minutes left before he needed to go inside. He pushed thoughts of Josh and Joel down and picked up three additional hoops. By the end of school year, he hoped to dance with five hoops.

It wasn’t easy. He wore three interlocking hoops across his shoulders like a jacket and popped two additional hoops into his hand with his right foot. The pop up was messy and super choppy.

He repeated the pop up move several times. On the last time, he moved one hoop to each hand. Tobias created a span from finger to finger. Like that of an eagle’s wingspan.

He felt free. He soared. The wind moved through his hair as he twirled. He was flying.

The music came to a halt.

His moment of freedom was gone. Tobias opened his eyes.

“Time for breakfast, Tobias.” Mom stood smiling. “It’s your favorite—fry bread with powdered sugar.”

Mom rarely made fry bread. Tobias’s stomach grumbled.

“Mom, do you think you would have time tonight to give me some pointers?” His mom still hadn’t made time to help him. “I know you didn’t hoop dance, but you’ve been to a lot of powwows.” Tobias removed the hoops and packed them in his bag.

Mom put her arm around Tobias, taking his bag from him. “Maybe this weekend. Work has piled up again.”

Tobias pulled out of her arms. When would she make time for him?

“Are you okay? You seem upset. Is something bothering you?” Mom asked as she held the back door open.

“I’m fine, Mom,” Tobias said. He stomped past the breakfast of sweet fry bread and headed for the shower.

Not only was he upset with Josh and Joel, but now with his mom too. It seemed like no one understood him. He helped Mom and his sisters all the time, but she never had time for him anymore.

Tobias’s wet hair clung to his forehead as he walked to the front door. His sisters were waiting for him.

“I’ll leave money for pizza,” Mom called from the kitchen. “Please keep an eye on your sisters.”

Tobias slammed the door as he left the house.