9781250209153

The woman’s eyebrows jump. “Her daughter? Is she in trouble?”
“No. I’m a friend of hers, and I’d really like to speak with Dr. Abraham
about something important to her. I can wait for as long as it takes.” To
emphasize the point, I plop down in one of the waiting room chairs and kick
back like I have all the time in the world. I even grab a magazine off the
side table.
The receptionist stands up. She eyes me as she crosses to the back office
where Dr. Abraham must be. “Very determined,” she says, almost like she’s
impressed. “No wonder you’re friends with her daughter.”
When she returns a minute later, Dr. Abraham is on her heels. “Scottie,
what’s this?” Dr. Abraham asks abruptly. “Is Irene okay?”
“She’s fine. I just wanted to ask you something.”
Dr. Abraham purses her lips. She adjusts a piece of hair that fell out of
place. “All right. Follow me.”
She leads me into an examination room. We sit across from each other
almost like I’m here for a real appointment. I look distractedly around at the
fancy equipment and wall diagrams, trying to steel myself.
“I’m confused about you being here,” Dr. Abraham says, her shrewd
eyes upon me. “Irene told me you two were on a break.”
“We are.” I clear my throat. “I’m hoping to rectify that tomorrow.”
Dr. Abraham tilts her head. “Is this one of those prom-posal things? Are
you here to ask for my permission?”
“No. But I would like to ask you to come to our district championship
game tomorrow. Girls’ basketball. We’re playing Candlehawk.” I sit up
straight and look into her perplexed, beautiful face. “Dr. Abraham, did you
know Irene changed the entire cheerleading schedule so the squad could
cheer for our games instead of the boys’? She basically overruled her coach
and got her entire team onboard. They started cheering at our games, and
suddenly the whole school showed up to support us. Just because of her.
Because of her initiative.”
The shadow of a smile graces Dr. Abraham’s face. “Yes, she’s always
been tenacious.”
“She loves cheerleading. And she’s good at it. It bothers her that you
think it’s a waste of time.”