Chapter 20
Saturday morning, Dad drives me to Charleston for the qualifying track meet. I don’t need to qualify for my races this year, but we have several freshmen who do, so Coach encouraged the entire team to attend.
Holly is pulling up with Jaxon when we arrive.
Dad and I follow behind them to the back of the school where the track is located.
This is one of the nicest tracks in the area, and organizers have set up canopies for athletes, officials, first aid, and water stations.
Stands are across the track for spectators to sit.
We take seats in the stands on the bottom row as people trickle toward the track. Seb is the first to arrive with Bay, and Alex and E aren’t far behind. I need to join my team as Jake appears. Running over quickly, I say hi to him, Ray, and Will before meeting the team.
Snapping a pic, I text Dad and the guys, and then begin my stretches. When the distance runners are called onto the field, I follow to the middle of the track to jog around. I smile when I see Jake talking to Seb and give them a wave.
As the gun goes off and the distance runners start their first lap around the track, I cheer for Jaxon as he passes me, heading towards the road.
I still don’t know why they circle the track once and then run on the sidewalks through the neighborhood instead of starting there.
In Virginia, they always started on the road and finished in the same spot.
My race is announced next, so I stand with the coach beside me. “Take it easy today, Summer. Pace yourself. No need to push too hard today. Get a feel for the other runners.”
“Got it, Coach,” I nod. I’m a little nervous, but not bad. Being a senior and already qualified takes the pressure off.
When the gun goes off, I start at a quick but steady pace.
As usual, some girls are full out sprinting, but they’ll run out of energy and fall behind.
There are a few girls I recognize from last year, including the one I beat in the last meet.
Using her as my guide, I increase my pace to match hers.
We pull ahead during the last 200m, and I have to push myself to keep pace.
She beats me by a small margin, which is okay. I’ll get her another time.
Coach and Holly praise me for a good run as I stop at the canopy to drink some electrolyte water. Holly is up soon with the 200m, so I keep her company as she warms up.
Despite the new group of athletes, no one is a match for Holly in her race, as she handily wins the 200m. There’s a good reason she has three full scholarship offers.
We relax with our team, cheering for each member as they complete their first races of the season, until I need to stretch again for my second race.
Holly and I join the twins in the middle of the track with Coach.
After the track's clear, I take up my position as the third runner in the 200m relay. Twin one takes off like a rocket as the gun goes off, and I step into position. The handoff is clean as twin two shoots forward. When twin two comes around the curve, I start to jog. Another clean handoff has me running full tilt towards Holly. I maintain our lead as I pass the baton to her. She’s off without hesitation, creating a gap between herself and the other runners the closer she gets to the finish line.
We win by a large margin, and the coach is very pleased.
Holly and I gather our belongings from the canopy and walk to the stands to join our group.
I reintroduce Holly to Jake, get a hug from Seb, then take a seat.
Grabbing my protein bars, I offer them to our group.
Will is sitting in the camp chair again beside Jake.
“How are you doing today, handsome?” I ask Jake.
The sunlight is creating a glow in his hair, bringing out the caramel and sandy tones.
His hair is luscious and shiny, so full of life compared to when he was in a coma.
I never realized it before, but he only got a haircut once a month when he was with Mal.
Now it’s back to growing fast and thick.
I ignore the need to run my hands through his locks since we’re among so many others.
“Good Sum.” His replies, his bright smile making an appearance. “Happy I get to watch you run again.”
“I’m happy you’re here, too.” I squeeze his hand before finishing my granola bar.
E hands Holly and me our homemade protein salads for lunch, passing out sandwiches to everyone else. Being the sweetheart he is, he has enough for Ray, Will, and Jake. We chat about a variety of topics as we eat.
Ready for a bathroom break, Dad, Alex, Seb, and Holly join me.
Despite it being close to a year since the kidnapping, we still travel in packs to the bathrooms during track meets.
Holly pokes her head inside as Dad holds the door.
A few girls are inside, so we wait until they’re done and then go in.
I have a habit of closing and immediately reopening the door to make sure it’s unlocked.
Something my therapist, Sarah, says is reasonable after what happened.
Jake leans in to check on me when we return. “Are you okay, Sum?”
“Yup. We’re all still paranoid about school bathrooms, that’s all.”
He squeezes my hand in support. Holly sees Jaxon returning, so we cheer when he runs back onto the track for his last lap. As usual, he wins his race.
Holly and I go back to the canopy, since my final race will start soon. We congratulate Jaxon as he cools down and drinks his water, and I let him know E has a salad for him when he’s ready.
I jog to the track when the final distance runner returns, encouraging Corry, the new 400m runner I’ve been working with, to stretch with me. “Let’s go for two out of three today, Summer,” my coach says. “Corry, give it your all and get qualifying out of the way today.”
“You got it, Coach,” we reply together. I’m feeling pretty good, so I’ll give it my all.
I have lane two for this race, which is nice as I prefer the inside lanes.
