12. Crutching

Chapter 12 Crutching I crutched into class. Everybody stared at me as I made my way to my desk. I showed all the kids how to use my crutches. I told them about my busted body. And how I'd have to miss the talent show. I didn't look at Emma when I said that part. While I let some of the other kids try my crutches, Emma came over.

"I'm really sorry about your accident," she said. "Does it hurt a lot?" "Not so much," I said. "I'm sad about the show, though." "I really wanted to dance for Mrs. Herman," Emma said. "Wait a minute, Emma," I said. "Just because I can't dance doesn't mean that you shouldn't." Emma sighed. "How can I be a dancing elephant and a dancing mouse? It will look silly." "No it won't!" I said. I felt pretty bad. I never thought that my crutches would keep Emma from dancing. And I knew how much she liked Mrs. Herman. "Come on, Emma," I said. "You can do it!" "I guess I could just dance the mouse part," Emma said.

"That's great!" I said. "I mean—you'll be great!" Emma looked at me a long time. She has black, smart eyes. They're the kind of eyes that can see inside you. Just like a doctor with an X-ray machine. By afternoon time, I was kind of tired of those crutches. After a while with those pokey sticks, your armpits get awfully sore. It took me a long time to crutch to the talent show in the auditorium. Right in front of the stage there was a big table with flowers and cookies on it. Mrs. Herman was sitting there.

"My goodness, Roscoe," she said as I crutched past. "What on earth happened to you?" "I busted my body," I said. Mrs. Herman gave me a gentle hug. "You watch yourself, you old rascal." I nodded. I didn't know what to say.

It felt like a cheating hug I didn't really deserve. "You watch your old rascal self too," I said at last. Ms. Diz showed us the row of chairs where our class was going to sit. "Those of you who are going to be in the talent show, follow me backstage," she said. Thomas and Coco and Emma started to go. Thomas was going to whistle "Skip to My Lou" on his skateboard. And Coco was going to sing a Raffi song.

Coco does not sing very in tune. But she makes up for it with loudness. I started to follow Emma backstage. "Roscoe," said Ms. Diz. "You can stay here, since you're not going to be dancing." "But what if Emma gets nervous or something?" I asked. "All right, then." Ms. Diz waved for me to come along. Slowly I crutched my way up to the stage. Behind the giant red curtain, lots of kids were warming up for their acts. Emma tied on her tap shoes. She'd brought mine along too. "They were in your cubby," she said. "I don't know why I brought them. Guess I was hoping for a miracle cure."