Week of 3/10/07 California
Saturday I left with a happy face, and I was so excited. I left at 11 my time. I got a window seat, sat back an enjoyed. I finally got in the gate three hours later. My tummy was going in all directions with excitement. I was finally there, Tracy opened her arms and we hugged for the first time in four years. I was so happy, period. We went to the bagage check which was interesting, because everyone in LAX decided to have a black bag. Thank Goodness, I had my cheap pipe-cleaner bead animal on my bag. We jumped in the Ford Truck, named Lando. We went to a burger place called In and Out, which is pretty amazing food in my opinion. Anyway, getting ahead of myself. When Tracy was putting my wheelchair in the back cab of her truck, the wind started blowing pretty steadily, but we thought nothing of it because we were both hungry and excited. Tracy's purse and keys were in her driver's seat, and when she shut the door to my side of the truck, the driver's seat door flung closed. The words Oh Shit registered, and I busted out with laughter. It hadn't even been 20 minutes and she locked us out of her truck, it was great. We waited inside while I stood in awe of the amount of people in the place of business at lunch hour in L.A. We sat next to some girl from Overland Park, Kansas... which was quite ironic. I talked about home, and why I came out to LA.
After we ate, waited for Tracy's dad and brother got their with the extra pair of keys. Of course there was plenty of laughs to go around. I needed to call Adrienne with this story for sure, but Letha was the first to know. Tracy goes your parents are going to think I am some California bimbo! I laughed really hard at that one, but I reassured her they were good people, and would only laugh insanely. We went to her work to pick up her check, getting introduced to people left and right. One of the people I was actually introduced to was originally from Kansas City, which was again, totally ironic. Then Tracy announces we get to go to her house! She introduced me to sister, Ginger, brother Justin who I had met back at In and Out, and Mommy and Daddy Potter. We went into her room to chill out, till her other work at a show she was running. I called Tali to ask about the trip out to San Diego. She then proceeds to tell me she can't do it, because of one Softball practice. I was let down and pissed to say the least, but what can you do? Tracy felt bad for me, all I have to say the wrath of an 2002er is bad. I quickly found good in the situation, more time with Tracy, they lost their chance. I don't mean to be rude, but it was something we both wanted really bad, and she threw it away. After we talked about camp a bit we headed off to the theater. After some well needed figuring out how to brush my hair, which was quite an adventure... but we did it. The play was a straight play, no music... not bad at all. It was called "Swimming" A teacher cheats on his wife with a student, and the entire play is based off of that. The play itself was based out of a town in Kansas, the state. Thought that was funny. One of the people that worked on the show with Tracy was also from the Midwest, it was some freaky stuff. We headed home with some good Grease songs, after finishing Sussical. Needless to say I fell asleep on the ride home. Only after Tracy stopped in front of the house did I wake up.
Sunday morning we got up, got ready for Church and Scout Sunday. I found it pretty cool the week that I show up is the Sunday for Scouts. The girls did a little presentation about Juliette Low. Tracy’s friendship and mine was recognized through Wider Opportunities with the Girl Scouts. After all that, we went back home to change into shorts… it was in the nineties in the middle of March, I was in Heaven. Tracy, Ginger, and Tracy’s dad took me around Los Angeles. We had an awesome time, I couldn’t ask for a better tour. We have tons of pictures thanks to Tracy and Ginger in the backseat. I got my first taste of Los Angeles traffic, sudden stopping with Cerebral Palsy is an adventure. We stopped to eat at Big Boy Burger, which was good. The building looked amazing inside. It was the biggest fast food place I had ever seen. We saw these huge estates and houses up on stilts, pretty awesome. We stopped to pick up batteries and prescriptions, with more Girl Scout cookies that we didn’t need thanks to Ginger laughs. After three hours of touring, we went back to the house where Ginger, Tracy and I watched Robin Hood the series. Damn, for not having BBC in my room. Robin Hood is so hot! At seven we all gathered in separate rooms to watch random shows. Tracy watched Grease. Mommy and daddy potter, Ginger, and I watched extreme makeover. Justin watched Amazing Race. After a very emotional Estreme makeover we ate AMAZING Baked Potatoes from Ginger, Yum!
