The Sky’s the Limit: My Journey with Maryellen

Just for a second, I have the sensation of flying, like a shooting star. And when it stops, I find myself… somewhere else. I’m no longer on the ski mountain, and I’m instead standing on a driveway by a small house. There’s a station wagon in the driveway, and a big silver camper trailer. A hot sun reflects off the trailer and I realize I’m roasting in my ski team uniform. The air is moist, and it smells fruity and flowery. The driveway is bordered with palm trees, flowers, and large bushes with lemons. Where am I? It’s obvious that I’m not in my snow dusted hometown of Cedar Top, North Carolina anymore.

I look down at the watch. The last thing I did was accidentally press the stopwatch button. Is it possible that the watch transported me? Maybe if I press the button again, it’ll transport me home. My heart quickens with hope. Maybe the watch will take me back to the moment on the trail before I chose the wrong route. But, maybe the watch will transport me somewhere new entirely. There’s only one way to find out. I touch the button, and once again I feel like I’m flying.

When I open my eyes, I’m back on the awards platform at the ski slope. Mom has her arm around me, and Dad and Gran look sad. Coach Stanislav and the judge are frowning at me, and I feel the waves of disapproval from all of my teammates. No time has passed at all.

If only I can prove that I did not cheat, that I only made a mistake. But how? Emma, who usually leads the way, and speaks for me, is my accuser. I feel lost and hopeless and overwhelmed. And suddenly, I just want to disappear.

I think of the watch. Would it transport me again? I’d like to go back to the warm place, but really I’d go anywhere but here. No one will miss me. They’re frozen in time. And I do need some time to figure out what to do about the ski race. So, I muster all my bravery, and close my eyes, and press the stopwatch button again.

When I open my eyes, I am back on the driveway, next to the lemon bushes. I feel a warm rush of relief to be back in this balmy place. I’m admiring the camper trailer when the side door of the house opens and a girl my age comes out. She is skinny and cheerful-looking. Her reddish, gold hair is in a bouncy ponytail that catches the sunshine. A roly-poly dachshund waddles behind her as well as two cute boys and a little girl wearing a tutu with a cardboard crown. I freeze, expecting suspicious questions, but instead, the girl smiles and introduces herself as Maryellen Larkin. Her family calls her Ellie. She asks if I love the Airstream trailer. She also introduces her little sister, Beverly, age seven, and Tom, age five, and Mikey, age three. The dog’s name is Scooter.

Mikey runs forward and flicks his arms around my legs, almost knocking my glasses off. Maryellen says that they are all excited since they heard that we were coming. She says I’m going to love Daytona Beach.

Isn’t Daytona Beach in Florida? So I’m in Florida? And Maryellen and her family have been expecting me? I’m flabbergasted.

Tom asks what my name is, and I choke out that my name is Sophie. My name makes the Larkins smile. Maryellen asks if I’m named after the singer, Sophie Tucker, from the Ed Sullivan Show. I shrug and say I’ve never seen the Ed Sullivan Show before. Beverly asks if I have any brothers or sisters. I nod and say that I have a sister named Emma. Maryellen says that my Aunt Betty is one of her mom’s oldest friends. Maryellen clarifies that it was her mom’s idea for me to come stay with them while Betty helps my parents move from New York to Washington D.C. It’s lucky that Betty works for the airlines, so my ticket was free.

I stutter. I’m so confused and not sure what to say. And just as Maryellen starts to open the screen door, Beverly stops her. She asks how Maryellen knows that I am Betty’s niece. Maybe I’m a new girl who’s moving into the neighborhood. Beverly turns to me tilts her head. She asks if me and my family are moving into the neighborhood.