Page 45 of Crashing into Love

“When?”

“I don’t know. You know how it works… We get put in heats.”

“And she could be in another one?”

“Right. So, if we’re put in the same one or we make it to a certain point, we’ll race against each other.”

“I want you to win.”

Selma chuckled and said, “Thanks, baby.”

“But I want Drew to win, too, so I don’t know what to do,” Gia added, letting out a sigh that rivaled the one Selma had just managed, which made Selma smile.

“Well, I’m sure Drew will appreciate your support as much as I do.”

“So, am I in trouble at school, and you didn’t tell me?”

“No, Gia. You’re not in trouble. You already know I’m not happy about you picking on the other kids in class, but this isn’t about that. You’re doing so well in class that your principal and teachers think it’s best that you get some special kind of classes.”

“Like eighth grade?”

“No, more like you’d be with a teacher by yourself, and they would teach you what you need to learn in math before you’d go to another one for English, or science, or another class so that you’re learning at the right level for each class. Does that make sense?”

“So, I won’t be in sixth grade anymore?”

“No.”

“Thank God.”

Selma laughed at that and said, “This is a trial, okay? If it doesn’t work, we’ll do something else, but everyone tells me this is for the best. And I was thinking about having you pick out an activity or two to do after school so that you still get to spend time with the other kids.”

“Snowboarding!” Gia said excitedly.

“The school doesn’t have snowboarding. What about math club?”

“Mom!”

“Okay. Okay. Painting?”

“No, I can paint at home.”

“Basketball? Cheerleading? Soccer?”

“Snowboarding, Mom.”

“Gia, they don’t offer snowboarding.”

“I saw a class on the mountain when you took me.”

“That was a coach, honey.”

“Can I get a coach?”

“The point is that you’re around other kids.”

“There were a bunch of kids there,” Gia argued.

“I don’t know if I can get you there all the time, Gia. You know I’m about to be going away every so often again, so Grandma will be picking you up from school or one of your babysitters, like Kelly. They need to be able to just get you from school, not have to take you up the mountain, wait, and then bring you back. What if you do a school activity for me, and I’ll take you up at least once a week whenever I’m at home so that you can practice?”

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