Love, Centre Ring

Part 6


The circus compound was in a flurry of activity that day. Their scheduled program had come to a close in this town, their last performance two nights hence. Every spare moment was now spent packing so on that last morning the Big Top would finally come down.

“I’m glad we don’t have to do this everyday,” Troy grumbled, as he and Aaron walked across the planking of the scaffolding erected to reach towards the highest portions of the tent they were helping in. They both laid down their load of piping and lights on one of the lower levels, stacking it carefully, ready to be slung to the ground. Troy stretched his back, swinging his arms around to stretch the muscles out.

“Well, the more we get done today the less to do tomorrow,” Aaron explained. He leant against the handrail, brushing hair from his face. Long strands had escaped the tie holding the rest in his customary ponytail.

“True,” Troy agreed, turning to head back along the walkway. “It’s bad enough with the four o’clock starts in the morning!”

A sharp popping sound echoed through the tent, the sound bouncing around like a ricocheting bullet. Troy’s heart stopped as he heard Aaron’s sharp cry. Spinning around, he was horrified to see Aaron toppling backwards as the railing gave way behind him. Everything seemed to happen in slow motion. Troy could see the portions of railing tipping back, the bolts ripping from the planks, tumbling downwards. Some of the planking followed, caving away from beneath Aaron’s feet. The entire platform lurched to one side, tilting, causing Troy to stagger, the sound of groaning metal like moans of pain.

Troy didn’t have to time to think or wonder what was truly happening; all his attention focused solely on Aaron’s form disappearing from his view.

“Aaron!” Troy shouted, throwing an arm out and grasping Aaron’s wrist as he slipped over the edge. He grunted at the pain, shoulder muscles straining at the abrupt yank as they tried to support the increased weight. His other hand gripped a portion of protruding railing still attached to the walkway.

“Hold on,” he said in a strained voice. He felt his other hand begin to slip on the slick metal and inwardly cursed. The heat made his hands sweaty and he hadn’t used the usual talc powder to prevent such problems as he would during a performance. He had not even considered it would be a problem with what they were doing. Now he wished he’d thought about it much sooner.

“Let go,” Aaron said, looking up at him as the platform tilted again and they dropped another inch. “Troy, let go!”

“No way,” Troy replied through clenched teeth, willing every muscle in his fingers to hang on tighter.

“You’re gonna fall, too! Let go - I’ll be okay!’

They both knew that was a lie. Aaron would most probably survive but he was likely to be injured in some manner if he fell on the crates and other gear scattered below. Hurt, and possibly maimed for life. The mere thought of such a thing made Troy feel sick.

“No way,” Troy repeated. He grunted and tried to lift Aaron upwards with pure arm strength but his precarious, almost upside down, position prevented him from gaining enough leverage to draw Aaron to a position where he could help out. He felt another finger begin to slip.

“You’ve got to let go. Please, Troy!”

“No!” he grated out, maintaining his firm grip on Aaron’s wrist, fingers digging into flesh so hard he could feel the taut tendons.

Another finger slipped away and they both slid lower. He stared into Aaron’s upturned face, taking note of the wide green eyes staring back at him, seeming a little bewildered.

“For God’s sake, Troy; let me go!” Aaron sounded like he was pleading.

Troy didn’t bother to respond as they slid lower again. His muscles were screaming, blood pounding through his veins so loudly it was drowning out all other sounds. Distantly he heard shouts and guessed other circus members had seen their predicament but he knew they would come too late. The fiery pain in his arms and shoulders made him close his eyes briefly, trying to breathe through it, to hold on for just a moment longer.

“Troy,” Aaron said looking up at him, as though unable to articulate anything more.

He managed to dredge up a crooked smile, trying to reassure Aaron that this wasn’t his fault.

Suddenly Aaron’s weight changed, lessening, as he was lifted higher, taking away the strain from Troy’s arms. Blinking back the stinging sweat running into his eyes, Troy could now make out the dark coil around Aaron’s waist and realized that Jubal had come to Aaron’s rescue. He should have known. There was no way the elephant would have allowed anything to happen to him. What’s the bet the beast had pulled up his hobbles to get here? Troy released Aaron’s wrist with a sense of relief, the intensity of knowing Aaron was safe over-whelming.

