by Jen Malone
Elise began trembling even before she finished reading
her older brother's desperate text message about his son's
birthday party. The friend that Jonathan had asked to
perform as a clown at his six-year-old son Sammy's party
had just cancelled.
a
"I don't have anyone else to ask, sis. You know how
much Sammy loves clowns. Can't you do this for your
nephew, just this once?" he wrote.
Elise sympathized with her brother, a single parent, but
despite the significant age gap between them, Jonathon
should know that she was too bashful to be a performer.
Would love to see Elise participate more in class, her
teachers always said. The thought of projecting her voice
on stage, even if the "stage" was the apartment complex's
community room, made Elise's stomach somersault.
She silently compelled herself to find a solution, any
solution. Her teachers had also said she was inventive.
When the perfect answer presented itself, she smiled.
Why does Elise feel uncertain
about her brother's asking her
to be a clown at Sammy's
birthday party?
She misses seeing her nephew but is
excited about new opportunities.
She feels nervous about performing
but wants to help her brother.
She is confused about the need for a
clown but happy for Sammy.
