I leaned back in the armchair. “Yeah,” I said after a second.
I meant it. I’d never felt more ready in my life. What came to mind was a line from a song Mom used to sing when I was little.
What a difference a day makes.
Dad cocked his head. “I watched the team free skate again this morning. And for the first time in years, you looked…” He searched for the word. “Free.”
I stared at him.
“And you want to know what else I think?” he said.
I arched my eyebrows. “That this is a terrible moment for a motivational speech?”
“Ithink,” he continued over me, “that you finally stopped skating like someone trying to earn permission.”
The words hit me so hard I went completely still.
Mom blinked. “Well. That got profound unexpectedly fast.”
Dad kept his eyes on mine, and my throat tightened. “You’ve changed this week,” he observed.
Mom looked between us, her eyes narrowing with interest. “Oh, now I definitely want details.”
“Mom.”
“What? I’m observant.”
“You’re nosy.”
“True. Not going to deny it.”
Dad smiled before leaning forward. “Whatever’s going on, it looks good on you.”
You have no idea.
And right then, I wasn’t about to tell him a damn thing.
“Do you know the order for tonight?” Mom asked.
“Yeah. I’m up last.”
Which was kind of a double-edged sword. Apart from the prospect of degraded ice, Mark always said the whole good thing/bad thing argument depended on the skater’s state ofmind. For anyone susceptible to pressure, it could be a nightmare.
I considered myself more adaptable.
“I’ll be there to cheer you on.” Dad glanced at Mom. “And to supply your mother with tissues, because youknowshe’s gonna start crying the minute you skate onto the ice.”
I hugged them both. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Will we see you after?” Mom asked.
“Once she’s reapplied her make-up, of course,” Dad added. “You don’treallywant her meeting your teammates looking like a raccoon.”
Mom glared at him. “You keep that up, mister, and you won’t even make it out of the hotel. I’ll let you watch it on TV.”
I stood. “Well, now I know Dad’s okay—for the moment—I’ll get back to the arena.”
He frowned. “You expecting me to have a relapse?”
