Girls Only!

by Beverly Lewis

  Follow the Dream

  Chapter Three

  Long before the sun arose the next morning, Livvy was dressed and ready for her practice session. She really wanted things to go well with Coach Sterling. And she hoped every jump would be clean and solid. Excellence was her goal—and Coach’s, too. For her.

  She smiled into the mirror, brushing her hair. She pulled her shoulder-length locks back into a ponytail. Coach’s nickname for her, Her Grace, came to mind. As if she were of royal blood. The name actually made her want to skate like a princess.

  When she thought of the older gentleman, she got grateful goose bumps. Odell Sterling had postponed his plans for retirement because she needed a top-notch coach. And he was the best, all right. He’d coached numerous Olympic stars in his prime but had come to Alpine Lake to escape the “madness.” To settle down and relax a bit. The story of how they’d met was absolutely mind-boggling. Even now as she remembered, Coach was a super cool answer to prayer.

  “Olivia Kay! Are you ready to go?” Grandma was calling up the steps, as usual. In fact, Livvy could set her watch to the first call of every morning.

  “I want to walk today,” she said, as she did every morning. “I really do, Grandma.” She added an extra punch to her words. Hoping . . . praying that her grandmother would take the hint.

  “Nothing doing” came the reply. “I’ll back the car out right after breakfast.”

  Livvy’s anger boiled. “Why is she doing this?” Putting down her hairbrush, she leaned close to the mirror. “I can’t live my own life,” she whispered at her image. She scowled back at her reflection.

  Coco bristled in his cage. Promptly, Livvy turned to greet her pet. “Grandma doesn’t listen to me,” she cooed. “My life stinks.”

  The parrot cocked his little yellow head to the side. “Stink . . . stink . . . stink,” he cawed.

  On any other day she might’ve laughed out loud. Today, she watched her clown of a bird in silence. His white body seemed extra bright today. “It’s not funny,” she said, tapping on his cage.

  “Livvy stink . . . stink,” he replied.

  She couldn’t help herself. She smiled at Coco. “Did you give yourself a bath, birdie-boy?” she asked, making kissy sounds. “Did you?”

  He began to make loud, screeching noises. Obnoxious ones. So noisy Grandma came huffing and puffing upstairs. “What in the world is going on?”

  “It’s just Coco,” Livvy explained. “He does chicken impersonations every so often.”

  Grandma put both hands on her heaving chest. “Well, in all my days . . .”

  “He’s a super special bird.”

  “Super special, my eye,” Grandma whispered.

  Livvy heard it all the same. “Coco’s the best pet anyone could ever have,” she said, turning to the cage. “Aren’t you, cutie-bird?”

  Grandma wagged her head, obviously disgusted. “Come, now, Livvy, it’s time for breakfast. We can’t be late for your practice.”

  “I’m not going,” Livvy said, surprising herself.

  Grandma’s eyebrows shot up. “You’re not what?”

  “I’m staying home today.”

  “Well, I’ll be—”

  “You go ahead, Grandma.”

  Gulp. She’d stuck her neck out.

  A confused little frown passed over Grandma’s brow. “What ever would I want with skating practice, Olivia Kay?”

  My point exactly, Livvy thought but knew better than to say it. She wouldn’t stoop so low—although she’d already skirted the edge of disrespect.

  “I think you’d better come along, dear. Coach Sterling will be waiting. It wouldn’t be polite not to show up.” Without another word, the woman turned and headed for the stairs.

  Livvy gave her bangs a quick brushing. Then she flashed a smirk at Coco. “I almost had her, didn’t I?” she whispered.

  Then, eyeing him a little closer, she said, “Please . . . no more chicken routines, Coco. At least not till I leave the house.” Suddenly, she thought of her dad. He’d be getting up in a couple hours, after the sun came up. He worked late at night and slept in a bit in the morning. “On second thought, better not make any racket at all.”

  Livvy left the room, waiting to hear what Coco might do. She paused at the door. Then, noticing the attic stairway door was ajar, she tiptoed down the hall. She rounded the curve near her father’s bedroom, hoping she wouldn’t awaken him.

