Finding Home

by Kingsbury, Karen

  Ashley bounced a little. She was better than fine. This foam pit was wonderful. Way more fun than the beam. She rolled onto her back and then onto her front and bounced some more. This was nothing like the green lava back at her house.

  Coach Beth walked closer. “Ashley…” She smiled, but it didn’t reach her voice. “We don’t play in the pit. Please make your way back to the mat.”

  “Can I try again?” Ashley hurried out of the foam rubber. “Please?”

  The coach hesitated. “Sure. One more time.”

  Ashley still had elephant feet as she moved onto the beam. But this time she didn’t care. And halfway across when she started to wobble, she did a little burst with her feet and flew into the air before her whole body fell against the foam pieces. This was like being on a trampoline. Only better.

  She quickly sat up and looked at the coach. “Sorry.” She couldn’t admit that falling was better than walking on the beam. “Apparently I’m not very good at this activity.”

  “I see that.” Coach Beth directed Ashley out of the pit. Then she patted Ashley’s shoulder. “You’ll get better.”

  Finally it was time for cartwheels. Ashley felt the stomach butterflies tumbling around again. If only she could remember how it felt to cartwheel across the lake. Luke had told her later that her form had been perfect that time.

  The girls found their spots on the mat. Marsha gave her a thumbs-up. “You got this!”

  Ashley nodded. She watched Coach Beth demonstrate a perfect cartwheel. Almost like she was a cartwheel machine.

  “Okay,” Ashley told herself. She put her arms straight up. “Here I go.” She hurled her body to the ground, but this time was even worse than on the grass at the lake. Her arms crumpled and she fell straight down. Her face broke her fall. “Ugh.” She sat up and squinted a few times. Once more she looked at Coach Beth. “I’m okay! Again! Really!”

  The other girls didn’t seem to notice, which was the best news.

  Ashley raised her hands high again. She would get it right. She really would. A few running steps and then she threw herself to the mat. This time she landed hard on her side. Thwap! Her breathing wasn’t quite normal for a little bit.

  “Let me show you.” Coach Beth walked up and helped Ashley to her feet. She put her hands firm around Ashley’s arms. “Lock your elbows. Pretend your arms are pieces of wood. Then really push yourself over.”

  Pieces of wood! Yes, that would be better. Until now her arms had behaved more like pieces of spaghetti. Ashley stood and lifted her arms over her head, stiff and straight.

  Before going, Coach Beth checked Ashley’s elbows. “Perfect. Just like that.”

  Ashley took some more steps and this time when she threw herself down, her strong arms caught her! Like they were actual pieces of wood! And before she knew it, her body followed all the way around.

  She had done it! A professional cartwheel on the mat!

  “See!” Coach Beth clapped and gave Ashley a high five. Then she moved on to help another girl.

  Ashley stood tall and raised both hands again. She had done it! And now she could picture herself getting a medal. Being the best cartwheeler in the universe. She tried it again and again, and each time her move felt better. More graceful.

  Like a hummingbird.

  Ashley loved this. Gymnastics was her new most favorite sport!

  Especially cartwheels.

  Marsha ran over and hugged her. “You did it! I knew you could.”

  Her breathing was fast because of so many cartwheels in a row, so Ashley put her hands on her knees and rested. She smiled up at Marsha. “I prayed all week that I could do a cartwheel today.”

  Marsha smiled. “I guess it worked!”

  “Yeah.” Ashley had her breath back. She stood a little taller.

  Marsha zipped her hoodie and pointed to the lobby. Both their moms were watching and waiting. “Let’s cartwheel our way to the door.”

  After three cartwheels, Ashley stood and ran to her mom. “I did it!”

  “I can see that!” Mom kissed the top of her head. “I’ve been watching!”

  On their way out, Coach Beth called to Ashley. “You’re going to be a very good gymnast, Ashley!” She waved at her. “See you next week.”

  “Thanks!” Ashley grinned at her coach and then her mother. She picked up her bag and skipped out the door. When she and her mom got back to the house, Ashley rushed to the table, pulled out her sketchbook, and started to draw. Her hand flew across the page and she giggled as she drew. She blew off the eraser shavings and surveyed her work. There. Just like she’d pictured. Herself in the pink leotard. On a podium with a medal. Then she remembered one last touch. A crown.

