beautiful, serious, and as deeply in love with dance as I am;
Jim with his hands in his pockets, a teasing look in his eyes,
a cheerful glow lighting his face.
Jim, who’s traveled the world and still finds me special.
Chandra sings, “Veda’s in love with two men.
Who’s she going to pick?
Veda’s in love with two men. With whom will she stick?”
I ball up a tissue and toss it at her face.
BOLDER
“Look at you walk,”
Jim says. “Can hardly tell you’re wearing a prosthesis.
I’m so proud of you.
How’s the dance coming?”
“I love the spring in my new foot and
how much flexibility this leg gives my knee.
But I still can’t do the full-sitting pose easily.”
I sink as low as I can, knees out sideways,
legs almost folded in two,
showing him how hard it is to keep my balance.
Then I assume the lunge position:
one leg straight back, toes on the ground,
the other forward, bent at the knee,
torso straight.
“Can’t leap into this lunge position the way I’m supposed to.
Can’t do any exercise involving it without falling.”
“Not yet,” Jim says. “Does the leg pinch? Rub your skin sore?”
“No, but I tire too easily.”
“Veda, you’ll build up stamina. Faster than you think.”
Jim shows me squats to strengthen my left leg.
Exercises to help me work toward the poses I find difficult.
We spend more time together than usual.
He looks up at the clock and whistles.
“We need to stop, kiddo.”
Jim runs his rough fingers through his hair
and stares at his poster-filled wall.
His eyes dim.
He looks lonely.
Lost and lonely, like a stray puppy on the street.
Not the easygoing Jim who jokes with me.
“Something wrong?” I wish I could help him.
Wish I could be part of his life outside this room
as a true friend would be.
“Just feeling a bit blue, kiddo.
I need to make some big decisions soon.”
I blabber, “Maybe you need a cup of coffee? And some cake?
There’s a nice café quite nearby—Java Joy.
Going there usually cheers up my friend Chandra.”
“Good idea. Maybe I’ll go there later.
Enjoy that leg until we meet again, okay?”
He turns to his computer.
I wasn’t recommending he go there on his own.
Didn’t he realize I was inviting him to go there
with me?
I take a deep breath.