On Monday morning, Melody intended to have a good week. She still took the bus to school, but she had eaten her breakfast and took her lunch box, so she felt she was off to a good start. She acted somewhat like her old self which was a pleasant surprise for anyone coming in contact with her. Melody followed her aunt’s advice and did not overdo it. Melody was confident she would eventually be accepted again in general, but things were different without Becky. Ever since her first day of high school, Becky had been there for her. Now that she was gone, Melody felt isolated. Loneliness was a hard thing to face again.
Mister Shaddock seemed more pleased than anyone that his star female student was turning socket wrenches and screwdrivers again with vigor. In Spanish class, Mrs. Gonzales allowed Melody to take a makeup test after she began answering questions and talking in class again. Her next report card would have lower marks than usual, but it was not catastrophic. Melody saw no reason why she could not finish the year on a high academic note.
Melody spoke with two of her volleyball teammates and asked when the next practice was. The girls were happy she wanted to return, but Melody had not yet spoken to Coach Heucke. Melody had gone to her office a few times hoping to see her, but the door was always locked. Melody desperately wanted to apologize to Coach Heucke and get back on the team, even though all she really missed were two team meetings and light practices with the freshmen. Melody hoped everything would get back to normal as soon as she had a chance to speak with her.
***
On Wednesday afternoon, Melody was in her room working on an English literature assignment. She was so focused on her work; she did not hear anyone coming up the staircase. Melody did not look up until she heard three knocks on her open door. It was then she saw Coach Heucke herself, standing in her doorway. She was wearing street clothes and holding a brown paper shopping bag with twine handles. Melody jumped to her feet and stood straight as a soldier.
“Good afternoon, Melody.”
Melody, still surprised, stammered out an appropriate greeting.
“Your teammates have missed you,” Coach Heucke continued. “You have not been yourself I hear, but Claire and Nancy both say you are speaking to them again.”
Melody could only nod as her coach eyed her sharply. Something behind Melody’s right shoulder suddenly caught the coach’s attention, and she began walking towards it. Melody side-stepped out of her way as she approached, but gasped upon realizing what the coach was interested in. On the dresser was a framed 4x6 photo, Melody’s favorite picture of herself with Becky. It was a closeup from the shoulders up and their cheeks were touching. The camera had caught the moment perfectly. Their eyes were lit up and full of life, as were their adoring smiles. The sunshine had added sparkle not only to Melody’s eyes, but Becky’s as well. It was a beautiful picture that showed exactly how they felt about each other. Melody wanted it on her dresser so she could look at it whenever she felt lonely, but she never intended for anyone else to see it. Ingrid Heucke lifted it off the dresser to study it.
“This is the girl from the tragedy?” she asked. “Becky Valentine?”
“Yes ma’am.”
“I remember she tried out for the team with you, did she not?”
Melody nodded.
“But instead, she became our unofficial photographer,” Coach Heucke said as her face softened.
“Yes. Yes coach.”
“Before leaving school for the last time, Miss Valentine stopped by the administration office and placed three envelopes in my mailbox. They were full of photographs from our season. She took some very good action shots. There were even a few pictures of me.”
Ingrid looked at the photograph again, then turned to Melody. She had an inquisitive look in her eye but said nothing as Melody turned her head away. Ingrid placed the photograph down in the exact spot from where she had picked it up and continued.
“She also left the negatives with me for which I am grateful. I plan to have some of them blown up for my office and I’ll be ordering some prints for the graduating seniors. I have also submitted a few pictures to the yearbook committee. I will make sure Becky receives credit for them of course. I… I will miss seeing her at the matches.”
Melody, not knowing what Becky had done, could say nothing. Ingrid, who noticed every minute detail with her keen eyesight, noted the sadness on Melody’s face as she continued to avoid eye contact. She nodded to Melody with understanding. “I am very sorry for your loss. I understand now what she means to you. Melody, may I sit down for a moment?”
Melody took a step backward, and with an inviting gesture, offered her rocking chair. After her coach sat down, Melody took a seat on her bed across from her.
“I see you are busy, so I will not take much of your time,” Ingrid began. “We had a good team this season, but not a championship team. We did satisfactory, considering the talent we had available. However, my sights for next year are aimed much higher. You upcoming seniors are the core I have been waiting for and the next class of juniors will fill in perfectly.”
Melody nodded.
“Melody, you have worked very hard and are an exceptional player. Can I count on you? Do you want to be on this team?”
“Oh Coach, I’ve been by your office this week looking for you. Yes, I want to be on the team. I’m so sorry that I-”
The coach stopped her by making the ‘time out’ hand signal.
“I was told you had stopped by. I had some personal matters that needed my attention and could not see you. That is why I am here now.”
“Coach, can I come back?” Melody pleaded.
“Of course, Melody. As far as we are all concerned, you never left. However, there are some things I want to go over with you.”
“OK.”
