Girls Only! (2 page)

Follow the Dream

Chapter Two

Their suppertime conversation centered around Livvy’s practice schedule and several upcoming skating events. All Grandma’s doing, of course.

“Now, Olivia,” her grandmother said, “we must discuss your costume for Springtime on Ice. The revue is coming up very soon now.”

Livvy’s stomach knotted up. “Coach Sterling said it’s not necessary to buy a new outfit. Not this time.”

“Oh, never mind him.” Grandma waved her hand as though Livvy’s coach didn’t know beans. “Of course you’ll have a new outfit.”

Never mind him? How could Grandma say such a thing? Coach Sterling was her guide, her mentor. She wanted to follow his instructions to a tee.

Sneaking a peek at her dad, Livvy wondered what
he
thought of Grandma’s chatter. Looked like he was busying himself with other things, all right. At the head of the table, he was winding up the noodles on his fork. Focusing attention on his plate was
one
way to block out mealtime stress.

Livvy picked up her fork, wishing she could do the same. Sure, she could daydream while Grandma jabbered on and on. That was always an option. . . .

She let her mind wander back to a road trip. She and her mother had been driving home from a skate competition in Michigan. They’d played all sorts of road-trip games—finding as many different states as they could on license plates. And, of course, Twenty Questions. Super-fun stuff.

Between games, Mom had glanced over at Livvy, sitting next to her in the front seat. “
You’re star material, honey. I hope you know that
.”

Livvy hadn’t known what to say at the time. She wanted to believe her mother. She was doing her best; she knew that much. “
I’m glad I have someone to believe in me
,” she’d said at last.

“I know in my heart you’ll go far,”
Mom had said, reaching over and smoothing Livvy’s hair. “
I just know it
.”

Mom had always understood her dreams to make the Olympics someday. She’d cheered her on at every skating event, competitive or otherwise. She wanted to be there for her daughter, no matter what. Dad, on the other hand, was the introspective artist in the family. Quiet and thoughtful, he preferred to stay home. So Mom and Livvy would fly or drive different places—always together.

Dad had made small strides this school year, Livvy recalled. He’d come out of his shell long enough to be introduced to her new coach. But that was months ago, and her father had slipped back into his own work routine. More than half the day, he hung out in his newly remodeled attic studio. Although it was a fantastic getaway for a master artist, Livvy felt shut out of his life. Again.

“You’re awfully quiet, Olivia,” Grandma said.

Olivia this. . . Olivia that
, thought Livvy. Forcing a smile, she managed to say, “Your casserole’s delicious.”

Grandma leaned closer, across the table from her. “Tell me, dear, what would you say if
I
made your new springtime skating outfit?”

Please, God, don’t let this be happening
, she prayed silently.

Grandma continued talking, her hands fluttering about. “How about a pale pink skirt with a delicate lace bodice insert? And just in time for Easter, too. Oh, dear me, you’ll look perfect.”

“Perfect?” Livvy squeaked. “But, Grandma—”

“Now, don’t you go worrying over the cost of materials and such things,” the older woman interrupted. “I’ve made a good friend down at the Cloth Mill. Mrs. Newton says she’ll be glad to help me economize any time at all.”

Livvy hadn’t realized it, but she’d begun to slip down slowly in her chair. She stared at the salt-and-pepper shakers. They were part of her mother’s set of best china. Why were they mixed in with the everyday dishes?

She fumed about it. Everything was off kilter since Mom died. No . . . since Grandma had come to live here. Worse yet, why didn’t Dad intervene? Better yet, why couldn’t
she
speak up for herself?

She glanced at her dad again. Busy with his green beans now. She wanted to say something.
Do
something! But she felt completely helpless. Next thing, Grandma would have her dressed up all prim and proper for Fifth Avenue’s Easter parade, carrying a basketful of dyed eggs!

Two hours later, she complained to Jenna by phone. “Grandma’s starting to plan my outfits. And, get this,
she
wants to sew my spring costume!”

“Maybe things’ll calm down. Just relax.”

Livvy couldn’t believe her ears! “You want me to forget about this? How can I?”

“It won’t hurt to let it go just this once. Let your grandma do whatever.”

Livvy wished she’d never brought any of this up with Jen. Her friend was being totally unreasonable. “Let me ask you a question,” she shot back. “Would
you
wear a gymnastics leotard sewn by your grandmother?”

Jenna was silent for a moment; then came her apologetic words. “I see what you’re saying. You’re right, Liv, and I’m sorry.”

Livvy leaned back against the headboard of her bed. She thought of her petite friend wearing a hand-sewn leotard. How ridiculous that would be! Jenna was an advanced gymnast—nearly a Level Nine. The highly competitive sport was her life, just as ice-skating was Livvy’s. No way would Jen’s grandmother think of intruding into
that
part of her granddaughter’s life.

Livvy pondered her own predicament. “It’s the hardest thing I’ll ever have to do. I just know it.”

“What is?”

Taking a deep breath, Livvy continued. “Telling Grandma to back off. Somehow, I have to do it.”

“Have you thought of asking your dad? Won’t he talk to your grandma?”

“Don’t I wish,” Livvy said softly.

“So your dad’s too busy?”

“He’s working on a new project. The studio’s actually off-limits to both Grandma and me.”

“Then you’re stuck, right?” asked Jenna.

Livvy imagined her Korean friend holding the phone, her dark brown eyes narrowing with concern. “I’m going to pray about it. That’s all I can do,” Livvy said at last.

“Good idea. I will, too.”

“I need all the help I can get,” Livvy admitted.

“So why don’t you bring it up Friday afternoon at Girls Only? It’s really ideal.”

Twice now Jenna had suggested it. She was a determined friend. She probably wouldn’t give up till Livvy gave in.

So . . . what could it hurt? Maybe it would help to talk things out with the other girls in the top-secret club.

“Well, I hope I won’t regret it,” she said hesitantly.

“Great, Liv. You won’t be sorry,” her friend said before hanging up the phone. “Things’ll work out.”

Things’ll work out
. . . .

Livvy wished with all of her heart it could be true.

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!”