I can't help but crack a relieved grin. If my coach calls the jumpawesome, then it was indeed awesome.
My chance is alive.
If I perform just as well in the next two rounds, I might finally make my big dream come true—to make a living from cliff diving. I’ll need the talent scout's recommendation to secure a sponsorship deal and move to the pro league. There's nothing I want more.
In the next hour, I do everything to deliver a flawless performance. With my final jump, I realize that fate is now incontrol. I can only hope it remembers that it owes me some redemption.
***
As I arrive at my VW bus in the gentle light of the evening sun after the show, I can't suppress a yawn. I'm exhausted. But also incredibly happy. Letting out a contented sigh, I sink onto the driver's seat and reach for a power bar from the half-empty pack. After barely taking the first bite, my phone rings.
It's a video call from Camilla. Chewing with pleasure, I answer the call. "Hey," I say, setting the phone down to grab my hoodie from the back seat.
Even though it's pleasantly warm here during the day, the approaching night still brings some colder temperatures.
"Vico? I can't see you." Her tone carries a sense of urgency. "What's wrong with this stupid thing again?"
"Just a moment." Quickly pulling the hoodie over my head, I reach for the phone and hold it up to my face. "I'm here." As soon as I utter the words, I pause. Even though Camilla's fringed short haircut hasn't changed in years and I already know her recently chubby cheeks, she seems foreign to me today.
My sister takes a deep breath and locks her gaze on me. "Where are you?" she asks.
"At the Amalfi Coast. Why?" I take another bite of my power bar and study her more closely. Her usually cheerful face is frozen in an expression of concern.
"I see," she replies without answering my question.
An uneasy feeling creeps up inside me. "Are you okay? You look a bit pale."
She remains silent, nervously fumbling with her ear. Her wedding ring glistens in gold. Something is not right with her. I can sense it.
I shouldn't let myself be affected by this restlessness. However, it happens anyway.
I put the half-eaten bar aside. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," she whispers. "I'm just a little tired."
It may be true, but that can't be all. An uncomfortable silence settles between us. I could let it go, not ask any further. Yet I know I can't do that.
"Do you need me?" I ask. "Should I come back home?"
My God, what am I saying?
I can't go back there. The mere thought makes my stomach twist into knots. Cold sweat forms on my forehead. Besides, my next competition is this weekend.
Camilla shakes her head silently, but her eyes scream loudly, "Yes."
What now?
Should I pretend that everything is okay?
My throat feels constricted. The sky behind the windshield darkens rapidly. I wish I could freeze time, but that wouldn't help. No matter how many shivers run down my spine at the thought of returning to my hometown, I won't abandon my sister. Not after what she has done for me.
To relieve the tightness in my throat, I clear it loudly. "I'll leave early tomorrow morning."
My attempt to sound carefree has failed miserably. The forced croak probably gave me away. Hopefully, she won't notice that my smile is nothing but forced.
She nods, blinking noticeably often. Then she struggles to force her lips into a smile as well. "Thank you," she whispers and ends the call abruptly.
Whether I like it or not, in my imagination, the video continues, showing my little sister burying her face in her hands and sobbing loudly.
