Normally Abnormal

Normally Abnormal

“This isn’t normal.”

Albertine Zider kept staring at the frozen over canal with astonishment.

“Of course it isn’t, that’s Chet Sporting,” commented her next-door neighbor.

“Who?”

“New Sports announcer on WBBK. He wants to break as many Guinness World Records as he can. Apparently, this one is for ice skating with skates on your hands. He’s going for distance, I understand.”

“Is he crazy! What if he trips and falls on his head?”

“That’s why he’s wearing a helmet!”

Albertine continued to watch, shaking her head all the while.

“Why don’t you try something like that, Albie? As I recall you were quite the daredevil as a girl!”

“I had four brothers! If I didn’t play along, I didn’t play!”

“Admit it, you thought girls didn’t know what playing was!”

Albertine or Albie as everyone called her, thought about her dignity. Secretly, she felt like she wanted to throw the stodgy thing away and break free like when she was young.

She began to walk up the street without saying goodbye.

“Where are you off to?” the neighbor asked.

“I’m off to the library to check out a copy of that Guiness book. Chet could use some competition!”

Albie studied the Book for a week, then she made an appointment to see Chet Sporting.

“Well, folks it seems I have some competition in my record-breaking attempts! Albie Zider of our fair city has challenged me! She vows to beat me! Furthermore, she says if I beat her, she will donate 50,000 dollars to a charity of my choice! It’s on, Albie!”

They took turns choosing the records to compete in. The rivalry was intense and often scores were close. It ended suddenly when both players ended up in the hospital with broken limbs after the tree climbing competition.