How Billy Became a Champ!

How Billy Became a Champ!
By David Lee
Word Count:  790
Written for The Writer’s Cramp 

It was Billy's first trip downtown.  He was going with his dad on a day of running errands and shopping.  Billy was excited because the city was such a busy place.  It was great canyon of tall buildings with people and cars everywhere you could look.  He was trying his hardest to take it all in!  There was just so much to see!  Last night's thunderstorm had left everything so crisp and clean!  There were a few puddles here and there but it was turning into a nice sunny day. 

"I'm hungry," Complained Billy. 

"We are going to the square for lunch today," his father shared, as he mussed the rusty colored hair atop Billy's head.  Billy hated that, but was intrigued by what wonders he would see there. 

"What do they have there?" 

"Do you like big juicy, hot dogs?" his father asked, knowing full well the answer. 

"Sure I do!"  Billy was clearly getting excited. 

"Well do you like them with ketchup, or with mustard?" 

"Can I have both?" 

"You sure can pal!" His father giggled and smiled. 

Billy became a wiggle worm and could no longer keep still.  They could see the square up ahead. 

Billy's dad parked the car in a huge underground parking lot.  It was kind of dusky-dark inside and smelled of exhaust. 

They had to walk the last two blocks.  Billy couldn't take it all in fast enough.  There were hot dog vendors, people everywhere, some with dogs, some together with others, and some alone, eating, or reading the paper, or whatever. 

There were also street entertainers everywhere.  Billy saw a man in long colorful robes demonstrating to a small group of people some kind of horn.  It made the most awful noise. 

"What is that dad?" he cried to be heard over the noise. 

"That man is from Africa," his dad said, "he is playing a vuvuzela." 

"A vu-vu-zular?" 

"No son, it a vu-vu-ze-la." 

"Whatever dad, it sounds awful!" 

As they walked to the other side of the square they approached a clown entertaining a group of children and their parents.  The clown had the most unusual wig,  It was purple with streaks of orange and somewhat resembled Donald Trump's hair.  He wore striped pants and was entertaining the children with his magic coloring book. When he finished that he yelled out to the kids, "Who likes balloons?" 

The children in unison yelled back, "We do!” 

"Well what should I make?"  He asked back. 

"A dog!" a boy in the front row yelled back. 

"Too easy!"  The clown had inflated the balloon and twisted the dog and handed it to him in one swift motion. 

"What else?" he yelled.  He looked right at Billy and said "What else champ?"

Billy grinned and shyly said, "A pirate ship?" 

The clown looked at him, smiled, and said "Sure, I can do that, but first I need to ask you a question, are you ready?" 

Billy scraped his right foot back and forth as he looked at the ground and said "Sure." 

“Do you have a good imagination?” 

“What is that?”  Billy asked. 

“You know, imagination . . . do you sometimes pretend, to be or do something that isn’t real?” 

“Yeah.” 

“That’s imagination!  What’s your name Champ?” 

“Billy.” 

“Billy?  Why that is a swell name!  How old are you Billy?” 

Billy seemed almost embarrassed, “I’ll be 20 next week.” 

“Your only 20?  Wow!  That’s a great age Billy!”  As the clown handed him the requested balloon pirate ship and a buccaneer’s sword. 

“Thank you Mr. Clown!” 

“My name is Goody, and thank you Mr. Billy!” 

Billy was grinning from ear to ear as he and his father walked away from Goody and toward the hot dog stand. 

“Goody was a nice clown Dad!” 

“Yes he was son.” 

“He called me Champ.” 

“He’s a good friend to the children of our town.” 

“Yeah he is,” said Billy as he accepted the hot dog and sat down. 

“Dad?”

“Yes Billy?” 

“Was he nice to me because I’m slow?” 

“Billy, you’re not slow, you have Down’s syndrome.” 

“I know dad, but some people don’t even want to look at me.” 

“That is because they don't know what to say to you.” 

“Why not?” 

“I don’t know son.” 

They sat in silence for a few minutes. 

“I think he liked me dad.” 

“I do too son.” 

“He called me Champ!” 

“I know, do you know what a champ is son!” 

“A champ is the winner!”  Billy got excited. 

“Yes, a champ is a winner, but he is also a Caring Human and Magnificent Person!  Just like you Champ!” 

“I love you dad.” 

“I love you too Champ!”

Caring
Human
And
Magnificent
Person