Girls Only! (16 page)

Jenna’s brain buzzed with unexpected thoughts. She sat on the last pew in the sanctuary, thinking about tiny Kyung. Uncle Nam was right. There was something very precious about the baby. Something belonging to God.

The chapel was soon empty of people, except for her parents and one other church member. She could hear sounds of the branches brushing against the building outside. A white half-moon peeked through one of the stained-glass windows.

Leaning back against the wooden pew, Jenna wondered if the baby boy from Korea would affect her this way. Would she miss holding him the way she missed her new little cousin right now?

She thought more about the idea of a baby brother. And when she tried to picture what he might look like, she started to feel the tiniest shiver of excitement. Until yesterday, sitting in the nursery at home, she’d had no interest in being a big sister to an orphaned infant. But now? She could hardly wait to meet her new brother, Jonathan Song.

Most of all, she wondered how she would tell Coach Kim and Tasya. She’d have to forfeit the meet after all. But how would Coach and Tasya take it? Giving them only three days’ notice wasn’t very sportsmanlike. Not fair at all.
She worried about that. But she knew it was her fault for waiting this long—for disobeying her parents.

Looking into the dear little face of cousin Kyung—God’s creation—had touched her. It had begun to change things.

Maybe everything.

Only the Best

Chapter Sixteen

Thursday morning, Jenna hurried downstairs to breakfast. She was still wearing her pajamas and bathrobe. “Good morning, everybody,” she said, sitting at the kitchen table.

“Well, aren’t
you
the cheerful one?” Dad said, putting the paper aside.

Her mother did a double take. “Your hair looks like it woke up on the wrong side of the bed!”

Laughing, Jenna reached her hand up to her head. She felt the hairs sticking out. “Hey, you’re right,” she said, giggling.

“Maybe this is a new hairstyle,” Dad said, reaching for his cup of coffee.

“Could be,” she said. “I’ll have to see what Livvy thinks.”

“By the way, Livvy called here earlier,” Mom said. “She asked if you can meet her at the mall skating rink before school.”

Jenna glanced at the wall clock above the sink. “If I hurry, maybe I can.”

“I’ll drive you, if that helps,” offered Dad.

“Thanks.” She wondered what her best friend was up to.

Quickly, she went upstairs to shower and dress. Before heading to her room, she crept away to the yellow-and-green nursery at the end of the hall. Standing beside the crib, she looked down. She touched the ruffled crib sham and quilted coverlet. It was easy to imagine a baby sleeping there. A baby as adorable as her very own cousin.

On the way to the rink, Jenna asked her dad about the Saturday plans. “What time is the appointment at the adoption agency?” she asked.

“Eleven o’clock sharp,” he replied without glancing her way. “Why do you ask?”

She didn’t tell him why. Not yet. “I just wondered” was all she said. She figured they’d leave for Denver around seven-thirty. Because, knowing her parents, they’d want to be as prompt as possible.

“Your mother and I expect that you already made arrangements with Coach Kim . . . to inform the alternate.” He pulled up to the curb.

“Don’t worry, Dad,” she said before getting out.

He stopped the car near the entrance to the mini shopping center. “I’m not worried, Jenna, and you mustn’t be, either. Trust the Lord for His plan for your future. For our family’s, too.”

He seemed almost ready to step behind a pulpit. For as long as she remembered, her dad was always eager to get a word in for God. “Thanks for the ride,” she said, opening the door.

“Any time!” He smiled and waved.

Jenna watched him pull away from the curb. “What a really cool father,” she whispered before heading into the mall to find Livvy.

The skating rink was situated in the center of the small emporium. There were live trees decorated with giant red bows and white lights for the holidays. Quaint benches scattered the area.

Tired of lugging her gym bag, Jenna sat on one of the benches and waited for Livvy to finish up her session. There were several other advanced skaters on the
ice. Two ice dancers caught her eye. They looked like twins—a boy and girl about Jenna’s age.

Who are they?
she wondered, her eyes glued to the incredible blond twosome.

Livvy soon spotted her and motioned for her to come to the edge of the rink. “Your mom must’ve told you I called,” she said, catching her breath.

“Yep, that’s why I’m here. What’s up?”