  Because she really was a cartwheel queen, after all.

  13 The Tangle

  ASHLEY

  The octopus report turned out to be more fun than Ashley expected. So many legs and such a funny face. Definitely one of the most interesting animals ever.

  Note cards with facts about the octopus lay scattered across Ashley’s desk. Also the sketch she had done of the seven-legged octopus. Suddenly a question popped into her head and she shot her hand up.

  “Yes, Ashley?” Mr. Garrett walked up to her. “Do you need help?”

  “Okay.” Ashley sent a quick look at her notes and then back to the teacher. “I was thinking how fish travel in schools and dolphins in pods.” She grinned. “Something I learned in this class, by the way. Thank you for that.”

  Mr. Garrett laughed. “You’re welcome.”

  She made her best curious face. “What about octopuses?” Enthusiasm filled her voice. “I’m thinking they should be called a ‘tangle.’ ”

  The other kids were working on their projects, but now most of them looked up. All except Natalie, who minded her own business. A few kids giggled.

  “What?” Ashley stared at them “It’s true.” She turned back to Mr. Garrett. “You know, because that many octopuses with all those legs would probably become a giant tangle in no time. Especially after a game of kickball or something. Whew! What a mess.”

  Her teacher pushed his lips together. Like he was trying hard to be serious. “Actually, there is no name for a group of octopuses. They are solitary creatures, usually found by themselves.”

  Ashley blinked. “Oh. So not a tangle.” She felt the wind leave her sails as she erased Tangle from her note card. “Okay.” She could still feel her classmates watching. Stop staring, she wanted to say. Nothing to see here.

  Gradually the other kids returned to their work and Ashley focused on her notes. No wonder Mr. Garrett had assigned her the octopus.

  Besides Natalie, Ashley was the most solitary creature in fifth grade.

  * * *

  School was almost over and Ashley was returning a bottle of glue to the art station when Elliot walked up. “Ashley.” He was chewing a really big piece of gum. “Take me to your leader!” He held his hands out and made a clicking sound with his mouth, like he had so often.

  Sometimes Elliot left her speechless. “I have no words, Elliot.” She couldn’t stop staring at his gum. Elliot had braces, so the gum sort of dangled near his lips while he chewed it. An idea hit her. “Actually I have a word. One of our spelling words for the week.” Ashley stood a little straighter. “Anomaly.” She nodded. “That’s my word for you, Elliot.”

  “Something different from the normal and expected! Anomaly.” He grinned. “I love this week’s words.” He raised his pointer finger. “And you know what? This one time”—he slid his glasses up closer to his eyes—“I got a squid from a fishing store and it inked all over me. Which was also an anomaly.” His eyes got wide. “Because I really liked that squid.”

  Why would he tell her that? Ashley made a face. “Sounds messy.”

  “It was. But in the greatest way.” His gum almost fell out of his mouth, but he caught it and shoved it back in.

  “You know, Elliot, you really shouldn’t be chewing gum in class. It’s not
allowed. If Mr. Garrett saw, you’d be in big trouble.” Ashley looked at the wad of gum that Elliot worked through his teeth.

  “He doesn’t care.” Elliot rolled his eyes. “I never get in trouble for chewing gum.”

  At this point, Ashley was desperate to get back to her desk. “So… hey, I gotta go.”

  “Wait.” Elliot stepped in front of her. “I have a model spaceship at home. Did you know that?”

  Ashley sighed. Where was this going? “That’s nice.” She waited. Maybe if she gave him some time he would make a point. Patience was a good skill, after all.

  “Okay, well…” He laughed and the sound turned into a snort. “Bye, Ashley!” His wave was a little too aggressive. “Hope the rest of your day is perfect!”

  But as Elliot said the word perfect the most terrible thing happened. His huge piece of slippery pink gum came barreling out of his mouth and—almost in slow motion—landed deep in Ashley’s hair. Just below her ear.

