Chapter 2

Mr. and Mrs. Keeler couldn't have been more excited to receive their daughter and granddaughter. Kim Keeler had insisted that Payson and Ally stay with them while they looked for an apartment. She wouldn't hear of anything else. With Becca away at college and her older daughter sticking to stubborn independence, their house had been lonely for a long time. Mr. Keeler was now living there permanently and working in Boulder with his wife. Payson was somewhat embarrassed at the idea of living with her parents again, but she appreciated their hospitality.

"You should be flattered, Pay." Mrs. Keeler said late that night. She was boiling tea for them. Both Mr. Keeler and Ally were asleep upstairs.

Payson shrugged. "It's insulting too depending on how you look at it. I feel like a publicity stunt."

"Payson, they might be taking advantage of your story to get press, but you can take advantage of them too. This position will really open doors for you! I know how much you miss gymnastics…"

"I don't." Payson lied easily. "Ally and I were doing just fine –"

"Oh yeah – you're selling second class real state in a bad market hours away…"

Payson rolled her eyes. "We were fine!" She insisted. "We were getting by and she was perfectly happy."

Kim sighed and let her daughter win the tiny battle. "At least Ally is adjusting well. She seems excited."

"Ally is always happy." Payson beamed. "She tends to make the best of things."

"You could learn a thing or two from your daughter." Mrs. Keeler pointed out.

Payson knew she was right. She sipped her tea and thought about the day – her long drive, her first time back and the Rock, and the first time she saw Sasha in years. She shuddered.

"I have no idea how I'm going to put up with that man." She confessed. "He waltzed in today and spoke to me as if nothing happened – as if he didn't just walk out on me before Worlds. Can you believe it?"

Mrs. Keeler wondered whether she should fight her daughter on this one too. "Maybe you should bury the hatchet with Sasha, Pay."

Her daughter raised her eyebrow. "Why would I want to do something like that?"

"Payson, you've won your gold medal and you did it without Sasha Belov. You have no reason to be angry with him. It turns out that you didn't even need him."

"I thought I did…" she mumbled.

"Well at least you're back at the Rock." Mrs. Keeler said, nudging her daughter. "Tell me you're not ecstatic about that, uh?"

A smile crept up on Payson's face – one that her mother hadn't seen in a long time. Despite all the drama, the six years of solitude, and her moments of insecurity, Payson Keeler never stopped loving the sport.

"Fine." She admitted, downing her tea and getting up to wash her mug. "But I can't say I'm as excited to work with Sasha. I'll be professional, but I can't promise to be civil all the time. I'm only human…"

Mrs. Keeler could live with that for the time being.

"Honey," she said hesitantly to Payson before she went to bed. "I hate to ask you this, but – "

"What?"

Mrs. Keeler proceeded with caution. "You told him right – that you moved? He knows where Ally is– ?"

"Yes" Payson said quickly and emotionlessly, knowing exactly whom her mother was referring to. "I called him first thing."

"Ok… I'm just saying is that he'll probably want to know where his daughter is at the very least."

"Mom." Payson said seriously. "I've taken care of it. Really. He knows our address and as long as we get the monthly check for Ally I could care less what he thinks. Besides, I sincerely doubt that he cares."

Payson's layers of distance and strength were hard to dig through, but no one could do it better than her mom. Though Payson was technically a strong, single mother with a determined spirit and old soul, Mrs. Keeler could see the truth in her eyes. Sometimes the girl was just hurt and there was nothing her acting could do to change that.

Payson went to bed that night in her old room. The walls were covered with magazine covers that her parents had framed. Her shelves were lined with old trophies, including the one Sasha created – The Payson Keeler Award. She looked at them, running her fingers over each one. On her nightstand, laying down unceremoniously between her old hair brush and her jewelry box, was one of her gold medals. She'd almost forgotten that she left it there. She picked it up and held the circle in her palm. She remembered standing on the podium in 2012, thinking how oddly heavy it felt around her neck.

It was then she noticed the magazine underneath the medal. Clearly, her parents had forgotten to clear that one away before she got home.

"Olympic Champion, Teenage Mom" the big type said. They had placed it next to an image of one of her more graceful Olympic stunts on the beam. The subheading asked a truly annoying question: "Who is the father?"

Payson groaned and flopped on her bed. The only downside of reentering her past seemed to be…reentering her past.

It was the morning of the first National Team practice and Payson's life felt as chaotic as ever. Her father had already left for work and her mother was nowhere to be seen.