“I have decided to make Claire team captain next year. My decision has nothing to do with your absence, and it was a difficult choice. Nevertheless, my decisions are always made for the team and not the individual. You have known this since your first day. What Claire needs from you is your support. She will depend on you to be her right hand. Claire has the leadership skills I am looking for, but you are the heart of the team that binds us together. Melody, when the game is on the line, you have proven time after time that you will attempt the impossible to save us. I believe this new team can win the regional finals, but we can’t do it without you.”
The fire in her coach’s eyes was contagious. Melody pledged her support as her own enthusiasm returned. Melody would devote herself to the volleyball team more than ever before, and her teammates would be the friends she so desperately needed. Coach Heucke had lit a fuse that would grow into a raging wildfire by the time next season started. With a feeling of renewed purpose, Melody wanted to be a champion.
“Just one more thing before I leave you to your schoolwork,” Coach Heucke said. She reached into the shopping bag and tossed Melody a scuffed volleyball. “Does this look familiar?”
Melody caught it and looked inquisitively while spinning the ball in her hands. Before she could answer, the coach spoke up.
“That is the very volleyball you dove for on the last play of the season. The play where I thought you dislocated your jaw. I want you to practice with it. Set up a net, or just a rope, in your yard to serve over. Practice whenever you get some spare time, work on it this summer. By the time fall arrives I expect your serves to rain down like artillery shells.”
The coach pushed herself out of the rocking chair. “And with that, I wish you a good night. We are having a light practice tomorrow while the basketball teams are having away games. I trust you will attend?”
“Yes! Yes, Coach! I will be there!” Melody exclaimed. Then, acting on instinct, she wrapped her arms around Coach Heucke. Ingrid stiffened, but managed to give Melody a few light pats on the back before Melody released her.
“Melody,” Coach Heucke began with reservation in her voice. “As your coach, I must maintain a level of professionalism at all times. However, if you need someone to talk to, my door is still open for you. I… I know what you are going through.”
“Coach Heucke?” Melody asked as her eyes grew wide. “Are you… are you a… lesbian?”
“No,” Ingrid answered. “My older brother, Helmut… At a very young age, he knew he was gay. He had a very difficult childhood, but he and I were very close. In fact, sometimes I was all he had. I assure you; he is quite happy now. He lives just outside Berlin with a man he loves very much.”
“So… People like me do have a chance to be happy?” Melody asked.
“Of course, Melody,” Coach Heucke answered. “But you do not need someone to make you happy. You create your own happiness. Then, you share it with someone.”
Melody smiled. “Thanks, Coach.”
“I will show myself out,” Ingrid replied. “I’ll be expecting you tomorrow at three-thirty.”
***
The following week, things were almost back to normal. Melody was acting like her old self again, and her thankful teachers noticed. Her parents and aunt noted her resiliency and gave Melody much deserved credit. Some students and teammates suspected correctly what had caused Melody’s dramatic behavior change but kept it to themselves.
Whatever spare time Melody had during the week, she spent with her Aunt Holly. They usually talked after dinner, sharing quiet nights together. Melody explained how she had forgotten how socially awkward she was, and that it was hard to deal with ever since she lost Becky. She referred back to her middle school days when she had found it difficult to make friends. Melody confessed one of the things she missed about Becky was that she never had to force a conversation, it just flowed naturally. Becky had known her so well, sometimes she didn’t even have to talk at all. Holly reassured Melody that she was just reserved and preferred to have a small circle. She also told Melody that many teenagers go through the same thing and a lot of people don’t come out of their shells until years after graduation. On another night, Melody mentioned she was OK during the day and doing better, but the nights were still hard. The nightmares were gone, but it was when she missed Becky the most.
Barbara wanted to become more involved in Melody’s life but found it difficult with Holly staying as a houseguest. On nights when she joined them in the living room, Melody and Holly kept the conversation light and talked about movies, television, and music, subjects Barbara knew little about. Barbara would sit quietly and work on her crocheting, unable to contribute, even when she was invited to join in their conversations. During Holly’s visit, Barbara became even more jealous of their relationship. She scolded herself, but envy had taken hold. Barbara knew no matter how hard she tried, she could never be on the same level with her daughter as Holly, and it saddened her.
***
Before Sunday dinner, Holly announced it was time for her to go. She spent enough time with Melody to know she was going to be OK and did not want to get underfoot. She was needed at home and would arrive well before Frank’s deployment. Holly booked an early flight for Monday morning. Melody hated to see her go but knew the time had come. She thanked her for coming and told her she’d miss her.
“Melody, you are going to be just fine. I’m going to miss you too. You have my number in case you need me, but you keep those letters coming. I want to hear all about Spring Break, your final grades this year, summer vacation, and volleyball. We’ll see each other soon. I promise.”
Melody bid her a goodnight, knowing her father would drive her to the airport hours before she woke up for school. As Melody fell asleep in her bed, and Holly slept on the couch, Barbara and Douglas talked well into the night.
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