Monday Tracy didn’t go to class, (that happened a lot) laughs. We stayed around the house. Her and I went to work at the church at two. We watched Noises Off, which is HILLarious. I fell asleep during Act II though, I was so tired, and time change was getting to my brain. I finished the parts that I missed while Tracy went to get ready though. Such a good movie. We headed to the church to help with the after school program. I talked to the kids during their chapel, which was kind of cool, I haven’t talked to little kids about my disability in a real long time. The rest of the time we spent helping the kids with their homework, which was neat. We came home, watched Gillmore Girls. Ginger made chicken fingers for dinner, that made me love her, and her cooking even more. Ginger, Tracy and I hung out, listening and singing, schooling me on old musicals. Anything Goes, Sound of Music, Man of La Monche. Thus is when I found a song from camp in which I sang for nine summers was from Sound of Music. Had No Idea!
Then Zoe came over to meet me and watch a movie. We were all watching Deal or No Deal with Mommy Potter before Tracy got back from the store. Tracy calls us and goes "You won’t ever guess how I just made 20 bucks." She had to buy the morning after pill for some 15-year-old guy who slept with some girl. Tracy was like I’d rather help the guy out than have another unwanted baby in America. Ginger made a red velvet cake…. AMAZING. When we were getting ready to watch the movie, Tracy went to move the chair for me and she goes "Oh Fudge!" when it stubs her toe. Zoe goes "Tracy…Hun? What happened to the word Fuck!? She was like I’m in camp mode… with Cheryl here and all. I laughed really hard, then proceeded to tell her that I could curse too… Fuck, Fuck, Fuck! I about fell on Zoe I was laughing that hard.
Tuesday I got up waited for Tracy to get home from class, (one of three days she actually went) laughs we watched Charmed and two episodes of ER. We had Red Velvet cake for breakfast, oh yeah! We then went to watch Mighty Python and the Holy Grail. Pretty awesome movie as well. As you read I was pretty much-schooled on movies and music the whole week. Then we watched a musical collection called, "Hey Mr. Producer" good collection. Gypsy, My Fair Lady, Oliver, Cats, Miss Sigon, and to much my hate… Les Mis. Boo! (with the exception of Do You Hear the People Sing?) The talent on that stage was simply amazing, I loved it. I stayed home with Ginger while Tracy went to work. Her and I fun with singing showtunes too. She and I watched Annie (Yeah, never seen that one either… yeah, I know I’m deprived.) When Tracy and Justin came home the four of us hung out till dinner. Ginger made us Cajon food! Amazing… pretty much the best. After dinner Ginger, Tracy, and I again, sang showtunes… schooling me on the ones I had no clue of. Ginger and Tracy had the idea to have a campfire on the back porch singing random showtunes. Ginger has an extensive music library in her brain, she could beat me for sure. Zoe came over half way through the campfire. I should have known it would get even more fun when this part of the family entered. At some point in the night Tracy accidentally knocked the sliding glass door off its track. Periodically she would knock it back into place, but it never stayed for long. When daddy Potter came home, the door locked up completely and wouldn’t even budge. He had to slam it back in with a mallet. When Tracy tried to help push it back physically, it looked pretty hilarious. Zoe then starts making jokes, making us all crack up. Zoe, shut up… Shush! Don’t make Cheryl piss! I announced I had to pee and at that time Zoe cracks another joke, and as I’m laughing I scream, "Too Late!" To make matters worse I started getting spastic, we called this the time of night where my body just says, "Stop, No more!" I went ahead, changed and fell asleep soon after.