Glancing over her shoulder, Livvy said, “See those ice dancers?”

“How could I miss them? I can’t take my eyes off them . . . especially the boy.” Jenna smothered a giggle. “Who are they?”

“Heather and Kevin Bock. And they’re really super skaters.”

“I noticed.” Jenna watched the pair circle past. “They must be twins—they look so much alike.”

“They’re twenty months apart. Best friends, too!” Livvy turned and watched them for a moment.

“I’ve never seen them at school,” Jenna said. “That’s because they’re homeschooled.”

“Really?” Jenna was dying to meet them. Especially Kevin. “So when are you gonna introduce me?”

“As soon as they take their break,” Livvy said, grinning. “I really wanted you to meet Heather because she’s starting ballet after Christmas.”

“With
us
?”

Livvy nodded, facing her now. “And there’s another reason why I want you to meet Heather and Kevin.” Her merry face had turned serious.

“Why?” asked Jenna.

“They have a younger brother and sister . . . both adopted.”

Jenna should have known. “That’s interesting,” she said, playing along.

“Wait here,” Livvy said, skating off toward center ice.

Jenna watched as Livvy chatted with the Bock kids. Being new to the mountain town, she was glad to meet more young athletes. Kids with similar goals . . . and kids with adopted siblings. She wondered how many
more
adopted people she was going to meet in one week!

Only the Best

Chapter Seventeen

Jenna went looking for Coach Kim as soon as she arrived at the gym. It was one of her off days, so she knew he wouldn’t be expecting to see her.

She found him positioning heavy safety mats under and around the balance beam. “Jenna, what a nice surprise!” His big voice bounced across the gym.

“Uh, excuse me, Coach.” She wished she could hide under the largest floor mat. “I need to talk to you.”

His usually jovial face turned to a frown. “Is something wrong?”

“No . . . actually, everything’s
right
.” Suddenly, she felt more confident. “I should’ve told you this two weeks ago. I’m sorry I waited so long.” She explained about the baby her parents were going to adopt. That she would have to miss the meet and go to Denver instead. “I
haven’t been much of a team member,” she confessed. “You always say we’re a family here at AAG—that we work together. But I haven’t acted like a part of this family.”

Coach Kim’s face broke into a big smile. “On the contrary, Jenna. What you’re doing with your parents is far more important than any gymnastics meet. You mustn’t forget that. Only the best kind of person would do what you’re doing.” He touched her head gently. “You are one of those people, Jenna. You will make the new baby a very good sister.”

She thought she might cry. “I hope the team won’t hate me for this . . . for backing out so late.”

He put his finger to her lips. “Hate never built a strong family . . . or a team. Nobody’s going to say a word about this. I promise you.”

She hugged him and said good-bye, then hurried outside. On the long walk home, she thought of Cassie and Lara and the others. How would the All-Around Team score without her? How would the competition play out? Who would they pick for the alternate?

Her heart sank as she thought again of missing out. But she knew she’d made the right choice. It was the best choice for her family—and for her new brother.

When she arrived home, her mother met her at the door. “Livvy’s on the phone. She sounds very excited.”

Jenna rushed into the house and picked up the living room phone. “Livvy? Hi, what’s up?”

“I’ve been thinking.”

“Better be careful, that could be dangerous,” she said, laughing.

“No, seriously. Let’s start a club. For girls only.”

“With
two
members?”

“Well, no. Actually, I was thinking about including Heather Bock. If it’s all right with you,” Livvy said. “What do you think?”

“Of the club or Heather?”

“Both.”

Jenna really liked the idea. “Sure, why not? Heather’s really cool. What’s
she
think of your idea?”

“I haven’t said anything because I wanted to talk to my best friend about it first.” Livvy was laughing. “You
are
my best friend, you know!”

“Sounds like we might be expanding to three.” She wondered how long it would take to get to know Heather Bock.
Really
know her the way she and Livvy knew each other.

“When should we have our first club meeting?” Livvy asked.

Jenna was ready now! “How about right away?”

“You’re kidding.”

Jenna chuckled. “Come over in a half hour. Let’s start by practicing our ballet stretches and moves at the barre in my bedroom. Isn’t my attic room the perfect place?”

