Girls Only! (23 page)

While her mother dialed the phone number, Heather went to the window in the breakfast nook. She stared out at the snowy landscape. The side yard between their house and the neighbor’s was only a few yards wide, yet with a layer of new snow, the distance seemed more spacious.

Gazing out at the glittery whiteness, she was more than eager to have a lesson with Livvy’s coach. But would Coach Sterling agree to give her a single lesson in jumping? If he did—and she could prove to herself
and
to Mom that she had the ability—she would definitely be on her way to a new and exciting career. More thrilling than ice dancing could ever be.

She sighed and sat down at the table. “This is almost too good to be true,” she whispered. “But can I pull it off?”

A Perfect Match

Chapter Ten

By the time her mother was finished on the phone, Heather had devoured a whole apple, four carrot sticks, and a tall glass of milk.

“Oh, honey, you’ll spoil your supper,” Mom said, coming into the kitchen.

“Don’t worry. I’ll eat my share of your meat loaf. I’m starving.” She took another bite of carrot, eager to hear about the conversation with Livvy’s coach. “Does Mr. Sterling have time to help me?” she asked.

Mom pulled out a chair and sat down. “He’s reluctant to commit to another student. Called himself an old man. Mr. Sterling wants to travel more, relax and enjoy life.”

Heather’s heart sank. “You mean he won’t coach me just this once?”

“I don’t know, honey. It might not work out,” Mom said, her face showing signs of distress. “But on Saturday, when we go to Colorado Springs, I’ll check around about a coach for you.”

Heather slid down in her chair. “Maybe this isn’t such a good idea after all.”

“You’re not giving up, are you?” Mom said, reaching over to pat Heather’s hand.

“Well, no . . . but—”

“But, what? Heather, this may not be an easy situation,” Mom reminded her. “If free skating is really what you want, you’re going to have to fight for it. Hang in there with me.”

Heather sat up straighter. “I know, and I will. It’s just that I thought Mr. Sterling might have some time for me.” She sighed. “Livvy invited me to watch her skating lesson tomorrow.”

Mom smiled. “Livvy sounds like a good friend,” she replied. “So many skaters have such a competitive attitude.”

Having experienced the gossip and hateful back-biting among other athletes of this sport, Heather knew exactly what Mom meant. “You’re right. Livvy’s the perfect friend for me.”

“So . . . you want to watch her work out with her coach?” asked Mom, a curious smile on her face.

“If it’s okay with you.”

“Sure, and I’ll come along, if you’d like.” Mom got up to check the oven.

“Any time.” Then she thought of her brother. “What about Kevin? Who’ll be his new partner?”

“I asked Livvy’s coach about that,” Mom said from the stove. “He knows of several skaters in the Colorado Springs area that may be good possibilities.”

“That’s great,” she said. “I’m happy for him.” And she meant it.

Definitely.

Heather was getting ready for bed when her little sister came into the room. Joanne closed the door and plopped down on the bed. “I’ve decided something,” she said in her little-girl voice.

“Really? What did you decide?” Heather asked, trying to show some interest.

“I want you to keep my tooth—for the tooth fairy.” Joanne handed over a small envelope with the obvious bump. “Here you go.”

Heather looked at the envelope. “The tooth fairy might get confused about where to put the money.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, if your tooth is under
my
pillow,” Heather said, “won’t the tooth fairy get mixed up?”

Joanne paused, wrinkling her forehead into a frown. “I didn’t think about that.” She sighed. “And Mommy’s the tooth fairy, right?”

Heather toyed with telling her sister the truth. “Think what you want.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” The smaller girl put her hands on both hips.

“Mom’s
not
the tooth fairy, Joanne.”

“Then who is?”

Heather waited a moment. “Are you sure you really wanna know?”

“I’m sure.”

“Okay, then . . . it’s Daddy.”

“
He’s
our tooth fairy?” Joanne’s eyes were round and growing wider by the second. “How can it be Daddy?”

“If you don’t believe me, stay awake tonight. And watch with one eye,” Heather advised.

“I will! But I’ll need this, right?” Joanne snatched up her little envelope with the tiny tooth inside.

Closing her door behind her, Heather leaned against it. She thought back to when she was six years old—her little sister’s present age. Back then, had she wanted to be a figure skater, doing fancy jumps and spins all over the ice? She tried to remember. For all her skating career, Kevin had been at her side. She’d never skated alone on the ice, except for solo stroking and working out her part of their dance programs.

