phone to my ear, my gaze drifts up the street as I keep watch for the bus. “What’s up? Everything okay with Sammy?”
“Everything’s fine. I was just checking to see if you’d be able to watch her on Friday after school. I have a job interview with the school district, and it should only be about an hour or two. My mom would help but she’s out of town this week.”
“Oh, wow. That’s great. Yeah, I can definitely help.” Friday is the day before the competition, but it will be fine. All I need to do is pack and restock my climbing bag. Maybe Sammy will have fun helping. “She can come over whenever you need. About what time?” Spotting the bus up ahead, I step back from the curb.
“The interview is at three so I’m taking the afternoon off from the diner. I’ll pick her up at school then bring her straight to you.”
“Perfect. I’ll be ready.” It’s only Wednesday so that gives me two days to grab snacks.
“Thank you so much, Sadie. I really appreciate it.”
“Any time. And good luck.”
When we hang up, I slip my phone into the side pouch of my backpack. Once aboard the bus, I slide into my usual spot. During the drive, I pencil the afternoon with Sammy into my schedule. I can easily shimmy things around that day and get most of my editing done well before two. I’ll try and stop by the grocery store before then and pick up something she’d like for an afternoon snack. Maybe macaroni and cheese and some fruit? I’m not quite as in tune with what Sammy eats at home with her mom. I only have tiny snapshots in the times I pick up Sammy and walk her to the diner. Meanwhile, Meghan takes orders and serves up burgers for hours every day, all while being away from her little girl. Meghan’s explained that she’s taking night classes at the local community college, working towards a teaching degree. A job like that would allow her to be closer to Sammy during the day. That must be what this interview is about. I really hope it goes well for her.
Knowing Meghan over these last few years has helped put a few things into perspective. Whether married or single, in a relationship or not, life is never simple. Meghan has experiences that women like me sometimes dream of. She once had the love of a man. She even gets to be a mother. But it’s no walk in the park, and she also deals with hardships. Everyone has challenges, some even more than others. We may at times even envy one another, but we’ve all been given different journeys.
These thoughts carry me for much of the ride. As the scenery changes, we’re almost to the gym. When the bus slows in front of the exit, I gather up my stuff. “Have a good day,” I call to the driver, as I push both me and my backpack through the narrow aisle, nearly losing a sandal in my haste.
He flashes a friendly thumbs up, and I welcome the coolness on the breeze this afternoon. Cloud cover brings with it the scent of potential rain. I adjust my backpack higher and straighten the waistband of my leggings.
It’s encouraging how something as simple as walking feels different these days. My body is building strength in ways it never has before. Not that I’m suddenly a full-blown athlete or anything, but there’s a fresh pep and momentum in my step. The regular practice with balance and strength has affected my confidence both inside and outside of the gym. As for today, it’s a good time to take it easy on my body, which has finally recovered. It’s a day to focus more on strategy and the mental game as opposed to pushing to the limits. If I can capitalize on making smarter decisions and strategic moves, perhaps I’ll be able to save energy and get better tops with less turmoil. Not only today, but for the competition itself. Only one way to find out.
So goes the rhythm of changing shoes and warming up. Half of the gym has been blocked off with hanging tarps. And the wall that was recently blank is now concealed behind more tarps. Whatever the route setters are creating on the other side is blocked from sight. By the sound of it they’re still hard at work. The gym pulses with the rattle of buzzing drills, clattering holds, and the clank of bolts in buckets. Men holler to one another, ladders drag back and forth. No doubt, their competition prep is going to be impressive. A woman is even in the mix as she pushes past the tarps to retrieve a drill. She slides it into the tool belt at her waist and returns to the action. She and the route setters could in fact be bolting on some of the very holds I’ll be dangling from in just a few days.
As usual, I wait my turn for other climbers to finish at a section of wall I’ve got my eye on. Today, I sit at the edge of the mats and watch a teenage girl ascend one of my favorite boulder problems. Following a zig-zagging thread of yellow holds, she finesses through each move with slow control. Her black, wavy ponytail falls all the way to her lower back and she has a stout, strong build which is accented by her purple leggings and black T-shirt. She can’t be much taller than five feet, and while she doesn’t glide in the same way Eleni does, this girl moves with grit and determination. Even the spots where she struggles, she powers through.
