A Crooked Kind of Perfect

Zoe’s dad wants eggs so he can make popovers, and Zoe’s mom invites her to come to the grocery store with her to get them. It’s a rare occasion, and Zoe enjoys listening to classical music with her mother on the radio. Today, various children and teens are playing classical pieces for an audience. Zoe listens as a boy named Daniel plays the cello with great skill and explains that he practices four hours a day. It occurs to Zoe that perfection is not something that comes without effort.

Zoe decides that she is going to practice for four hours a day instead of quitting. She envisions herself being celebrated and interviewed, and her mom driving around listening to her on the radio.

Every day, Zoe follows a strict routine of eating, going to school, and practicing her Neil Diamond song.