CLOWNING AROUND by Janet Feldman

“So I’m finally going to meet your parents,” Scott said to Isabel. “You’ve told me very little about them, except that they’re often out of town for work. What exactly do they do? I feel like you’re being secretive.”

     Isabel sighed. “You’re right. It’s hard to talk about them. People don’t understand. Let me just say that my grandparents helped raise me, but my parents are decent, loving people, just a bit unique. They’re in the entertainment field.”

     “Well, that explains the out-of-town part. Are they in the theater, or musicians?” asked Scott.

“Just tell me already.”

     “Okay,” she sighed again. “They’re circus performers,” and she stopped, waiting for Scott’s reaction.

     He did not disappoint her. His hazel eyes widened, showing a mixture of disbelief and amusement. He stretched his long legs out under the coffee shop table, opened his mouth as if to speak, but just stared.

     “Say something,” said Isabel. “Either close your mouth or make some words come out of it.”

     “Please tell me they’re not clowns. I hate clowns,” he said.

     “No, although my mother was a clown for about a year, but then she became my father’s assistant.”

     “And what exactly does your father do in the circus?” Scott asked, biting his lip to keep from laughing or opening his mouth again in disbelief.

     “He works with the cats,” said Isabel.

     “Oh my God!” Scott said, more loudly than was necessary. “He’s a lion tamer? And your mother helps him? You must worry about them all the time!”

     “No,” said Isabel. “He works with cats, not lions and tigers. He rescues cats from shelters, cats that would be euthanized, and trains them to do tricks. He’s quite good at it, and the cats are very clever.”

     Scott’s mouth hung open again, and again Isabel sighed.

     “Teaching cats to do tricks and respond to commands and work as a team is, well, very tricky, much harder than training dogs. Cats don’t need approval or want to be your best friend, but they do respond to rewards and loving care.”

     Scott looked at Isabel, eyes glittering with amusement, but also filled with affection. “Your parents sound like wonderful, interesting people. I can’t wait to meet them.”

     Privately, Scott wondered if he could meet their expectations. He didn’t think there was anything unique about himself. He was nice looking, earned a decent living, was respectful and smart, appreciated a good joke, and he adored Isabel. Would that be enough for their approval?

Yes, he decided it would be. After all, her mother used to be a clown!