Impressive.
With one of the fans blowing nearby, I lean closer to watch her. We’re probably at a similar skill level, but she has youth and strength on her side. It shows in some of the angles she can press her body into. It’s fascinating to watch. Despite the dozens of other climbers around, it’s enjoyable to observe someone conquer the same boulders I’ve been working on. It hits me then. Could this be the third female who will compete at the beginner level? A woman watches from the mats, calling encouragement up to the teen girl in Spanish. Maybe her mom?
When the girl hops down, swapping her chalk bag for a water bottle splattered in fun Disney stickers, I decide to be brave and say hello.
The mat crinkles beneath my climbing shoes as I near. They both turn. “Sorry to interrupt you, but I was just wondering—are you by any chance in the competition this weekend?”
The girl nods, looking shy.
“Which level are you climbing in?”
“I’m actually in the beginner level. I only started this summer.” She pushes a dark strand of hair behind an ear that’s triple pierced. Sweat beads along her hairline and she tugs at the front of her shirt for airflow.
“Oh cool!” I extend a hand. “My name’s Sadie and I’ll be in that same level.”
She looks wary. I am the enemy, after all. Not to mention stranger danger and all that.
Her mom warms first. “Oh, how nice.” She looks from her daughter then to me. “This is the first competition for Justice so we’re both new at all of this.”
“Me too.” Wanting to soften the ice with this young athlete, I throw out a new question. “Are you nervous? I’m a little terrified.”
There comes the first smile. “I’m so nervous to think of everyone watching me.” She glances at her mom, which seems to bolster her further as she speaks again. “I think about it when I’m trying to fall asleep.”
“Me too!” With my hand out again, she shakes it this time. Justice is an intriguing, bold name that I can already tell fits this girl. “It’s really nice to meet you. I’m impressed with what you did up there. I’ve been climbing for less than a month so am still figuring out the basics.”
“Same here.” She steps back and we face the wall out of what can only be habit. I point to the top section that she totally nailed. As she fiddles with the lid on her water bottle, we discuss the different methods that have worked best. Since every climber uses a slightly different beta to make it to the top of the wall, it’s even more fun swapping examples of what’s worked best for us.
As Justice describes how she puts her own spin on it, I nod. “I think the route setters want us to use your beta.”
She shakes her head as she studies the wall again. “But yours sounds easier.” She points to a big jug at the top. “It’s hard for me to match that with both hands. Something about the balance feels off.”
“I’ve been working on that spot myself. I think I’ll give it another try now.”
“You should. And later, I’ll try your undercling method as well.”
She grins. While she chalks up, I scan the area for any sight of Eleni. It would be neat for her to meet Justice as well, though maybe she already has. I haven’t seen Eleni in nearly a week. Maybe she had to switch the hours when she comes to the gym. I watch as Justice climbs again, this time trying the all-new beta. Her mom coaches her along in Spanish and it twists my heart to hope for my parents to be able to make it on Saturday.
Justice tops in one attempt, and when her climbing shoes hit the mat, I clap. “Well done.”
Her eyes bright, she wipes chalky hands on the sides of her leggings. “Now you.”
“Okay.” I reach both hands into my chalk bag and approach the wall. A swarm of butterflies swirls through my stomach as it always does when someone is watching. I have to get used to this. It’s going to be a huge part of the event this weekend. Justice handled it so well. I want to do the same.
With a tiny grunt, I pull myself onto the wall and focus on making each move slow and controlled. I let this first climb of the day wake up my arms and back. The muscles in my shoulders and hands. Warmth floods me as I scramble higher. The moves are becoming so natural on the easier climbs. I top in one go too, but unlike Justice who hopped down with ease, I downclimb a few moves before jumping to the mat. We accomplished this one on pace with one another. It’s thrilling to think of how fun this competition is going to be. I think the three of us will be able to challenge one another. We’ve probably got even harder boulders in store for us on Saturday.