When the gun pops, I take off. I set my own pace, watching the other runners in my line of vision.
Several wane as we pass the 200m mark, so I pick up the pace.
I’m running flat out for the rest of the race and win.
I check for Corry as I regulate my breathing, but she and Coach find me.
She came in fifth place, but qualified, so I high-five her as we walk to the canopy.
Picking up my bag, I say goodbye to Coach, walking back to the stands where Jaxon is finishing his salad.
People exchange hugs, and everyone gets ready to leave. I walk with Jake and Will to the parking lot. “What did you think of the meet, handsome?”
“You’ve gotten faster, Sum, and this school is fancy. Is yours like this one?”
“Similar,” I nod. “This school is a bit smaller in size, but our track is the same, just a different color.” Jake smiles up at me, his baby blues extra bright in the daylight.
Kissing his cheek goodbye after he gets into the vehicle, I thank the three of them for coming today. Waving to everyone else, I climb into Dad’s truck to go home.
The afternoon is quiet. After a hot shower and soak in the tub with herbs and Epsom salts, Dad and I do some grocery shopping and laundry.
I drive Dad and me over to dinner at Alex’s house when it’s time. Jake told me he was tired and chose to skip out on another outing today.
Alex answers the door, offering a hug and leading us to the dining room.
It’s decorated with balloons and streamers in our school colors.
An enormous banner in silver hangs from the longest wall, with the word “congratulations” on it.
A buffet of nibbles and desserts stands behind the table.
After saying hello to everyone, I slip out to the kitchen, where I find E and Mrs. Grant. “Hi.”
“Summer. Nice to see you, dear,” Mrs. Grant greets. “Will you tell Elijah he doesn’t need to help today? This is supposed to be a celebration for him.”
“You created the menu and did most of the prep, Mrs. Grant.” E rolls his eyes good naturedly at her.
“Aww, let E help. It brings him joy. That’s the best way for him to celebrate that I can think of.”
Sighing, Mrs. Grant nods with a small smile towards E. She’s not really agitated. I get the feeling she believes it’s her job to prepare the household meals and is uncomfortable when she doesn’t.
Nabbing a biscuit, I walk back to the dining room. Bay, Olivia, and David walk towards me as I cross the hall. “Summer!” Olivia runs forward, wrapping her arms around my waist for a hug.
“Hello pretty girl. How are you today?”
“Starving,” she moans, stepping back to rub her belly. “Dad wouldn’t feed me.”
Laughing, I gently push her towards the dining room. “There are snacks on the buffet.” She skips away, followed by David, as I say hi to Bay. “So, when are we going to hear about your visit to the university yesterday?”
“At dinner,” he smiles, ushering me to join the crowd. Oh, I hope his smile means good news!
We each take seats around the table as Mrs. Grant, Mr. Grant, and E set appetizer salads in front of us, much to Mrs. Grant’s chargin.
Once everyone is served, Steven stands with his glass, after asking Mr. and Mrs. Grant to sit with us.
“Thank you for joining us this evening. It has been an eventful week for our seniors. I am happy to announce that every one of them was accepted into their first choice of college. Alex received an offer of advanced placement for his Bachelor of Science degree, which will enable him to complete his degree early and enter medical school.” We clap for him before Steven continues.
“This morning, E received a partial scholarship to culinary school.”
“Woo hoo!” My cheers echo others. He's so worried about his finances, and now that burden has lightened. E is blushing and smiling, head lowered as Seb hugs him.
“Yesterday, Alex and Bay met with the diving team in Charleston. After they watched practice and talked with the head coach and recruitment, the team offered them partial scholarships. They will have their tuition fully covered for the length of their degrees.” Steven is beaming with pride.
“Congrats, Bay,” I whisper as we clap for them.
“Thanks. Since I’m living at home, I’ll only need to pay for textbooks.”
“That’s such a relief, huh? Proud of you.” I bump his shoulder. All my friends are gonna rock college without the burden of debt. That makes me so happy.
As Steven sits, I offer my own good news. “This isn’t college related, but I wanted everyone to know that Jake is walking now.” I feel like a parent filled with pride for her kid, except I definitely don’t have those types of feelings for Jake.
The Grants deliver the main course after the announcements. We’re having steak with a herb sauce, roasted veggies, and gravy mashed potatoes. Seb helps Olivia cut her steak as she yaks about school to him. The meal is superb, with everyone carrying on their own conversations around me.
My heart is full this evening. The sense of family always fills me with good vibes, reminding me of how blessed I am compared to after the accident.
I ask Bay if Penny got her acceptance letters this week.
She received one, but is still waiting for two more, and she’s not expecting any scholarships.
Olivia interrupts, asking me what to get her friend Ellie for his birthday.
We chat about what he likes and doesn’t like, Seb chiming in with his own ideas.
She settles on a bouquet from my yard, a homemade card by her, and a variety pack of potato chips.
Ellie loves chips, but his mom doesn’t buy him any. Interesting choices.