Chapter 90: Chapter 90
My body was betraying me, and I was starting to feel the first signs of pregnancy. I keep having to pee! I fly back to Lagos and have DNA tests done there while packing up my condo and eventually visiting dad’s grave. I have my test results sent to Owerri. My flight to Owerri fills me with joy. I’m ready to return. A huge smile befalls my face as I scan the morning sky that resembles what I think Heaven looks like. I don’t tell anyone when I’m coming back. The only person who knows is Michael.
When I get to the airport I grab my luggage and hail a cab to go back to the Village. I calculate what time I think I will get there and realize that Scott will be teaching at the rink. I drop my luggage off in my room and head straight there, assuring I’m not seen by anyone on the way. I spot him immediately, teaching rink side. I sneak up from behind and reach up covering his eyes. “Guess who?”
Scott turns around and throws me up in the air, before catching me and planting a huge kiss on my mouth. “Now, that’s the kind of welcome I like!”
“When did you get back?”
“Just now!” I can’t stop kissing him, and he can’t stop kissing me. It’s sweet.
Scott and Mira are genuinely excited to see me. Before I know it, everyone in the arena is coming over to greet me with hugs and kisses. I give a little impromptu speech explaining that I am feeling better, and I am planning to coach the remainder of the competitive season. The big ones are just around the corner. Scott and Mira perform their new program and we get right back to work as nothing happened. Tammy and Scott groomed them well.
Their original awkwardness is transformed into grace and beauty. Their throws cover large areas of the ice, and their spins have elevated to competition standards. Their lifts are impressive and strong. I’m so proud of Scott, I can cry, and I do cry. These damn pregnancy hormones are killing me! A commercial for dog food can make me cry these days, but that’s another story.
When we finish at the rink, Scott and I go out for food. We talk about my visit with dad, how I packed up the condo, and the amniocentesis. I reassure Scott of my deep love for him. For the next couple of weeks when I’m not going to the bathroom every ten minutes to pee, or being sick for no apparent reason, I breathe, eat, and sleep figure skating until the Olympics approaches. The competition is coming to the camp, and my skaters are excited. When it comes time for Scott and Mira to compete, Scott and I stand rink side like two bundles of nerves watching them as if they are our kids.
"The kids" didn’t let us down. They skate cleanly both times. When they landed a jump, the camera consistently pans to Scott and me jumping up and down with excitement for our protégés. We are so proud! Their marks don’t matter to us; they are perfect in our eyes. Scott and Mira truly become Nigeria’s sweethearts. After they are done, they skate over to the kiss and cry where we are waiting for them to receive their marks.
Their scores are revealed and they win by a landslide. We kiss the couple with excitement as they are the ones to assist Scott and me to another milestone in our lives: coaches of Olympic champions. I weep from happiness as those damn pregnancy hormones won’t let up.
Global personnel was in a frenzy preparing for the live show of interviews after the Olympics. It’s a no-holds-barred, two-hour episode of questions and answers. The auditorium has low lighting, except for a spotlight on the couches, which made one perspire if you sat under it too long. The seats were filled with fans that had been watching the show from the beginning. Pictures of athletes and coaches created a dramatic backdrop. No one, except Justin, knew who or when we would be called up to the stage or which scenes from the year would be re- televised.
Justin did all the interviews personally. If circumstances were different, and Scott and I hadn’t become such a big part of the story, we probably would have been the ones to host. In the end, it didn’t matter. Justin introduced all the skaters involved at the camp, and their faces appeared on the screen behind them as they walked on stage. He announced the big winners first off since viewers would already know the Olympic results. A group picture was up on the screen and all the skaters faded out of the picture leaving only Scott and Mira’s faces remaining.
They were jumping up and down with excitement hugging each other. All the other skaters appeared genuinely happy for them and they clustered around the happy couple hugging and congratulating them. Confetti and streamers were released from the ceiling throughout the studio and “We Are the Champions” played in the background. Nigeria’s favorite pair had won the Olympics and our show.
The audience clapped and Justin shook the couple's hands as they took their seats. The stage grew dark where the rest of the skaters were standing and the ones who would be appearing were brought back to the holding area. The rest took seats at the top of the theatre.
Justin said, “Let's have a recap of your journey, shall we?”
The lights dimmed and the cameras recorded Scott and Mira as they watched their progress over the past year. Clips included those when they were selected as a couple, Scott saying good-bye to Paris, Mira’s dramatic makeover, and finally, their win at Worlds. The lights came back on and Justin segued into his interview.
“Any regrets or resentment for not being able to compete as singles instead of a pair?"
Scott spoke up, “Not at all, Justin. It took some time for us to get used to the idea, but once we were, we focused on the task at hand.”
Justin crossed his legs and turned to Mira. “You were quite strong during makeover time, as most women would have cried having their long locks chopped off! Do you recall what Scott whispered in your ear?”
Mira shrugged. “Of course, I do. He told me to close my eyes and be brave, it would all be worth it in the end.”
“Was it?”
“Yes!”
Justin looked at the pairs team who were holding hands on the couch. “The two of you seem to get along rather well. Are you dating?”
Mira smiled. “Not currently, but Scott has truly become my best friend. With such intensive training, there’s been little time to even think about relationships.”
“Scott, are you and Paris still an item?” Scott reddened. “I broke it off with Paris.” “Will you and Mira compete next year?”
Scott smiled at Mira. “We haven’t decided.”
Justin took two envelopes out of his pocket and said, “On behalf of the Association and Universal Television, we'd like to present you with two checks for fifty-thousand dollars each. Congratulations!"
There was a break, which I assumed was a cut to commercial. Scott and Mira remained seated. The lights came back on and soon after the show resumed.
“Scott and Mira, please welcome Paris back to the stage.” Nobody knew Paris was going to make an appearance. She must have been in a different holding room. Paris came dressed in a beautiful purple, backless dress, and five-inch heels. Her hair was swept up in a blond bun. I was, in a word, stunning. She shook Justin’s hand and took a seat, “First, we would like to congratulate you for your second-place finish. Bravo!”
Paris smiled at Justin. “Thank you.”
“So apart from Scott and Mira’s win in the pairs category, you are by rights the person who placed the highest overall above all the people who attended the camp.”
“I did,” she agreed.
“Were you angry when you were asked to leave the camp?”
“No, Justin, I think it made me more determined to work hard and prove that I didn’t need it to do well.”
“You did prove that, Paris.”
“If they invite you again next year, would you be willing to go?”
“I’d be Honored.” she smiled and looked at the audience.
“Are you dating?” “No, not currently.”
“Are you still friends with Scott?”
“Not!” Justin nodded at her in understanding.
“Any resentment towards Mira?”
“No, it just made it easier for me to win my medal!” she flashed a winning smile.
He redirected, “I hope we see you next year at the camp! Thank you so much for coming as a guest on the show.”
“You’re welcome. Thanks for having me.” Justin gave all three competitors hugs and then there was a break.