Read My Life as a Stuntboy Online
Authors: Janet Tashjian
My Life as a Stuntboy (20 page)
“Ready!” I answer.
shudders
We head back to our marks as the production assistant says, “Scene 52, take 9.”
When Collette calls “action!” I hop on my board and aim for the space between the first two cones. With Tony right behind me, I zigzag through the conesâleft, right, left, rightâuntil I get to the end. I kick up my board and do the highest nollie hardflip I've ever done.
I don't think I knocked over any cones but can't turn around to check because the cameras are still rolling, and catching my face on film instead of Tanya's would ruin the take. I wait
until Collette says “cut!” before I look back up the hill.
until Collette says “cut!” before I look back up the hill.
I see only two rows of orange cones perfectly in place.
Collette nods in approval, and the crew applauds. “Pretty nice there, dude. You think you can do it one more time for backup?”
I look up the hill to Matt and Carly, both beaming with pride. I toss back the long hair of my wig and tell Collette I could make that run all day long.
“All I need is one,” she says, “but thanks anyway.”
As Tony and I walk back up to our marks, I see Tanya waving. I hurry toward her to say good-bye in person, but she's already turned the corner toward her trailer. Easy come, easy go.
As if she can tell what I'm feeling, Carly comes over and tells me I did a great job. I look up to Matt, who gives me a thumbs-up, then I jump on my board to take my final run of the film.
Â
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deposits
When Ronnie deposits me at home, both Mom and Dad are waiting in the kitchen. Frank's cage is nowhere to be found.
“Where's Frank?” I ask.
“He's next door with one of the interns,” Mom answers.
“I was surprised to come home from a meeting to find Jamie in the kitchen with our monkey,” Dad says.
“It took a bit of convincing to get him to spill the beans.”
“It took a bit of convincing to get him to spill the beans.”
My mother's arms are crossed while she waits for my response.
“I wasn't going to hide it from you. I want to tell you everything.” I take a seat and update them on the afternoon's events. I even admit it took me nine takes to run the slalom.
My father tells me he's glad I told the truth, but my mother remains silent. When she finally speaks, I hold my breath in anticipation.
“We have to tell the woman from the training organization,” she says.
“But for once, it wasn't my fault!” I say. “I don't want to lose Frank because Swifty messed up.”
“Breaking into someone's house and stealing are real offenses,” Dad adds. “I'll be calling Swifty's parents tonight.”
Sympathetic
When I jump out of my chair, Bodi jumps up too. I bend down and comfort him before approaching Mom.
“Do we have to tell the people from the monkey place? Isn't it enough that I got Frank back here safe
and
finished my work in the movie?”
and
finished my work in the movie?”
Mom's arms are still crossed, but her eyes look sympathetic. “I think it's best if we're honest with them, don't you?”
“Even if it means losing Frank?” I ask.
“Even if it means losing Frank.” She tousles my hair the way she's always done. “Do you want to come
to the office? I know a certain monkey who'll be happy to see you.”
to the office? I know a certain monkey who'll be happy to see you.”
Before she even finishes the sentence, I'm out the door.
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Squirming
I sneak into school the next morning, horrified that I might run into Swifty. He and his parents came over last night, and his father made Swifty apologize to my parents, then to me. I've had to say I'm sorry to dozens of parents over the years, but it gave me no pleasure to watch Swifty squirming in his seat.
It might've been my imagination,
but I thought I saw something in Swifty's eyes that I interpreted as
I'll get you for this.
My mother insisted Swifty's apology was sincere and not to assume the worst. Even so, I'm not taking any chances nowâalthough I feel pretty stupid slinking down the hall behind Ms. Myers and her library cart.
but I thought I saw something in Swifty's eyes that I interpreted as
I'll get you for this.
My mother insisted Swifty's apology was sincere and not to assume the worst. Even so, I'm not taking any chances nowâalthough I feel pretty stupid slinking down the hall behind Ms. Myers and her library cart.
“You still owe me a book, Derek,” she whispers to me as I crouch down the hall.
I tell her I'm almost finishedâwhich is an outright lieâthen dash into the art room.
I make it through my first two classes by keeping my head down, but when I get out of English, Swifty's waiting by the door.
“Last night was pretty humiliating,” he says.
ballistic
He's almost a head taller than I am, but I gather up enough courage to respond. “You probably should've thought about the consequences before you kidnapped Frank.”
“My mom went ballistic,” Swifty continues. “She took all my video games, and I'm grounded for a month.”
I shrug. “Sounds like a reasonable sentence for the crime.”
Surprisingly, he agrees with me. “She told me your parents could've called the police. I'm glad they didn't. What I really feel bad about is that you could lose Frank,” Swifty says. “I hope they let you keep him.”
“Considering it wasn't my fault,” I add.
“Considering it wasn't your fault,” he repeats.
I leave him standing in the hall alone and head to my next class.
I'm shocked when Ms. McCoddle calls Maria to the front of the room to present her report. These past few weeks have been a blur, and I completely forgot our book reports were due. I look over to Matt and Carly, who both have theirs. The last thing I want to do is have Ms. McCoddle hold me up as an example of a kid who thinks he's got more important things to do than hand in his work. (I
did
have more important things to do but still ⦠.)
did
have more important things to do but still ⦠.)
Matt notices my predicament and raises his hand when Maria finishes reading. “I don't understand the conflict you talked about in that book. Can you explain that again?”
As soon as Maria answers his question, Carly raises her hand too. “Have you read any of the author's other books?” Carly asks. “How did this one compare?”
predicament
conflict
Maria leans against the whiteboard and discusses a few of the author's other books. I look up to see if Ms. McCoddle is suspicious that they're stretching the assignment out, but she nods and asks questions of her own. When Maria sits down, Carly volunteers to go next, and after that Matt does too. Before you know it, the bell rings and class is over.
“You guys are the best,” I whisper to Matt and Carly as we gather our things. “I haven't even finished the book yet. You totally bailed me.”
“It's the least we can do after you brought us to a movie set,” Matt says.
“And let us hang out with Tanya Billings,” Carly adds.
As we're leaving the room, Ms. McCoddle calls out to us from her desk. “Just because I taught you three in kindergarten doesn't mean you can pull the wool over my eyes now. I expect you to be fully prepared on Monday, Derek. Got it?”
“Got it.”
The three of us hurry down the hall. I'm not worried about how much reading I have to do this weekend or how Ms. McCoddle deciphered our plan. For a minute, I'm not even worried about my meeting with the woman from the monkey organization tonight. All I'm thinking about right now is how great it is to have friends who've got your back when you need it.
deciphered
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