matter who you?re running against, no matter how fast or slow
your opponents are, you always come in either second or third.
How can that be? Do you have an answer??
?No. I don?t know. I just run, okay? I try my best.?
?No, you don?t,? Coach said harshly. ?And if you want a scholarship
you?re going to have to start winning races. I talked to Mr.
Hergeshimer. . . .? Helen groaned out loud, but Coach Tar continued,
undeterred. ?It?s a small school, Hamilton, get used to it. Mr.
Hergeshimer told me that you were hoping for an athletic scholarship,
but if you want one you?re going to have to earn it. Maybe forcing
you to match the boys will teach you to take your talent
seriously.?
The thought of displaying her speed for the world to see had a
physical effect on Helen. She was so afraid that she was going to
get some kind of cramp or bellyache that she started to have a mini
panic attack. She began to babble. ?I?ll do it, I?ll win races, just
please don?t single me out like that,? she pleaded, the words tumbling
out in a rush as she held her breath to hold back the pain.
Coach Tar was a hard-ass, but she wasn?t cruel. ?Are you okay??
she asked anxiously, rubbing Helen between her shoulder blades.
?Put your head between your legs.?
?I?m okay, it?s just nerves,? Helen explained through gritted
teeth. After catching her breath she continued, ?If I swear to win
more races, will you let me run with the girls??
30/395
Coach Tar studied Helen?s desperate face and nodded, a bit
shaken from witnessing such an intense panic attack. She let Helen
go to the girl?s trailhead, but warned her that she still expected
wins. And more than just a few.
As she ran the trail, Helen looked at the ground. An academic