  Time to see what’s happening upstairs, she thought and sneaked up the narrow stairwell to the art studio. Her father had asked both Grandma and Livvy to stay out of his studio.

  “What’re you painting?” Livvy had asked.

  “Just trust me,” he’d said. “You’ll see it soon.”

  Since she hadn’t promised—neither had Grandma—Livvy figured it was all right to have a peek. Just one little glimpse couldn’t hurt. It didn’t strike her that she might be disobeying his wishes. Livvy was just so curious.

  At the top of the stairs, she reached for the light switch. The recessed and track lighting made the place spring to life. Super cool.

  Just then she heard Grandma’s voice two flights below. She skimmed the room with her eyes, hoping to spy something without actually walking into the studio. Only one thing caught her attention: a draped canvas. Nothing unusual about that. Dad always covered up his work when he was away from his studio.

  “Olivia Kay” came Grandma’s voice again.

  If she didn’t go now, she’d run the risk of waking Dad. That would never do. Especially since he wouldn’t be thrilled about a snooper in his studio.

  Turning off the lights, she crept back downstairs, grimacing as she stepped on a creaky step. Then, fast as she could, she scurried down the second-floor hallway. “I’m coming, Grandma,” she called softly.

  Coco could be heard mimicking her in his cage. “Grandma . . . coming, Grandma . . .”

  Thankfully, the beloved bird was considerate enough not to squawk this time. At least he wasn’t pulling another chicken charade. Not yet, anyway.

  Grandma was waiting near the coat closet. She wore her warmest jogging suit, a soft pink fleece. The outfit brought a slight rosy hue to her wrinkled cheeks.

  “There you are,” Grandma said, smiling. “I’m so relieved. Honestly, I thought you meant for me to keep Coach Sterling company this morning.”

  Livvy hardly knew what to say. “I didn’t mean that at all, Grandma.” She was astonished at the comment. What a silly thing for Grandma to say. Unless . . . of course, Grandma was attracted to Livvy’s Coach. Now, that was an interesting possibility!

  Follow the Dream

  Chapter Four

  Triple jumps were the topic of the morning.

  Coach Sterling gave Livvy ample time to warm up under Grandma’s watchful eye. The gray-haired woman was obviously restless. She couldn’t seem to sit down. When she did, it was only for a few seconds at a time. She was like a yo-yo this morning—up and down.

  Most of the time, Grandma paced back and forth behind the barrier. No matter where Livvy worked on the ice, there was Grandma Hudson, flitting about.

  Coach didn’t seem to notice, which surprised Livvy. How could he not see that the woman was a major distraction? Was he so totally tuned in to his coaching? Was that it?

  “Let’s have some flawless landings today,” the well-dressed gentleman said with a smile. “Nothing less.” He clapped his hands, urging Livvy on from the sidelines.

  Grandma clapped, too, calling out, “You can do it, Olivia!”

  I’m Livvy . . . not that sophisticated-sounding name, she thought, taking a fast turn around the rink. She attempted to think through her setup for a triple toe loop. Coach Sterling, as well as her previous coach, always prompted her to do this. She must take time and care to envision her every action. Gliding backward on the back inside edge of her skate—knees bent gracefully—she extended her free leg behind her.

  Livvy was right-handed, so she almost always jumped off her righ
t foot. Not when performing the loop jump, though. The left leg was the one for this easiest of the toe jumps.

  She gained power with a backward crossover, accelerating more quickly. She felt the speed as she pushed and pulled hard with her edges. This jump would take off and land on the exact same skate edge. Livvy could imagine herself giving the extra kick from the toe pick. Yep, she was ready to go for it.

  “Give it all you’ve got, Olivia!” Grandma suddenly called.

  Hearing her given name threw Livvy off. Her focus was messed up—super messed up. She didn’t even try for the jump. She skated out of it, burying her face in her hands. Skimming the ice, she felt like calling it a day. More than anything, she wanted to skate just once without Grandma Hudson.

  “Livvy? What is it?” Coach called.

  She shook her head. How could she explain to Coach with Grandma standing nearby? Her complaint might come out sounding very bitter. Deep inside—no, right on the surface—she felt as upset as she’d ever been.