“Tomorrow’s just the beginning,” she whispered, glancing at the empty spot on her bedroom wall. Ice dancers Torvill and Dean were gone now. It was time for a free skater to take their place. Tomorrow, after school, she’d go to the mall and buy a new poster.

Slowly, she walked to her dresser and picked up her hairbrush. She began her nightly routine. Twenty-five times on each side. Mom said vigorous brushing made her hair shine under the spotlights on the ice.

She thought of seeing Livvy tomorrow—and meeting her coach. She’d seen the old gentleman enough times to know who he was but had never been formally introduced.

Everything Livvy had told her about Odell Sterling was amazing. The man had coached many talented and dedicated skaters—including three World Champions. Two of his students had placed high at the Olympics and were now instructors themselves.

“If I could just get Mr. Sterling to help
me
,” she said to the earnest face in the mirror. “Maybe then I’ll have a chance. . . .”

Before she read her Bible and devotional book, Heather crept out of her room and down the hall. She knocked on the door of her parents’ bedroom. Mom appeared, dressed in her white bathrobe. “Can you tell you-know-who that Joanne has a baby tooth under her pillow?” she whispered.

Mom grinned and hugged her good-night. “I’ll tell Dad about it. Thanks, Heather. I completely forgot.”

Tiptoeing back to her room, Heather wondered about her mother’s remark. It was unlike Mom to forget important stuff. Heather hoped her plan to skate solo wasn’t going to cause problems at home.

Before she fell into bed, she prayed. “Dear Lord, if I’m supposed to be a free skater, will you work things out for me? And since the whole family’s affected by my decision, well . . . help all of us.” She paused. “And, please, will you help Kevin find the perfect partner to replace me? Thanks for everything. Amen.”

The light from her windows was soft and white. She was sure the moon must be full. But when she sat up in bed and looked for it, she saw only twinkling stars. High in the heavens.

It was at night that she always felt closest to God. She didn’t know why. She just did.

A Perfect Match

Chapter Eleven

“Today’s the day,” Heather announced at breakfast, thinking of Livvy Hudson’s invitation to watch her skating lesson.

“And it’s
my
day, too!” Joanne showed off two quarters. “The tooth fairy found my tooth and gave me some money. Now I’m rich!”

Heather laughed as she observed the knowing exchange between her parents. “See, I told you to put your tooth under your own pillow,” she said, pouring orange juice.

Joanne tilted her head, studying her father. “Are you really the one who left the quarters?”

Dad leaned back in his chair and inhaled slowly. “Well, now, are you sure you want to know?”

“Oh, Daddy, I
know
it was you,” Joanne squealed. “I saw you!”

Dad was chuckling now. “You must’ve been dreaming, kiddo.”

Joanne slid back her chair and ran to the head of the table. “You’re the tooth fairy! Heather said so!”

Reaching down, Dad squeezed Joanne and gave her a kiss on the forehead. “Well, I guess I’ve been caught,” he said, looking over at Mom. “Looks like our secret’s out.”

Mom folded her hands, her face bright. “It was fun while it lasted.”

“Can’t we still hide our teeth when they fall out?” Tommy pleaded. “Even if Joanne knows who the tooth fairy really is?”

“What do you think, Mommy?” Dad asked, wearing a mischievous smile.

Mom shrugged and nodded. “It’s okay with me.” Her response brought cheers from Tommy and Joanne.

Heather gave Kevin a sidelong look. He was smiling at their younger brother and sister. “Well, I’m glad that important issue’s settled,” teased Kevin.

When they bowed their heads, Dad began their short-sentence family prayer. Joanne was last because she was the youngest. “Thank you, God, for making my tooth come out with no pulling,” she said. “And give Kevin a nice skating partner real soon.”

After the prayer, Heather watched her older brother drink his juice. She picked up her spoon to eat the whole-grain,
sugarless granola, homemade by Mom. “What qualities are you looking for in a partner?” she asked, almost shyly.

Tommy spoke up. “Has to be a girl, right?”

“Of course,” said Heather, cracking up. Mom and Dad were laughing, too.

Joanne had an opinion. “Get someone real pretty. I think that’s real important.”