"Sweetie," Payson said, grabbing her cup of coffee. "Did grandma say anything about coming back? Did you see her leave the house?"

Ally shook her head as she munched on her toast.

Payson quickly formulated a Plan B. "Alright, I guess you're coming with me…" she decided.

Ally jumped into the air excitedly. "Hooray!"

Twenty minutes later, Payson and Ally entered the Rock. A few people were mingling around the floor, but Sasha wasn't in sight. Payson grabbed her daughter's hand and walked quickly up the stairs to the main office.

"What's this?" Ally asked, observing the messy room. Paperwork was stacked high on Sasha's desk and the garbage can was over flowing. Ally didn't seem to mind, but Payson was rather disgusted.

"This is where you'll be staying for the day, OK?" she said, trying to sound peppy.

"Ok…" said Ally.

Payson set down her tote bag and grabbed a doll and some coloring books for Ally. "I'm really sorry about this sweetie…I promise I'll find a good day care place soon."

"No!" Ally said. "I like it here. I want to be with you."

Payson kissed her on the forehead. This girl was too sweet for her own good. "Well, you get your wish today, kid. I'll come and check on you every half hour and come get you for lunch, OK? If you need me, just call for me. Besides that you stay put."

Ally nodded and sat down with her crayons. She seemed content enough.

Payson rushed out of the office and down the stairs. Everyone below her was staring. She smiled at the gymnasts and their parents.

A second later the gym doors opened and Sasha Belov entered in his usual confident manner. Some of the National Team members looked intimidated. Payson didn't blame them. She had felt the same way the first time she met him.

"Good morning." His voice echoed throughout the gymnasium. "Welcome to the first National Team Practice. I am Sasha Belov and this," he motioned towards Payson "is your assistant coach, Payson Keeler."

A few of the parents whispered and shifted uncomfortably at the sound of her name. This was going to be a long day.

Sasha finished his introductory speech and the gymnasts and parents dispersed. The girls started stretching diligently while the adults filed into the observation room. Payson stayed by Sasha's side for the time being, waiting for instructions.

"Did you have something in mind for the first day?" she asked.

Sasha smiled. "Just to push them out of their comfort zone."

She had to hand it to him - Sasha knew what he was doing. If anyone had previously questioned his authority as the new national coach, that doubt was gone by the first hour of conditioning. Though Payson was still angry with him, she admired his approach. Given both of their unconventional histories as gymnasts, demanding respect off the bat was important.

Sasha tapped her on the shoulder later in the day. "What?" she asked.

"The funniest thing just happened." He started. "I went into my office –"

"You should really clean that up, by the way" she interrupted.

"-and I found something of yours." He finished.

"Oh, Right." Payson said. "My mom couldn't watch Ally today."

"Which would explain why she's in my office…"

"Is that a problem?" she challenged coolly.

He shook his head. "No, just give me a heads up next time."

She was surprised that Sasha was so cool with the prospect of having a young child around the gym. Frankly, he had never seemed like the kind of man who liked children. He lacked the tact and patience.

"But the way," Sasha said to her before returning to the team. "She seemed bored so I put on a video for her."

Payson furrowed her brow. "A video? What video?"

"One of your old competitions."

Payson's jaw dropped and she quickly bolted up the stairs to Sasha's office. When she opened the door she found her little girl sitting crossed legged and calm, eyes glued to the television. On the screen, a younger version of Payson was tumbling quickly across the balance beam.

"Whoa…" Ally said. She looked like a kid in a toy store.

Payson ran up and stood between her daughter and the TV.

"Hey!" Ally said when her mom shut off the tape. "I wanted to finish it!"

"Sorry, Ally that's not for you." She said, shoving the tape back in its case and returning it to Sasha's shelf. "If you want to watch something, I'll find another movie for you."

Ally sat back and sighed. Clearly, she wasn't interested in any other visual entertainment unless it involved her mother performing death-defying tricks.

Payson left her daughter again, shaking her head as she returned to practice. This was just what she needed right now – Sasha Belov indoctrinating her little girl with gymnastics propaganda.

The day ended quickly. Sasha applauded the National Team on their first successful practice. One by one the athletes filed out of the gym with their parents. Some looked more satisfied than others while some just looked sore.

"What do you think?" Sasha asked Payson.

"They have a lot of promise" she said with some girls in mind. "Which ones are at the Rock full time?"

"Just two." He said. Sasha motioned discretely toward one girl talking adamantly to her parents across the gym. "That's Jessica Rudolph – sixteen years old, strongest on bars and placed third at Nationals."

