How Green Becomes Wood

Dark couldn't criticize that reason, so with no other concerns and finding the terms acceptable, he nodded, signed where he needed to because Alec was a minor, and brought Alec, and the wheel, back to his car, "You need to ice your shoulder when we get home."
 
"Okay," Alec agreed without complaint, grinning as he glanced back at the bag holding the long pieces of metal that made up his wheel. "I can't believe I own one! I can't believe it! This is so awesome! Well, I guess technically I won't own it until after I pay it all off, but that won't take long working with Uncle Tristan."
 
"It's the first big thing I've ever bought with my own money," Alec said, practically glowing with delight. "The only other things I've bought are some food and thrift clothes. I know you wanted to help, but this... I..." He bit his lip from emotion and announced, "I feel accomplished having done it on my own!"
 
"One, but they have a family member who got them interested in the wheel in the first place, so they already had a good idea that they wanted to stick with it," Alec told him. "If you want to graduate to the harder classes, you basically have to have one so you can practice in your own time. My teacher said he thinks I am almost ready, but not quite yet. Maybe after the- Oh! I forgot to tell you! There's a cyr wheel show in a couple of weeks, and we're all encouraged to join. Not required, but he said we should all really think about doing it. Those of us willing have to commit to more consistent practice so we can put together a good choreography. Other classes and a couple of other gyms will be part of it, too, it won't be just my beginner class."
 
"Everyone, but I know that's not realistic," he admitted. "Plus, Mama likely wouldn't get a lot of enjoyment out of it. If you came just for the bit I'm in - which plenty of people do - maybe Ivy could come and see it. Oh, and I think I need to get your signed permission, but I'm not sure what I did with the paper."
 
"You have to find that paper. And, you are probably correct, Daizi would not get a lot of enjoyment out of it---but could you imagine her choosing to stay home? She will go, and clap as loudly as she can for you." He smiled at his son for a moment before looking back at the road, "As for everyone else--invite as many people as you are allowed. Let them decide if they go or not."
 
Dark nodded, locked the car door, and went inside after him. Daizi was cooking dinner with Ivy strapped to her back, and Ivy was laughing hard because since Daizi often played music and danced while she cooked, Ivy got to have fun being jostled around.
 
"Hi, Mama! Hi, Ivy!" Alec greeted. "I got my wheel! It's in pieces and kind of big, so I won't show you right now, but tomorrow I'll put it together in the backyard. I need to go put it away, but then do you need any help?"
 
"Hi baby!" Daizi grinned, turning around toward him, "I'm so glad you finally got it! I can't wait for you to put it together for me tomorrow. But, no, I don't need help, my sous chef and I have it covered."

"Put it away, then get an ice pack," Dark reminded him.
 
"Yes, Ba," Alec said humbly, having forgotten for just a moment that he needed one. Excitement tended to mask the pain, but never for long. He did as told and sat at the kitchen table holding the ice pack to his shoulder until Xander got home.

"What happened to you?" Xander asked when he saw his brother.

"I decided to check if gravity was still working and discovered it was with my shoulder to the floor," Alec told him.

"Ouch," Xander said with a slight nod. "Hello, parental units. And backpack Mini."
 
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