Edie Darby stood frozen in the hallway outside the Lady Volunteers’ locker room, her mind racing. The familiar clatter of sneakers and echoing shouts from the court seemed distant, replaced by the thunderous pulse of her own heartbeat. She had made a mistake—one she couldn’t undo.
Coach Kim Caldwell had always been a pillar of discipline and integrity, a woman whose strict standards had guided the team to national prominence. When the doors to the locker room opened and Coach Caldwell stepped out, her stern face was a storm cloud, darker than Edie had ever seen it.
“Edie,” Coach Caldwell’s voice cut through the silence, low and deliberate. “My office. Now.”
Edie followed her, barely able to hold her composure. The weight of the situation pressed on her chest, making it hard to breathe. She tried to tell herself that maybe it wasn’t as bad as it seemed, that there had to be some explanation, but the truth clawed at her—there was no mistaking the scent or the small baggie hidden in her locker, clearly labeled with a name she knew all too well.
Inside the coach’s office, the door slammed shut behind them. Coach Caldwell’s gaze pinned her to the chair across the desk, her eyes cold, calculated. “Do you know why you’re here?” she asked.
Edie swallowed hard, her throat dry, and nodded. “Yes, Coach.”
“Then tell me,” Caldwell’s voice was sharp now, the disappointment unmistakable.
Edie felt a wave of shame flood over her, but she didn’t look away. “It’s marijuana, Coach. I made a terrible decision.”
The coach’s face remained impassive for a long moment before she spoke again, her voice thick with control. “You think I don’t know what’s going on? You think I didn’t see the signs? The way you’ve been distracted in practice, the drop in your performance? You thought I wouldn’t figure it out?”
Edie’s hands clenched into fists on her lap. “I didn’t think, Coach. I—”
“You didn’t think?” Coach Caldwell’s voice rose slightly, betraying a crack in her otherwise steely composure. “You’ve been one of the most talented players I’ve had on this team. We’ve been to the championship because of your hard work, your focus, and your commitment. And now this? You jeopardized everything. Your career, the team, my trust.”
The words hit Edie like blows. She knew Coach Caldwell had every right to be furious. It wasn’t just the marijuana; it was everything she had betrayed. The promise she had made to herself when she first joined the team—to prove she was capable, disciplined, worthy. Instead, she had let it slip away, one foolish choice at a time.
“I never wanted to hurt the team,” Edie whispered. “I didn’t mean for any of this to happen.”
Coach Caldwell exhaled sharply, rubbing her temples as if trying to regain her composure. She stood up, pacing behind her desk. “I’ve heard excuses from players who’ve been caught before, but you… you’ve always been different. I thought you understood the responsibility that comes with being a part of this program.”
Edie’s breath hitched, and she fought back tears. “I do, Coach. I messed up. But I swear, I’ll make it right. I’ll do whatever it takes.”
Coach Caldwell stopped pacing, her back to Edie. The silence between them seemed infinite, stretching painfully. Then, slowly, she turned around and faced the young athlete. Her eyes softened just a fraction.
“You’re suspended for the next two games,” Caldwell said, her voice low but resolute. “Consider this a wake-up call, Edie. You’ve got talent, but talent isn’t enough. You have to prove to me—and to yourself—that you can be the player I know you can be. You want to fix this? Then do the work. No shortcuts. No excuses.”
Edie nodded, her heart heavy with regret but also with the smallest spark of determination. She had a long road ahead, but if there was one thing she knew, it was that she wasn’t going to let this be the end of her story. She would find a way back—no matter the cost.