Page 5 of Scoring Chance

Apparently, she’d mellowed out, but I wouldn’t believe it until I saw for myself.

“Then I’ll just pack up my clothes and necessities. I can fit all of that in my car.”

“Perfect. Let me know when you plan on leaving.”

“I will.” We said goodbye, then I looked around my childhood room and made a mental list of things I needed to bring. I was going to leave all bad reminders of what could have been. Only positive vibes were coming with me to my new home.

Later, when I sat down to dinner with my parents my knee was bouncing a hundred miles a minute.

“Everything okay, Amelia?” Mom asked with a small smile, like she was trying to keep in a laugh.

I nodded and looked between them. “I have some news.”

They shared a look before Dad turned to me. “What is it?”

“I sent in an application to a physical therapy office, and had an interview today.”

Dad’s eyebrows shot up. “What office? Is it the one in Sugar Land?”

I shook my head.

“Oh, then the one in Katy?”

“No, it’s not in Texas.”

Mom gasped. “Where is it?”

“Salt Lake City.”

They were silent until Dad cleared his throat. “You don’t have to move three states away to get a job, Amelia.”

I shrugged. “I kind of do. I haven’t had a single reply to any of my applications here. Not one email or phone call. You know I tried to clear things up after Martin and—”

“Don’t say her name.” Mom cut me off.

I sighed. “I can’t find work here. Elena spoke to her friend that works at a clinic there and she offered me a position.”

Dad remained silent, but I could see he resigned to the idea. They both knew how hard the past several months had been on me. After rebuilding my life when my gymnastics career ended, we thought the hardest part was over. There wasn’t anything that could break me like that. Then, I met the man that would completely change my life. For the worse.

Four years of hard work, studying, clinicals, and late nights studying meant nothing once word spread. My parents had seen my world fall apart all over again. They tried to stay optimistic and held onto the hope that I’d find a job here, but it had been months. I couldn’t keep waiting when an amazing opportunity fell in my lap.

“I already called Elena and she said I can live with her.”

Mom smiled. “It would be nice for you two to be together again.”

We hadn’t lived together since I was in middle school. She was graduated and in college before I turned fourteen. She came home for some holidays, but after she finished college and moved to Los Angeles for her career, we went months then years without visits. Living with her was more than I could ever ask for. I missed my sister and getting more than a few video chats a week would be amazing.

“I just hate that you think you need to leave. It should be them that runs.” Dad said bitterly.

“I’m not running, Dad. This is a really great opportunity for my career. Salt Lake has so many professional teams I could end up working with.”

He nodded. “We have that here too.”

I reached across the table and placed my hand on his wrist. “I’m going to be okay.”

His eyes glistened when they met mine. “I know, Sweetie. You’ll be great.”

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