#jennytrevalyn

[cathy-tea]

Shift 45: On the Town

Shift 45: On the Town

Deon called me up and asked if I wanted to meet him at the lounge. It was Saturday, end of track season, and just a few weeks before the end of school. He invited some of our friends, too–Clara Bjergsen and Adriene. It was a type of celebration.

They serve food, so I was allowed in, even if I am a minor. I smiled, remembering when Deon showed me that place that served free tapas all those long…

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[cathy-tea]

Shift 44: Flea Market

Shift 44: Flea Market

During winter break, Britney took me to look at flats in San Myshuno. It felt like spring, and we didn’t even need jackets.

Through the yoga community that runs YOTO, some people open up their homes to YOTO grads when they go to college. That’s how we came to find out about the flats.

I liked the apartments. They all sort of looked the same after a while. Couples lived in some, and young…

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[cathy-tea]

Shift 43: Keeping On

Shift 43: Keeping On

I went back to school. I picked up training again. Sometimes, I felt better, but often I didn’t.

Aadhya said grief isn’t over just like that. You don’t just have a good cry and move on. It lingers.

I told her they’d all died a long time ago, even Scott, though I just found out about it. She said it didn’t matter. Grief’s a process, not a moment.

“And sometimes, it’s not even a process,” she…

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[cathy-tea]

Shift 41: Rebuild

During the first week of senior year, the coach from University of San Myshuno called me.

“J.D.,” she said, “I hear you’ve been ill. Mono is no laughing matter. But I also hear that your doctor has given you the go-ahead to return to training. But here’s the deal: We’re providing your trainer.”

I didn’t really want it going around that my illness had been mononucleosis. I already got grief from…

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[cathy-tea]

Shift 40: Diner

At the end of summer, when Deon came to pick me up to drive me back to YOTO, I asked him if we could stop and eat at the diner on our way home.

“You know, like a tradition,” I said.

“Sure,” he replied. “You and me, we’re getting a lot of traditions.”

When we sat down, he looked at me hard.

“You sure you’re OK?” he asked.

“Fine!” I replied. “Never better!” Of course I didn’t fool him.

I told him…

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[cathy-tea]

Shift 39: Akhilandeshvari

Turns out, it wasn’t some weird spiritual experience. It was the onset of illness. I got really, really sick.

I slept all the time. I didn’t feel like eating and I could barely get myself to drink water. I felt like my body was shutting down. I wasn’t really in pain, and I wasn’t even really all that uncomfortable. It was a weirdly pleasant sensation, like rising up through flames and floating…

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[cathy-tea]

Shift 38: Summer

When summer came, Deon drove me up to the mountains again. He told knock-knock jokes the whole drive. Usually, his laughter’s contagious, and even if I don’t find his jokes funny, I find him funny. But maybe it was the long drive. I just wasn’t feeling it. I felt a little off and worn out, actually.

Deon stuck around for the weekend. He introduced me to the new ranger, who’s graduated with an…

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[cathy-tea]

Shift 37: Verbal

People still call me Jazz. I like it. I introduce myself as “J.D.” It sounds cool: Jay-dee. Nobody calls me Jenny, but that’s how I’m listed in the track and field team roster.

Name: Jenny Trevalyn | Event: Women’s Mile | Class: Jr.

I’m training all the time, every free moment, except when I’m studying, sleeping, or eating.

Donnie’s been training a lot, too. Early in the semester, he said we’ve…

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