  Coach stood at attention, waiting. She could see him through her fingers. Then, dropping her hands, she made another pass around the rink, avoiding center ice and the side nearest Coach and Grandma. She was having a horrible time centering herself. Her balance was tottering, too.

  “I’ll try again,” she said.

  Another skate around the rink would surely do it. If only Grandma would stop calling out. It was as if Grandma was confused about her role in all this. Like maybe she thought she was the assistant to the coach. Or something other than just a grandmother.

  Livvy thought about it. Why did her grandmother bug her so much? Surely she was only trying to help, not wanting to take over every inch of Livvy’s life. Surely not.

  This time around, Livvy turned into her backward glide, coming faster across the ice. I, Livvy Hudson, future Olympian, can and will do this jump! she psyched herself up. Please, God, help me.

  One leg trailed the other as she sailed toward the spot where she knew she must jump. There was a slightly prolonged amount of time when it seemed she was merely flying. But then she kicked her toe into the ice and leaped off her skating leg, into the air. Three spins counterclockwise high in the air were flawless. The landing was supposed to happen on the back outside edge of her right foot. Instead, both her feet came down together!

  She was furious with herself. Especially because she’d let Grandma get to her.

  Again!

  But she wouldn’t give up. She tried the same jump again. Four more times in a row.

  Finally she landed correctly, on only one skate—her right. Her free leg swung around gracefully behind her and up.

  “That’s it, Her Grace!” Coach was saying, though not loudly. His voice had the most pleasant ring to it. He even applauded several times.

  Grandma, on the other hand, waved her skinny little hands like a cheerleader—but a rather dilapidated one. Livvy couldn’t begin to imagine her grandmother in a short, pleated skirt and tennis shoes. The best she could do was to think of Grandma Hudson back in Illinois, baking bread in her kitchen. Where she belonged.

  * * *

  Livvy met up with Jenna in P.E., their third-period class. The locker room smelled of hair spray and deodorant. There were a number of girls rushing out, late for their next class.

  It was impossible not to notice how happy Jenna Song was. Her face nearly shone with glee.

  “What’s up with you?” Livvy asked, searching her face.

  Jenna rummaged through her book bag and produced the reason for her delight. “It’s this!” She showed off an Α-plus in math. “Do you have any idea how unbelievable this is?”

  Several other girls were grinning, too. In fact, two girls came over to peer at Jenna’s math grade.

  Livvy opened her gym locker. “Congrats, Jen,” she said softly, without turning around.

  “Hey, you okay?” Jenna asked.

  Livvy did a double take. “What do you mean?”

  “You just sound so . . .” Her voice trailed off.

  “Ticked off?”

  Jenna nodded, her eyes serious. “Did something happen at practice this morning?”

  Livvy felt the lump in her throat. Tears clouded her eyes, and she leaned deep into her locker. She couldn’t do this. Not here, not now!

  “Oh, Livvy, it’s your grandma, isn’t it?” Jenna patted her shoulder. “I’m really sorry. I shouldn’t have brought it up.”

  Livvy tried to say, “I’ll be okay,” but it came out mushy and squeaky. She was sure her best friend had no idea what she was trying to say.

  “We’ll talk at Girls Only Club,” Jenna offered.

  Livvy nodded. She watched Jenna walk to her locker. Actually, it was more like floating. But then, gymnasts were known to walk that way. And ice skaters, too, but only when their world wasn’t crumbling beneath their feet.

  Jenna’s graceful walk made Livvy’s heart sink. If Grandma Hudson didn’t leave her alone—and soon!—she would never be able to float or skate gracefully or do any of the demanding jumps and moves in her repertoire. In short, she would never be able to follow her heart—to the Olympics!

  Follow the Dream

  Chapter Five

  After ballet class at Natalie Johnston’s private studio, Livvy, Jenna, Heather, and Manda hurried to Jen’s house. Jenna—president of Girls Only—called the meeting to order. She was the prez because her attic bedroom was the location of their Friday meetings. The ideal setting.

