Jitters
This was posted for the Slice of Life Challenge hosted by Two Writing Teachers. It was originally on my Tumblr account, but I'm moving it here so it's all together! (3/28)
Anxiously pacing, I wonder about what could go wrong. Did we practice enough? Will the audience laugh in the right spots? Laugh at all?
Frantically, I make one last check of our “set”. Desks are rearranged to allow for the maximum amount of stage space. Chairs are in place for our honored guests. Did I forget anything? Only time will tell.
Students arrive, chirping brightly.
Strained smiles, shaking hands.
Silly giggles.
I take a moment for a few reminders, before our audience arrives.
“Be sure to pause briefly when they laugh, so they don’t miss your lines.”
“Speak up, don’t go too fast.”
Frantically, I make one last check of our “set”. Desks are rearranged to allow for the maximum amount of stage space. Chairs are in place for our honored guests. Did I forget anything? Only time will tell.
Students arrive, chirping brightly.
Strained smiles, shaking hands.
Silly giggles.
I take a moment for a few reminders, before our audience arrives.
“Be sure to pause briefly when they laugh, so they don’t miss your lines.”
“Speak up, don’t go too fast.”
Hands fly up, last minute questions.
“What if I forget my line?”
“Is my mom coming?”
“Can I use the restroom?”
“I don’t know, can you?”
“MAY I use the restroom?”
Parents are the first to arrive. Quietly, they take their seats along the perimeter of the room. First graders file into the classroom and plop down, “crisscross applesauce”, on the floor. Younger siblings, neighbors, and friends frantically wave to their heroes on the stage.
I walk to the front of the room. Silence descends.
“Welcome to our performance. We are so excited to have you here.”
Excited.
Nervous.
All of our hard work is about to pay off.
The show begins.
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