Free Shark Girl by Kelly Bingham Page A

says, and hands him
    another roll.
    “Mother, you’ll make us all fat,”
    Mom groans, but she reaches
    for the corner of the last roll
    at the same time I do.
    She catches my eye,
    and we smile again.
    Among the candles,
    the Christmas tree lights,
    and the sight of Mom
    picking her way over
    boxes of opened gifts,
    a sudden rush fills me.
    I’m here.
    I’m alive, and I’m here.
    Seems like tears of joy
    should flow right about now.
    Instead, I just smile,
    lean back into the couch,
    and enjoy the happiness,
    deep and warm.
     

    Hello, is this Jane Arrowood?
    Yes.
    This is Missy Howard. I am the vice president of programming for ABC. I wanted to talk to you about appearing on
Good Morning America.
    What?
    Jane, we are so in admiration of you here. We know what you have been going through must be rough.
    And you admire that?
    Sorry?
    I don’t want to be on your show.
    Now, Jane, hear me out. If you would be willing to come to New York, we would be glad to pay your way, and you and your family could make a vacation out of it. We could talk about —
    No, thank you.
    Jane, the whole nation saw your story on the news. People were shocked by what they saw. We know for a fact there are many, many people in our country who would love an update on you. How you’re doing, how you are adjusting, what life is like now. People really do care, and I’m sure they would like to see you on television.
    No, I —
    I mean, this is your chance to leave an impression on everyone, isn’t it? You don’t want to be remembered as how you were seen in that video, do you? You want a chance to show everyone the human side of yourself, not just the story side, right?
    I —
    How does next Friday sound? We’d fly you and your parents out, of course, and —
    No. I said no. I don’t want to be on your show and that is final.
    But —
    Don’t call here ever again.
     

    Jane? Honey, what was that all about?
    That was some stupid TV show. They wanted me to come on there and talk about myself.
    What show?
    Good Morning America.
    Really? Well, honey, that’s not some show. That’s big.
    Mom! Are you going to start, too? Do you
want
me to be on it?
    Of course not. Why are you so upset? Jane, you’re crying. Come here, honey.
    She was so rude. She made it sound like I owed it to everyone to say I’m okay. Like people care? Everyone has forgotten about it.
    The media doesn’t fool around with forgotten people, dear. I’m sure there’s a grain of truth in what she said. Don’t look at me like that — I’m not saying she’s right. I’m not saying you should be on the show. I’m just saying, you did get all those cards and letters. I mean, some of them are still coming.
    I don’t want them. I never asked for any of this. I don’t owe anyone anything.
    I know.
    I hate this. I just want to be left alone.
    Hm.
    What. What are you thinking about?
    Nothing.
    What? Tell me.
    Well. I don’t know why, but I was just thinking about you and your art. About all those contests you’re always winning. Do you remember in fourth grade when you won the blue ribbon for best artist of the year, and had to stand in front of an assembly and have your picture taken?
    Yeah.
    You loved that. You took a little bow and everything. They had to push you off the stage when you were done.
    So?
    You’ve always loved winning those things. You’ve always been the best artist in school, and you’ve been so proud of yourself in that department.
    So?
    It’s just funny how we can crave attention in some areas of our life, but hate it in others.
    I don’t
crave
attention.
    Not over this, of course not.
    I don’t
crave
any attention, ever.
    Honey, we all do. Especially when we’re young.
    Mom! You make me sound so egotistical.
    You’re not. I’m not saying that. But if I were, it would be a very shared human trait. We all have egos, dear.
    Have you been seeing Mel again?
    No. But Jane, when are you going to draw again?
    I don’t know.
    I think you are neglecting