  Her room was super cool, with hot pink carpet. There was also plenty of space to hang out and relax. The barre and wide mirror Jenna’s father had installed stretched across one long wall. A computer desk and large bulletin board behind it filled up one spot at the far end of the room. Posters of Mary Lou Retton, Keri Strug, and the Magnificent Seven of recent Olympic fame decorated the walls near a four-poster bed. One glance around Jen’s room, and her athletic obsession reached right out and zapped you.

  Actually, all four members of Girls Only were on course for the Olympics: Jenna Song, Heather Bock, Miranda Garcia, and Livvy herself. Heather was an ice dancer with her older brother, Kevin. Manda was an Alpine skier.

  “What’s up with old business?” Jenna said, giving a nod to Heather. Blond and vivacious, Heather had been both the secretary and the treasurer for the club. Now that Manda was one of the foursome, she was in charge of the bucks. Not that there was much money to be in charge of. All the same, Manda held the position of treasurer.

  “Let’s vote on what to do for our springtime activity,” Heather spoke up. “It’s been months since we’ve performed anything for our families.”

  Manda wore a fleeting frown. “Easter’s only a few weeks away. Not much time to pull something together.”

  Livvy wondered about Manda’s comment. Was there a downhill event coming up for her? Manda was a first-rate skier. Maybe she didn’t want to be distracted. “Are you training for a race?” Livvy asked thoughtfully.

  Manda shook her head. “My mom and I are going to visit my grandparents in Kansas over Easter weekend.”

  “Oh,” Jenna said, face drooping. “That’ll leave just the three of us.”

  “Maybe we should skip it,” Livvy said, feeling as glum as Jenna looked.

  “Why can’t we do something anyway?” Heather suggested. “You wouldn’t mind, would you, Manda?”

  Livvy, Jenna, and Heather turned simultaneously toward the tall, Hispanic skier. Blushing, Manda pursed her lips. “I don’t want to be a party pooper,” she said comically.

  “Oh, don’t worry. You’re never that,” Livvy assured her.

  Manda nodded, grinning. “Sure . . . go ahead, plan something for Easter. I’ll cheer you on from afar.”

  Was there still some hesitation in Manda’s voice? Livvy kept staring—not to be rude, she just wanted to be sure Manda really didn’t mind. “You know, it would be real easy to wait till you get back,” she said. “We could put on a program after the holy days.”

  Manda insisted, shaking
her head. “Do whatever you like. Honest. I’m cool with it.”

  So, with Manda’s help, the girls put their heads together. They decided to create a pageant-type play. “Complete with our pets,” Jenna said, stroking her golden-haired cat, Sasha.

  “Who’s going to write the play?” Heather asked.

  The room was still. The girls eyed one another without speaking. Almost bashfully.

  At last, Jenna volunteered. “If no one else wants to, I’ll do it.”

  Applause followed, and Jenna’s face lit up. Her jet black hair shone under the ceiling lights. “In case you didn’t know it, I have a secret dream.” Her eyes squinted nearly shut.

  “Let me guess,” teased Livvy.

  But Jenna volunteered the secret before Livvy could say more. “I’ve always wanted to be a script writer.”

  Livvy wasn’t surprised. Jenna was known to be quite creative on paper. She loved writing in her leather-bound book. Every day she wrote, no matter what.

  “How will you keep up with writing and gymnastics?” Manda asked. “When you’re an adult, I mean.”

  Jenna smiled her perky smile. “If God wants me to do it, I’ll give everything my best shot.”

  Livvy said softly, “My mother used to say, ‘Your creative strengths will start to narrow down as you grow up.’ ” She startled herself. It had been months since she’d spoken so openly about her deceased mother.

  Heather reached over and squeezed Livvy’s arm. “I think your mom was positively right.”

  There was lots more talk of the pageant—how to bring certain animal pets into the show. “Be sure to include Livvy’s talking parrot,” Manda piped up. “Coco’s a real kick.”

  “Yeah, we could train him to do the echoes,” Jenna said, her eyes blinking.

  “What echoes are you talking about?” Livvy asked.

  The girls burst out laughing.

  “Yeah, what’s with the echoes?” Heather said.

  Jenna’s olive skin turned slightly purple. “Oh, whatever.”