There came a softball season that I did not get moved up to the next team. To add insult to injury (or was it the insult and the injury?), the girls I considered athletic peers (or maybe I even thought I was a little better than them) were moved up. 

I know my parents didn’t talk to the coach, and I don’t think I did either. Maybe I did. But I did pout a lot. I remember that part for sure—and I guess it worked! I got moved up! Almost immediately! I never played a game on the lower team that season. 

I got to wear the jersey and have the patch on my letterman’s jacket. I played in games. I rode the bus I wanted to ride. I was happy.

Did the coach make the right choice? 
Did I? 

Hard to know.