“Meg knew what a huge responsibility it was before she took on this role. Those girls are impressionable, and they look up to her.”

“And they still can! Meg is exactly the kind of role model those girls need. She’s sweet and generous and has a heart for Jesus. She’s studied the Bible and really knows it. She’s passionate about evangelism. She’s also fun as hell and willing to hang out with thirteen-year-old girls because she loves them so much.”

“You didn’t say modest, Micah,” James is quiet and pained. “You have to understand the position I’m in. She’s got to be upright and modest and practice abstinence.”

A scream of frustration rattles in my throat. If I never hear the word abstinence again, it will be too soon. “Modest by whose standards? Who is she answering to here? Because I don’t remember hearing that you or Brian ever had to get up in front of the congregation and make a pledge of abstinence when you were single.”

James doesn’t have a response to that. I move to the door. “The truth is, the only time churches are worried about modesty and purity is when it comes to their teenage girls. I think maybe you all need to take a hard look at why that is. Your niece isn’t the problem here.”

30

Meg

I’ve never been so grateful for skating. Not even when I was touring the country on the junior national team and feeling like I was on top of the world was I so thankful to have the ice.

They’ve increased my teaching load for the next session, so much so I had to tell Maria I need to cut back on my café hours. I’ve even been asked to privately coach a tiny upstart who shows gobs and gobs of promise. Livy is young, barely nine, but already has the kind of form and natural grace that makes seasoned skaters weep. It wasn’t a hard choice. I’ve been doing some soul-searching since Declan’s visit, making sure I’m not trying to live vicariously through my students, and I’m happy to report that I’m not. I did love skating. Still do. But the constant pressure of being a competitive skater isn’t anything that holds my passion.

But coaching? I could really, truly love coaching. Being on the ice, encouraging and pushing someone to be better than they’ve ever been? Choreographing routines that I couldn’t dream of nailing but that could lead someone else to their dreams coming true?

Oh yes. This has Meg Hennessey written all over it. And Livy is such a special little girl. I’m not sure what the future holds for her, but I’m honored to be invited along.