Healing Us: Sports Romance, A Comeback Uncovers Love (8 page)

Beth answered and Ben knew immediately that something was
terribly wrong by the cracking of Beth’s voice. She filled Ben in as best she
could and he believed that her second set of results would declare her innocent
of PED use. Consoling Beth wasn’t easy but Ben tried the best he could.

“I feel as if my head is on the chopping block and I’m
absolutely helpless,” Beth spoke through tears.

“I’d give anything to be there and I will as soon as Monte
comes home.  He’s at a law conference in New York City and I have Tara next
door but I don’t want Lizzie tossed around like a hot potato.”

“I understand. There isn’t much that you can do and I’m concerned
that by being around me, that your relationship might be tarnished even more
than it already is. You’re a parent and making a living is essential.”

“I’m not worried about my career as a physical therapist
because I’m a survivor. I have construction skills because I worked my way
through school. There isn’t an odd job that I haven’t done so I’m fine in that
regard. If I was there, I could at least hold you and help you find the silver
lining that is always waiting to be found.”

“Now I wait, which is excruciating, Heather’s not here,
thank God so I’ll just sit and wait for the phone to ring. I’m going to let you
go because I’m not much of a conversationalist at the moment.”

“Call me when you get the news. In the meantime, I’m going
to make some calls to see where you stand in all of this. If the second results
are the same, then there must be someone else involved and that person or
persons will be exposed.”

“I love you Ben. Thanks for being there and for not once
asking if the allegations are true.”

“It never entered my mind Beth. I love you.”

Beth thought about who could have tampered with the results
because she assumed the security surrounding drug tests was tight. Beth decided
that Daisy may have some insight because her husband worked at the hospital
where the tests were performed. Beth glanced at her watch and guessed Daisy
would be home by now.

“Daisy, this is Beth Barker. I have some questions which are
actually for Samir but you may have some answers.”

“Beth, I heard what happened and I can’t believe it’s true.
Did you really juice?” Daisy asked.

“No, is that what everyone thinks?”

“I keep my head down and don’t get involved with the Apex
melodrama but this was too big to avoid. I think most people are shocked and
confused, especially since it involves you. I can’t say what people believe.
You tell me. Is it true?”

“No Daisy. If I were taking PED’s then I would have beat Su
at the trials. I’ve never intentionally put a banned substance in my body.”

“That’s enough for me. I consider you a friend Beth and know
you wouldn’t lie. You said that you have questions and Samir is here so I’ll
put you on speaker if that’s O.K.”

“That’s perfect; hello Samir,” Beth said.

“I hear your world was turned upside down today. What can I
do to help because from what I gather, you have been accused of using
performance enhancing drugs.”

“That’s right Samir and I deny the charges vehemently. My
question is about the testing that goes on in the lab. Do the samples pass
through many hands?”

“No; they run a tight ship and if you’ve been tested a
second time they use blood, hair and urine and each test is run independently;
if the results match, then they’re accurate. I wish I could tell you that
someone could tamper with the results but I can’t. I have to go check on Julian
so I’m going to hand you back to Daisy.”

“I’m sorry that my husband didn’t have better news. If I can
do anything, please let me know.”

“You can focus on the hurdles and bring home gold. Thanks
for your support Daisy.”

Beth hung up and checked her voicemails. As an Olympic
silver medalist she had sponsors, but not many national brands. They were
dropping her like flies even before the final test results came in. When it
seemed like things couldn’t get worse the phone rang and it was Seth.

“Beth, I’m calling to inform you that your second set of
test came back positive. The results will be available to you at St. Vincent’s
Hospital tomorrow morning. There will be guards at your home in the morning at
8am to escort you off the campus. I managed to get you a few extra hours before
leaving.”

Beth interrupted. “How very generous of you Seth.”

“Let me get through this Beth because it pains me to have to
treat you this way. Your results from Oslo will be voided because according to
your hair samples, the drugs have been in your system for four weeks. You’re
place on the US Olympic team will be filled immediately and you’re banned from
competition or coaching for five years. You’re banned from the Apex Campus for
life. If you wish to appeal, then your grievances will be heard after the games
this year.”

Beth dropped the phone and screamed into the pillow which
turned to heavy sobbing before she heard a knock at the door.

Beth open the door to find a precious doe eyed girl wearing
a
Disney
princess backpack. “Surprise. My BenBen is coming behind with
our back packs and I know you’re Beth from the picture phone. BenBen said you
would be surprised to see us and probably crying. I’m Lizzie Knight by the
way.” Lizzies hand shot out but Beth ignored it and hugged the little girl.

Ben walked towards Beth with his hands full he held two
sleeping bags and a bouquet of pink roses. She ran into his full arms and the
flowers fell to the ground before they were crushed by the sleeping bags. “We
couldn’t stay away and when Lizzie said that she’d love to skip out of summer
camp, we got the first flight out.”

“I would say
you shouldn’t have
, but I’m really glad
you came. I’m going to be escorted out at 8am.”

“No, Lizzie and I are taking you out early and we’re
sleeping under the stars tonight. We all deserve an adventure and this place
has bad memories. We’ll watch the sunrise tomorrow and then figure out our next
step as a team.”

Beth smiled for the first time since she stepped into Seth’s
office and started to shovel her things in her duffle. She pulled Ben into the
bathroom while Lizzie was occupied on her tablet.

Beth spoke in hushed tones. “As you probably realized, my
second test came back positive.”

“I figured it out.” Ben pulled Beth in and kissed her. “I
didn’t think you pulled me in here to chat.” Ben put his hand up Beth’s shirt
and almost made it under her athletic bra when she stopped him.

