Charlotte's Tangled Web: L.B. Pavlov (27 page)

I checked my phone. I had four messages from Steph that said she was freaking out, and she couldn’t wait for the relay to be over. Her text made me laugh out loud. I had two messages from Kathleen asking what time I would be meeting them at the bus and if I was nervous because she was. I texted them both quickly and said that I would see them soon.

I had one message from Daniel that said how proud he was of me and that he couldn’t wait to watch me the next two days and that soon we could start our summer together. And of course the text said to stop biting my lip and that he loved me. My heart fluttered at his text. I told him that I loved him too and that I would only bite my lip for him because I hoped he would release it. I squealed at my witty response and got ready to leave. I drove the Bug to school to catch the bus. I needed to start getting used to that car at some point because I would take it to Notre Dame with me.

The relay was our first event, and we did much better than expected. We were in third place when I got the baton because everyone had run their best times and given me the baton in a great position. First and second place were within reach, and over the two laps I ran, I passed them both before the final turn. We were overjoyed to get first place, and now all four of us had a gold medal to kick off the state meet. Steph, Kathleen, and Maddie were all crying. They were all three done now, and they could just enjoy the meet.

I had to keep my head focused. I ran over to see my family and Daniel after the relay, and they were all cheering. “You guys should leave for a few hours and take a break. I don’t run till later this afternoon,” I said.

My brothers couldn’t jump up fast enough to get out of there, and my dad said he had to take a call and would be back soon. Daniel said he was going to stay and watch the races. I was happy because I could sit up in the stands with him in between my races so we could watch together.

“Thanks for staying. I know it makes for a long couple of days,” I said, smiling at him.

“I’m actually going to miss this a lot next year,” he said sadly.

I wanted to tell him right then and there, but I didn’t. Part of me thought it would be better if he found out with my dad so that my dad wouldn’t blame this on Daniel.

I grasped his hand. “We will figure it out,” I said calmly.

Yes, we will, I thought to myself because we will be together. I couldn’t wait to tell him. We watched for a few hours, and I ate half a sandwich and a banana that Lenora had packed for me. Daniel ate enough for a small army. I gave him a kiss on the cheek and said that I needed to go warm up for the two-mile.

“Good luck. Don’t take any shit from Katrina,” he said quietly, and he winked at me.

“I won’t, I promise,” I said confidently.

Katrina smiled at me when we got to the line. She had never done that before, so I smiled back. I heard Daniel and my brothers cheering for me, so I knew that they had made it back. We were on the line, and they were announcing each of our names. I felt much more relaxed than usual. Life had been working out for me lately, and I was going to enjoy the moment.

The gun went off, and we all took off. Katrina went out quickly, in typical Katrina fashion. It didn’t last long though, and I passed her on the third lap of the eight-lap race. I could hear Coach Miroballi guiding me around each lap, telling me when to surge and cheering me on. I would really miss him next year.

I would run the next five laps alone as Katrina had dropped way back, and I would finish first. I missed my best time by three seconds, but it was a new state meet record as well as first place. I couldn’t be anything but pleased.

When I stood on the podium to accept my medal, I could hear Daniel, my brothers, and my teammates cheering, which made me grin from ear to ear. I was happy that the first day was over.

Saturday morning I woke up much more relaxed. The thirty-two-hundred-meter race and the relay were the two events I was most nervous about, so I was happy those were behind me. I drove the Bug to the bus again and tried to take it all in. This would be my last time ever competing for St. Viator’s High School. I felt a little lump in my throat, but I shook it off. I would run the eight-hundred-meter in the morning and the sixteen-hundred-meter two hours later. I was feeling a little fatigued from the races I had ran the previous day, but once I warmed up, I would be fine.

I sat with Daniel in the stands when I wasn’t racing. I loved watching the other races. My brothers and my father would be coming just for my races today. They were sick of spending the entire day here, which I understood. Grace and Tom were also coming, and Lenora would be here for the last event. I had to go warm up for the eight-hundred-meter, and I gave Daniel a kiss on the cheek as he wished me luck once again. The eight-hundred-meter was my favorite race. It was two quick laps around the track. It was a much faster race, and it was always more competitive because it was hard to get much of a lead in this race. I was running against two girls who were ranked less than a second of my best time, so it would be a close one.

