by Claire Adams
Wade began to read out the names, and with every name he read that wasn't mine, my anxiety grew by leaps and bounds. I felt like I was going to throw up, right there on the court. A little voice inside my head was screaming for me to move, to jump up and run straight to the bathroom – but I didn't. I stayed put.
And then I heard it: the last name on his list.
My name.
Me!
I wanted to jump up and down, scream to the top of my lungs, dance like a lunatic. Of course, then everyone would think I was a lunatic. So, that was out. But suddenly, every trace of fear and anxiety evaporated instantly replaced by euphoria and joy. I couldn't believe it. After all this time, after all my effort, my hard work and dedication had finally paid off. It was an indescribable feeling.
I glanced across at Leena and saw the same joy mirrored in her eyes. She had made the starting lineup, too, and, like me, it was her first time. I knew we were going to have to celebrate.
Across from us, however, a completely different set of emotions were churning and boiling. Tammy and Kelly, who had always been starters, had not made it; they were absolutely furious. Their rich parents couldn't get them starting positions by greasing palms any longer, not with Wade Vinson in charge of things!
I wanted, more than anything, to run up and jump into his muscular arms to hug him so tightly he couldn’t breathe. But, of course, that wasn’t an option.
“That's it,” he said. “Congratulations to those of you who made it! I've noticed who works hard, believe me, and hard work is rewarded. For those of you who didn't make the lineup, don't be too disappointed. Work hard and things may change.
“And that goes for those of you who are in the lineup, as well! Don't think your positions are secure! If you start slacking off, you'll be dropped like a bad habit.
“All right, hit the showers! And check your emails tomorrow about arrangements for the game. It's a home game, so we don't need to worry about transport and accommodations and all that stuff. But you all do need to be here on time – and drum up some support from your friends and family and all that; we want to have a good crowd to cheer us on when we kick those Miami girls' butts!”
“Right on, Coach Vinson!” shouted one of the girls, and we all shouted in response.
Wade grinned. It was the most perfect, crooked grin I’d ever seen.
“That's what I like to hear,” he said. “All right, y'all can go hit the showers now. Remember what I said! Check your emails, and get a big crowd out to this game. We want to hit Miami with everything we've got. My mission with this team is two-fold: first, division champs. Second, national champs!”
We all cheered in support, our enthusiasm catalyzed by Wade's determination and drive. “Thanks, Coach Vinson,” we all shouted, and he smiled in response.
“All right all right, go on, shower time! Go!” he said, laughing.
*****
Leena and I felt like we were walking on air all the way out of the locker room. We had given each other so many hugs that I'd lost count.
“I still can't believe it,” I chimed once more, and I saw that the smile on her face was as broad as the one on mine.
“Right?!” she exclaimed. “We made it! We really made it!”
“But we can't simply rest on our laurels now, can we? This is just one rung on the ladder, and we still have a long way to climb, right?” I preached.
“Totally right. Like Wade said, this is a very important game coming up,” she said. “If we can get off to a good start with a strong win against Miami, I think it'll set a good tone for the rest of the season.”
“And, of course, we want to show Wade that he made the right choice by including us in the starting lineup,” I added. “So that means we totally have to put in like…110 percent effort.”
“Exactly,” she agreed.
We gave each other one more hug as we reached our cars. “We're going to have to do something to celebrate later when we both get back to the apartment,” I said. “This is big, it really is.”
“Agreed. I'll pick up a bottle of champagne, and we can pop it in celebration.”
I grinned. “That sounds just perfect.”
“All right, it's on then! See you later tonight.”
I said goodbye to Leena and got in my car, still feeling overjoyed at the good news. I was headed to my mom's place. I had to tell her the good news in person – a phone call just wouldn't do. I knew how happy she would be, and I wanted to see that happiness in person.
As I was driving, a Nirvana track started to play, and I couldn't help but think of Wade. It was all thanks to him that I had made the starting lineup. Well, not entirely due to him. I mean, I sure as hell had put in a ton of hard work to get this far – but it really was awesome to finally have a coach who made fair decisions and choices based solely on our playing abilities and not...other factors.
I couldn't help but think of how we’d had such a good time together over the weekend. Snorkeling had been such an amazing experience. It had been like traveling to another planet – and he had been right by my side, for the whole thing. Sharing an experience like that with him was more than I had imagined it would be.
Naturally, there was an unspoken understanding between us that things could not go past a certain point. He was my coach. I couldn't jeopardize my spot on the team – and indeed, my whole university career – for, well, for whatever it was that was stirring between us.
I decided not to think about it too much or overanalyze it. All I wanted right now was to enjoy this moment. I reached my mom's place, parked the car in a safe spot, and hurried inside. The anticipation of telling her the news was just overwhelming.
I used my key to open the door and immediately knew that something was off; there was a burning smell coming from the kitchen.
“Mom!?” I shouted. “Something burning? What's going on, are you here?”
There was no reply, only silence. Worry began to creep through me. I rushed into the kitchen and found a pot of pasta on the stove, smoke rising from the pot; all the water had long been boiled away, and the pasta was turning into a black, charred mess at the bottom. I pulled it off the stove and turned it off before it got any worse.
