Free Dive Right In by Matt Christopher Page B

you know what? I’ve learned how to concentrate until my fear sort of fades away.
     It doesn’t disappear, but it shrinks, and then I can handle it.”
    Valerie nodded. “And
I’ve
learned that when I find myself facing tougher competition than I was used to, it revs me up. When the bar is raised, I’ll
     do whatever it takes to get over it.”
    Traci frowned. “What happens if we don’t make it to the top?”
    “I don’t know,” admitted Valerie. “I guess I’ll be disappointed. But as long as I know that I gave it all I could, I won’t
     be destroyed, you know what I mean?”
    “Yeah,” Traci said. “I do. The same thing goes for me, I think.”
    A few days later, Traci was working on a dive that she was considering for the exhibition: a two-and-a-half somersault inward
     dive in a pike position. Shethought that if she could nail this one it would be a big help in her final score. On the other hand, if she messed it up,
     it could be a disaster. She decided she’d have to try several more until she was confident she could do it well. If not, then
     she’d use the—
    “Traci?”
    Startled, Traci turned to find her mother standing there, looking very upset.
    “Mom? What’s the matter?” Traci knew just from Mrs. Winchell’s expression that something was very wrong.
    Traci’s mother took a deep breath to calm herself before speaking. “It’s your brother. Pete’s been in an accident.”
    Traci stared at Mrs. Winchell. “Is he all right? What happened?”
    “His bike was hit by a car. He’s been taken to the emergency room at County Medical. Your dad is there with him, and we’ll
     meet him there.”
    Traci rushed to her mother and the two hugged, forgetting completely that Traci was wearing a wet swimsuit. “How is he doing?
     What did you hear?”
    Mrs. Winchell stood back and shook her head.“He’s unconscious, and they’re still running tests. That’s all we know for now, honey. Get dried off, and I’ll wait for you
     here.”
    Traci noticed Margo heading their way with a questioning look on her face. Quickly she explained what had happened to Pete.
     “I have to go to the hospital with my mother.”
    “Of course you must,” Margo said, looking worried. “I’ll wait here with your mother while you get dressed.”
    Traci hurried into the locker room and changed into street clothes. It seemed to take forever, but she finished as quickly
     as she could and ran to join her mother. There was little talk between them as they drove to the hospital.
    “Pete
was
wearing his helmet, wasn’t he?” Traci asked.
    “He always wears it,” said Mrs. Winchell. “I’m sure he was.”
    When they walked quickly into the ER waiting room, Mr. Winchell stood up and hugged Traci. He looked pale and shaken. Before
     Traci could ask, he spoke.
    “He’s still unconscious. The doctor says that theremay be nerve damage, but it’s impossible say how severe it is, or even if there is any at all. And there’s still no way of
     knowing how full a recovery he’ll make. But there’s a very good chance he’ll be fine. They did some kind of reflex test and
     the results were encouraging, they say.”
    The three Winchells sat down to wait. Around them, other people came and went. Babies howled, people walked or limped in and
     walked out with bandaged arms. Across the room, Traci saw a young couple talking quietly to each other, looking as if they,
     too, were waiting for news about a loved one. A television set was on in the corner of the waiting room, but nobody seemed
     to be watching it.
    Traci picked up a magazine and put it down again without opening it. A doctor in a blue surgical gown came through a door,
     went over to the young couple, and spoke to them. The young woman gasped, and the young man hugged her tightly. Had they gotten
     bad news? There was no way to tell. The doctor left and the couple sat down again.
    “I think he’ll be fine,” said Mr. Winchell after what seemed like an endless