The Sky’s the Limit: My Journey with Maryellen

That night in the camper, Maryellen asks why I lied about not skiing. I admit I was accused of cheating in a ski race before I arrived and never wanted to ski again. I skied down the wrong trail by mistake, and it turned out to be a shortcut that won me the race. My sister accused me of cheating, and my coach distrusts me from a trick I played on him once.

Maryellen asks if I told everyone it was a mistake. I tried, but bungled it, too confused and humiliated to be believed. I was too chicken to fight for myself.

Maryellen insists I’m not a chicken. I disagree, I can’t even tell my sister I want off the team. I hate the uniforms, the competition, how serious it’s become. Emma loves it, and I’m afraid quitting will hurt her.

Maryellen considers this. Emma might be disappointed, but she deserves the truth, and I deserve to tell it. She’s sure I’m brave enough to speak up. I straighten my shoulders. When Maryellen calls me brave, I feel brave.

Maryellen tells me I deserve a second chance to explain the ski race. When I go home, I need to set the record straight. She makes me promise I will.