Life took a pretty cool turn after that.

The previous March, at one of our last games, a flock of recruiters and scouts nearly trampled Allegra and me. I was so shocked by the sheer number of them that I couldn't say anything for at least, like, ten minutes, but Allegra calmly collected business cards for the both of us, assuring them all we'd be in touch. Afterwards, she deftly steered a numb me towards our bench.

Later, after showering and changing, I shouldered my bag and strode out of the locker room, searching the crowd for Chloe and my mom.

"Cassidy Sloane?" Someone tapped me on the arm.

I turned around to see a tall woman with blondish-whitish hair. Her green eyes were clear and really pretty, and they were surrounded by those wrinkles my mom calls "happiness lines".

"That would be me." I replied her.

"I'm part of the Team USA women's hockey scouts, and we were wondering if you'd be interested in playing for your country?" She asked.

My mouth popped open.

"Uh… I… I… "

"She'd love to," Courtney responded, swooping in just in time.

The woman smiled, then scribbled something on a notepad, ripped it off, and passed it to me. I took it wordlessly.

"Well then, I'd better be off. I hope to hear from you soon Ms. Sloane. You're a talented young lady, and you'd make a great addition to the team."

I read the paper when I got home. I told my mother and Stanley, and before I knew it, they had arranged for me to go to the Olympic training center the next year.

When I told everyone in book club, their jaws dropped.

"Wow, really?" Jess shouted, her eyes sparkling.

"Congratulations!" the mom all chorused.

I blushed, trying to look modest.

"Clementine, don't you find it a bit dangerous for her to be playing with the US team," Mrs. Chadwick sniffed. Emma waggled her eyebrows at me, and smiled to show me she was on my side.

"I think it's a great opportunity, and I think Cassidy's going to do very well there," my mother reassured Mrs. Chadwick. Even though I tried to hide it, I was secretly pleased that my mom thought so.

We talked and ate some more, and Becca and Megan peppered me with questions while Jess and Emma listened intently.

"Next year's gonna be so different, huh?" Jess mused.

"I agree," Megan moaned, flopping onto a pillow. She lifted her head up. "Maybe it won't be so bad after all, though."

That was back in April or something, and now it's the end of summer, and we're all getting ready to go. Emma already left, to chaperone at some writing camp in Maine, and Jess went for orientation at the beginning of August too. Megan is crazy busy packing, and so is Becca. I'm not, though. Funny, after all these years, I still don't bother to worry about my clothes. My stuff is all ready, one bag for hockey gear and one for regular clothes and stuff.

"Goodbye Concord," I whispered as I stepped onto the train platform. I'm taking the train down to Boston, and then catching a flight to Madison, Wisconsin, where I'll go to the Pettit National Ice Center by car or something.

"I'll be back soon," I promise softly, before turning to wave at Chloe and my mom and Stanley.