Page 61 of Jesse and the Ice Princess
16
Charlotte
Charlotte didn't know how she got through the week with the nerves constantly rolling through her. She couldn't remember the last time she'd dreaded a competition so much.
In twenty-four hours, she'd skate in front of thousands of people in Tampa. She knew her program front to back, but as she visualized the jumps in her mind, she saw herself tumbling to the ice.
On the day before a competition, she had to conserve her energy, so this morning's training was only a light skate. Her mom watched her from the bench while her dad stood at the glass.
Both of them refrained from any lectures the entire week. Instead, they tried the support thing, the trust your daughter thing. It was new.
Not only that, but they'd come home early a few nights during the week to eat as a family.
Maybe they saw her slipping away.
Maybe they finally saw the sadness in her eyes.
Tomorrow was a big day. She lifted her eyes to the stands where people would crowd into the seats to see their team play their biggest rival. It didn't matter to the town how many games the Gulf City Hurricanes lost. They would come out to support them.
For a moment, she wondered if anyone from town would be at her competition? Her mom would be there, of course, but not her dad.
She came to a stop in front of the bench.
"I think that's enough skating for today." Her mom stood. "Just make sure to do your stretching before bed."
"I will." She glanced up at the clock on the scoreboard. Almost noon. Her parents kept her out of school the day before every major competition. It had become part of their routine. The theory was she'd have more time to clear her mind and rest.
"Go change. We'll go toEmma'sfor lunch."
"Emma's?" Charlotte raised a brow. She couldn't remember her mom ever eating diner food.
"Your dad tells me how much you like it."
"I do." Charlotte clasped her hands behind her back. "But—and I can't believe I'm turning downEmma's—it's the day before competition."
"Honey, I'm sure they have salads. Come on, I'm starving."
She skated away, catching her father's wink before heading down the tunnel to the locker room.
After changing and packing her skates into her bag, she met her mom at the front door. An awkward silence hung between them as they drove.
They reached the downtown area, driving by the Mediterranean style shops on either side of the street. Red terra-cotta roofs stretched down past Main Street to where the roads led to the beaches beyond.
Emma'swas a small diner named after a Hollywood star who went missing many years ago. The owner was supposedly the star's daughter. Charlotte only ever got takeout from the diner, so when they slid into an old wooden booth, the place was unfamiliar to her.
A woman strode toward them, menus in hand. "Welcome toEmma's." She smiled. "Let me know what I can get you." She left them alone for a few minutes.
"Charlotte." Her mom stared down at the plastic menu in her hands. "Have you ever had one of their milkshakes?"
A laugh bubbled up, but Charlotte held it in. Her mom didn't drink milkshakes. Was this a trick?
"I'm not trying to trap you into admitting breaking the diet I set out for you." She eyed Charlotte over the top of her menu.
Charlotte bit back a smile. "Sure, Mom. Their shakes are good."
The waitress returned. Charlotte ordered a salad with grilled chicken—to her mother's approval—and her mom got a burger, fries, and a shake.
"Okay, I'm confused."
