#Chapter 20: Hope Restored

If you keep this up, you’ll fail the midterm evaluation, Coach had said. My bottom lip quivered so I held it between my teeth. I didn’t bother trying to defend myself. I knew he was right. I was going to fail my midterm exam. No excuse would change that. I was dragging my feet on the team, bringing everyone else down. That’d be right to get rid of me. I hadn’t meant to hold anyone else back. When I chose to become a mom, I should have let go of my obsession with staying at the academy. Trying to do both wasn’t just impossible, it was wrong. I should have known better. Tears welled in my eyes. “Hey,” Coach said, startled. He moved a hand to my shoulder. “Don’t cry.” I shook my head. I couldn’t stop it. “Listen, I know there has to be some reason that you are backsliding like this,” Coach said. “I saw how hard you worked before. You have the talent and the gumption. I wouldn’t push you now if I didn’t think you could bounce back.” “I c-can’t,” I said, voice wet and c