“Mom! What's going on?” I shouted, my anxiety rising by the second.
I rushed to the bathroom, but there was nobody there. Then I ran into her bedroom and almost screamed. She was lying face down on the floor, motionless. My heart started to race as I ran over and knelt next to her.
I almost had a panic attack as I assumed the worst until I saw that she was still breathing. Shallowly, yes, but still breathing. She was out cold, though, and her nose was bloody from where it had hit the ground. All I could gather was that she must have fainted.
“Mom, wake up, wake up!” I said frantically, shaking her body.
She wasn’t responsive. I knew I had to get her to the hospital, and I tried to pick her up, but she was just too heavy. Panic was overtaking me fast. I knew from past experience that if I called an ambulance, it would take them 30 minutes to arrive, if not longer. So I grabbed my phone with shaking hands and dialed the first person I could think of who might be able to help me.
“Hi, Eryn!” he said, the sound of his voice bringing me a little comfort.
“Wade,” I said breathlessly, “this is an emergency, and I desperately need your help. Please, can you come now?”
“Tell me where you are, and I'll be there immediately.”
I told him the address and then crouched down next to my unconscious mother and started sobbing softly.
Chapter Ten
Wade
I was about a block away from my house when my phone rang. It had been a long day, and I was exhausted. I considered ignoring it and phoning whoever it was back once I'd got inside and chilled out for a few. But then I looked down to see who was calling and I immediately answered.
“Hi, Eryn!” I said as I picked it up.
A tone of fear and panic laced her v
oice, and her words rushed through the speaker of my phone at high speed. I knew something was wrong the moment she said my name. When she said there was an emergency, I got the address from her and slammed my BMW into gear and floored it, spinning tires as I took off.
I drove it fast and hard – faster than I probably should have – but the panic in her voice had me worried. I arrived at her mom's place in less than five minutes, jumped out of the car leaving the motor running, and ran straight up into the building she'd told me she was in.
I saw her standing at the top of the stairs, her face twisted with worry, her eyes teary.
“Where is she?” I asked right away.
“Follow me. Thanks so much for coming. I didn’t know who else to call.”
I hurried after her into the apartment, and she led me straight to her mom's bedroom, where I saw a middle-aged version of Eryn laying motionless on the floor. “All right, let's get her out of here,” I said.
I squatted down, and Eryn helped me get her mom into my arms. I was able to pick her up and carry her down the stairs.
“Open the back door of the car,” I said to Eryn as we approached my car.
She did as I said, and we both eased her mom onto the back seat so that she would be safe, comfortable, and stable enough that her body wouldn't be able to move around. Eryn climbed in next to her mom. I jumped into the driver's seat and drove as fast as I could to the nearest hospital.
I waited in the car at the emergency room entrance while Eryn ran in to get some nurses, who came out with a gurney. They loaded her mom onto it and then took her into the ER.
“You go with your mom,” I said. “I'll find a parking spot, then I'll come in and find you.”
She nodded, tears running down her cheeks. She quickly reached over and squeezed my hand tightly. “Thank you so much, Wade. Thank you...”
I squeezed her hand back. “It's not a problem. I'm just doing what any decent human being would do. Now you go, I'll come and find you.”
I drove the car out to the parking lot and then jogged back to the ER. A man in scrubs was speaking to Eryn, who looked like she was refusing to leave her mother’s side, so I hurried over to them to see what had happened.
“We are going to have to run some tests before the doctor can give you any kind of diagnosis,” he said. “Your mother likely got knocked unconscious when she hit her head on the floor, but there’s always a chance she went unconscious first. There’s just no way to know for sure.”
Eryn simply nodded; it seemed as if she wasn't capable of speaking right now. I decided to step in and take over.
“Excuse me, Doctor, but how long do you think all of this is going to take?”
“Are you her son?”
“No. I'm, uh, I'm a family friend.”
“I see. Well, she'll at least have to stay overnight while we run the tests. And, it's essential that she's under observation since she’s been unconscious as long as she has. As I said to Eryn, we’ll do some preliminary tests before we decide what we might need to do further. Don't worry, though, she's in good hands here.”
“I'm sure she is. Is she going to wake up any time soon?” I asked, Eryn still listening, but not saying a word, just looking down at her mother.
“She should, yes. You can stay around until she does. Once we know a little more, we will try to get her in a room. Then you can see her.”
“I understand, Doc. Thank you.”
“Of course,” the doctor replied. “I'll contact you as soon as I have something more for you.”
With that, the doctor hurried off, and Eryn leaned over and grabbed her mother’s hand. The nurses were tucking her into the hospital bed with a blanket.
“I'm so sorry, Eryn. I know this isn’t easy.”
She simply nodded and slipped her free hand into mine. I squeezed her hand reassuringly. We stood in silence for a few moments, and then Eryn's mom's eyes slowly opened.
“Wh- where am I?” she croaked. “Wh- what happened?”
Eryn managed to find her voice.
