Chapter 3:

A Father-Daughter Bonding

A few weeks have passed since the Pan Global Games concluded for the year. Over the course of time, I endured a series of drills that took an excessive toll on my body. When it came time for the actual event, I managed to gather the knowledge I've learned into good use. While the measure of effort paid off, my tenure as a gymnast would come to an abrupt halt. There was more to the end result than a simple fractured ankle. The amount of pressure I experienced working with my coach devoured a good portion of my burning desire – the desire to continue showcasing what I enjoyed the most doing not only as a gymnast, but an overall athlete. All of that was stripped away that fateful day. I tried to deny what I feared would happen. Maybe that was it. Perhaps the anticipation of fear got the better of me. The instant I hopped off the springboard, I heard the bone crack of my ankle intensify. In that case, I may be my own worst enemy.

Fortunately, I managed to make a smooth recovery. With the event out of the way, I used this time to kick back and enjoy the rest of my summer. It would be shortly before school opens, and I wanted to savor every bit of time remaining; Even if it didn't involve physical activity whatsoever.

I spent most of my day detained in my bedroom watching endless hours of television. Some of the time I flipped from station to station even checking the Prevue Channel to check out what shows were on. As the day transitioned from morning to noon, it was that time during the weekday I stumbled into the latest episode of Star Crossed Lovers. It's the most watched daytime soap opera that has viewers including myself tuning in to see the twist and turns between couples and how they manage to maintain their relationships. I continued to be glued to the screen fascinated by a scene in which two mates confess their love to one another. When the episode concluded, I turned off the TV as I got up from the sofa.

I took a glimpse at a number of books, newspapers, and magazines stocked along the book racks. I brought out a career catalog glancing through each page listed alphabetically A-Z; ranging from an archivist at a museum to a waitress working for a restaurant. My heart stroke with excitement on the potential career opportunities left in store for me. While I'm still a teenager attending school, I would spend my free time jotting down a list of things I would like to do when I graduate.

As I continued to read, it was the echoing sounds of a door knock that put my reading aside to a halt.

"The door is opened," I shouted immediately feeling the presence of my father standing behind my bedroom door.

"Listen I thought you and I could spend some father and daughter time. What do you supposed you like to go?" He asked me.

"Nothing really springs to my mind so far," I replied without even taking a moment to consider a single option. Dad sat down on the floor next to me hoping to engage in a deep conversation.

"Is everything alright? You haven't said anything since breakfast this morning." He interrogated.

I sighed. Initially, I was hesitant to open up my feelings for my father. It wasn't like I had a personal grudge against him. How would I explain about my decision to quit gymnastics?

"I just figured I have the time to myself." I shrugged. "All that excessive training these past several months has really exhausted me, so why not enjoy what I have left of the summer?"

"Which is the perfect time for the both of us to do something together," Dad chimed in.

"What exactly do you have in mind?" I asked curiously.

"Well for starters this is where you also have a say in the matter," he continued. "Have you decided on what we will eat tonight?"

I paused briefly before coming up with a response.

"I was hoping maybe we can check out that new restaurant nearby. I heard they serve some delicious cuisine," I answered. Reaching inside my blue jean pocket, I showed him a brochure of the exact diner I was discussing about.

"I've heard some of my co-employees talk about this place. We can check this place out," he said. While nodding my head, I turned my attention back to the catalog. I assumed my father was going to exit the room. As I let out a painful sigh, Dad stood by the doorway just before he had the chance to close the door behind him.

"Kat, is everything alright?" I could feel my heart pound in an instant. My father glanced at me with a suspicious sense of curiosity that left him intrigued. Based from the expression that bestowed upon my face, I knew I couldn't inhibit my emotions for very long.

"Remember when I said I needed a moment to speak with Coach Schmidt privately?" I alluded. "I told him that I wouldn't be competing at the next Pan Global Games."

My father spoke up. "But gymnastics means so much to you. I don't see how you would give up such an opportunity like that?"

"That's not all," I continued. "Going into training, I knew for sure I was confident to take part in this big time event. I poured all that hard work in my body to go out there and demonstrate what I can be capable of. At the same time, I could go so far for a moment I felt somewhat overwhelmed. There's so much expectations driven upon me, I had to ask myself, 'how long can I go to the extra mile?'"

Dad attempted to squeeze in his thoughts, but there was more for me to explain.

