The Sky’s the Limit: My Journey with Maryellen

I feel like I’m flying, just like I did on the water skis. And then I’m back on the ski race awards platform. I explain about the mix-up during the race, return the watch, and go home with my family.

Later, Emma and I are alone in our room. Emma apologizes to me. She should’ve trusted me. She looks at me with a worried frown and says that she realizes that I don’t love the ski team as much as she does. She admits that she knew that I was unhappy, but she really hopes that I still want to be on the team with her, even after what happened today.

I tell Emma that I don’t hate everything about the ski team. I love skiing. I love going fast and being outside on the mountain. Emma grins. She knows that I hate the uniforms. I admit that’s true. But I can put up with them the way that she puts up with my star charts here in the bedroom.

Emma squeaks. So I’m not quitting the team? She sounds relieved and surprised. I’m kind of surprised, too, when I say that I’m going to stay on the team because it makes Emma happy that we’re on the team together. But I’m going to focus on the fun, and not let the competition get to me.

Emma hurls herself at me. She says she’s so glad and she thanks me. And in my head, I thank Maryellen. She taught me how good it feels to do something out of friendship and love.