Five hours later, I wanted to shout, “My life isn’t passing me by!” but the truth was, even if it wasn’t passing me by, I was too busy to enjoy it. I raced from campus to work and then from work, home. Rushed to change, promised I’d eat after, and ran across the yard to the dojo. Of course, class had already started.I released a long-held breath as I bowed onto the deck, and every eye turned toward me. Nothing like living under a microscope.“Nice for you to join us, Miss Ricci,” my father announced from in front of the class. He didn’t meet my gaze.“Sorry I’m late, sensei. Permission to join the class.”“Fifty push-ups.”I dropped and pumped out fifty, then hurried to my place. The class stood at attention. Announcements would be read as to how our class had performed at the competition. There would be no end to the ribbing I would take for two second-place medals.After all the names and places were read, I realized he wasn’t going to read my scores, and I knew it wasn’t an oversight on his part.
