CHAPTER 9
HOOPING AGAIN
The next morning, Tobias woke to his alarm. The sun had just risen over the horizon. He had time to think about Cody Sherman’s video. Before he got up, he took a deep breath.
His phone pinged.
Declan: Practice this morning?
Tobias: Meet you out back in five
Tobias dressed, throwing on basketball shorts, a sweatshirt, and shoes. He ran his hand through his hair and tied a red bandana around his head. He grabbed his equipment bag from his closet.
The morning air cleared his thoughts.
“I knew the video would work,” Declan said when he saw Tobias. They walked together shoulder to shoulder. “I thought we could record using your phone so we can work through any issues. I’ll get the music ready.”
Tobias handed over his phone.
“No words this morning?” asked Declan. “Okay. I’ll take that to mean you’re focusing your energy on your routine.”
“Sorry, Declan. I’m just not ready to talk. Maybe the dancing will help,” Tobias responded.
He was frustrated with himself. He needed to heal with the hoops.
Silently, the boys laid out the hoops.
Tobias walked over to his starting position as Declan got the phone ready to record.
Tobias warmed up his body, first by jumping and then jogging in place. He shook out his arms, hands, legs, and feet. Blood pumped through his body. After ten minutes of stretching deep and long, the way his mom had taught him when he first started dancing, he was ready.
Declan broke the silence. “Ready when you are,” he said.
Tobias nodded.
The music was low but loud enough for Tobias to feel each beat. He began slowly, letting his feet find the rhythm. Each time his foot met the ground, he felt more connected to the song and to each movement. His feet moved faster. His hands too.
As Tobias neared the end of the routine, his mind eased. His five hoop wings spread easily. His dance had been perfect.
“Tobias, that was great!” Declan ran up to him, the playback already playing on the phone. “You were in the zone.”
For the next fifteen minutes, he and Declan analyzed each step, turn, and twirl.
Breakfast was a combination of oatmeal, eggs, and toast. His sisters had already eaten and were in the living room practicing their duet.
“Glad to see you were out with Declan this morning.” Mom poured herself a cup of coffee. “Does this mean you’re back to hoop dancing?”
“Mmmph,” Tobias grunted. He wasn’t ready to agree with his mom by giving a direct answer.
Later, when the lunch bell rang, Tobias and Declan headed toward the cafeteria.
“I just hope they aren’t serving spaghetti, because every time I always get a side of hair. Try pulling that out of your teeth,” Declan said. “Yuck.”
Tobias laughed.
“Finally!” Declan cried as they joined the back of the lunch line. “I knew I could get you to laugh. So. Spring Talent Show? You in?”
Before Tobias could respond, Josh and Joel got in line behind them.
“Heard you dropped out of the talent show. Figures,” Josh said.
“He’d probably just drop his hoops again,” Joel added. “Hey, I guess that could be a talent: Clumsy Tobias and the Tumbling Tower of Hoops.”
Tobias stood tall but didn’t respond. He knew what he needed to do.