Wednesday was Disneyland Day! After Tracy came back from class Ginger, Tracy and I packed into Lando heading for the happiest place on earth. The one thing I learned about Disneyland was that everyone is happy there, not just the cast members, but the people as well. Everyone just has an awesome time. On the way there I got schooled on Little Women… really good show. I’m actually thinking about getting the OBC on Amazon. We got to the park around noon, and we realize that we left my blue backpack at home. I carried my crutches, but I was totally cool with it. The first ride we hit was Pirates, pretty dang awesome. The three of us were in the front car, when the drop came Ginger, Tracy, and I was completely soaked. I had the thickest T-shirt of us all, so I was somewhat lucky. After pirates we went to get lunch, Chicken and Fries… Yum! We took pictures of Tom Sawyer Island. After lunch we went to see the man of the hour, Mickey! We liked waiting in that line laughs. We went over to California Adventure to see the Aladdin Show, awesome show… amazing Finale. The only depressing part was finding out that the Pirates III might not be at Disneyland this summer. After Aladdin we went into the shops to find stuff for Kylie and Adrienne. We stopped at Snow White’s wishing well, which was quite funny. When I got up to walk, Tracy decides to wheel my chair around. She was even trying to get up on the big hills. . Tracy bought me my first pair of Mickey Ears. I was completely wide-eyed I freaking loved it. Tracy herself is pretty much amazing, I owe everything to her. After that we went to see the big castle in Fantasyland. Then we got a spot for the parade. The parade was… there’s not even words to even describe how it was in sight. I have some video of the parade….pretty amazing stuff. We then went into Tomarrowland after the parade. Tracy and I rode Buzz Lightyear, much like laser tag… Tracy and I got to level three, pretty cool stuff. Then we went on Space Mountain. My first rollercoaster… it was simply amazing. I wish they’re were more words in the English language that explained how happy I felt just by being there with Tracy and Ginger… it was great. Then we ate dinner in Tomarrowland, when Kirsten calls us. I then bragged… had to brag to someone. The words are you shitting me came ringing out of her mouth. It was funny. Then Kirsten formally met Tracy laughs that were um, interesting. Kirsten was feeling al ittle replaced, but hopefully she can get over it. Tracy, Ginger, and I headed over to "it’s a small world!" The line was incredibly short. The nighttime was even better than the day, pretty much my favorite. I really don’t have a favorite in a Small World, it was all awesome. Tracy and I went over to the four main storybook rides. Peter Pan, (my personal favorite) Snow White, Pannociho, and Cinderella. Then we went through Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride. I killed us several times laughs We roamed the streets of Disneyland you literally felt like you owned the park, I was simply going crazy in happiness. Then we went on our last ride of the night which was the Indiana Jones ride, that ride was awesome. Tracy got to drive the front car, which was so funny. I had a smile a mile wide the entire time. When the ride finally stopped, Tracy thought my face was so funny. She leans over says to me: "That look is never going to come off your face is it?" Sigh… Happy, happy! Then our final stop was a candy shop… my first candy shop. Wow, that place was really awesome…We headed home, tired but happy….. listening to Skid Row, eating goofy sweet tarts. I didn’t even change into my PJs I was so tired and warn out.
Thursday we all slept in for sure, there was no way Tracy was going to class after getting to bed at 1:30. We woke up, and decided to show me Sound of Music for the first time, before we headed off to work. I loved that movie with all my heart! I’ll probably buy that too… it was awesome. I learned that if you are going to be into musical theater you’ve got to watch Sound of Music. At work I sat at the table with Diana, one of the little first graders. She was so cute and sweet. I felt so happy that I could help her, it’s the little teacher in me. On the way home I felt really emotional. I knew the end was coming in nearly two days. I was having such a great time, it was hard to think of it being over. Tracy had done so much, more than she had to, to make me happy. She was amazing, the entire week was all because of her. She comforted me, telling me it wasn’t the end of the world that I was leaving. She then tries to make me laugh like always. Tracy walks into the store, she advises me not to start bawling when she left me in the truck. Like she had done so many times before said; "I know you, I can read you, don’t cry its not over yet!" We still had so much to do, but I wasn’t ready. We got home, and I started to feel a bit a better. I took my bath before the RENT party.
. We went to Tracy’s friend, John’s apartment for the RENT party. When Zoe came in I go "don’t make me piss this time!" Tracy goes, "Yeah, please we don’t have extra pants here!" Zoe was telling of her interesting day of canceled classes and Oatmeal laughs. Tracy dressed up as a Mimi, she looked awesome. There was Joe who was Roger with his fake guitar, John as Collins, Ginger as Maureen, Zoe as a second Mimi and Joanne. John/Tracy as Mark, and Tracy was Angel too. I was everyone laughs. By the end of Another Day we all kind of harmonized which was hilarious. Tracy even had a fake candle with a lighter. The first act we danced and sang! Laughs, but on the second act we sat and actually watched the movie. Towards the end we were making fun of Roger and his horrible song and whiney personality. You know you’ve watched RENT too many times when you can fill in the stage version lines. You know you’ve watched RENT too much when you can go through pick out the mistakes and make total fun of the actors and actresses laughs. After the movie we all gathered up talking for nearly two hours. I love the fact that I was able to relate even though I had no idea of half the people they were talking about. (teachers in high school, people we graduated with, friends, camp, and Drunk bitches that have wrong numbers that ask for Puff and Patrick. Laughs. We talked about how Zoe could beat everyone in leg wrestling laughs. We finally left around 1:00. I went down John’s stairs head first and got a laugh out of everyone "Dude that’s awesome!" laughs
Friday we Tracy and I got up early and headed to the beach. We dressed up for 90 degree whether, because that’s what it was in Glendale. We get to Santa Monica beach, it was an overcast and freezing with a breeze. The view was awesome to say the least though, it was still something you can’t replace. We went up and down the pear. It was amazing. I can say I’ve been to the beach for sure. After going through crazy ass traffic and hearing Tracy cars in front of us Fucker 100 times which is somewhat funny. We went to work for one last time. We watched the kids as they watched George of the Jungle.
