This story was inspired by Teek’s story by the same name.
Timmy was sitting on the school bus on his way to his Middle School. Next to him, Betty, his bestest friend in the whole world was prattling about her afternoon tryout for the cheerleading squad. Timmy wasn’t really listening. Timmy was no Tiny Tim. If not exactly bigger than all the other boys in his class, he was taller than most. And if he was lean what was there was mostly bones, sinews and muscles. He very much resembled his father and grandfather at his age. Grandfather had played pro football. Unfortunately he had to retire due to injuries after one season. Timmy’s father had been the big football hero in the high school Timmy was to attend in a few years. The father had gone on to play college football, though only for one year.
So no surprise Timmy's mind was on the permission slip for his tryout he was crunching with his hand in his bag.
At that moment he decided that he would make sure his kids did what they wanted and not what he wanted. Even if it was with the best of intentions. Not wanting his kids to do what he had not been able to do. Not to live a second chance through his children. He had to break the chain.
Timmy’s father was not an ogre. In fact, he was a very good father in most ways and Timmy loved him very much. That really was the problem. Timmy didn’t want to disappoint his father. He could have told his father that what he wanted was not what his father wanted and thought Timmy wanted. His father would have been OK with that. The problem was that he would have been disappointed and sad and Timmy didn’t want to disappoint and make his father sad.
Timmy considered “losing” the permission slip or not doing his best in the tryouts. However, that would have been dishonest and Timmy was a very honest and earnest boy. Ernest was his middle name. Timothy Ernest Smith. Besides, that would have disappointed his father and as we know Timmy didn’t want to disappoint his father.
Oh well, he thought. Once the embarrassment in school had faded away and he had grown used to the black tights and the loneliness in the locker room he had come to quite like ballet and who knows, he might come to like cheerleading as well.
Comments
Cute U Turn
Hugs Doll, I had to re read that story three times before the light came on in my tiny little brain the hook or U turn you put into it. A double blind gotchu and there was no blinking red light telling me where the switch a roo was.
I'm guessing this one was written the day after your meeting with one of Putin's Generals? And how many secrets did you steal? I'm guessing you were wearing some little black number which is legal only in the darkest of the bewitching hours at night?
Hugs Bru
Barb
Some of the deadlyest creatures are one's who look the most beautiful, wearing high heels.
Oklahoma born and raised cowgirl
Kanga with the bright red nose?
Kanga and baby Roo don't have red noses. At least not the last time I read the Winnie-the-Pooh books. So no red blinking light for the switch a roo.
An LBD only fit for darknet?
Why bother with Russian generals? They have no idea what they are doing.
Besides I very seldom come across generals (only two of them). Admirals is another matter (four from three continents).
Don't know why...
... but this reminded me of "Sudden Russian Death Syndrome".
-- Daphne Xu
The danger of being too close to a window high up
was well-known already in Soviet times.
Even more common
In the days of Putin. Either the window or Novichok. Your choice.
Samantha
Tcht-tcht-tcht
Pushing your son into trying out for things you could never do as a child -- ballet, cheerleading, etc. That's a no-no.
Of course, the man's role in cheerleading these days requires the kind of muscle and timing that would put a football-player to shame.
-- Daphne Xu
Timmy agrees
That's why he decided to break the chain.
In father's defense Timmy has been playing along and not told Father he might not want the same as Father. Timmy is just too nice a kid and doesn't want to make Father sad.
Hopefully he and his bestest friend in the whole world will both make the team. Then he will have a friend there. Actually, Timmy met Betty in ballet class.
Two Minds Different Conclusion
Daphine my pet, the grandfather and father were both football players who never really made it. His father signed the permission slip for Timmy to play football. Ballet or cheerleader or dancing.was Timmy's choice or possible choices.
"Timmy considered “losing” the permission slip or not doing his best in the tryouts."
Don't know how they do it across the pond but long ago in the dark ages back when Hector was still a puppy, there was no permission needed for ballet, dancing, or cheerleader. Everyone could try and the best went on and the rest were either reserve, pep squad, and still allowed to practice.
Hugs Daphne
Barb
When looking back at the life road we traveled it should be, "Woo Hoo, that was a heck of a ride."
Oklahoma born and raised cowgirl
Oops, I did it again
Another Americana slip ;)
Following your own path
Is never easy but always necessary.