Livvy agreed. “I’ll call Heather. See ya!”

Jenna hung up the phone and went searching for her mom. “We’ve got company coming . . . Livvy and Heather. Hope it’s all right with you.” She told her mother all about Livvy’s club idea. And about Heather and Kevin.

Mom’s face brightened as she sat at the kitchen table. “Sounds like fun.”

“We won’t bother you if we work out in my room, will we?”

“That’s fine,” Mom said. “And when you’re finished with your meeting, maybe the girls can stay and help us put up the Christmas tree.”

Jenna was pleased. Mom was bending over backward to be agreeable. “I’m getting to be a pro at decorating trees,” she said.

“Oh?”

She described how she and Lara had put up the little tree at the gym. “And this afternoon, I talked to Coach Kim . . . finally. Everything’s set. I’ll miss this one meet, but he understood.” Saying the words brought a twinge of pain, but Jenna didn’t regret her decision.

“
I
talked to Coach Kim today, too,” her mother said. “What a fine coach you have.”

“We all knew he was from the start.”

Mom smiled knowingly. “It’s even more obvious to me now.”

Jenna didn’t pry. She didn’t ask her mom about the conversation with Coach Kim. “I’m sorry for dragging my feet about canceling the meet,” she said. “I really wanted to go.”

“I know, honey. It was a difficult thing for you to do. I’m very proud of you. Both Dad and I are.”

Jenna hugged her mom and held on tight. “I can’t wait to meet our baby,” she said, pulling away at last. “And I mean that.”

“Would you like a sneak preview?” Mom asked, getting up and heading for the dining room.

“What do you mean?” She followed Mom to the buffet.

There, between two china candleholders, was a tiny face with the cutest nose and the sweetest eyes.

Mom picked up the framed picture. “This is Jonathan. The photo came in the mail today.”

“And you framed it already?” Jenna gazed at the adorable face.

“I couldn’t help myself,” Mom said.

“I think I know how you feel,” Jenna replied.

Only the Best

Chapter Eighteen

Jenna chose one of her favorite classical CDs—
Peer Gynt Suite
. “Wait’ll you hear this,” she said as the
Girls Only
Club members prepared to do their ballet warm-ups.

“Heather’s a classical music nut, too,” Livvy said, smiling. “Just like me.”

The blond ice dancer nodded. She wore a pale blue jogging outfit that brought out the blue of her eyes. “I like all different kinds of music,” she said. “Music brings out the zip and pizzazz in me . . . in my brother, too. We always talk over what music we like best for our ice-dancing routines.”

Jenna wondered what it would be like to have a partnership with an older brother. “Do you ever blame Kevin for flubs or getting marked down at competitions?” she asked.

Heather shook her head. “No . . . never. We’ve worked as a team since I was in second grade and Kevin in third.”

“That long? Wow,” Jenna said. “So you really know what to expect from each other?”

“Always.” Heather went to sit next to Livvy on the floor, under the barre. “This is really some special place,” she said, glancing around the room.

“Thanks,” Jenna said. “You should’ve seen it before we put in the new carpet and the wallpaper. It was such a mess.”

Livvy nodded. “It sure was. But then, so was the old Victorian house my dad bought on Main Street. Remodeling is the thing—for ancient houses, at least.”

The girls chatted about their homes, parents, and school. Heather showed off a wallet picture of her grade-school-age adopted brother and sister. “It’s just like they were born into the family—no difference,” she said.

Jenna wondered how that could be. She guessed she’d find out sooner or later.

The girls began discussing the club name. “Is
Girls Only
okay with you two?” Livvy asked.

Jenna pulled up her knees, leaning her chin on them. “I don’t know about either of you, but I think it’s a really cool name for our club,” she said. “It’s got a lot of class.”

“Yeah, and the initials spell GO—which describes each of us exactly,” Livvy said.

Heather nodded. “Because we’re always so active, right?”

The girls agreed, grinning at each other.

Jenna went to her desk and changed the CD. “Who’s ready for some Christmas tunes?” she asked.

Livvy and Heather definitely were. And within seconds, the strains of “Greensleeves” floated through the attic room. “Hey, let’s work up a ballet routine to this!” Heather said, getting up and twirling on her toes.