Tracy was supposed to go to the theater, but for some reason or another got out of it when the other lady got her appointment canceled. After work we met up with Daddy Potter to go tour Universal Studios and Warner Brothers. I got to ride in the back seat of a truck that not many people get to, especially visitors. I got my own pass on the grounds with my name it was official. Tracy, her dad, Alfred the driver, and I toured around. Tracy and I went to all the prop houses. Anything you could put in a movie was in those prop houses, it was simply insane at how much random stuff there was. I got to sit in thrones, sit on couches older than dirt and sometimes even older. We even saw a Statue of Liberty. (YAY New York.) Then we went to Warner Brothers Studios where I got to sit on the friends set and the couch! (How many people do you know who have done that? That’s right, none at all) (I love campettes with cool dads.) Then we went outside and toured the important sets of Batman, ER, Whoville, Back to the Future Clock Tower, and a mock plane crash. Daddy Potter goes: "So, Cheryl, Can’t wait to get on that plane now?" laughs. After the amazing tour I hugged Daddy Potter, thanked him.
So we went home and packed up my stuff. I was shocked that I didn’t get emotional. My mom called semi-pissed off because she didn’t know if I would get everything. I felt like I wasn’t being trusted to come home in one piece on my own. Earlier in the week my dad called he was so sweet, he was like, I really miss you, it’s not the same without you here, I thought he was about to cry right then and there on the phone. On the other hand I felt like my mom could care less. Guess what, I really didn’t care less weather I saw her either so its okay. Tracy and I ordered take out while Ginger and mommy Potter went to take Justin to a Scout sleep out up by Magic Mountain. Tracy and I had a final talk about camp for nearly 3 hours. I updated her on the years in which she had yet to hear about. Again, the wrath of my 2002ers is much. We had planned on never going to bed that night, so we tried finding a movie, but we settled on Blazing Saddles instead. Laughs
Saturday I woke up at 4:00 in the morning (2002 kids seem to like that time of morning for departing flights) Tracy helped me get dressed one last time and comb my hair. She could tell I was on the verge of tears, so the sarcasm rolled in, it made me laugh so much, I don’t know what I would do without her. I hugged Mommy Potter goodbye, almost bawling, but I did it. I thanked her and I left to get into Lando one last time. I looked around at the empty quiet streets and semi- traffic free highways. It was peaceful. We listened to Wicked on the way to LAX. Something we both knew and loved, it was great to go out on that musical note. I had tears rolling down my face the whole time we were in check in and security. As we were waiting for the plane to arrive Tracy was filling me in on her philosophy of life. Laughs (not really she was making it up as she went) Then to be Tracy she wouldn’t hug me until we got to the gate, which became an ongoing joke. When my flight was finally called the guy at the gate goes you can put her on the aircraft to make sure she’s settled in the seat. It made me feel so much better. Tracy sat beside me on the plane for a few seconds, told me not to worry that it would be okay. I hugged her one last time and told her I loved her. And that was it. In three short hours we were separated again. I didn’t cry for the entire flight, the transition was smoother than I thought it would be, but I am so glad for this experience. I couldn’t ask for better. Tracy and her family are wonderful people and I am going to miss them terribly. I am going to miss Tracy so much, she helped me more than anyone ever could. I truly appreciate everything that went on last week. I can truly say I left California so much closer to Tracy as a friend than I have in the past three years. She really helped my wishes come true.
Thank you for everything Potter family and friends. Until next time, stay safe. And I love you!
~CHERYL
PS- I missed my family very much, especially my daddy. Last night before we all went to bed he calls for me to come talk and he says to me: "Cheryl I am so glad you are home, you mean so much to me, and its so wonderful to have things back to normal. I was lonely without you. I don’t know if it’s the idea of you not being here or what, but I have decided that you can’t go away to college. I’ll miss you way too much. I love you baby." I told him goodnight and I loved him and that I was glad to be home with him
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