Thirty-One
Rilee
The bed was unyieldingly hard so I didn’t linger when I woke on Sunday morning.
Cold linoleum prickled my toes as the coffee pot gurgled and I wondered about going for a run despite the cold.
Maybe the crisp air and exercise would fend off the sadness nibbling at the edge of me.
Pouring in more milk than usual to quickly cool the coffee, I gulped down half a cup and then laced up my sneakers.
Despite the chill the rain hadn’t turned to snow and while the roads were wet, they weren’t slick.
The thud of the pavement up through my legs was a nice distraction, and even though I ran with a pair of headphones, the music was on low allowing in the morning chatter of the neighborhood birds. This was nice. Simple.
I’d settled into an easy rhythm when my music dimmed and the phone in my pocket jiggled against the pepper spray tube. Hoping for Craig, but expecting my mom, I flicked the lock screen off.
MAGGIE: It’s official, I didn’t get next year’s pay bump, so I am transferring at the end of the term. Hope you are ready because I hear Giselle is retiring so the Varsity Coach position will be open. After this season I think you are a shoo-in.
I slowed to a trot as I took the message in and then came to a huffing halt.
The swirl of running endorphins, the impending loss of Maggie, and the possibility of coaching the varsity girls team, all mixed together and I couldn’t catch my breath.
I’d worked for this, but the moment arriving so unexpectedly brought a roll of nausea to my belly.
ME: I’m sorry you’re leaving.
MAGGIE: Me too, but it’s time. You’ll do great.
Varsity Coach. The JV team would be moving up next year and I’d have to evaluate them for the team.
I’d have to evaluate Jackie’s try-out. Suddenly not having to discuss Craig and our non-relationship with the district was a relief.
Would the administration have weighed that against me when they evaluated me for the position? Probably.
On my way home I couldn’t keep my pace steady.
My thoughts constantly drifted across the players I knew, what Maggie had done to energize our team, what I would do differently, and what I’d keep the same.
Cart before the horse, I had to remind myself.
The job wasn’t mine yet. The varsity assistant coach would surely want the position too.
But the JV team had punched above its class this season and the varsity team had struggled.
The head coaching slot was definitely achievable.
I began to run the shower but couldn’t quite do it, shoulders catching as I reached for the knob.
Instead, I filled the tub in the hall bathroom and settled in for a soak, enjoying the warmth of the water driving the cold out of my bones.
The sensation was soothing enough I almost dozed off but stopped myself.
I wasn’t interested in where my dreams would take me.