Page 85 of I Can't Even Think Straight

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“Give us a twirl,” I tell Obi, as a joke.

To my surprise, Obi twirls,

like a well-trained puppy.

Woof, woof, Vass mouths at me.

We come together in a group of five.

Jenny drawn to Vass. Obi drawn to me.

Matt’s not saying much to anyone.

I thought Matt was dying to meet Vass,

but Jenny and Obi are much friendlier.

My devil tells me to ignore Matt.

My angel tells me to focus on Vass.

The advice is almost the same,

but the second feels more kind.

We take each problem in turn.

Jenny, the most experienced, goes first.

Next is Obi, then Matt, then me.

Vass goes last each time,

to see how we handle each problem.

They get the hang of it in no time.

Their long arms have a wide reach,

and their rainbow legs stretch,

like a ballet dancer suspended in midair.

“You’re doing so well for a beginner,”

says Jenny to Vass encouragingly.

“Thanks, babe,” says Vass from on high,

at the top of the wall.

Vass doesn’t jump to the crash mat, like Jenny,

but climbs down cautiously,

and is met with a high five from Obi.

When I offer them a high five,

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