Mouse

chapter Thirty

My heart was in my mouth as I stood below, watching Ricardo up high on the trapeze practising his attempted triple somersault in the air, before being caught by my cousin Alex swinging from the other trapeze opposite him.

They had been continually going over it these past few weeks.

Ricardo was safely harnessed up, and of course there was the safety net below, so if the attempts failed as they had done quite a few times, he was fine physically; although mentally he got frustrated with himself.

But that didn't stop him from getting back up and trying it again, determined to overcome the failures and perfect his next attempt. Encouraged by his father and Alex to keep going.

His perseverance and dedication was starting to pay off, as the more times they went over the stunt, Ricardo became more confident and was able to achieve the end results he wanted. So much so, he decided to drop the harness and be content with just the safety net below him

Even though he managed to get through the somersault more times now than failing, the few times it didn't work out and he fell into the safety net, I felt my whole body shuddering at the thought of the horrible disaster that could happen.

But finally they decided to take a break to recoup for a while, and I took the opportunity to go over and hand Ricardo his bottle of water, knowing he would probably be needing it. But it was also a good excuse for me to make sure for myself that he was alright.

He was a little breathless as I handed him the bottle, but he still manage to mutter his thanks before taking a drink

"I reckon we have almost nailed it, I think by next week we will be able to include it in the live performance," he then said glancing at me as I stood beside him,

"Oh," was all I manage to reply, trying to hide my anxiety at the prospect

"Well that sounded very encouraging and enthusiastic," he remarked dryly

"I am sorry, I was just thinking perhaps it's a bit too soon. But then I guess you would know better than me, when you are ready," I relented

"Yeah I would," he agreed curtly taking another drink from the bottle, "I am glad you realise that"

"You know me, I just worry a too much," I then tried to placate him

"Really? I hadn't noticed," he retorted good humouredly, looking around to meet his slightly amused gaze, I couldn't help giggling.

It seem to relax the slight tension between us

"You know you don't have to come and watch me rehearse if it makes you uneasy," he then said, in not an unkind tone, "I don't mind if you stay away, if it is all too much for you. In fact it would probably be easier for me, not seeing that petrified look on your face every time I land in the net," he confessed with a grin

I felt my face heat up guiltily. I hadn't been aware he had noticed me watching him so keenly, and that my expression had been so obvious.

"I'm sorry, its not that I don't want you to succeed in doing this.. I guess I just don't understand why you feel you have to prove yourself, especially when you have made such great progress from the car accident, and there is the risk that this stunt could undo all that," I tried to explain,

"Is it really worth it?" I turned to look at him questioningly now

He eyed me back thoughtfully, digesting my question carefully, before answering

"Yes actually, I think it is," he finally replied, and took another drink from the bottle, before speaking again in a casual tone,

"Did you know your mother could have been a great Trapeze artiste?"