Three dots blinked. Tim was typing something else.
Tim: There is one thing on my mind though?.?.?. Why are you coming back so soon? Not that I don’t want to see you, but is everything okay? I remember you telling me how hard it is to get time off.
Gemma: I’m nursing an injury. I have to take at least the next two weeks off, starting today.
Tim: Gemma! Are you okay?
Gemma: Physically, the time off is probably the best thing for me. My body needs to rest. But mentally, I’m struggling. There is so much on my mind that I’ve had to come to terms with.
Tim: Would a chat help?
Gemma: Yeah, I think it would.
A moment later, a video request popped up on Gemma’s mobile. Swiping right, she accepted, and balanced the device on its Pop Socket. “Hey.”
Tim’s face appeared on the screen. The room was semi-dark, illuminated by the glow of a computer. He removed a pair of black glasses. “Hey, stranger,” he said tiredly.
“I’m sorry to interrupt you. I know you’re probably busy. Why don’t I just wait until I see you on Saturday?”
Gesturing to the laptop screen, he said, “This stuff can wait. You’re my priority. Talk to me. What’s on your mind?”
She pulled her knees to her chest. “I wish you were here right now. I could really use a friend who isn’t a skater. I love Frankie, but?.?.?.”
“But she’s not injured, and you are.”
She nodded. “I shouldn’t be jealous, but I am.”
“I think when you’ve been given tough news, it’s human nature to be jealous and maybe a little resentful.”
For the first time in several weeks, her tight grip on her emotions was beginning to waver. “It’s my own stupid fault. My hip has been hurting for a long time. I thought I’d be able to push through it, and maybe by some miracle it would just go away. But all I managed to do is muck it up.”
“That’s the mentality we athletes have. We’re trained from an early age to ignore any aches and pains and push through them.”
Her lips quivered. “I’ve been injury free almost my whole skating career. Why did this have to happen now?”
“As much as we might wish it, our bodies aren’t machines. They break down.” Tim stayed silent for a few moments, then he said, “Believe me, Gem, I understand exactly what you’re going through and how it feels like the universe hates you.”
She rested her head on her knees. “You do?”
“Uh-huh.” He moved his phone to the side and removed his shirt. Her body flooded with warmth. Gemma was able to get an up-close and personal look at the muscles in Tim’s upper chest and shoulder. Underneath all those plaid shirts, his body was ripped.
“Do you see these?” He angled the camera, focusing on an area with a few puffy pink dots and a long silvery scar. “And this one here?.?.?.” The camera was fuzzy for a second, then came back into focus. There was a scar that looked like a baseball seam on the backside of his elbow. “I have these scars because like you, I thought I could ignore my body when it was sending me signs to stop playing baseball and rest. I thought that if I missed a day of practice or a workout, it was the end of the world.”
“That’s how I’m feeling now. I’ve never missed a workout or taken time away from the ice.”
“This is your first major injury, then?”
She nodded.
“Do me a favor. Take a deep breath. Hold it for three seconds, then exhale.” Tim shrugged his shirt back on as she did so. “Good. Now here’s what I always tell my students. Put your listening ears on.”
Gemma giggled and mirrored his hands, putting on a set of invisible ears.
“Any time away from a sport is hard but know this: Taking time off is the first step in the recovery process. Use the time to learn more about yourself and put together a plan of action to come back better and stronger.”
He’s so passionate about this.Her gaze traveled to his shoulder.
“It’s all over your face—you want to know what happened.”
