6. Betsy

Betsy

T his was easily the most mortifying thing that had ever happened to me. And that included the time I wore white shorts in seventh grade and unexpectedly got my period.

I didn't know the girl assigned to be my roommate. We'd met for the first time when we started practicing for the national team trying to qualify for the Games. She was a good volleyball player – of course, we all were – but she'd seemed nice enough. She wore a cross underneath her uniform shirt, something I'd noticed but not thought too much about until today when the first thing she unpacked from her suitcase was a framed picture of Jesus, head bleeding from the crown of thorns.

I'd stared at it in confusion, wondering why she'd brought that particular picture to Paris, and then Eve told me that her fiancé had given it to her for this trip.

"It's his way of making sure that Jesus looks over me during the games," she explained.

"I don't think Jesus cares too much about volleyball," I'd said lightly.

She'd taken immediate offense, but I thought that would be it until she asked if I had a husband or fiancé at home. I said no, then she'd asked the question that started the firestorm: "Do you have a boyfriend then?"

Without thinking, I'd responded, "No, I'm a lesbian, but I'm single right now."

Next thing I knew, she'd gone screeching down the hall looking for the coaches who were still helping people get settled into their rooms.

"I hear you're one of them lesbians too, Kelly. Why don't you room with her?"

My irritation with Eve increased at her outing of Kelly. My nemesis turned to look at me, her eyes conflicted, but whatever she saw on my face made her straighten her spine and give Eve a glare that could melt metal.

"I'll be glad to room with her, Eve. Better me than a homophobic bitch."

Eve gasped in outrage at the insult.

Kelly turned to Claudia.

"Do you mind rooming with Eve? I hate to ask because, well you can see what a terrible person she is, but Betsy doesn't need to be the victim of a hate crime every time she turns over in bed."

Claudia looked less than thrilled at the change but agreed to take one for the team and share with Eve.

"Don't think you're off the hook for your behavior," Coach Roberts told Eve sternly.

She looked around the assembled group, meeting people's eyes one by one.

"I want to be clear. On this team, we do not tolerate homophobia, racism, or any other form of prejudice. You can all consider this your final warning. If I hear even a whiff of this kind of behavior again, the offending party will be sent home. Understand?"

Everyone provided confirmation, then the coach turned back to Eve. "Move your shit into Claudia's room and then report to the gym across the road. Maybe running some sprints will help you learn some tolerance."

Eve opened her mouth to argue, then obviously thought better of it. "Yes Coach. I'll be there in ten."

My soon-to-be ex-roommate pushed past me, as if she was afraid my gayness would rub off on her, zipped up her duffle bag, hugged the framed Jesus to her chest, and rushed into the room next door. Two minutes later, Kelly walked out of that room, carrying her own bag.

"Betsy, I'm sorry that happened," Coach Roberts said. "I won't ask if you're okay, but please let me know if there's any more inappropriate behavior from Eve or anyone else." She shook her head. "To act that way in this day and age…"

She turned her gaze to Kelly. "You let me know if anyone bugs you either."

"Honestly Coach, other than Eve, I've either played with or against all of these girls," Kelly said. "They're all cool. I doubt there will be any other problems."

"Good. Okay, I'll see you both tomorrow morning for practice."

Kelly walked into the room, taking a quick look around before dropping her bag on the empty bed. Like all the beds in athlete's housing, it was twin sized, made out of a thick cardboard frame and a thin pad that passed as a mattress. The beds each had one sorry looking pillow, and a cute comforter emblazoned with the logo of the International Games and "Paris 2024".

Next to each bed was a table with a drawer on the top and a shelf on the bottom, and a kind of rack near the foot of the bed that had a small rod for hangers and several wire shelves for belongings. With the gray concrete walls and unadorned floors, the room wasn't much to look at, especially given that if we went all the way to the finals we'd be here for a while. At least we had a good sized window to let in air and light, because the room was kind of stuffy.

We were both quiet for a couple of minutes while we unpacked. Kelly finished before me, and I was a bit surprised by how little she'd brought. I assumed she would be one of those girls who traveled with four suitcases crammed with stuff, especially for a trip that was likely to last two weeks.

"Thank you," I finally said.

Kelly spun around.

"There's nothing to thank me for. Frankly, any other girl on the team would have done the same thing but since we were both outed like that, it was probably simpler for us to room together." She paused. "Not that I hide my sexual orientation, but I also don't tend to bring it up in non-personal settings."

"Totally get that," I said. "I guess it's a good thing I mentioned being a lesbian before Eve got settled in and, God forbid, changed her clothes in front of me."

"There's nothing good to see there," Kelly said in a serious tone. "She's skin and bones, no boobs, no ass. I'm pretty sure she has an eating disorder."

"How do you know?" I asked curiously.

I knew that eating disorders were rampant in women's sports – and likely men's too – but fortunately I was one of those people who didn't have to worry too much about food. I ate for fuel, and sometimes for pleasure, and that all worked out for me just fine. I knew I was lucky though.

"Because I'm in recovery from an eating disorder," Kelly said in a matter-of-fact tone. "I recognize the signs."

I studied Kelly, noting that she was quite attractive. She was thin but muscular, with small but perky breasts and slightly rounded hips. Somehow, even after a long plane ride, her blonde hair was in a perfect ponytail, and her blue eyes looked bright. I felt a stirring of desire, which I quickly pushed away.

"Would I sound like an asshole if I suggested that we head down to the cafeteria after you told me that?" I asked. "I slept through the meal service and by the time I woke up, all they'd give me was a package of nuts. I'm freaking starving."

"You didn't miss much. The meal sucked. I couldn't eat it." Kelly's eyes met mine. "Thanks for not making it weird, what I told you."

I shrugged. "We're teammates, we should have each other's backs."

"Does that mean we're going to be friends now?" she asked in a teasing voice.

"God no, I'm not that desperate," she laughed. "Grab your stuff, let's get some food."