Chapter 40
The last track meet is at the local college again this year. I slept last night, but woke up often. Not scared, but still unsettled. Hopefully, it doesn’t take long for the uneasiness to go away. If I had some sage, I’d use it, but it didn’t survive the attack.
A beautiful bouquet of rainbow roses is on the island when I walk into the kitchen for breakfast. Smiling, I grab the card. It’s from Sue and Mal. Texting them both, I take a seat. “Morning, Dad.”
“At least I’m staying here for college. You won’t get rid of me easily.”
“Thank goodness.” Kissing the top of my head, he goes back to the stove and pulls a pan of bacon from the oven. Yum. We eat quickly, then I pack my bag, and Dad drives us across the river in my Jeep.
Our group all seems to arrive at the same time this morning. Dad parks beside Holly and her mom, and I can tell Holly is already amped up for the meet. “Hey girl. Happy birthday! I’m so ready for today.” Holly says.
“Hey Holly. Oof.” Looking behind me, I see Olivia wrapped around me with a smile, and I didn’t hear her coming. “Hello Miss Olivia,” I smile.
“Happy birthday. Run faster than everyone else, okay? You too, Holly.” She sees Nick, so she’s off before I can answer. Olivia makes a beeline for him and ends up on his back right away.
I get hugs from the other guys and say my hellos, reintroducing Jake to some of them, everyone wishing me a happy birthday, then walk up to Nick.
Gabby must have cut his hair last night.
The sides are shaved, and his hair looks full and healthy despite the man bun that Olivia is holding onto. “Happy birthday, Shortie.”
“You are the best birthday present,” I smile, reaching up to kiss his cheek.
“Eww, Summer! Boy cooties.” Olivia scrunches up her nose.
“Yes, that’s gross, munchkin. Remember that,” Bay points at her.
Chuckling, we make our way to the tunnel. I step up beside Jake and take his hand as we walk through. “Will is leaving. Tomorrow is his last day. Janus too,” Jake tells me.
“Oh wow. It’ll be strange not to have them around.”
“Yeah, I’ll miss Will. It must be hard doing his job. He spends months with someone everyday then no contact. He said he’ll work at the hospital for a little while before taking on a long term client again.”
“Yeah. I never thought of it that way.”
Seb bounds over and slings his arm over my shoulder to see what we’re talking about.
The track is the same as I remember as we enter the oval.
Holly and I break away to join our team in the middle of the track and find Jaxon already there.
He points out the scouts sitting on the far side of the stands, and I recognize Charleston, USC and UNC, but there are several others.
We're hoping Jaxon gets a scholarship offer today.
I focus as the races begin, with Jaxon first. My first race is the 800m right after the distance race, so I begin my warm up immediately.
I’m determined to end the season on a high note and win all three races today.
I'll need to run faster to win, as most people will leave it all on the track today.
The coach gives me a pep talk, and then I take my place at the starting line.
As expected, I’m running hard but edge out the win. We also win the relay, and Holly sails easily to her 200m victory, all in the morning.
Taking a break, we meet up with our group for lunch. E unpacks his cooler; protein salads and sandwiches for everyone, plus cookies for dessert.
Dad, Nick, and Seb join Holly and me for a bathroom break.
As we’re walking back, it’s announced that the distance runners are returning.
Jogging back, we make it just in time for Jaxon to enter the track.
“He’s really fast today,” Holly comments.
Checking the clock, I see she’s correct.
Jaxon has shaved almost 6 minutes off his usual time.
Our entire section stands and cheers for him as he makes his last lap, and he’s breathing harder than I’ve ever seen him.
Holly grabs his protein salad, and I take my container of granola bars as we jog back to our canopy.
Coach is at the finish line encouraging him to end strong.
I take the salad from Holly, shoving her towards the track.
Jaxon wins with no other runners inside the stadium yet. Coach quickly ushers him over to our team canopy, allowing him to sit on a folding chair, and I hand him his water bottle as he tries to catch his breath. “You broke the league record, Jaxon,” Coach tells him.
That’s an amazing accomplishment, and what a way to end his high school career. I catch movement in my periphery and notice some scouts are heading this way. “You’ve got scouts incoming,” I tell him. Coach steps out to intercept, giving Jaxon time to recover.
