A Girl Named Summer (17 page)

“If you feel it’s all a lost cause, then why are you running in the race?”

“Two reasons,” Summer explained. “One, because I want to win. I love running. I know you can’t understand that, but I do love the challenge.”

“And the second reason?”

“Because of Ann. She still thinks I’ll back out before the race. Guess I want to show her.”

“Did Luke tell you what she said?”

“No, what?”

“He said that Ann told Carl and some other kids that you haven’t done any running at all and that she just knew you would find an excuse on the day of the race not to show up.”

“Did Luke tell her he’s seen me running almost every day?”

“No, he was too surprised by what she was saying. And then, he said, he decided to let her find out for herself how good you are. Those were his exact words.” Regina glowed, her infatuation with Luke obvious.

“Nothing will keep me from showing up.”

“That’s the spirit.”

“Except…”

“Don’t say it. Don’t even think it…”

“What?” Gregg asked from the doorway.

“Chicken pox,” both girls replied at the same time.

Chapter
18

E
xcitement, rather than the alarm clock, woke Summer the next morning. Soon she would be seeing David, and even if it was only because of friendship on his part, she was thrilled just the same.

Michael threw another tantrum when he was informed that he couldn’t go to the park, but his mother held fast.

Summer wore a pair of white shorts and a new navy-blue tank top. She didn’t have a matching cap, so she settled on a bright red one. “I look like the flag,” she told her mother.

David looked great, too. He had on a pair of gray running shorts and a black top. The colors looked good against his tanned skin, and if Summer had been a bold person, she would have complimented him on his good-looking legs.

Grandpa fiddled with the stopwatch David insisted he use, until he felt confident with the dials.

Summer climbed into the backseat of David’s car so Grandpa could sit in the front, and listened while David explained pacing to him.

When Grandpa was settled on the bench next to the entrance of the park and David and Summer were ready to start, she turned to David and squared her shoulders.

“I’m not into lies anymore,” she said, “so get this good and clear. I’m going to do my best to beat you. I’m not going to hold back because I’m a girl and you’re a boy. If you have a problem with that, tell me now.” Her hands were settled on her hips during her lecture, and she waited impatiently for his answer.

David started laughing. “I was going to tell you how I’ve been running a lot longer than you have and not to be too upset when I beat you. Think you’re that good, huh?”

“Yes,” Summer answered.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah! Winner throws the loser in the pool?”

“You got it,” David said, grinning. “And the loser can take her running shoes off before she gets all wet, okay?”

“We’ll see,” she said, turning back to Grandpa. “Guess we’re ready when you are, Grandpa.”

Grandpa yelled, “Go,” and both David and Summer took off in a flash of speed. She stayed right beside him until they had gone four miles. David’s pace
began to slacken then, and she flashed him a smile as she sailed in front of him. She could hear him behind her until that last mile began, and then suddenly she saw him gain on her out of the corner of her eye. She increased her speed accordingly, matching him stride for stride, until Grandpa’s form came into sight. Then David really put a spurt on, and she understood in that instant what pacing was all about. She pulled from her hidden reserve all the extra energy she could muster, winning by several yards.

“Did you hold back, or did I win fair and square?” she asked David when she could get her breath.

“No, you really did keep me pushing,” he answered. “I tried to save a little something for that last mile, but I guess you saved a little more. Race you to the pool?”

“You’re on,” she answered, charging ahead of him.

When he caught up with her at the edge of the pool, he was panting for breath. His hands were on his hips, and his body was covered with a film of perspiration, proving that he had run as fast and as hard as he could.

She watched as he kicked off his shoes. He walked to the deep end of the pool and positioned himself on the edge facing her. His arms were folded across his chest and he had a silly expression on his face.

Summer slipped off her own shoes, intent on getting just her feet wet in the shallow end of the pool. Then she nonchalantly strolled up to stand directly in front of David. “Ah, poor David,” she teased. “The agony
of defeat,” she said, placing her index finger on his chest. She was savoring her victory and gloating, all at the same time. Still, she did notice a wicked gleam in his eyes, but before she could figure out just what he was thinking, he grabbed hold of her shoulders and pulled her toward him.

She squealed when he lost his balance, and she just had time to close her mouth and take a deep breath before they both hit the water. She came up sputtering. Talk about sore losers! She would certainly tell him a thing or two—when he quit laughing, that is.

“You’re crazy, David,” she said while she treaded water. She swung out and tried to make it to the safe side of the pool, but he grabbed her from behind and dunked her, and that was the start of war. She splashed in retaliation, trying to dunk him, but he was too fast.

Exhaustion made her give up the game after a few minutes.

“David, let me get out. I’m going to drown.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll revive you. I know how. I teach swimming, remember?”

She remembered all right. She also remembered how he had kissed Ann. “Like you revived Ann the other night?” she muttered softly enough that she was sure David hadn’t heard.

“Why are you frowning?” he asked as he pulled her out of the pool.

“I was just thinking that we’re going to ruin your
car with our wet clothes. Maybe we should drip-dry first.”

“Don’t have time,” he answered. “I have an appointment with—”

“Never mind,” she interrupted, instinctively knowing who the appointment was with. “Let’s get my Grandpa so you won’t be late for your date.”

