The Sky’s the Limit: My Journey with Maryellen

That night, when Maryellen and I are snuggled into our sleeping bags in the trailer, I tell Maryellen that I’ve been thinking about my grandmother. I haven’t been fair to her. I think it’s time for me to go home to try to get to know her and make things right. Maryellen turns to me and asks when. I tell her I should leave tomorrow. Maryellen says that she was afraid I was going to say that. But she understands.

The next morning, I put my ski team uniform back on. I slide the penny into my pocket, wondering if it will be transported back with me. Maryellen and I explain to Mr. and Mrs. Larkin, and though they’re sorry, they agree I should go. Mr. Larkin detaches the Airstream from the car while I say my goodbyes to Mrs. Larkin, Beverly, and Carolyn. Then, Maryellen and I climb into the car. I wave to Mrs. Larkin and the girls and they wave back. Mr. Larkin drives to the nearest airport, which is a few miles west of Cedar Top.

When I get there, I thank Mr. Larkin. I tell him that the Larkins taught me how good it feels to be welcome and to be included. And I can handle changing my ticket. I’d rather say goodbye outside. Mr. Larkin shakes my hand and says to never forget that I’m an honorary Larkin.

Maryellen hugs me and whispers to remember the arrowhead promise, and I tell her that she should, too. Slowly, I watch them climb back into the car and we wave to each other as Mr. Larkin drives away. As soon as I can’t see Maryellen anymore, I press the button on the watch.

Before I know it, I’m back on the ski race awards platform, with the judge and Coach Stanislav staring at me. I see my grandmother is standing next to my parents. I take the watch off my wrist and tell the judge that I don’t deserve it because I didn’t win. But I don’t deserve to be called a cheater either.

Then, I step off the platform and go to my grandmother and ask her to help me. She had to stand up for herself to become an archaeologist. I ask her if she’ll help me stand up for myself now. Gran’s bright blue eyes sparkle. She says that she will and we walk back to the platform together.

Gran puts her scientific archaeologist’s mind to work and says that we should find evidence that I didn’t cheat. The coach, the judge, my grandmother, and I go back to the place where the trail splits. Gran points out that the flag marking the correct branch has fallen over and is buried in the snow. We also find ski marks in the snow which show that someone was standing there recently, probably the person who directed me to the wrong branch of the trail by mistake. Gran points out that because of the glare on the snow, it would’ve been hard for me to see without tinted goggles. Gran is brisk and decisive. No one argues with her facts. So, because of her help, my name is cleared. I’ve never felt so relieved.

Later, when we’re home, I thank Gran. I take the 1955 penny out of my pocket and tell her that I thought she might be interested in the penny that I found. Gran takes it in her hand and gets out her magnifying glass. While she inspects the penny, I spot an arrowhead on her desk. I ask her where she found the arrowhead and she says that it was found in the woods near her house when she was a young girl. It’s very special to her. She almost lost it the day she found it, but a friend rescued it for her. Her name was Sophie. And in fact, that’s why she suggested that my parents name me Sophie. She said she’s always kept the arrowhead near her because she made a promise on it. She promised that she would be an archaeologist. And that promise changed her life.

I am dumbfounded. Could it be? Are Gran and Nancy the same person? Am I the Sophie she met that found her arrowhead? I begin to sputter, but before I can speak, Gran hands the penny back to me and says that this penny is going to change my life. I ask her how. Gran explains that it’s a 1955 double-die wheat penny. It’s very rare and valuable because the mint accidentally double-printed the date on it. She asks if there is anything I have my heart set on.

Immediately, I tell her a telescope. Gran smiles, pleased. She says my penny is worth nearly $2,000. I can buy a fine telescope with that, and still have some to put away for college. I take a deep breath and look at the penny in the palm of my hand. In my head, I wish I could tell Maryellen that it’s a good thing I didn’t buy that gumball. I smile at Gran and ask if she’ll help me sell the penny and choose a telescope. She says she’ll be glad to. That’s just the kind of project she loves. She turns on her laptop and puts her arm around me and pulls me close. It’s time to begin.