  “Oh no.” Elliot’s face looked suddenly pale. “I’m sorry. I’ll get it.”

  “That’s okay!” Ashley tried to back up, but it was too late. In a flash Elliot grabbed at the gum, but then his face looked even more concerned. “It’s… it’s stuck.”

  Ashley reached to feel it and her heart skipped a beat. His sticky wet germy gum was matted up in her hair from her ear to her chin. “I… I don’t know what to say.” She backed away. Her knees and heart were shaking.

  Real quick Elliot grabbed his backpack and started digging around. “Here!” He pulled out a pair of scissors. “I’ll cut it out!”

  Of all things. “No!” Ashley stopped him. “I’m fine. You’ve… you’ve done enough.”

  “Sorry, Ashley. Really.” Elliot looked terrible. Like he might lose his lunch. As the bell rang, he sprinted out of the classroom.

  Ashley still stood there. What was she supposed to do? She didn’t see Landon Blake until he was standing right in front of her.

  “Hi, Ashley.” He held up a photo of a sea turtle. “I wanted to show you how—”

  “I have to go.” She whipped around before he could see the gum in her hair. She raised her hand in a miniwave without looking back. “Goodbye.” She grabbed her backpack and hurried into the hall.

  Landon caught her. “Hey!” He jogged to keep up. “Why are you going so fast?”

  Ashley held her hand along the side of her face. “My mom’s waiting.” He absolutely couldn’t see the gum in her hair. Please, God, don’t let him see it.

  But Landon stayed beside her. “I just wanted to show you…” He took hold of her hand and lowered it.

  “Don’t.” Ashley jerked her hand back. She stopped walking and faced him. “If I wanted you to see me I’d—”

  Before she could finish, Landon did a sudden gasp. “Ashley.” He pointed to the gum side of her hair. “You… you have…”

  “I know.” Ashley folded her arms and stared at Landon. “I don’t exactly want the whole world to see this newest bad situation. Someone accidentally…” She paused. “You know what? It doesn’t matter.”

  “It was Elliot! I saw him talking to you.” Landon brought his hand to her hair and then changed his mind. “You’re not going to get that out.”

  “Thank you.” Ashley gave him a look. “I sort of figured that.”

  Landon studied her. “But you’ll still look pretty with short hair. So don’t worry.”

  “Short hair!” Never mind the part about being pretty. Now she was really angry. “For your information, I’ve always had long hair. A piece of gum doesn’t mean short hair!”

  The expression on Landon’s face told her he had his doubts. “Okay.” He couldn’t take his eyes off the smashed gum. A smile came up his face. He looked right at her. “I will say… now that’s a tangle.”

  Ashley stared at him. “You think you’re so funny, Landon.”

  “Actually”—he chuckled—“I think you’re so funny.”

  Something about the way he said that made Ashley laugh, too.

  They reached the front steps of the school and Ashley saw her mom waiting in the van. She didn’t want another person to spot her hair crisis. “I have to go.” Another giggle came from her. Because that tangle line really was funny.

  “Okay. See ya, Ashley.” Landon turned and walked down the sidewalk toward the buses.

  How could someone be both annoying and funny at the same time? She might have to process that one later. Two more boys from her class were walking her way. Ashley raced for the van. The second she was buckled in, she slammed the door and turned to her mom. “Go! Please, Mom.” Panic pounded in Ashley’s heart. “Drive!”

  “Hello to you, too.” Mom sounded caught off guard. “What’s wrong? We need to wait for your siblings.”

  Ashley flipped down the visor and stared at herself. “I can’t wait.” The longest whimper came from her. “I’m destroyed again. Ruined.” She turned to her mother. “Look at me!”

  “Ashley!” Mom stared at her. Disbelief colored her eyes. “I… I’ve never seen so much gum.”

  Ashley’s hands came up over her face and stayed there. “I know.” Her words came muffled through the cracks between her fingers. “I need a bag.” She peered over her fingertips. “For my head.” She blinked. “And I hate scissors near my face. As you know, Mother. From past experience.”

  Kari and Erin and Luke made it to the van so finally they could drive away. The other three were too busy talking to notice the gum disaster.

