Kevin started to smile and began speaking really fast. “You can watch, there are always parents and brothers and sisters watching. Mom usually brings me and sticks around but she can’t today because she’s getting ready for the trip.” And then his face dropped and he just said, “Oh…”
“What’s the matter?” Terri asked
“Adults have to sign in and write how they are related to the gymnasts. They don’t want pervs watching the little kids doing gymnastics.”
“So?” I asked.
“We’re not related,” he answered. “You’d have to put you were my babysitter and I’m fifteen. I don’t want people to know I have a babysitter.”
“Well, I could say I’m your cousin. It might be true, my mom’s maiden name is O’Neal. She spells it differently, but you never know. So, we’ll tell everyone that I’m your cousin and I’m staying with you for the summer to save some money until I leave for med school. How’s that sound?”
He brightened up, “That sound great, Cousin Carrie!”
“Just ‘Carrie’ if you don’t mind. ‘Cousin Carrie’ sounds like something out of a horror novel.”
We hammered out plans for what we’d do after gymnastics – lunch, a movie, and then home – and about 20 minutes later were on our way to the gymnastics studio in Terri’s Mercedes two-seater, which I’d get to use for the whole summer. You can’t say this job didn’t have perks.
Kevin hopped out of the car and grabbed my hand and practically dragged me to the front door. A group of moms were standing around after signing in and a boy about my age came over to us and said, “Hi Kevin, who’s your friend?
“Hey Tom, this is my cousin Carrie. Is it okay if she watches practice?” Kevin responded.
“Of course it is. Let me get her full name.” Then he turned to me and said, “Hi, Carrie. My name’s Tom. I’m the assistant coach. Could I get your full name?”
“Carolyn Sullivan,” I replied.
“Relationship to Kevin?”
“Cousin.”
“Cell phone number?”
“Nice try,” I laughed.
“You can’t blame a guy for trying. Kevin, we’re starting with floor exercises. Go warm up and then come over to the left mat. I want you to show some of the stuff we worked on last time to the little guys.”