We were on the line, and when they were announcing names, I heard my little section cheer for me, which made me smile. I wanted to make them proud.

The announcer gave me kudos: “Charlie Ford will be going for her third gold medal in this year’s state championship. That will be the most she has ever competed in and won during a single state meet. She will head off to Stanford in the fall on a full track and cross-country scholarship. Let’s give her a hand. She is an Indiana legend, folks,” he said, getting the spectators to cheer.

Ugh! I couldn’t believe he said the Stanford part out loud. Put it out of your head, Charlotte, don’t even think about it right now, I thought. And that was exactly what I did.

The gun went off, and three girls went out like bullets. You can’t let anyone get away from you in an eight-hundred-meter race, so I tucked right in with them on the first lap. Coming around to begin our second lap, I made my move, but so did a girl from Charleston West. She would challenge me all the way around the second lap, along with the Sierra Vista girl who tucked behind us. As we came down to the final straightaway, I drew on all of my training and hard work, and I gave that final stretch everything I had. It was a lean-out finish, which means it was unbelievably close, but I had won it. It was my best time—not a new state record, but I had given it all that I had, so I was pleased with the race.

Three down, one more event to go. I didn’t go back up to the stands. I needed to stay relaxed and get ready for my sixteen-hundred-meter race. It would be my last time racing Katrina.

The sixteen-hundred-meter race went off without a hitch. It was my best event, and I took the lead from the start, and no one ever challenged. I ran my best time, and it was a state record, so I was thrilled. Even Katrina came up to congratulate me when I was done.

Daniel found me and spun me around. “You did it! You never cease to amaze me, Charlotte Ford!” he said, smiling at me.

“Thank you. I’m happy, and I’m glad to be done. Now we just have to get through graduation next week, and then we can start our summer,” I said excitedly.

“Absolutely!” he yelled as he grabbed my bags. He insisted on carrying everything.

I gave Tom and Grace a big hug, and they congratulated me. Lenora was crying from the excitement. She was crying more and more lately, and I loved her for it.

I found my dad, and he was talking on his phone, but he waved me over. He hung up and gave me a big hug. “Great job, honey. Stanford will be lucky to have you,” he said proudly.

I felt my heart sink. Tonight was the night that I was going to tell him.

Before I could wander off to worry, someone grabbed me from behind and spun me around. It was my brother Eric, and James and Jack were behind him, laughing. “Good job, Charlie Brown!” he said, teasing.

They all gave me a hug and told me how proud they were of me. I loved my brothers, and they were always there for me. I hoped that they wouldn’t fail me tonight. Daniel was talking with James about rooming together next year at school.

“Charlie, Dad wants to take us all to Renaldo’s tonight for dinner to celebrate. Does that sound good? I’m sure you and Daniel would rather be alone, but you’re both coming. It’s a family dinner,” Jack said, laughing.

“Of course,” I said, looking over at Daniel to make sure that was fine with him.

“That sounds great to me,” he said happily.

We drove home, and Daniel was going on and on about each race and how proud he was of me. I just stared at him, smiling and thinking that Notre Dame was the best decision I could ever make. That was where my heart would be. That was where I wanted to be. That day wouldn’t have been special if Daniel hadn’t been a part of it.

“It’s already four thirty, Charlotte, we probably should both go take a quick shower. Your dad wants to go to dinner at six,” he said.

I felt my face flush at the thought of us both showering at the same time—of course not together, but the mere thought made my mind wander shamefully. “Um, OK, yes. A shower, and um, dinner,” I said, smiling.

“Are you OK?” he asked, laughing and looking at me curiously.

“Oh yes, why don’t you go get all undressed and naked, and go take yourself a naked shower!” I said and burst out laughing. My God, Charlotte, I thought to myself, you have lost your mind. The thought of Daniel showering had caused me to be a bumbling fool.