"Yeah, I noticed her today." Payson said, remembering her impressive routine.

"She and her parents moved here last year from Georgia so she could train at the Rock full time. She made the National Team easily, but she lacks the kind of focus and drive you had."

Payson was touched by the unexpected compliment. She cleared her throat. "Her parents seem…involved." She observed. The Rudolphs were talking with great animation, undoubtedly discussing her progress from that day. Payson could spot a stage parents from a mile away.

'Yeah…" Sasha said. The tone of this voice said it all.

"Where is the other?" Payson asked, looking around the gym. Sasha pointed toward the only girl still on the floor. She was doing cool down stretches with her headphones in. She was smaller than the other girls, possibly the youngest.

"That's Nina Hart." Sasha said. "She is the recipient of the private Kmetko Scholarship for gymnastics."

Payson smiled in surprise. "I had no idea Emily created a private scholarship…I always wondered what she did with all of that sponsorship money."

"The scholarship is for girls who show promise and financial need. It's designed to include girls who haven't had the traditional advantages that this sport usually requires." he explained. "Emily was careful when she set up the scholarship – it's completely separate form the National Committee's conditions and rules. About two years ago Emily handpicked Nina from a public school gymnastics meet an hour south of here. Emily comes in and checks on her from time to time."

"How old is she?" asked Payson curiously.

"Fourteen, almost fifteen."

Payson raised her eyebrows. Her interest started to grow in this girl. Earlier that day she saw her throw some rough moves on floor. They were powerful and impressive, but she lacked some of the professionalism and glitz that came naturally with years of private training.

"Excuse me," a parent caught Sasha's attention. The gym had almost emptied by now. "Mr. Belov, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Greg Donandson, Keera's father."

Sahsa shook the man's hand. "Yes, Mr. Donaldson I know who you are. I make it a point to know the parents of the national champion."

"Keera and her mother are already in the car. I was hoping to talk to you about some…concerns I have. Could we go somewhere privately?"

Sasha looked around at the now empty gym. "Is this not private enough?"

Mr. Donaldson eyed Payson uncomfortably. "No."

"Mr. Donaldson," Sasha said with a polite smile. "Whatever you can say to me, you can say in front of Ms. Keeler."

Payson had a sinking feeling in her stomach.

"If you insist…" Mr. Donaldson said with agitation. "I'll be honest with you. My wife and I are concerned about the National Team's decision to have Payson coach the girls. These are young, impressionable athletes. The last thing we need is a poor example confusing them when they should be focusing on their goals."

Sasha looked almost amused. "Sir, would you call an Olympic gold medalist a "poor example?" Because that is exactly what Payson is. I would've thought you wanted your daughter to be just as successful."

Mr. Donaldson paused. "It still doesn't change the fact that –"

"Payson," Sasha suddenly addressed her. "Do you plan on handing out condoms everyday after practice? Maybe encouraging the girls to have sex?"

"No sir." She said soundly, looking Mr. Donaldson in the eye.

"Then I don't see a problem, do you?"

This father was les than pleased with their reaction to his complaint, but Payson could tell he wasn't going to mention it again. Sasha had held his ground successfully.

Payson let out a huge sigh of relief when that man exited the Rock. "Thank you for that." She said to Sasha. 'That was really –"

"Necessary." Sasha said. "It was necessary. You are my assistant coach. The parents need to accept that and get over their American puritan tendencies."

A smile escaped Payson's lips. "I'm not your assistant coach, I'm the assistant coach." She corrected.

"Whatever." He shrugged.

Sasha grabbed his bag and started to leave too.

"Wait – one sec." Payson said. "Can I ask a favor?"

Sasha smiled. "Sure, why not?"

"Can you not show old gymnastics videos to my daughter?" she asked. "I don't want her to –"

"Ally has no idea who you are, does she?" Sasha asked incredulously.

"I was going to tell her eventually, Sasha. For now she knows I'm her mother and that's enough." Payson retorted.

Sasha stepped closer to her. "You can't stop her, you know."

Payson laughed. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Do I?" he asked, calling Payson's bluff. He pointed to something behind her.

Payson turned around and saw her five-year-old doing hand stands on the mats.

"Oh geeze." She said under her breath. Ally always had such perfect timing.

Sasha chuckled and left his assistant coach to wrangle in her over enthusiastic daughter.

"Remind me, Payson." He said, not helping himself. He called out to her from across the gym. "How old were you when you started swinging from the stair banisters?"

Payson Keeler scowled.