“As much as I want you right now, we have to be aware that a
five-year-old is present.” Beth giggled. “I know that somehow Heather Morgan is
involved and I know who’s going to help us.”

“Enlighten me Ben.”

“Elijah!” Ben sat Beth up on the vanity. “I don’t think you
would have been involved with a man with no scruples. I think this whole deal
probably has him freaked out by now and he’ll be grateful for a way out. You
said that he’s not mentioned nor did he speak on the recording.”

“You’re a genius Ben. Let’s show Lizzie a good time and we
can deal with this tomorrow.”

“I like the way you think Beth. I just might have to give
you a visit in your sleeping bag tonight.”

“You’re bad. Can you grab my tea from the kitchen because I
can’t sleep without it.”

“I’m on it.”

****

Utah had no shortage of camping opportunities. They drove
less than 20 miles from campus and they felt as if they were far away from
civilization. Ben rented a tent, they had several sleeping bags and enough food
to feed an army.

“Do you like s’mores Lizzie?” Beth asked.

“I love them but BenBen always burns the marshmallows
because that’s the way he likes them.”

“I happen to toast a perfect marshmallow because my Daddy
used to take me camping in Oregon when I was your age. Your uncle has told me
all about you Lizzie, like the fact that you are a ballerina.” Beth occupied
Lizzie as Ben spoke on the phone with Elijah while he still had cell service.
Beth wanted to talk with him but she was too personally involved and Ben could
be very persuasive.

“I’m good at ballet but I think I want to run like you. Can
you teach me how to go fast?”

“I’d love to be your coach Lizzie. Athletics is important
but your main focus should be school.”

Ben chimed in. “Ah Beth; she doesn’t begin kindergarten
until the fall.”

“Right,” Beth laughed. “I forget that Lizzie’s only five
because she’s so well spoken and mature.”

“Lizzie has had to grow up fast.” He said. “Were trying to
slow thing down and make sure she has a balanced childhood. Lizzie, you’re
going to be our scout and I want you to find a good spot in the clearing where
we can pitch a tent. We want the best view of the stars.”

“I’m going to make the best Girl Scout when I’m older
because this camping stuff is easy. I bet I’ll even see a shooting star and we
can all wish on it.”

Lizzie searched for a flat spot where the stars gazing was
at its best, while Ben filled Beth in on his conversation with Elijah.

“I spoke to Elijah as a fellow PT and stressed to him the
importance of a clean reputation in this business. There isn’t a chance in hell
that anyone will hire him if and when this scandal breaks. He has nothing to
fall back on and putting his future in the hands of a 19-year-old is unwise.”

“Why did he agree to help Heather in the first place?” Beth
asked.

“I didn’t have to ask. Heather is beautiful and she told
Elijah what he wanted to hear. She claimed that she would make him rich and
open doors for him.”

“How is he going to help us? Did Heather bribe someone at
the lab?”

“No and this is where Heather went rogue and didn’t give
Elijah details. You tested positive because the drugs are in your system.
Heather somehow got them there and we’re going to brainstorm with Elijah
tomorrow morning. He is willing to give us what we need in exchange for our
silence.”

“Silence for Heather Morgan is out of the question,” Beth
complained.

“I agree but we don’t have to say anything about him. My
brother is coming into town also and we can use his help with the IOC and the
IDTF – Monte is a lawyer.”

“My problems have a chance of being solved! I never could be
looking at my future with a smile, without you. I thought tonight was going to
be like a funeral but instead it’s a celebration.”

“Anything for you Beth. We aren’t out of the woods yet but
we’re better off than we were yesterday. We meet Elijah at the diner outside of
campus and Monte will meet us too. Lizzie will be with him so we’ll have time
alone with Elijah.”

Lizzie alerted Beth and Ben that she had found the perfect
spot where they had a splendid view of the stars. The placement of the sleeping
bags was up to Lizzie and she put herself in the middle, which made Beth laugh
and shake her head.

“It will be fine Ben. We had our special night at the lodge
and something tells me there will be plenty of those to come.”

“You’re right Beth and I expect that I’ll be covered in marshmallow
goo, which wouldn’t be very romantic.”

“I love the taste of marshmallows and I love you so I think
you’re wrong. There’s a creek not far from here and I think you and Lizzie
should go fishing because the trout are running this time of year.”

“What if we don’t catch anything? We’ll be hungry,” Ben
said.

“I don’t expect you to catch anything, which is why I
brought so much food. With the two of you gone, I’ll get the fire going and set
up a s’more making station. Don’t worry about me because I have a whistle and
you’ll hear me if a bear comes calling.”

“Or an axe murderer – kidding, it’s safe around here. It
looks and feels like the wilderness but it’s close to the next town.”

****

Ben made it back to the campsite with Lizzie asleep in his
arms. It was the sexiest he had ever been in Beth’s eyes because it showed his
softer side. He loved that little girl and it made Beth love him more.

“Where’s the fish?” Beth smiled.

“We had a big one on the line but it got away and Lizzie and
I were busy skimming stones. Whatever you brought for back-up smells divine.”

Ben and Beth snuggled by the fire while Lizzie slept in her
princess sleeping bag under the gathering cluster of stars. She woke up just in
time to see her very own shooting star, closed her eyes and made a wish. Ben
did the same and finally Beth saw a comet race across the sky.

“What’d you wish for Beth?” Ben asked and Lizzie anticipate
the answer.

“Last year I would have wished for a gold medal but I know
now that my dreams have already come true. Being with the two of you beats any
color medal I could hang around my neck.” Beth leaned over and kissed Ben and
then Lizzie.

“I’d say we’re covered then because I did wish for the gold
medal. What did you wish for Lizzie?”

“I wished for more s’mores and don’t burn the marshmallows,
BenBen.”