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But what?
But you still love the sport. You love analyzing fencers. You love the thrill of the game. You just… don’t want to compete anymore.
I reeled back at the realization, lost in my thoughts.
Not for long.
Anna lost another point, a step behind her opponent.
I shot up and cupped my hands around my mouth. “Focus on your footwork.”
“Oh my God.” Dallas shrunk in her seat as much as she could with her pregnant belly. “Is this how Romeo feels when I debate cheese versus no cheese at fast food drive-thru windows and there are cars behind us?”
But I didn’t care.
It worked.
Anna won three points back-to-back, catching up on the scoreboard. And when she finished her bout 15-11, I jumped into the air, cheering as if I’d coached her myself.
The black sunglasses toppled off my face with the movement. I froze, realizing my hat had fallen off my face sometime during the bout.
Whispers floated across the benches. Some people pointed at me, obviously recognizing me. I waited for someone to get up and yell at me. To call me a fraud.
Instead, they mostly ignored me.
A few smiled.
Someone even asked for a selfie.
At the end of the tournament, Dallasand I made our way down the bleachers.
“Hey.”
Dallas pointed to me. “Is she talking to you?”
I spun, catching sight of a woman dressed head to toe in Lululemon.
She began marching to us from across the gym. “Did you tell my daughter something before her match?”
“Oh, shit.” Dallas nudged me. “She looks mad. Does she look mad?”
I backed up a step, dragging her with me. “Maybe we should get out of here.”
We pivoted to make a break for it, but Anna ran up to me, clutching my stomach in a hug.
“That was awesome. I did exactly as you said. Can you coach me? Please?” She pressed her palms together, waiting for the moment the lady caught up to us to say, “My mom coaches me right now, and she has no clue what she’s doing.”
Anna’s mom nodded, rubbing the back of her neck. “It’s true. We just moved here. I haven’t had the chance to find her a coach. Are you open to new students?”
“Oh, um.” I toed a circle on the gym floor. “I…”
“She’s available.” Dallas beamed, lacing her fingers with mine. “She’s totally free.”
I rocked back and forth on my feet, not sure how to say this. “You know I…”
“Yeah. You’re Farrow Ballantine. We recognize you.” Anna’s mom offered a soft smile. “Everyone in the fencing world knows about the match in Korea.”
“Oh.” I wanted to make like Homer Simpson and disappear into the hedges.
