“No, I booked a flight to my parents’ place for Thanksgiving.After my sister and her wife decided to start trying for a baby, they moved to Vermont to be closer to them.”
How did one sentence manage to contain so much new information about Misty, and how much was there still left to learn?He couldn’t wait to find out and to share more with her.
“Anyway, I’m leaving on Saturday night so I can have Sunday to unpack and decompress before going back to work...and getting ready for the big day.”
“I should be back by then.Want to get together?”
“Yes!I haven’t had an easier time answering a question since I got invited to the team.”
They sat there smiling at each other until Spencer spoke again.“How does the rest of today look for you?”
“We’ve got a team meeting in a little while — I can’t believe I get to say that!— and then a farewell dinner.”
“And I have a 7:00 session tonight,” he mused.“But after that, I’m free.”
“I’ll text you when I’m done.Why do you ask, anyway?”
“Because this is an incredible accomplishment, and we should celebrate.”His mind raced with possibilities of how they could do that, reminding him of how he brainstormed training programs.Unlike his work programs, though, this had him perking up in all ways.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Maybe the weight ofnot knowing had literally been taken off her shoulders.Maybe pride in her accomplishment had her walking taller.Or maybe all the physical activity of the past few weeks had affected her carriage.Whatever it was, Misty felt herself moving differently as everyone came together for the first team meeting.
In the excitement of seeing that both she and Tish had made the team, she’d barely noticed anyone else.But as she arrived, she noted the other women in the room and felt encouraged by the lineup.Marla’s winter sports experience and Eva’s strength would combine well with Tish’s speed and her own skills to make for a promising team.
Ms.Coolidge was in a bubblier mood than Misty had ever seen her.“First of all, we would like to congratulate you.It’s been a challenging time for you as athletes and for us as we were charged with creating the first four-woman bobsled team for the World Winter Games.However, you have risen to it admirably and shown incredible skill.That tells us you can meet whatever the event throws at you.Tish!”
Tish startled at the sound of her name.“For your leadership skills, speed, and keen eye, you are officially our pilot.”
“Okay.”She looked pleased, and Misty was happy for her.
“Marla, Eva—you’re both strong and quick, and we’re putting you in the middle.”
They both nodded.“Misty, you’re fast, you’re sharp, and you’re on brakes.”
“Works for me.”
