JIU JITSU GIRL JENNIFER DUTTON JOLLY FISH PRESS Mendota Heights Minnesota
To Lexi and Jack
My partner's arm clocks me in the cheekbone as he frantically tries to pull me to the mat but all I can think CHAPTER 1 KITTY LITTER BLUES about is how Coach Gary's breath smells like my cat's litter box Seriously Did he munch on kitty turds before practice I picture him driving one hand on the steering wheel the other reaching into a big box on the passenger seat The box has a picture of a cat all hunched over perched on a tray of litter its little kitty face all scrunched up in obstructed concentration Coach throws the turd up into the air it looks like a brown cheese puff where of course it spins dramatically in slow motion a few times He catches it in his mouth with a satisfied grin I snort laugh then reflexively clap my hand over my mouth hard enough to cut the inside of my lip with my front tooth From one of the benches that lines the perimeter of the blue mat Mom looks over her book at me You know the look The Mom Stare Down direct eye contact held for a beat too long no smile Yeah that's the one My partner Devaansh tightens his arms around my neck causing me to retch I hit the mat hard with my hand twice 7
