Chapter Thirty-Three
Maybe the weight of not knowing had literally been taken off her shoulders.
Maybe pride in her accomplishment had her walking taller.
Or maybe all the physical activity of the past few weeks had affected her carriage.
Whatever it was, Misty felt herself moving differently as everyone came together for the first team meeting.
In the excitement of seeing that both she and Tish had made the team, she’d barely noticed anyone else.
But as she arrived, she noted the other women in the room and felt encouraged by the lineup.
Marla’s winter sports experience and Eva’s strength would combine well with Tish’s speed and her own skills to make for a promising team.
Ms. Coolidge was in a bubblier mood than Misty had ever seen her.
“First of all, we would like to congratulate you. It’s been a challenging time for you as athletes and for us as we were charged with creating the first four-woman bobsled team for the World Winter Games.
However, you have risen to it admirably and shown incredible skill.
That tells us you can meet whatever the event throws at you. Tish!”
Tish startled at the sound of her name. “For your leadership skills, speed, and keen eye, you are officially our pilot.”
“Okay.” She looked pleased, and Misty was happy for her.
“Marla, Eva—you’re both strong and quick, and we’re putting you in the middle.”
They both nodded. “Misty, you’re fast, you’re sharp, and you’re on brakes.”
“Works for me.”
“And in the interest of being ready for anything, I’d also like to introduce our alternate squad. Ladies, will you join us?”
As she spoke, she opened a door so six more women could join the meeting. Misty hadn’t spent much time with four of the women in the group, but recognized Vanessa’s muscular form and Tallulah’s carefully made-up face immediately.
Eva’s eyes widened. “What is she doing here?”
That could have referred to anyone, but Eva had made it clear who she meant over the past few weeks.
Ms. Coolidge barely batted an eyelash, though.
“While we very much hope it won’t come down to this, we do need to have replacements ready in case of injury, illness, or otherwise inability to compete. ”
“You might be looking at one now.” Eva looked more impassioned than Misty had ever seen her, even after they’d finished sledding. To give Tallulah credit, her perfectly made-up face stayed impassive.
The team leaders frowned, but Tish spoke first. “I have to ask. Did Tallulah get a spot you wanted on a team in college? Sleep with your boyfriend? Or girlfriend—I don’t know what either of you are into.”
“Girls, at least for Tallulah,” Misty stage whispered, but Tish was on too much of a tear to acknowledge her.
“What the hell happened that you would give up a spot on a historic team like this just because you two might have to be in the same sled?”
Tish gave voice to the questions that had been burning in Misty from the first morning. Eva’s expression didn’t change as she answered. “She sabotaged me.”
“What are you talking about? Did something happen here?” Ms. Coolidge asked.
“I beg your pardon?” Tallulah’s voice was incredulous.
“Again, what the hell happened?” Tish’s question tumbled out on top of the others.
Eva looked oblivious to the drama she had caused. “She startled me into hurting my back, and the injury kept me out of the Collegiate Powerlifting Championships.”
“What, that day in the weight room? It was an accident!” Tallulah blurted out.
“Yeah, well, your little accident startled me into hurting myself, missing a major opportunity, and putting me out two hundred dollars.” Eva moved closer as if to physically challenge her.
“I know you’d be embarrassed to spend so little on shoes, but that entrance fee was a lot to me, and I couldn’t get it back. ”
“I’ll pay you two thousand dollars to cover your fee with interest and put this behind us for the sake of the team.” A sharp note crept into Tallulah’s voice as she took out her new model iPhone. “Which payment method do you prefer?”
As if at the realization that Tallulah was serious, Eva’s eyes widened enough to show flecks of green Misty had never noticed before.
Almost immediately, though, they narrowed in anger again.
“No! You think you can buy your way out of this and make it all okay? That was the biggest competition of my life, and I lost out on it because of you.”
“The biggest competition of your life at that point. Look where you are now!” The expression on Eva’s face indicated that she wouldn’t let a detail like that deter her.
An awkward silence settled over the group. Misty tried to think of a joke to break the tension but nothing came to mind.
