For once Lin Su wore jeans and boots with a heel, wrapped in her new red winter coat, her hair loose and flowing down her back. It was probably feeling good in her civilian clothes that made her a little more animated, a bit more excited. She looked like a real woman for once and not so much like the local nurse. And since she’d been living in the loft in town for a couple of weeks, people shouted out to her as one of the neighbors enjoying their favorite entertainment—a high school football game.

Her relationship with everyone had evolved. She began to think of many of them as friends. Their acquaintance grew beyond her work for Winnie and much of that had to do with the simple fact that Charlie was in school all day and Lin Su had more time to connect with people. She went to work a little later in the morning, took breaks in the afternoon while Winnie napped; she even babysat the flower shop a couple of times so that Grace could spend an hour or two of quality time with her mother.

She was spending a little time with Blake because of Charlie’s training schedule and because they ran into each other so frequently. She was even invited to come to Blake’s gym to watch Charlie work out with Blake. But only once. And, she suspected, only at Blake’s insistence.

There were little slivers of time here and there when it was only Blake and Lin Su. It was quite by accident, of course. Lin Su would be out on Winnie’s deck for a little while or maybe on the beach road watching for Charlie to get home from school. Blake would always greet her and take a few minutes to talk. Blake liked to take a happy hour with the family when everyone was gathering at the end of the day, though his cocktail would be a lime and electrolyte-charged water. He was always in training. And with a big race coming up, he was more rigid than ever about his schedule.

They were all gathered in Winnie’s living room, Lin Su nearby in the kitchen, when Blake asked Troy if he could take over Charlie’s workouts for a while.

“No problem. We might have to adjust the times a little, might even have to do it early in the morning before school, but we’ll get it done.”

“I’m going to be scarce for the next ten days. I’m going to be working hard at getting ready and in three days I’m going to Hawaii. I want to be there six or seven days before the race.”

“Kona is a big one,” Charlie said. “The big one. If I was sixteen and had a license, I’d drive the route with you for practice,” Charlie said. “I’d give almost anything to be on the crew.”

“Couple of years before we consider that, pal,” he said.

“How many people on your crew?” Troy asked.

“Hard to say,” Blake explained. “They come from the institute, Gretchen’s training facility, and they crew for more than one athlete. There might be two concentrating on me, but as soon as my needs are met, they have another athlete to fix with water, nourishment, transition. Their timing has to be perfect—they know exactly how long it will take each athlete to complete a phase of the race, and if they’re not at the right place at the exact time it can cost the race.” He started to laugh. “One year a long time ago there was a Navy SEAL in the race and he was a favorite, but his crew ran out of water and relied on beer instead. It might’ve kept him hydrated but it also slowed him down.” He laughed. “But he came in second!”

“I thought the race personnel had water stations,” Grace said.

“They do. I’ve relied on them, as well, depending on the race and the rules of the race, but if I can have my own team it gives me a little more confidence, especially during the transitions. For me, if the timing is right my race is better.”

“I’ll be watching all day,” Charlie said. “I figured out they’re live streaming from the race so I can get more coverage.”

“Well, my head will be in another place so you can fill me in on the race when I get home.” He stood to leave. He put a hand on Charlie’s shoulder. “You know who wins the race, right?”

“Right,” Charlie said. “The guy with the plan.”

“The guy who ignores his plan doesn’t do so well. The guy who changes his pace too early gets in trouble.” He shook his head. “Some athletes have a reputation for it—they take the early lead even if it depletes them. They wash out. Remember that in your workouts—you have a plan. It works. No fancy stuff while I’m gone, okay?”

“I know. Nice and steady,” Charlie said.

“You’ll thank me someday,” Blake said. Then he shook Charlie’s hand and bent at the waist to give Winnie a little kiss on the brow. “Be well, Winnie. I’ll see you pretty soon.”

“Good luck, Blake,” Winnie said. “Bring home the gold.”

“I’ll do my best.”

The house fell silent when Blake left. No one spoke or stirred.

“Hey! He’s going to do great!” Charlie finally said. “He’s ready! That’s ninety percent of it.”

Twelve

It remained quiet while the family ate dinner. “Why isn’t anyone talking like usual?” Charlie asked. “This is the one he trains all year for. You’re not worried, are you? He’s going to do great!”

“Of course he is,” Winnie said. “Who is Blake’s family? Where are they?”

No one answered for a moment. “He said he was raised by a single mother, like me,” Charlie finally said. “And she’s gone now.”

“Who will be at the finish line for him?” she asked.

“I imagine he has a lot of good friends, Mother,” Grace said. “He’s been racing this circuit for years. He’s been in the top tier for years.”

“Yes, I know what that’s like. A cheering section made up of your competitors.” Winnie snorted.

“He has a team, Mother,” Grace said. “Really, he’ll be fine. And we can have a little gathering to celebrate when he gets back.”

“A poor substitute for having people who really care about you at the finish line.”

“It will have to do,” Mikhail said. “He’s had years to figure out who will be at the finish line.”

“One of us should go,” Winnie said.

You could have heard a pin drop.

“Due respect, it won’t be you, Your Majesty,” Mikhail said.

“Pah, I could do it with the right support! All I need is a little help.”