The Sky’s the Limit: My Journey with Maryellen

It would be too completely weird to stay overnight in Cedar Top, so I say that I’d like to keep on going. Mr. Larkin says it’s a tie. Three votes to stop, three to keep going. But since he’s the driver, he’ll break the tie and change his vote. We’ll go a little farther before we stop. Phew. I’m relieved.

As we drive through the town, we pass the house my grandmother used to live in before she moved in with us. Wouldn’t it be nice if I could become friends with her, like Maryellen is friends with her grandparents? Maybe I could even make her proud of me, the way Maryellen’s grandparents are proud of her. I think of how much fun I had with Tom and Mikey. Maybe it’d be fun to make friends with Daria, instead of closing the door in her face. And if I entertained her, I’d be helping Gran, doing her a favor, and that would please her. My heart feels both heavy with sadness and light with excitement as I think that it’s time for me to go home and try.

The road we’re on is mountainous and twisty. Soon, Cedar Top has disappeared, left behind around a curve. I’m thinking hard, trying to come up with a way to leave the Larkins without worrying them. I put my ski uniform on this morning, so I’m ready to go when the time comes.

Mrs. Larkin looks at the map and says that Asheville is a big town. We can spend the night there. I’m sure there’s an airport in Asheville. I take a deep breath and apologize, but I think it’s time for me to go home to my family. Maryellen looks up and asks why. I tell them that I miss them. I’ve loved being with the Larkins, but it’s time for me to go. I ask if Mr. Larkin can drop me off at the Asheville airport. I can use my return ticket to get home from there.

Maryellen takes my hand in both of hers, and squeezes it. Mrs. Larkin says that they hate to see me go, but if that’s what I need to do, then the airport is on the way.

All too soon, we arrive at the airport. Mr. Larkin pulls up to the curb and everyone gets out of the car. I hug Carolyn, Beverly, and Mr. and Mrs. Larkin, and last of all, Maryellen. I thank them. I feel as though I have two families to love now. Maryellen hugs me again and says she’ll miss me, and I tell her that I’ll miss her, too. I’ll never forget her.

Mr. Larkin starts to lead me into the airport, but I tell him that I can handle it myself. I’d rather say goodbye outside. As the Larkins get back into the station wagon, Maryellen and I wave to each other until the Airstream is just a silver dot. When it disappears completely, I click the stopwatch button.

For a second, I have the sensation that I’m flying, and then I open my eyes and I’m on the ski race awards platform, surrounded by frowns and worried looks. I tell them that I didn’t win the race. I hand the watch back to the judge. But I say that I didn’t cheat either. I quickly explain what happened. The judge shakes my hand and thanks me for telling the facts. She can see that I made an honest mistake. I’m so relieved that I have the same flying feeling that the watch gave me. It feels great to have my record clear with the judge, Coach Stanislav, my team, my parents, Gran, and Emma.

Later at home, Emma apologizes for accusing me of cheating. She asks if I can forgive her. I hug her and say yes. And speaking of forgiveness, I think we should forgive Daria. She’s just a little kid. She didn’t mean to break the laptop. I urge Emma that we should talk to her. She and her mom are with Gran now.

We go down the hall. When we enter Gran’s room, she and Daria’s mother look up from the box of bones they’re sorting. I ask if we can borrow Daria. Emma and I have something fun to do, and Daria would like it. Gran smiles and says that would be great. Daria gets up, smiling at me. I never noticed before how her smile lights up her whole face. Well, I guess I had never seen her smile before. I take her by the hand, and it reminds me of little Mikey’s plump hand.

Emma follows us to the bathroom, and I fill the sink with soap suds, and put them on my face and make a rhyme. Daria and Emma reach their hands into the sink, too. And pretty soon, we’re all laughing so loud that Gran and Daria’s mom come to see what we’re up to. When they see our soapy beards, they laugh, too. And I laugh even harder when, inspired by Mikey, I say they can just call me “Soapy Sophie.”

Gran hugs me and I can see that we’re going to be good friends from now on. I’m even more sure when Gran catches my eye in the mirror and winks as if to say, “Nice work.” I think she’s even a little proud of me.