He watched as Jubal lowered Aaron safely to the ground and smiled, a deep sigh escaping him. Thank goodness, he thought, relief flooding through him. Aaron looked up at him, worried expression still on his face, and he smiled back reassuringly.

Suddenly, with another high pitched screech of tearing metal the scaffolding lurched again, throwing him forward. The last of his strength gave way, his fingers sliding from their precarious hold and he pitched forward unable to even make another grab for safety.

“TROY!” Aaron’s frantic cry rang out, a horrified expression crossing his features.

Troy felt a moment of sadness that he had made Aaron worry as he felt his body falling towards the ground. This is going to hurt, he thought, determining what action would give him the best landing and hopefully reducing the severity of injury.

Suddenly his downward plunge was halted, jerking him upwards in a neck snapping jolt, the wind knocked out of him. He shook his head, trying to clear the disorientation and realized he was no longer falling. Instead he was hanging suspended in the air, arms and legs dangling down, supported around the waist. Below was Aaron, watching him with worried eyes, one hand stretched out and resting on Jubal’s leg.

Troy turned his head to the side and followed the long grey trunk to the elephant’s face. Large eyes gazed back at him steadily then after a slow blink, Jubal gently lowered him to the ground. Aaron was at his side the instant his feet touched the ground, reaching out to grab his shoulders whilst Troy rested his hands on Jubal’s trunk until he was certain his legs would support him.

“Troy!” Aaron stared apprehensively at him, gripping him hard.

“I’m okay,” he said weakly. “Thanks to your big friend here.” He patted Jubal lightly on the trunk and the elephant released him, withdrawing fully as they were quickly surrounded by other circus members who had witnessed the near accident, all worriedly trying to assure themselves that both youths were okay. The crowd only dispersed after Troy’s repeated promises to see the circus’s doctor until finally it was only Aaron and Troy once again, with Jubal hovering in the background.

“Boy, that was something I don’t wish to repeat,” Troy said, sitting down with a loud sigh on a crate nearby, heartbeat slowing after the sudden adrenaline rush.

“You’re an idiot,” Aaron said in a flat voice.

“Huh?” Tory said, surprised. “How come?”

Aaron turned his face toward Jubal, refusing to look at Troy. “You should have just let me go.”

“Now who’s the idiot?” Troy responded.

Aaron looked back at him then.

“There’s no way I could have let you go, so don’t even think that it was a possibility.”

“But why would you put yourself in danger like that for me?”

Troy smiled at him crookedly, running a hand through his hair. “Don’t you get it yet?” he said in a warm voice. “There’s no way I would ever let anything happen to you. You mean too much to me.”

Aaron looked at him with a puzzled and worried expression, as though trying to process this information.

Troy chuckled. “Don’t stress about it,” he said reassuringly. “I’m not trying to pressure you.” He looked over at Jubal. “I’m more surprised at who turned out to be my guardian angel.”

Aaron rubbed Jubal’s side. “Perhaps…he knows what’s important to me,” he said in a low voice.

“Eh?” Troy looked up sharply but Aaron had turned away and begun leading Jubal away.

“I need to get him checked over,” Aaron said. “I need to make certain he’s calmed down before tonight’s show. You go see the doctor.”

“Wait up! Aaron!” Troy called but Aaron quickly moved away, putting Jubal’s bulk between himself and Troy’s line of sight.

Damn, he slipped away again! Troy seethed silently.

He sat there a little longer, staring after Aaron. Could he hope that his feelings were getting through? He’d never have believed that Jubal would have stepped in and saved him like that. Jubal usually only did things for Aaron and no one else got a consideration. So why had the elephant helped him like that? Is that what Aaron meant when he said that the beast knew who was important to his master? Could he really be important to Aaron?

Troy felt a warmth begin in his chest and a smile spread on his face. Perhaps, just perhaps, he would finally be able to make Aaron his.