I can’t imagine anything topping the outfit she wore today.
But my girl does the impossible day after day.
27
Addie
My final meeting with Ms. Frazier and Coach Ford is in early April.
“I see you have your presentation in order for next week. Everything looks good. Coach Ford says you’ve not only been giving him monthly reports but also weekly, which is very good. I’ve looked everything over and I commend you, dear. It’s great work.”
“Thank you.”
Ms. Frazier continues, “On top of that, miss state champion swimmer and scholar athlete extraordinaire, I have more news that probably won’t come as a shock. You’ll be graduating top of your class. I hope you’ve been thinking about what you would like to say in your valedictorian speech.”
I blush and glance over at Coach Ford. His eyes flash and he appears to be biting the inside of his lip.
“Actually, no. I’m too sad to even think about all of this coming to an end,” I say.
“That’s quite sentimental of you,” she remarks.
Ms. Frazier’s secretary pokes his head in and gives her some kind of signal. For what, I don’t know. “I’m sorry, I have to take this. Could you hold on for a moment?”
I nod my head.
While she pops into her office, Coach Ford and I are alone for an awkward moment.
“Shermer. Shermer, look at me.”
I do, but hesitantly.
“I see what’s going on in your head. You’re embarrassed by all the praise. You’ve earned this. Enjoy it.”
I look away. “I can’t.”
“Why not?”
“Because it hurts. Everything hurts. I bared my soul to you and it hurts my heart to look at you.”
He shakes his head, and I think he’s going to deny me one more time. “Shermer, it was an honor to coach you, and I’m so fucking proud to know you.”
My eyes tear up. “Oh god. What are you doing to me? I…” Just then my phone dings. I check it, and it’s a text from Roland. Sup?
I consider putting my phone away and answering him later but I would actually rather stop looking at Coach Ford.
I am grateful for the distraction.
I’m in Frazier’s office.
Congrats, nerdictorian.
Idiot. How did you know?
Girl, ur the golden child, I keep telling u.
I’m overwhelmed.
As humble as u r beautiful.