He didn’t deny that he had a date, and that made her sure she was right! She tried to act very calm and collected, keeping her face shielded from David while she wrung out the bottom of her tank top.

They walked in silence to the car, both barefoot, and he surprised her by taking her hand in his with Grandpa walking right beside them. She didn’t pull her hand away. But she was good and confused! David kept acting as if he liked her, yet he continued to date Ann. It didn’t make sense.

Chapter
19

T
he evening before the race, her grandfather acted very mysterious, but it wasn’t until Summer said good night and started for bed that he called her aside and handed her a package.

She sat down on the sofa and allowed Michael to help her unwrap the plaid paper. Everyone laughed when Michael stuck the bow on his forehead, and Summer was able to grab the box and open it.

“Oh!” she cried out, drawing a smile of pleasure from her grandfather.

“Let’s have a look,” her mother insisted. Summer was happy to oblige. She pulled the bright emerald-green tank top and shorts from the box and held them up for everyone to see. She then stood up and held the top against her. “It’s beautiful,” she said. “The shorts, too, Grandpa.”

“Look at the message,” her father suggested.

At Summer’s blank expression, her mother added, “The printing on the top of the shirt, honey.”

Summer held it away from her and immediately saw the small design in white. The impish-looking leprechaun seemed to be winking right at her, and she laughed in reaction. “He’s adorable,” she told her grandfather.

“Now look at the back of the shirt,” her father instructed.

She quickly turned it around, and another gasp of pleasure escaped her when she read the words. In small delicate letters were the two words, “Summer’s Challenge.” She was too overwhelmed to speak. Tears filled her eyes, and she could only smile and nod her approval.

“What do you think of the color?” her mother asked.

“It’s beautiful and very optimistic,” Summer said. “I love it.”

“The color of Dublin’s grass,” her grandfather explained. Turning to Summer, he said, “Now, remember, it’s not important if you win or lose. What counts is the challenge. You’ve not backed away, girl. You’re striving.”

“Striving?” her mother repeated.

“Summer,” her grandfather said, “explain to your parents what we’re talking about.”

“Well, Mom and Dad,” she said, suddenly quite embarrassed,
“I’m striving…for excellence. Excellence inside me. That’s the real challenge…not the race.”

Her parents seemed to understand, and Summer noticed the special look that passed between them. She smiled again and went to her grandfather. “Thank you, Grandpa,” she said. She hugged him and whispered in his ear, “For everything, but mostly for helping me like me.”

Her grandfather’s eyes filled with tears, and he had to blow his nose twice before he could turn back to her.

“’Tis a pleasure, girl. A pleasure.”

“It’s a glorious day, Summer, and time for you to get up.” Summer heard her grandfather’s voice, booming with cheer. She felt slightly nauseated, but blamed that on her excitement as she bounced out of bed and hurried to look out the window. It was just as the weatherman and her grandfather had predicted, sunny and clear, without a grumpy cloud in sight.
Perfect
, she thought,
a perfect day for running! Maybe even winning
. “I don’t think I can eat anything,” she admitted to her mother at the breakfast table.

“Just nerves, dear. But the race isn’t for three more hours, and you have to have something in your stomach. Try some toast.”

Rather than argue, she obeyed, forcing a slice of the cardboard-tasting bread down. It did help to calm her stomach, but Michael’s chatter caused the beginnings of a fierce headache. She decided to keep silent
about her aches and pains, for she knew that if she complained too much, her mother might decide that she wasn’t up to running. She lounged around in her robe until it was finally time to get ready. She took an emergency phone call from Regina and listened with extreme patience while her friend described two outfits.

“Wear the yellow,” Summer decided when she could get a word in. “You look great in yellow now that you have a tan.”

She hung up the phone and went back upstairs. She showered and fixed her hair, and then dressed for the race. A twirl in front of the mirror made Summer’s pounding headache fade, and two aspirins finished the deed.

“Better get started on your warm-ups,” her grandfather said, after telling her how pretty she looked.

Everyone—her mother and father, Michael and Grandpa—was waiting for her by the basement steps. Summer laughed at the expectant looks they all wore and felt very flattered that she had such an enthusiastic audience while she limbered up.

After Grandpa put her through the paces, everyone piled into her father’s station wagon.

By the time they reached the park, Summer’s stomach was full of butterflies. She hurried over to the sign-up table and got her number. Regina and Luke found her there, and Regina pinned the tag on Summer’s shirt.

“Do you believe this crowd? Mr. Logan says there
are over a hundred entered in both the men’s and women’s divisions. You better start out in front and stay there. Otherwise you might be trampled to death.”

Summer looked around and had to agree with Regina. It was quite a crowd. They all looked so experienced, too.

“By the way, you look terrific,” Regina said.

“Grandpa gave me the clothes,” she answered. She saw that her parents were waving, and she promptly waved back. Her confidence was dwindling, and she didn’t know how to stop the fear that was quickly invading her shaking legs. “I just wish they’d get started. Oh, Regina, what if I make a fool of myself?” she whispered so Luke wouldn’t overhear. He was busy stretching, so she was sure he wasn’t paying much attention to their conversation. But she was wrong, for he had heard her and stood up, shaking his head.