No one else could thrill a crowd like Nina.

The crowd exploded into applause and cheers of amazement and delight. The eyes of the other children were as wide as serving platters to see a Six Year-Old walk the tightrope with such ease and alacrity (that is the children who’s parents who weren’t sheltering their eyes!). The anticipation was thick as Nina approached the end of the hair-thin path. Would she make it? Would she fall? If she fell, would someone catch her?

There was no net. Nina’s mother would protest, but Nina would have none of it. The crowd would hardly have the same sense of exhilaration if the worst that could happen would be that someone could fall into a net. Nope. No net. Not even a pillow.

Four more steps.

Three more steps.

Two more steps to triumph. Everyone under the tent was holding their breath including Nina. Fortunately, this kept the brackish water out of her mouth when the splash from the speeding BMW hit her face.

Puddles always ruined Nina’s daydreams.