Holly is fussing, encouraging him to drink more electrolytes. I hand him a granola bar first, knowing his system needs to settle more before eating something substantial.
Jaxon is feeling better as the other distance runners trickle onto the track. He stretches out his muscles and, once finished, he and Holly walk over to meet the four scouts waiting for him.
My last race, the 400m, is coming up soon, so I begin my own stretches and warmup.
When the last distance runner crosses the finish line, I walk over to my lane. Coach excuses herself from the scouts to join me. “Ready, Summer?”
“Absolutely,” I smile.
“Great, let’s get the final win today.”
Jaxon is still talking to the scouts as I begin the last race of my high school career. I’m going full out, leaving everything on the line. My race finishes right in front of my friends and family, who are on their feet yelling. With a smile on my face, I pass the finish line first.
You never think about how many final things you experience in senior year until they happen. Last dance, last race, last test, last time in a classroom for some, last time seeing people. It’s this surreal space with all these momentous happenings that you can overlook easily.
I’m still undecided on whether I want to run track in university, so this may have been my last race ever. Strange to think about. Coach congratulates me before excusing herself to go back to Jaxon and the scouts. Holly runs over for a quick hug after the coach is back.
I wave to my family, then walk to the canopy to grab my bag. As I throw the strap over my shoulder, prepared to walk over to the stands, Coach hollers for me.
Switching directions, I jog over to her. “Two scouts wish to speak with you. Just hang tight for a few minutes.”
“Sure.” I step back a few feet and text Dad the update. Looking into the stands, I see him get up, climb down and jog over.
“I’m so proud of you, darling.” He hugs me as we wait for the scouts to finish with Jaxon. “Still unsure about track next year?”
Shrugging, I nod. “Undecided.”
“Keep an open mind. Seb will be two hours away playing basketball. Alex and Bay will be busy with diving, and I’m not sure what E’s schedule will be like.”
That’s true. Everyone will be busy with their own sports and lives.
From what I understand, sports will take up a lot more time in college, so I may need something to occupy my mind.
Although Jake shouldn’t be too busy, and I’m assuming Nick will start full time at Finn.
Maybe I can check out the training and meet schedule before I decide.
Coach walks over and introduces the USC and Charleston scouts.
I met both last summer at the state track meet in August, and both are interested in my running the 400m and 800m for them.
They’ve done their homework and know I’ve been accepted at both schools.
I’m honest with them that I’m not sure if I want to run next year, so they offer to email their training and meet schedules to me.
Charleston is also offering a partial scholarship.
We part ways with me promising to let them know before the end of July if I’m going to run.
I nearly forgot about the awards ceremony as Coach ushers me over with the team and Dad jogs back to the stands for the ceremony.
We have 7 wins out of 18 races today, more than any other school. Our group is the loudest in the stands as Holly, Jaxon, and I get our gold medals. Our school won overall again this year, and Coach tears up when she receives the trophy.
Coach calls our team together one last time, thanking us for our hard work this season and announcing our scholarship recipients. There are four of us, including William, a 400m runner. We get a team photo taken and then disperse.
Our families want photos, so we patiently stand on the track until everyone gets the pics they want. I request one of the three of us: me and Dad, and me and the guys. Everything feels like it’s going in fast motion lately.
Holly and Jaxon wave goodbye, promising to see me in a few hours. Hmm, must be a birthday party.
Olivia is on Nick’s shoulders as we walk through the tunnel, telling him about her friend Ellie.
We split up, Seb informing me I’ll see everyone soon. Smiling, I say goodbye.
When we get home, Dad tells me to put on a swimsuit and pack a bag for being outside.
Showering quickly, I grab a two piece suit and then throw on a sundress. Leaving my hair down to dry, I put sunscreen, a hat, a change of clothes, and a towel in my bag.
Dad is in swim shorts and a tee, packing a small cooler with beer, soda, and water. “A beach party?” I ask.
“You’ll have to wait and see, darling,” Dad smiles.
Since I’m still hungry, we grab a light second lunch, and I call Sue before I end up in the yard checking on my garden and flowers. Some greens are ready to harvest along with peas and radishes. Dad has a specific time we need to leave this afternoon, so when he deems it’s time, we take his truck.