“Hi, Mom,” she sniffled. “You're in the hospital. You passed out at home and hit your head.”
“Oh...I-”
“Shh,” Eryn said as she stroked her mom's forehead gently. “Just rest. The doctors and nurses are going to take care of you.”
“Who's this man, dear?” she asked, looking at me.
“He's my volleyball coach, Mom. Wade Vinson. He helped get you here.”
She smiled, despite the pain she was obviously in. “Thank you, Mr. Vinson. She's so talented, isn't she?” she smiled like the proud mother I could see she was.
I smiled in return. “She really is, Mrs. Barnett. And she's got some good news about volleyball that I'm sure she'd like to tell you.”
“Really? What's that dear?” she asked, turning to Eryn.
Eryn beamed a wide smile at her mom, despite her teary eyes. “I made the starting lineup! I'm playing in the game against Miami this Saturday. So that means you have to cooperate with the doctors so they don’t keep you in here because you didn’t listen.”
I couldn't help but smile. It was obvious how happy the news made Eryn’s mother and how big of a deal this was to her. Of course, Eryn had totally earned it. She really was one of the most talented and hardworking players I'd come across in my years of coaching.
“That's just wonderful, dear, so wonderful! I know how hard you've worked for this, and I'm so proud of you...so very proud!”
The doctor came back and interrupted the conversation. “Ah, Mrs. Barnett, I see you've woken up. Good. As for your daughter and friend, I'm afraid they're going to have to leave now. We need to take you upstairs to do some tests. Don't worry, though, everything is taken care of, and we'll make sure you're out of here as soon as possible. You will have to stay overnight, though.”
“All right,” she said to the doctor then turned back to Eryn. “Honey, you go. There’s nothing you can accomplish sitting in some waiting room. I’ll call you when they put me in a room for the night, and I'll see you tomorrow, dear.”
“I want to stay here, Mom,” Eryn protested.
“Nonsense,” she retorted. “It’s already late, and I know how long these things can take. It will be well after midnight before they are finished with me. I’m sure of it. Now go. I’ll call you in a bit. And thank you for your help, Mr. Vinson, I do appreciate it tremendously. Take care of my girl.”
“Yes, ma’am. I will. And I hope you feel better soon, Mrs. Barnett,” I replied.
I took Eryn's hand. “Come on, Eryn, we need to go now. Your mom will be fine.”
She leaned over and kissed her mom and whispered a goodbye, and then allowed me to lead her out. Once we were out in the parking lot, I stopped to speak to her.
“Are you all right?” I asked. “I mean, obviously you're not, but I mean, under the circumstances, are you okay?”
“I'll be okay,” she replied. “Thank you, Wade. So much.”
“It's fine, really, it is. Is there anyone else you need to call? Any siblings? Your father?”
As I said “father,” I her expression change momentarily. There was obviously something there, so I knew not to push that issue.
“I have an older sister in San Diego; I'll call her later. I don’t want to worry her for any longer than necessary.”
“All right. And anything else you need? Have you eaten dinner?”
“No, I was gonna eat with my mom. I need to go back there to turn off the lights and the TV and everything.”
“All right, well let's pick up some takeout, and we can eat it there. You can make sure everything is turned off and safe, and then I'll drop you at your place. Sound good?”
She nodded.
“Cool, come on,” I said, and we walked over to the car. “Any ideas on where to go?” I asked. “It's kinda late, so I'm not sure what's available around here.”
“I know it's not the kind of stuff athletes should be eating, but I know that there's a 24-hour b
urger drive-thru about three blocks away.”
I grinned, happy to be able to lighten the mood somewhat. “We can eat crappy food once in a while,” I said. “Burgers, fries, and milkshakes it is.”
Twenty minutes later, we were walking back into Eryn’s mother’s apartment. “Let's eat first,” Eryn suggested. “I'll call my sister later. I've got some other stuff I want to talk to her about, too.”
“All right,” I agreed as we sat down at the kitchen table to eat. “So how long has your mom lived here?” I asked, trying to make conversation.
“Since I was a little kid, actually,” she replied. “This is where I grew up. That room over there,” she said, pointing at a door across from the table, “that was the room my sister and I shared when we were kids.”
“How much older is your sister?”
“She's five years older than me, but she and I have been super close since we were kids; more like best friends than sisters.”
“What does she do out in San Diego?”
“Oh, she was offered a really good job with a tech startup there a few years ago. The company has grown a lot, and she's worked her way up the ladder. She's doing really well for herself, but she's married and has twins to take care of. She got married right out of college.”
“Wow. She must be busy.”
“She is. We still talk weekly, but I miss her. Especially at times like this.”
“I'm sure you do, Eryn.”
“What about you?” she asked. “Where did you grow up? You have any brothers or sisters?”
“I'm Florida born and raised, not from here, though. I grew up in Jacksonville. Well, not in Jacksonville itself, but close enough. Lived out in a pretty rural area. The boonies, actually. I grew up riding dirt bikes and camping out and all that. Old school – no video games, nothing, just outdoors stuff.”
“And, siblings?” she asked again as she munched on a French fry.
