The Sky’s the Limit: My Journey with Maryellen

Later that night, Maryellen and I are in our sleeping bags in the camper. She asks me why I told her at first that I didn’t ski. I take a deep breath and explain that just before I arrived, I was accused of cheating in a ski race. I never wanted to ski again. Maryellen asks why anyone would think that I cheated. I tell her that I made a mistake and skied down the wrong trail. It turned out to be a shortcut, so I won. My sister accused me of cheating, and my coach doesn’t trust me because I played a trick on him once before.

Maryellen asks if I just told everyone it was a mistake. I explain that I tried to, but I bungled it. I was too confused and humiliated. It seemed as though everyone jumped to a conclusion and I couldn’t stop them. I was too chicken to fight for myself.

Maryellen says I’m not a chicken. I turn to her and tell her that I am! I can’t even tell my sister that I don’t even want to be on the ski team. I don’t like the uniforms, I don’t like the competition, and I don’t like how serious skiing has become for us. But Emma does. But I’m afraid to tell her that I want to quit the ski team because she’ll be hurt and disappointed.

Maryellen thinks for a moment. Finally, she says that my sister might be disappointed, but she deserves to know the truth, and I deserve to tell it. Maryellen knows that I’m brave enough to speak up for myself. I straighten my shoulders a bit. When Maryellen calls me brave, I feel brave.

Maryellen continues to say that I deserve a second chance to explain what happened in the ski race. When I go home, I need to set the record straight. She makes me promise that I will.