The Third Wheel
AN ODE TO MY SIBLINGS
A philosophical haven, an alcove of classified information, and the temple for my illustrious one-woman cover of “Bohemian Rhapsody”: my shower. This dwelling of decaying pink tile and contemplation is where I do my deepest thinking. Moreover, it is where I had a light bulb moment and ultimately came to conclusion that most things in my life are in relation to the number three—I am the youngest of three, I was born at 3pm, and my mom always made me try things three times before declaring dislike. As I half-heartedly scrubbed my shoulder, I further pondered the seemingly coincidental recurrence of the number three in my life. I wondered why our world had put such an emphasis on pairs—socks, shoes, earrings, relationships, the buy two get one free board game at Target, etc. It made no sense to me, since the most enlightening moments and details of my life have always happened in threes.
By destiny, I have always been a third wheel. Growing up in a family of five, my parents paired off together and my twin-like older brother and sister would as well. That left me: a third wheel in both situations. What is perhaps one of the most interesting things to me, is our society’s predisposed hatred toward third wheeling. No one wants to be the singled, odd one out. I, upon cucumber melon scented reflection, realized that my life of third wheeling is actually one of the main reasons for my success and passion. Like a third wheel on a tricycle, I often lead the way with my back wheels supporting closely behind.
Drawing upon my experiences as a self-proclaimed professional third wheel (twenty five years and running), I think my entire adolescence with my siblings had the biggest impact on my current self. As mentioned before, they were like conjoined twins: a collective unit that I was not “cool enough” to be apart of — they ran a tight ship and I was okay with not meeting the qualifications. With this, I was often left to my own imagination. While they engaged in a two-some game of catch, I climbed our plum tree and realized the great agility I had. At the eve of my seventh year, my mother enrolled me in Gymnastics because of my new-found abilities. Although I did not continue with my gymnastics career for very long, it was because of my role as a third wheel that I figured out some of my capabilities.
In addition to their natural kindred union, my siblings also formed a special bond through their interest and adroitness in soccer and softball/baseball. I, lacking dexterity in that field, was often left out. My siblings were all-star players on their respective teams while I happily kept the bench warm and encouraged our team to victory. I had become such a crowd favorite, in fact, that my little league came up with a pretend rule called “the Bella rule”, where an umpire was not allowed to strike me out until I made it on base. Regardless of my shortcoming ability (and the black sheep complex I carried in comparison to my siblings), I did not let it hinder my enjoyment and performance, or lack thereof. I may have never been number one on the field, but I always knew I was number one in everyone’s hearts—I could not have gained that ability without being the offbeat third wheel to my family tricycle.
One last defining characteristic that truly thrusted me into the role as third wheel was my overall dissimilarity to my siblings. We, of course, do share some things in common: our colored eyes, tan skin, and inclination to aggravate our mother. However, these qualities do not equally bond us as three. At a young age, I came to terms with the fact that I was the misfit of us three. Both had skills that were concrete and they easily shined in everything they did. I, on the other hand, resembled something more closely to “Smalls” from The Sandlot. Always being more creatively inclined, my mom always said I was in my own “little world”. It wasn’t until I got to high school that I began channeling my creative side and fully enveloped myself in the role of “third wheel” and “oddball” of the family.
Finally attempting to break out of the “student athlete” path my siblings paved for me, I decided to join theatre in my Sophomore year of high school. I have always relished storytelling, but thought that writing was the only medium for a long time. It was when I did my first production of a peculiar show called Our Town, that I realized the many avenues of storytelling. A production that is completely pantomimed, showed me how theatre actors/dancers use their bodies to tell a story. Anyone could spit dialogue, but without the image (or pantomimed image) that story cannot be adequately told. Since then, I have had the opportunity of telling seven more stories via stage and have taken the liberty of telling my own via writing and filmmaking.
As a hopeful, creative filmmaker, I wish to tell stories similar to my own. Like my own persona, my storytelling will likely be a bit eccentric, passionate, with a dash of humor. I look forward to my future in storytelling, as I hope to reach those who do not see the beauty in being the oddball. To put it best: I would like to show that being a third wheel isn’t so bad after all.