Work

     I've worked a variety of different jobs, and have had countless odd and unforgettable experiences. One that sticks out further than the others was when I was working as an Acrobatics instructor back in Tampa when I was a senior in high school. I had been a student of acrobatics since I was 5 or so, and knew the injuries that could result from it. As a teacher, I had to assist the students in doing all sorts of flips and kicks, all the while trying to avoid getting kicked or smacked.
     One time in particular, I was spotting a young girl named Anna Beth, who was as spastic as they come. And when it came time for her to jump backwards for her back handspring, she inevitably jumped completely sideways, and she kicked her foot very firmly, hitting my face spot on. I remember little from this actual event, except waking up a minute or so later from being blacked out. Yeah, she kicked me that hard. It took everything in me not to scream and cry, it was legitimately the worst pain I had ever been in. She caught me directly in my left eye, and my head felt like it was going to fall off. I knew Anna Beth felt terrible, so I did my best to muster a smile and told her everything was ok. But I immediately ended class, had my mom come pick me up, and take me straight to the doctor. I was convinced that she fractured my cheekbone. With every second I could feel my face swelling larger and larger, and worried I would look deformed for the rest of my life.
     Luckily it ended up only being a sever black eye, which lasted me for a good month. And after Anna Beth saw me the next week, her mother withdrew her from class. I can't say I was upset.