Chapter Four

The next morning, Jaime was returning to her trailer after breakfast - which was surprisingly not bad for a portable kitchen - when she sensed, rather than heard, the soft, hesitant footsteps behind her. She turned and smiled. "Hi, Melina," she said to the very shy child who'd been following behind her.

"Good morning. Could - can I...talk to you?"

"Of course, Sweetie," she answered, opening her trailer door. "C'mon in."

"You - you're really nice, Jana. And I - I'm sorry. I lied to you yesterday. My mom - she's not...she's not really missing. She's dead."

"Oh, Melina, I'm so sorry. Do you wanna tell me about it?"

"She jumped off a bridge, the night my father was killed. I - I tried to stop her, but I just couldn't. I wanted to jump in with her, but, well, I didn't have the courage. You - you're the only one I've told this to. Lou doesn't even know."

"Why? I'm sure he'd help you; he's helped you so far, hasn't he?"

"I am afraid if he knew I had no parents, I would have to go home, to the orphanage in Russia. I - I would die there, Jana. It's such an awful place. I should've jumped when she did!"

"No, Sweetie, don't say that. Don't even think it," Jaime said, holding the girl's hand. "There has to be another option. I'll look into it for you, ok?"

Melina nodded, her eyes wide. "You are so kind. Thank you."

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Jaime found Lou, as usual, under the Big Top. This time, he was watching the cats and their handlers practicing together. "Daisy seems extra cranky today," he noted. Let's pull her out, give her the day off. Don't want anyone getting hurt. Jana! Hi - what can I do for you?"

"Do you have a few minutes?"

"Of course. Let's go up in the seats." They chose a spot on the upper edge of the more expensive, comfortable seats. "Ready for your big debut?" he asked.

"I'm so excited. Been grounded too long. I've really missed it." She tried to sound as though she didn't dread it more than having all her teeth removed without anesthesia. "Lou, I was wondering, did you know Melina's parents?"

"Not personally, no. Her father was killed six months ago, in March, and I got here the end of April. Melina claims her mother is still hiding somewhere in the circus, but I really doubt it."

"Yeah," Jaime agreed, "you know every inch of this operation, don't you?"

"Yup. If she was here, I'd know it."

"Do you suppose she could be dead?"

Lou shrugged. "I've wondered that myself, but I guess we'll never know."

"She just seems so sad. I wish it was possible to give her some kind of closure."

"Yeah, well, she's got a family here, with us," Lou replied. "So at least she's not all alone in the world. Oh - one of the roustabouts has your costume for ya - he'll hang it on the doorknob of your trailer."

"Thanks, Lou."

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Boffo the Clown was admiring the costume when Jaime returned to her trailer. "Put your eyeballs back in your head, Boffo," she said lightly.

"You should try it on, you know - make sure it fits."

"I'm sure it fits fine. And you are incorrigible."

"Proud of it, too. Listen, a bunch of us are heading into town to drum up business. You need anything?"

"No thanks."

"Anything you want me to tell Oscar?" he said, more softly.

"Tell him I can't wait to see him again, to thank him for this wonderful opportunity."

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Jaime decided to return to the tent for one more practice session. Her mechanic, the one who would raise her to the platform once she was in a harness, wasn't there, but Lou stepped forward. "Need a lift?"

"Thanks. Thought I'd get in a little extra wire time, just for fun."

"Well, go ahead and get in the harness; I'll help ya out."

"Hey - is it ok if I leave my pole up there on the platform?"

"That's your wire; you do whatever makes you feel comfortable."

"Cool. Thanks."

Once she was up on the platform, Jaime noticed she was much less nervous than she'd been in previous sessions. She did a little hop-skip onto the wire, turned 360 degrees and actually felt brave enough to let her feet leave the wire and jump, just slightly, into the air. Damn, I'm good at this, she thought to herself, jumping again and turning halfway before landing back on the wire. This is kinda fun!

Down in rings one and three, the clowns were rehearsing and she saw Steve looking up, watching her, so she gave him a wink and did her little jump-turn once more. "I'm impressed," he whispered to her. "Just don't get so cocky that you break your neck."

Don't worry, she answered, in her head, I've actually grown attached to it over the years.

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Figuring that turnabout was fair play, once she was down from the wire, Jaime took a seat to watch the clown troupe going through its paces. Boffo pulled a balloon from his front pocket, blew it up and twisted it into something that almost resembled a flower, then bowed gallantly and handed it to Jaime, who blew him a kiss and left the tent smiling.

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