But Daniel also burst out laughing. “You are awfully cute,” he said sweetly and kissed me on the cheek.

We hopped out of the car, and he said, “I’ll see you in an hour,” as I walked up my walkway.

I ran upstairs and grabbed my Notre Dame acceptance letter. I stuck it inside my purse because I would present it tonight when I shared my big news. Then I looked in my closet to decide what to wear. My phone beeped. It was Daniel:

Are you taking your naked shower yet? See you soon. I love you.

Oh good, my mind was not the only one wandering now. I texted him right back:

Not naked yet, nor in the shower. Are you? Also, trying to figure out what to wear to dinner. Do you think my prom dress would be too much? Love you more.

I laughed as I sent it. I stared at my beautiful prom dress. I actually would love to wear it to dinner, I thought, laughing. It was the most beautiful dress I had ever worn. I decided on a black, fitted, summer dress with spaghetti straps and my silver, blingy sandals. I hung the dress on the bathroom door and heard my phone beep.

I don’t think wearing your prom dress to dinner is weird at all. Ha! Ha! Going to take my naked shower. I love you.

I headed to the shower, laughing. I sure had an adorable boyfriend. I was out of the shower quickly because I didn’t have that much time to get ready. I looked in the mirror as I put on some mascara and was surprised by how much sun I had gotten. I put some mousse in my hair and decided to let it dry wavy. I would just add a few curls once it dried. I figured that style would work with my tanned face and my summery dress.

I walked downstairs when my dad yelled to everyone that it was time to go. Daniel was playing pool with my brothers in the game room. He came out and gave me a huge hug. “You look gorgeous,” he beamed.

“Thank you. You look handsome as always,” I said, smiling.

We decided to take two cars because Jack was going out after dinner. Daniel and I drove with Jack; James and Eric drove with my dad.

Renaldo’s was a beautiful steak house. It was one of my favorite restaurants, and the food was delicious. We were all eating and laughing, and even my dad seemed to be having a good time. He hadn’t checked his phone the entire time, which was a good sign. We finished dinner, and everyone had just ordered dessert. I felt a surge of nervousness but decided that it was now or never.

“Um, I have something that I would like to say,” I said cautiously.

Everyone looked up and stopped talking, probably due to the seriousness of my voice. I had pulled my purse into my lap.

“Well, um, first I want to tell you all that I appreciate all of the support you have given me at all of my races,” I said. I was growing more nervous about what I was about to say.

Everyone was silent and staring. Daniel squeezed my hand under the table. He had no idea what I was about to say, but he was able to tell that I was uncomfortable.

I turned to look at my dad directly. “Dad, I know how hard you have worked to provide me with so many great opportunities,” I continued anxiously, “and I know that you wanted me to go to Stanford,” I said as my mouth grew so dry it was almost difficult to talk. “Um, but I decided to apply to Notre Dame too.” I could feel my heart racing as I reached in my purse and pulled out the letter, and when I looked back up at everyone I said, “And I have great news: I got in!” I tried to force a smile as I waited for the response.

Daniel let out a gasp at the totally unexpected revelation and squeezed my hand hard under the table. Before I could attempt to read his face, my dad punched his fist into the table, causing everyone to freeze and the other diners to turn and stare. “Of course you got in to Notre Dame, you’re the valedictorian of your class, Charlotte!” he said in the coldest voice I had ever heard come out of my father.

“Well, um, I know, but it’s still great news because I applied so late,” I said in a very small and slightly scared voice.

“You applied late? Is that because you had already accepted a full-ride scholarship from Stanford University?” he said angrily and continued, “Notre Dame doesn’t even have a damn cross-country team, Charlotte!” Now his voice was growing louder.

“Dad, calm down,” Jack said cautiously, looking at me with concern.

“Don’t you tell me to calm down, Jack,” my dad snapped, pointing his finger at Jack’s face.

“Dad, please, I know they don’t have a cross-country team, but I will train on my own, and Daniel and the boys can ride their bikes with me so it won’t be like training alone. Then I can go to Daniel’s games too, and I will run track in the spring,” I said quietly, desperately trying to make him understand.