  Mom had definitely not recovered from the gum hair news. Her eyes had a glazed look of shock. Which was saying something, because her mother didn’t get shocked easily. Not with Ashley, anyway.

  She dropped the other kids off and she turned to Ashley. “I’ll ask Brooke to be in charge.”

  Ashley waited, her fingers covering the sticky mess. First Kari with the hairbrush, and now this. What was it about long hair? When Mom came back to the van, she stared at Ashley. “What happened to you?”

  This was an awful situation. “I’m in a not funny television comedy.” Ashley closed her eyes for a few seconds. “The most perplexing situation. My show is about a boy spitting gum straight into my hair. And I don’t know what to do about it.”

  A small laugh came from her mother. “You mean you’re in a quandary?”

  Ashley sighed. She still couldn’t get all her spelling words right. “That’s what I meant. Quandary.” She peeked at her mom. “It’s our spelling word today. Comedy… quandary. Whatever.” She remembered Landon’s comment about her hair being a tangle. “Actually, Mother, in this case, I think comedy maybe works, too.”

  Her mom bit her lip. “Sweetheart. It doesn’t look that bad.” She glanced over. “We’ll get it out.”

  “How?” Ashley held the tangled-up hair in the air. “How are you going to get this out?”

  Mom cleared her throat. “I’ll take you to the hairdresser. She might have a few tricks.” She paused. “If nothing else, she can cut it out.”

  Ashley patted her mom’s hand. “Mother. Scissors next to my head is a very uncomfortable and scary moment.”

  “Not if you sit still.” Mom drove the van toward town again. “But let’s ask her to try some other things.”

  Mom parked the car at the hair place and looked again at the matted gum spot. “Poor girl.”

  Mom was right. Ashley covered her face again. This was the poorest day of fifth grade. Even worse than her famous mud day disaster. They had barely sat down when a girl in a white coat called her name.

  “Ashley Baxter?” The girl seemed to be in high school. And she had spiky hair, which wasn’t a very confident sign of Ashley keeping hers long.

  “Give her a chance,” Mom whispered to her. “It’s her job to help people.”

  “Hmm.” That sounded nice. Ashley could feel her hands shaking, but maybe if she thought about the hair-cutter girl as being helpful, this would go better.

  With one hand covering her gum hair, Ashley walked with the
girl back to a spinny chair. She sat down, her hand still in place. “Hello.” Her smile felt as shaky as her arms and legs. “I need special help today.”

  “Perfect.” The hairdresser lady grinned. “I’m Amber.” She looked at Ashley’s hand, still covering the gum situation. “Is… something wrong with your hair?”

  “Yes.” With no option left, Ashley moved her hand, and after a few seconds she dared to look at herself. The massive mess seemed to have doubled in size since the last time she looked. “Gum was fired into my hair from someone’s mouth. And now…” She held up the ends of that chunk. “Now this.”

  “Hmm.” Amber studied the problem. “Someone was chewing that much gum?”

  “You have to know the kid.” Ashley sank back in the chair.

  “Well… let’s see what we can do.” Amber draped a plastic cloak over Ashley.

  Mom stood nearby. “I was thinking maybe peanut butter. Or ice.”

  “Exactly.” Amber smiled. “I keep some around for this very reason.” She stepped away. “I’ll be right back.”

  Apparently Ashley wasn’t the only girl to have a gum disaster. But after ten minutes of trying ice and peanut butter in that order, Ashley was only cold and wet and messy.

  “Well. We might have to try scissors,” Amber said. “I’ll only cut a little.”

  Ashley’s mother came closer and put her hand on Ashley’s shoulder. “It’ll be okay.”

  No, it wouldn’t. But Ashley didn’t say the words. What choice did she have? All she could do was watch Amber comb all her good hair to one side. Every piece that wasn’t matted with gum.

  The hair-cutter girl stepped back and did a thinking-type frown. “This is tricky.”

  Exactly, Ashley wanted to say. But she stayed quiet so Amber could figure out how to fix it.

  “I can cut the gum out.” The girl touched the matted side of Ashley’s hair. She looked up. “But once I blend everything, your hair will be a lot shorter.”