Ms. Coolidge, apparently satisfied that nothing had happened at the combine, beat her to breaking the silence.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We built this team based on athletic performance as well as everyone’s ability to work together as a group.
If anyone feels that they can’t or won’t do it for any reason whatsoever, there are twenty-some other women who will be happy to take your place. ”
Sam spoke next. “Not to mention, I didn’t think anyone would need the reminder, but we’re putting together a team, not casting a reality show.
If you want that, I heard that’s how they’re choosing the four-man bobsled team this year.
Can we trust that everyone’s going to behave like adults and professionals? ”
“You can with me,” Tish said confidently.
“And me,” Misty said.
Marla, Vanessa, Tallulah, and everyone else on the alternate squad echoed her until Eva was the only one who hadn’t spoken. She drew in a breath before speaking. “And me, as long as the rich bitch stays away when we’re not sledding.”
“No problem.” Tallulah shrugged and spoke more calmly than Misty would have after being similarly addressed. “Indeed, if the main and alternate squads will be training and living separately at the Games, we may not even see each other.”
That seemed to be good enough for Tish. “Then say hello to America’s first four-woman bobsled team!”
A round of cheers went up, and the new team tried to throw their arms around everyone else at once. Eva rebuffed anyone who got too close, but the others were more demonstrative.
Hours later, the group went back to the fancy lodge for the farewell dinner, where the atmosphere couldn’t have been more different than the welcoming meal.
For one thing, most people had no qualms about having wine with dinner this time — some to celebrate, others to drown their sorrows.
For another, instead of crowding around the long banquet table with the others, the official team and alternate squad each had their own small tables near the front of the hall.
It couldn’t help calling attention to them, which Misty both welcomed and felt self-conscious about.
Everyone who hadn’t made the team huddled around the main table muttering resentfully, which she might have done if she’d been in their situation.
But because she was here, she wanted the world to know what she was going to be a part of.
And soon enough it would! Once everyone had calmed down, they’d posed for a picture to go with the official team announcement that would go on social media and to all the news outlets.
She’d barely stopped smiling since the team announcement and felt herself grinning around a mouthful of short ribs on truffle mashed potatoes.
Her cheeks were starting to hurt, but it was worth it.
Ms. Coolidge clinked a knife against a flute that seemed to be filled with champagne this time.
“I would like to propose a toast to all the incredible athletes here, both our new team and everyone else who tried out. This is going to be a historic year, and it couldn’t have happened without all of you. ”
They raised their glasses in a toast. Misty was going to miss this group and training all day but couldn’t deny that she was eager to get home and share the news with everyone she knew.
As fun as it was to see the likes and congratulatory comments pour in online, it would carry more weight in person.
Angela approached the main team’s table. “Congratulations,” she said.
“Thanks. You did well too.” Misty had to hand it to Tish for coming up with such a tactful response on the fly. Then again, the near-constant victor had had plenty of practice.
“That’s what Ms. Coolidge said, but she also said all the interruptions made me an unsuitable candidate.”
Misty had suspected as much but still felt bad for her. “I’m sorry.”
“For what? You’re not the one who has to apologize; that’s on my husband.” The other woman’s posture looked straighter than Misty had ever seen it, and her face looked grimly determined.
“Like I said, one reason I wanted to make the team was to set an example for my daughter. But Dr. Schindler calls Raymond’s behavior weaponized incompetence.”
Angela pronounced the words slowly and uncertainly, as if repeating a foreign phrase, but her tone firmed up as she spoke again.
“And that’s something women should not have to put up with.
It’s not too early for Evelyn to learn that lesson, either.
If he doesn’t shape up, I’m filing for divorce and asking for full custody.
Any judge would give it to me after how he acted while I was away. ”
In that moment, Misty was overwhelmingly grateful for Spencer’s support and ready to show him. A hot shower or Advil would help with the day’s exertion, but this particular ache could only be soothed by his touch.
****
A text buzzed in Spencer’s pocket as he walked home.
Misty: Dinner’s over...is tonight’s session?
He waited to reply until he was back in his apartment.
Spender: Yeah, I just got upstairs. Can you be alone for this?
Misty: What are you up to?
Spencer: Nothing, just thinking about something we discussed before you left.