Dive Right In by Matt Christopher Page A

and had worked in his classes for four years.
     He was a nice, easygoing guy who always had an encouraging word for his students. “I see you two have already met.”
    Traci looked from the woman to her coach. “You know her?” she asked him.
    “Sure do,” said Jeff with a smile. “This is Margo Armstead.” He paused, as if expecting Traci to react to the name. But it
     meant nothing to her. “Margo’s a great diving coach. When she heard about you, she was eager to meet you. So I invited her
     to come.”
    “She heard about me?” Traci repeated. “From who?”
    “I have to go to my own classes now,” said Margo, reaching into a canvas tote bag she was carrying. “Traci, I think you might
     have the makings of a good diver, if you want to be. Please think about it and let me know whether you are interested. Here’s
     my number.” She pulled a card from the bag and gave it to Traci. With a nod to Jeff, she turned and walked away.
    Traci stared after her and then looked at Jeff. Thecoach looked unhappy, as if he’d been caught doing something he shouldn’t have done. “Jeff, did you tell that woman about
     me?”
    Jeff took a deep breath. “Her name is Margo Armstead. Yes, I told her about you.”
    Valerie Ling came hurrying over, but slowed down as she sensed that Jeff and Traci were having a serious talk.
    “Why?” asked Traci.
    “I thought it would be a good idea.”
    “Why?” Traci asked again. “Is what she said true? About me, I mean.”
    “Trace?” Valerie said. “Something wrong?”
    Traci didn’t answer Valerie; she kept her attention focused on the coach. “That woman said—”
    “Her name is
Margo,”
said Jeff.
    Traci shrugged.
“Margo
said because I grew so much I’ll never be a top gymnast. I’ll mess up my knees and I won’t get any better.”
    Jeff held up a hand. “She didn’t say that you would never get any better.”
    “You know what I mean,” Traci snapped, feeling a little panicky. Gymnastics had been the most important thing in her life
     for almost as long as she couldremember. “Is what she says right? Is that why you told her about me, because I’ll never be a top gymnast? Do you want me
     out?”
    “Trace, you’re welcome to stay in my class as long as you want,” the coach assured her. “You know I’d never kick you out.”
    “But is Margo
right?”
Traci repeated. “That’s what I want to know.”
    Jeff sighed. “Well… okay. I’ve been putting this off for a while, but it isn’t fair to you not to talk about it.”
    Traci felt her panic rise higher. “Talk about what?”
    “What’s going on?” asked Valerie, looking worried for her friend.
    Jeff looked at Traci steadily. “You
have
grown a lot this past year. You’re the tallest girl here by three inches. And you’re heavier. Once, this wouldn’t be a drawback.
     Years ago, many top gymnasts were big. But now… you see world-class competition on TV, Trace. They’re almost all slender
     and not tall.”
    “What are you telling me?” asked Traci, unable to keep her voice from trembling.
    Jeff looked distressed. “Trace, you want a shot at the top. That won’t happen for you in gymnastics.”
    Traci felt her eyes begin to tear.
    “That’s why I called Margo,” Jeff went on. “You have the skills and attitude of a great athlete. But, if you want to excel,
     gymnastics isn’t for you. Not anymore.”
    This isn’t happening,
Traci thought, her stomach churning.
    “Margo is a great coach,” Jeff went on. “She’s coached a few Olympic medalists. She didn’t say that you might be a good diver
     to make you feel good. Margo always says what she thinks. If you want to keep working with me, that’s fine, but you should
     know that your prospects are limited. And Margo’s right about you risking serious knee problems down the line as a gymnast.”
    Valerie squeezed Traci’s hand as Traci fought back tears.
    “Anyway,” said Jeff, “think it over, okay? If you want to talk,