At First Glance

Tumbling Tots

The first thing I do in the morning when I get to work is head to the storage room to grab disinfectant. I fully intend to make sure that none of the unsuspecting little kids coming to Tumbling Tots classes today jump into Cameron’s disgusting s*x pit. While I’m in there, I push aside the cleaning products I’d piled up in front of the bag of liquor I found yesterday. Pulling the bag towards me, I can definitely tell that it’s lighter than it was yesterday. A quick glance inside confirms that. When did Cameron, or whoever else might’ve put this bag here, have time to escape from yesterday’s shoot or from under the watchful eye of coaches? I replace the bag, grab the supplies I need, and head into the gym.

Thankfully neither Cameron nor his lady friend appear to have been locked in for the night and I send up a quick prayer thanking god that he has his own set of keys to the building. I tentatively approach the foam pit, disinfectant spray held in front of me like it’s a gun in my rubber-gloved hands.

I can’t freaking believe it. There’s a bright red, lace g-string poking out from between a couple of the blocks. I don’t even want to think about touching it, so I start misting the pit generously with the spray in my hand. Once I finish that, I mist the vinyl mats that surround the pit and start scrubbing it with a rag.

Thankfully the few athletes that have arrived for training are all on the other end of the gym doing warm ups, cardio, or are in the weight room. A few of them call out greetings to me, and I smile and wave back. Despite Cameron’s best efforts, I’m happy to have formed some surface-level friendships with the gym’s clientele.

I’m kneeling on the edge of the pit, trying to figure out how I’m going to rescue the g-string since it can no longer be avoided. I’ve got one arm stretched out in front of me and one steadying me, the offending scrap of cloth still just out of reach.

“AMETHYST!” Cameron booms from behind me, and I topple into the pit. I feel like I’m being swallowed alive by the foam blocks. The pungent smell of disinfectant is overwhelming.

“Here, grab my hand.” Clay’s voice reaches me as his arm comes into view. I grab his hand desperately and he easily hauls my five foot frame up and out of the pit. I can hear Cameron and Hunter laughing behind him as he gives me a once-over. “You ok?” I nod, looking at my feet. Oh. Crap. The g-string I’d been trying to retrieve was now stuck on the leg of my yoga pants. There’s absolutely no way I’m going to be able to not draw attention to myself to peel it off.

“Is that your…?” Clay gestures to my leg. I start to glance down but catch Cameron’s eye. His arms are folded over his chest as he waits to see if I’ll expose his previous night’s activities.

“Y-yeah, it must’ve gotten stuck there in the laundry,” I reply. I grab the panties and stick them in my jacket pocket, thankful I’m still wearing the gloves. I look back at Cameron and he gives me a slight nod. Clay looks unconvinced and Hunter just laughs harder.

“I didn’t peg you for a g-string kinda girl, Amy!” Hunter calls as he chuckles. I push past Clay quickly and race back out to the front desk. As I pass Cameron, I hear him reprimand Hunter for his comment which surprises me. Was he actually standing up for me? I shake my head, throwing the underwear into the trash can under the desk.

Nobody says anything to me about Hunter’s comment as the day progresses, which I’m thankful for. Most of the elite level gymnasts leave in the early afternoon before the younger after-school crowd arrives. The new 4 PM Tumbling Tots session is starting today, and, surprisingly, Cameron’s agreed to help out with the first session. I’ll be keeping the any parents corralled since they’re allowed to watch the first class session to see the structure and provide reassurance to their kids.

I make sure I have all the required paperwork and a stack of brochures ready. I place them on the table I’ve set up in the parent area along with a dispenser of iced cucumber water, protein bars, and some fresh fruit. Cameron and a female coach are making sure the equipment is set up appropriately, and I start ushering parents and toddlers. Some of the kids are clearly excited and some seem more nervous. The coach gathers them all up and has them sit in a circle. I walk the parents through the forms and answer questions when asked.

It’s a lot of fun to watch the class. Some of the toddlers have no fear whatsoever, hurtling their way through somersaults, across the balance beam, and into cartwheels. What’s the most surprising to me is how happy Cameron seems. He takes a particular interest in trying to help the shyer, more tentative kids. One girl holds his hand through most of the class, the thumb of her other hand in her mouth. He encourages her to try everything at least once but doesn’t push her if she shakes her head no.

“Alright everyone! You did such a good job today! Let’s end the class by jumping into that big foam pit! Won’t that be fun?!” The coach asks. I look at Cameron, realize he’s looking at me, and look back away quickly. He gets in the pit to help the kids back out as the coach counts each down before they jump in. When Cameron’s little friend’s turn comes, she jumps right into his arms and he grins, telling her what a good job she did.

As the group heads toward the parent area for dismissal, I collect any final paperwork as people leave. Many of the kids are excited to come back the next week and the parents seem satisfied.

“Hey… Amethyst?” I hear Cameron say as I’m alphabetizing the papers in my hands.

“Please, just call me Amy,” I reply, wondering why he’s even talking to me.

“Only if you call me Cam,” he smiles. I nod and wait. “I just wanted to say that what Hunter said earlier wasn’t cool.”

“Thanks, I guess.” I start to walk away, figuring he’s done talking to me.

“Wait, Amy!” He jogs a couple steps to catch up with me. “Why didn’t you rat me out earlier? With the whole panties thing? My mom woulda been pissed. The fact that you didn’t say anything earlier and she hasn’t come in to rip me a new one tells me that you kept it quiet.”

“It’s not my business what you do in your free time,” I say.

“No, it isn’t,” he sighs. “I guess what I’m trying to say is I don’t usually do s**t like that. I got a little messed up last night to cut loose after the photo shoot.”

“I guess…” I consider my next words carefully, hoping he takes it well. “You’ve got to be a decent guy if you’re so tolerant to the kids just starting out, and their parents who think they’re being stealthy taking pictures of you.”

He throws his head back and laughs, one of the most honest sounds I’ve heard from that man.

“Oh man, the parents are the worst!” He chuckles, raking a hand through his dirty blond hair. “But yeah, I love the kids. The wild ones remind me of myself when I was little. The quiet ones though, they really pull my heartstrings. I love seeing them flourish over their weeks of training. I try to make it to their showcases as well, but I don’t always make it because of competition and sponsorship commitments.”

“That’s really sweet,” I smile at him genuinely. Seeing this side of him makes me think he’s not all that bad. He blushes a bit and rubs the back of his head sheepishly.

“Yeah, well, I tell you this because I know you’re not going to rat me out and ruin my reputation,” he says. He checks his watch and sighs. “I’ve gotta get going now. I’ll see you around, Amy.”

“See you around, Cam,” I reply. He shoots me a smile and a wave as he leaves and my stomach does an involuntary flip.

What the hell is going on?