Mom sighed audibly. “How about just someone who skates well, has a good attitude, and is committed to hard work?”

Kevin was nodding now and smiling across the table at Heather. “A Christian partner would be nice.”

Tommy looked over at Heather. “Are you really sure you wanna quit skating with my brother?” he asked, wrinkling his nose.

Kevin leaned back against his chair the way their dad often did. “To tell you the truth, Tommy, I hope to find someone just like Heather.”

Feeling a surge of sudden embarrassment, Heather ate silently. Was Kevin saying that to make her feel guilty? Yet, knowing her older brother as she did, she was pretty sure he was just being nice. Nothing more.

“She’s real special, our Heather.” Dad winked at her when she looked up. Mom, on the other hand, didn’t say a word. But her happy face spoke volumes.

“Thanks, Dad, but you really don’t have to say that,”
Heather said. Then, turning to Kevin, she added, “And neither do you.”

“I know, but I mean it,” her former skating partner admitted.

She didn’t quite know how to take his remark. Was he trying to get her to change her mind?

At the mall rink, there were eight other skaters besides Livvy on the ice when Heather and her mom arrived. Some were stroking around the rink for fun. Others were practicing spins and easy jumps.

And there was Kevin, going through his dance routine, then doing some hard stroking. Alone.

“Heather, over here!” called Livvy, motioning to them.

“C’mon,” Heather said, pulling Mom along.

Livvy’s coach was leaning on the rail circling the small rink. He wore a pair of gray dress slacks and a maroon-and-gray patterned sweater. Dashing as usual. He nodded politely when Heather and her mother approached.

In a flash, Livvy skated over to them. “Hey, Heather,” she said. “Hello, Mrs. Bock. Heather said you might come along. It’s nice to see you.”

“Nice to see you, too,” said Mom.

Livvy’s coach perked up his ears. “So this must be
Heather Bock, the girl I’ve heard so much about,” he said, eyes beaming.

“Yes, this is one of my best friends, Heather, and her mother, Mrs. Bock,” Livvy said, introducing them.

Mr. Sterling extended his hand to each of them. “Delighted, I’m sure.” Had he been wearing a hat, Heather was almost positive the man would have tipped it politely.

They sat down and watched Livvy run through her programs without a single break in between. She was obviously in good shape, Heather thought. And when Livvy did her jumps, Heather wished she were out on the ice with her, learning what to do.

“Let’s see the double Lutz again,” Mr. Sterling called to Livvy. His voice was calm and matter-of-fact. Not demanding like some coaches Heather had observed.

She watched as her friend worked up the momentum to do the jump. First came the long, powerful glide to set it up. Then, using the toe pick on her free foot, Livvy took off from the back, outside edge of her skating foot. Up . . . up she flew.

Heather held her breath as Livvy made two complete rotations and landed on the back, outside edge of her free foot.

“Perfect!” Heather said from the sidelines, recalling every aspect of the jump—the setup, the lift into the air, the revolutions, and the beautiful, clean landing.

“I can do that,” she told her mom. “I just know it!”

Mom squeezed her hand and watched the rest of the session.

When Livvy’s time was up, Mr. Sterling came over again. “You’re welcome to stop by and visit anytime,” he said.

“Thank you,” Mom said, getting up. She was probably headed down to talk to Kevin, who was working out alone on the ice.

“Mr. Sterling, can you
please
teach me how to jump?” Heather asked. She surprised herself with her boldness.

Mom looked aghast. “Heather, I already discussed this with Mr. Sterling.” Her words were pinched like she was talking through her teeth.

The older man’s face seemed to light up. “Yes . . . yes, as a matter of fact, we
did
speak of a jump lesson, didn’t we, Mrs. Bock?”

Heather’s heart skipped a beat. “I’ll work really hard, and I won’t take up much of your time.” She was pleading now, but she couldn’t help it.

Livvy was standing behind her coach, nodding to Heather. She was grinning from ear to ear. Heather took that to mean she should keep it up, but her mom was actually glaring. “We don’t want to impose on you, sir. You’ll have to excuse my daughter’s eagerness.”

Worried that her mother’s comments might hinder things, she began to pray silently. She hoped so hard she thought she might burst.

Mr. Sterling turned around, nearly bumping into Livvy. “You say Heather is your friend?”