"You need to belong to a club to enter," the woman at the front desk informed Laurel flatly when she asked for the entry form.
"Paige does belong to a club," Laurel replied patiently.
"Not one here," the woman pointed out.
"If the competition is sanctioned by the USFSA, it is open to any USFSA member in good standing - Regardless of whether they belong to the sponsoring club it or not," Laurel told her.
The woman just stared blankly at Laurel.
"Okay," Laurel took a deep breath. "Do I need to get on the phone to USFSA Headquarters in Colorado Springs or are you going to give me an entry form?"
Without a word, the woman reached under the counter and brought up a form, which she thrust at Laurel. "Deadline is next week," she grunted.
As Laurel walked back towards the rink, she was intercepted by a woman she had noticed on several mornings, sitting in the bleachers watching the early morning skaters.
"Brooke Smithfield," the woman introduced herself. "And, I just want to you know that everyone here isn't as unfriendly as Maddy over there."
"I would like to think so," Laurel replied carefully. "Laurel Hotchner," she added.
"I think you might need these." Brooke rummaged around in the tote she was carrying, extracted a sheaf of papers, and offered them to Laurel.
"The entire entry packet," she explained. "It includes the forms for reserving practice ice time, as well as information on the preliminary competition schedule, the organizing committee, etc."
"Thank you," Laurel accepted the packet. "I'll make sure to read it through. Is there anything I need to look out for?"
"Other than Maddy, you mean?" the woman asked with a chuckle. "No. It's pretty well routine information. What club does your daughter belong to?"
"Year Round Ice in Schaumburg, Illinois," Laurel replied. "That's just outside Chicago. I assume your daughter belongs to the club here at the rink?"
"There are actually three clubs in this area," Brooke explained. "The club we belong to, Fairfax Valley Ice Skating Club, has this rink as its home rink. We are legacies."
"Legacies?" Laurel questioned.
"Our family has been members since the club was formed – Way back when it was at the old rink," Brooke told her. "Maddy and her daughter are also legacies; as are a number of the other skaters on the morning sessions."
"That does explain a lot," Laurel said thoughtfully. "Including the lack of friendliness on the part of the other mothers. They don't like 'outsiders'."
"Some people have a problem dealing with change," Brooke observed diplomatically. "And, it doesn't help any that you have a very talented daughter who is obviously getting ready to move up a level."
"They see her as competition to their own skaters," Laurel assumed.
"Including Maddy's daughter, who is currently at the Novice Level and not ready to move up any time soon," Brooke confirmed. She glanced at her watch. "Sorry to gossip and run," she apologized. "But the session is just about over and I need to get ready for a quick exit. Becky and I are due at the spa for our weekly session."
"Thanks for the conversation," Laurel responded. "Will I be seeing you again anytime soon?"
"Most likely," Brooke smiled. "Becky is busy getting ready for the competition. And, please, don't judge us all by the actions of a few."
"I'll keep that in mind," Laurel assured her. She then turned, walked back into the lobby, and thought for a minute before pulling out her cell phone and pushing a speed dial number.
"Joan?" she spoke into the phone. "What do you and your family have planned for six weeks from now? How would you like to recycle Jade's program from Milwaukee?"