Looking happy that her daughter is coming out of her shell more, Justice’s mom pulls out her wallet. “I’m going to go grab something cold at the coffee cart. Anyone want anything?”
Justice requests a blended mocha, and even though my shirt is clinging to my shoulders, I decline.
They insist. Why not?
“That’s so kind. A blended mocha actually sounds perfect.”
As she places the order, Justice and I tackle some of our favorite routes. We even inspire one another to each try a super complex V3 that’s outside of our usual routine. It’s so hard that neither of us makes it past the first move, but the effort was fun. Her mom returns, offering us each a frosty plastic cup and a straw. I slide the straw into the whipped cream top and savor a taste of the sweet, frozen coffee.
A few hours fly by in the hot gym as Justice and I take turns on most everything at our level. By the time we say goodbye, I have a feeling that I won’t see her again before the competition, so I wish her good luck. “And thank you again for the coffee,” I tell her mom.
“See you Saturday.” Justice retrieves both of our water bottles from a nearby bench.
They clatter together as I accept mine. “See you both Saturday. It was great meeting you.” I wave one final time then hunt down my backpack. After tugging off my climbing shoes, I find a quiet corner to stretch in then drag my tired self to the front desk. Today it’s staffed by the really good climber guy from the first time I visited the outdoor sports store. The one who helped me sign up for the free lesson. I feel bad that I still think of him as flyer-guy or cardboard box-dude.
“Good session?” he asks, looking up from the reservation computer.
I pause, surprised. “It was, thanks.” Taking the opportunity, I step closer to the high counter. “I was wondering if I could ask something. If you’ve seen Eleni around. I’m afraid I don’t know her last name. She’s in the competition, but I haven’t seen her for a while.”
A furrow forms in his brow and he clicks through the computer. His usual hat with the snowboard emblem is on backwards today. “We’ve been wondering the same thing. She hasn’t checked in all week which is out of the ordinary.” Eyes on the screen, he fiddles with a string of thin cord tied around his wrist. The sight of it reminds me of how often I’ve noticed that bracelet whenever someone is pointing a fan in my direction. Was it this guy?
He speaks, halting the distraction in my mind. “My sister plans to call the phone number in Eleni’s file tomorrow. Just to make sure everything’s okay and that she’s still on for Saturday.” He turns toward Cassidy who’s just returning to the desk. “Right?”
Cassidy’s blonde hair bounces as she nods. “Yeah. I’ll give her a call for sure.”
They’re brother and sister? I had no idea they were siblings and instead had pegged them as a couple since they were so at ease around one another. Turns out I’m not such an expert at reading people.
“Thank you.” I push aside that surprise. Right now, I really hope Eleni’s here on Saturday.
“That’s good. Thanks.” This is going to be my last practice session until Saturday. It would be unwise to come tomorrow and overdo it, and I have Sammy coming on Friday. Taking it easy in the meantime is for the best. It will give me time to let my hands heal which are freshly scraped and scratched from rough holds today. “See you Saturday,” I say to Cassidy. Then turn to the guy who stood there when I practically walked through the glass door of Valley Outfitters on my first visit. “This gym has been a great place to learn.”
His smile is sincere. “We’re totally stoked to have you here.”
There’s a part of my heart that instantly feels a flash of light and I snuff it out just as fast. So quickly that if I were a writer, and this were a story, I wouldn’t have even typed the words to describe that rather endearing smile or the way his kindness just seems to lift from somewhere deep within him. It’s just safer that way. The counter beneath my hands is cool as I use the familiarity of the level surface to ground me.
His sister agrees. “You’ve done great. Good luck Saturday! Come early if you can and we’ll get you all set up with your number and a quick group orientation on how everything will work.”
“Okay. Definitely.” I wave to them both, relieved that any noticing and even assessing is already smoothed and quieted. “Bye.”
On my way out, I find a trash can for my empty coffee cup then say three soft prayers starting with the least important to the most. One is for the skin on my hands to heal well. Then I pray that Justice will do an amazing job and feel completely at ease during the competition. The last prayer is for Eleni. That she and her family are safe and well, and that we’ll see her smiling face very, very soon.