"When I landed on the pool the way I did, I was terrified. Not only was I drowning but my leg got so paralyzed I couldn't swim my way up from the water. I couldn't do anything to save myself." I confessed. "If paramedics didn't arrive on time, I wouldn't be here now. I wish I had told you sooner but…." I paused briefly just before I could complete my speech, "It was just hard for me to get through the day without thinking about what happened."

"I understand how hard it must be. You shouldn't give up just because of one accident," my father assured.

"I know Dad. Even when I sleep at night, I still witness the same nightmare. My heart keeps pounding so fast that I know what is going to happen next."

As I wrapped my hands across my head, I felt the embrace of my father's arms around me. A sign of comfort and an uplifting feeling of hope rose from the volcano ashes of my mind.

"Kat, you don't have to be afraid. I'll be here whenever you need me." I laid my head on his chest with his one arm tucked around my shoulder. "I've been a stunt performer for as long as you've been around. There's one instant I sprained my knee while on set to shoot a fight scene. Each day when I'm shooting between twelve to sixteen hours, I contemplated on quitting. But despite a seed of doubt, that wasn't going to stop me from doing what I enjoyed."

I closed my eyes letting the rain pour from the sorrow that dampened my face. I was emotionally vulnerable in which I couldn't continue to express them in words.

"All I'm saying is you shouldn't believe what you can't do, but what you are able to do that counts. I am very proud to have a daughter who is willing to chase her dreams no matter how many naysayers put her down," he assured.

Eventually, I embraced my father's uplifting words of wisdom. Every ounce of doubt that plagued my heart started a gradual drought. I didn't have to endure the weight of high expectations bestowed upon me. I may have lost myself in a foggy forest I thought I couldn't escape. Thankfully, I followed the echoing voice that led me out, and that trail led me back to my father.

As my emotional weariness died down, I wiped away the tear drops off the cheeks of my face. The instant my father stood back on his feet, I noticed of what resembled a photo ID sticking out from his back pocket.

"Dad, what is that in your pocket?" I asked out of curiosity. Perhaps this may explain why he really came knocking from my room.

"I was going to explain to you this when I came up here." Upon his response, he pulled out his back pocket to reveal an ID passport.

"An overseas trip to California," I mumbled. "Isn't that one of the fifty states up in America?"

Dad nodded. "I wasn't sure how to tell you about this. I received a long distance phone call from my agent. It turns out I'll have my first acting gig in California," he explained as I saw his face illuminate with joy. "Now it's only a guest appearance but it appears some folks in the States saw my demo reel I sent them. I'll understand if you don't want to travel far distance. I could turn down the offer."

"No Dad, that's great." Immediately I hugged my father to congratulate him on receiving the opportunity.

"What's going to happen to this house?" I asked. The more I looked into this scenario I began to reflect on the pros and cons. The idea of moving to a place I haven't been in would be a fascinating experience. On the other hand, that would come with the expense of leaving my home country – the birthplace where I spent my childhood growing up.

"I just got off the phone with our realtor. Right now we just need to finish filling out some documents," he answered.

"Wow, I mean it's something to think about Dad," I said. The conversation stood silent. Initially, I was ecstatic to hear my father earning a job opportunity up north. I wanted to say something but the thought of moving wasn't the first thing that came to my mind.

"If you're still on the fence about this, I understand. Family comes first. I'll just reconsider the offer and we can stay here," he assured. Judging from his convincing glare, my gut instincts indicate every word he meant.

"No, you should take the job. As many memories this house brings, having to have technicians fixing our rooftops constantly is getting redundant," I said.

"Are you sure you're willing to go through this? As much as I enjoy my work, I don't want to put my needs over yours." My father went out his way to ensure I had a say in the matter.

"Dad, I really think you should go for it. Don't get me wrong. Australia will always hold dear to the both of us. We can come back and visit this place when you have off season," I continued. "There is so much more out there we haven't seen, and it wouldn't be the same not to share that moment with you, Dad."

My father took empathy on behalf of my confession. The idea of the two of us moving away from our home continent would be a matter of long term investment. While the transition may be a bumpy ride, it was a sink or swim moment.

As we've reached the end of our conversation, we headed out of the house looking to dine in for the night. As much as I was looking forward to America, there's no denying how much of an influence Australia has on me. The best thing my father and I could do was to cherish every moment in-between our transition into unfamiliar territory.