Flushed with glory, Jenny settles to watch the boys’ final. She can’t bring herself to sit. Josh is also a finalist, and she’s looking forward to it, as she is sure he will win his match also.
Josh’s opponent is tall, heavily-built and fast, and Jenny watches in fascination as the two test each other. They are well-matched, almost even in abilities, but as she watches, analysing as she spectates, Josh has the edge.
“I’m sure he’ll win,” she says.
When Chad doesn’t reply, she turns to see him, all but mesmerised as he watches the fight.
And after a while, she realises he is watching Josh.
*****
“The match to Joshua Henderson!”
Breathing heavily, Josh leans forward, resting gloved hands on thighs slicked with sweat. Triumphant, as he straightens up, he swipes glossy black waves of hair back from his face.
Briefly his eyes meet Jenny's and he grins, mouthing congratulations to her, in the manner of one professional meeting another.
A girl comes running up to him, throwing her arms around his neck with a squeal. “You won! You won!”
Chad's face falls.
“What's wrong?” asks Jenny.
Colour rises up his face. “Nothing,” he mutters, but he won't meet her eye.
A shadow falls across the pair: Mr Kalkowski. “I believe congratulations are in order, Jenny. Regional boxing champion. A first for our school.”
She is flushed with excitement and with victory. “I can't believe I won!”
“I am sure you will have many more victories, young Jennifer.”
*****
Six Years Ago
Mrs Collier watches the girl sitting in her favourite chair, cosy by the fire in chilly weather. “What are you reading now, Jenny? I've never known anyone read as many books as you.”
Emerald-eyed, Jenny smiles. “It's a prospectus for the university science department.”
Mrs Collier pauses in her washing, frowning. “A prospectus? You mean you want to go to university?
“Yes, Mr Kalkowski says he thinks I should, and the more I read about it, the more I think I'd like to do it.”
Mrs Collier wipes sudsy hands on a towel. “But you're supposed to be marrying Chad. You’ll be his wife. How can you do that and go to university? And when the children come, how would you take care of them with your nose stuck in a book all day?”
Jenny has no answer. Her eyes mist over and she looks away.
*****
Later that day, things don’t get any better. Over the evening meal, Brett, blank-faced, says, “Eleanor tells me you’re thinking of leaving us.”
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