Free My Life as a Stuntboy by Janet Tashjian

girl.”
    Tony laughs. “But is it?”
    Instead of answering, I tell Tony I’ll see him tomorrow.

    Carly is still jumping and pulling on the sleeve of my T-shirt. “Well? Well?”
    â€œI wish I could, but I can’t. Sorry.”
    We put Frank back in his cage and go outside to set up traffic cones in the backyard. We go into the garage and get the wheelbarrow, cooler, and stepladder too. We place them all around the yard in a tight course and spend the next hour running and jumping over the obstacles trying to beat each other’s times. I had no idea Carly was so agile.
    My mom comes out after her last patient and brings us lemonade and mini cupcakes. I don’t really think about the video or Matt the entire time Carly’s here, and when she leaves, I really mean it when I tell her I had fun.
    agile

 
    Â 
    An Embarrassing Moment, Thankfully Not Mine
    This time Mom accompanies me to the set. She insists we leave early so we won’t be stuck in traffic. When she asks if things are better with Matt and me, I say yes, even though they’re anything but.
    She gives our names to the guard at the gate, who talks about the weather for a few minutes before letting us in. Tony finds my mother
a chair, then asks me if I can do a few run-throughs before the director arrives. I tell him I can’t wait.
    I follow Tony’s lead and take several moments to examine my surroundings. The soundstage has been transformed into a giant junkyard, complete with fake rust, dirt, and discarded appliances. Together Tony and I plan the best route around the obstacles.
    discarded
    â€œIf I start at the bathtub, then go around the statue and over the dented motorcycle, I can land on the mini trampoline and leap over the picnic table before climbing the fence. What do you think?” I ask.
    Tony smiles. “That’s exactly how I’d do it too.”
    One of the production assistants tells Tony that the director is on her way, so Tony brings me to my mark, moves aside, and tells me to give it a go.

    misjudge
    I take a running start to jump over the bathtub. Except I miss.
    My mother gets up from her chair to see if I’m all right. I’m grateful she doesn’t come running over like she used to when I was little.
    â€œMisjudge that jump?” Tony lends me his hand and pulls me out of the bathtub. “You okay?”
    I tell him I’m fine and climb out. My mother moves her reading glasses up to the top of her head, which means she’s now going to be watching me full-time. I head back to my mark and begin to run, but Tony stops me.
    â€œRemember what we talked about the day I met you at UCLA?
Parkour is about making your way around obstacles. Whether it’s a set of stairs or a problem at school, you need to plan the most efficient way around the hurdle.” He pans the artificial junkyard with his hand. “Take a good look, then implement your plan.”
    implement
    I try not to focus on the growing number of crewmembers watching us and concentrate instead on the best route to my goal. Tony reminds me to put safety before risk. This time when he tells me to go, I run, leap, and climb like it’s the most natural thing in the world. When I’m done, he meets me at the fence and shakes my hand.
    â€œLet’s see if you’re still One-Take Fallon today. But no pressure—take as many tries as you need,” he says.

    Tony introduces my mom to Collette, who is wearing red high-top sneakers, tights, and a hooded sweatshirt. Assistants hover around her with cell phones and coffee while she tells my mom how professional and smart I am. Mom nods politely, probably thinking about how I almost killed our monkey too.
    When Collette yells “action!” I make the same mistake I made during rehearsal and land like a giant whale inside the tub. Tony and the director run over to see if I’m okay, but the only thing that hurts is my pride. I panic