Each adjustment Alma suggested resulted in a little more balance, a bit more thrust, a lot more confidence. I must’ve rolled around for about forty minutes until I remembered that I didn’t know these people that well and they probably hadn’t planned on handing out free roller-skating lessons all night.

I turned my skates outward to stop near Alma, like she’d shown me. “This was really helpful. But you must be getting cold.”

“Oh, Daya, I’m a tough old gal. Don’t worry about me,” she said, and tittered again.

“Darn right ya are, my darling!” Joe piped up from across the lawn.

“Well, thanks so much for all your advice,” I said to Alma. “And for the great tip about this place,” I aimed toward Bee and Yolanda. “And for all your help too, Joe. You found the right skates in one try!”

“Told you, my dear! Utter pleasure!” he called back, still clipping.

“Daya, you let us know if we can be of any more assistance in your roller derby adventure, all right?” Alma said.

Bee added, “Oh, it’ll be an advencha all right! She’ll be on Kat’s team, Alma! A Killa Honey! Won’t that be somethin’?” Yolanda gave a stiff nod beside her.

“Oh, uh—I’m actually not on a team yet. I’m trying out next week. I might not even make it.”

Alma tugged on one of my hoodie strings. “Not with that attitude you won’t.” She smiled, which took the edge off the defensiveness rising inside of me at her minor chastisement. “I’ll bet you not only make the team, but that you show those girls a thing or two about skating with style and flair!”

Style and flair. Not really what I was going for, but I couldn’t tell this graceful woman that I was more interested in smashing the shit out of myself and others. I mean, she looked like she could’ve done some damage in her day, but from what she’d taught me tonight and the way she spoke about roller skating, the brute strength and pain of derby didn’t seem to be her focus. I let her think what she wanted, though.

“Uh, yeah—maybe. But thanks for the offer—I’m sure I’ll need more help.” I wasn’t used to wanting to be around too many people, but I found myself not completely opposed to it right now.

Alma called out over her shoulder to Joe, “Darling, would you run inside and get one of our cards, please?”