“How’d it go,” Holly asked as she shut her locker and faced me.
“Not good at all. I strained my Achilles tendon.”
Her eyes widened. “Does that mean you’re out?”
“No, luckily no. I have to do therapy though and just be careful not to tear it, I guess. That would put me out for sure.”
Her mouth pulled up. “Be careful, with gymnastics that goes together like oil and water.”
“Right? I gotta go to Kova’s office and wait for him and Madeline. I’ll see you later.”
Brushing past me, Reagan flew in nudging my shoulder. “Going to the beach?” she asked, opening her locker. Her eyes scanned my attire with a scowl.
I looked down at my hunter-green, Victoria’s Secret sundress and Tory Burch sandals. Not wanting to give her the satisfaction, I rolled my eyes, ignored her, and walked away. After my doctor’s appointment, I wasn’t in the mood to deal with Reagan.
Stepping into Kova’s office, I sat down and waited, thinking back on the conversation I had with my mom. Funny how in the span of a few minutes she could make me feel completely inconsequential. I’d asked her for help and she gave it to me. Asking her twice was a whole different story. Calling my dad would be a better alternative, and I decided I’d do it after I left here. I just hoped for once I took priority over whatever project he might have going on.
Within minutes, both coaches were in the office, Kova sat behind his desk. Madeline gave him a detailed update as I stared off, upset over the news. Devastation hit me. Angry tears formed in the back of my eyes. I couldn’t believe this was happening after how hard I worked. Any injury, big or small, would hold back any athlete.
“Well, it could be worse,” Kova said, gaining my attention after Madeline left, shutting the door behind her. His eyes stayed on my face as he spoke. “Good thing is you will not be out and it is treatable.”
“You’re not making me stay out until I see the other doctor?” Hope bloomed inside my chest.
“You cannot afford to be out, Adrianna. So you can do extra conditioning and light workouts for now. We will go from there. We may have to scale back some skills though.” I knew it was a reach around comment, but I didn’t care so long as he’d let me practice. “Since you are here, I should tell you that I signed you up for the Parkettes Invitational meet. We need to get you qualified as an elite, but first, you will compete as a level ten with your new elite skills and see how you do and go from there. This meet has some of the best level ten’s and elites in the country competing, so this should be a good test for you.”
The smile that spread across my face was ear to ear. Not exactly what I wanted to hear, I wanted to qualify as an elite, but I’d take it since this was a step in the right direction. “When is it?”
“A little less than three months from now—January. Which means we have a lot of work to do. Have you spoken to your parents yet about the injury?”
I groaned. There went my happy mood. Slouching back, I looked away and tucked a lock of hair behind my ear. “My mom, and she said she’ll get in touch with a doctor when she has time.” My voice softened. “I’d give anything for her to put me first, to show she really cares. She said she was busy, days could go by before she calls anyone. I was going to call my dad when I left here because who knows how busy—”
Kova picked up the phone and dialed away. “I will talk to him.”
My eyes snapped back to Kova. We sat in silence, staring at each other with the phone pressed to his ear. I noticed he had a good day’s worth of growth on his jaw and his hair was disheveled. Dark circles were prominent under his eyes, and before I could think better of it, I said, “You look exhausted.”
His eyes weakened. Kova opened his mouth to speak, but I heard my dad’s voice.
“Frank, it is
Kova…Yes, she is okay.” He told my dad about the doctor visit and treatment. “Adrianna said she spoke to your wife and she would call and make the appointment when she had time. Frank, time is not on our side, and I cannot stress enough how important it is that your daughter be seen soon. ”
Kova stared at me, listening to my dad. “That is good, you will call me back and let me know? She cannot be out of the gym too long.” He nodded. “Yes, she is right here.” Kova held the phone out to me. I stood, reaching for it, but his desk was too wide, so I stepped around and stood next to Kova. Taking the phone from his hand, I leaned against the edge of the desk comfortably and lifted the phone to my ear.
“Hey, Dad.”
“My sweet pea, it’s good to hear your voice.”
I smiled. “Yours too.”
“How are you feeling?”
“I feel fine, the pain isn’t so bad, and it’s not a bad strain at all. I can push through it but no one will listen to me. I know what I’m doing,” I said flippantly and he chuckled. “I talked to Mom… Do you think you can take care of everything for me please? I know she says she will, but this really can’t wait. Coach said that he signed me up for my first elite meet, so I want to be ready for it.”
“Don’t worry your pretty little face. I’ve already got it under control. Kova will hear from me by the end of the day.”
“Thanks, Dad.” I paused. “I miss you.”
“Miss you too, sweetie. I need to get back to work, but I’ll talk to you soon. Put him back on.”