Mercedes tried not to startle when people started to hug her during the first day back at school after the holiday break. When they touched her, Mercedes backed away like they carried the plague. Some congratulated her on the championship while others offered sympathy about her sister. A few did both, which Mercedes had a hard time handling. How could she accept congratulations and feel happy when her sister lay in a coma feeling nothing?
By the end of the day, Mercedes stood at her locker, as exhausted as if she’d run a hundred wind sprints. She didn’t know if she could face another day hurtling between the highs and lows.
“You okay?” Mercedes shivered at the touch on her shoulder. Jade. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.” Mercedes turned and pulled Jade close to her.
“I can’t stop it.” Mercedes still couldn’t stop being startled awake by nightmares either.
“It takes time,” Jade said. “It’s called trauma. It just takes time and—”
“Letting it be.” Mercedes stared at her palms. The marks were gone, but the image remained.
“I’m going with you to Auburn. I talked to my counselor. It’s a long shot, but—”
“I’m good at long shots!” Mercedes said. Jade’s laughter lifted her spirit. “You know, right now, Jade, I feel like I’m on the top of the mountain. But there’s a problem with that.”
“What’s that, love?” Jade tugged at the silver necklace around her neck.
“You see,” Mercedes started, but then stuttered like she did back in grade school. “You see how far there is to fall.” Mercedes fell into Jade’s arms, and Jade wrapped her in a hug.
“You’d better get to practice,” Jade whispered. Mercedes wiped away tears, pulled her bag out of her locker, kissed Jade goodbye, and started toward the gym.
At the gym door stood not her coach or teammates, but Lloyd Webber, Birmingham Police Detective.
“We need to talk,” Webber said, his words pushing Mercedes down the mountain.