Page 169 of On Merit Alone
There was a vigorous clap around the room. If the rest of the world felt like these people supposedly did, we wouldn’t have any problems. I knew there was a long way to go for anything like that, though.
Beside me, Merit clapped too, nodding happily at my speech like an encouraging cheerleader. Her smile made me want to pinch her cheeks. Or drag my mouth over it. Either worked for me.
I cleared my throat. “In the spirit of giving, I’d like to add that the mission of the Help How You Want Foundation has ignited us to give back. It was the way in which some of our own Denver women stood their ground and fought for their right to play against us men that inspired our initiative. And it’s also the proximity to another worthy cause that led us to our other donation. In addition to our choice tonight, our team has decided to personally donate to a local organization and its sister location across the country called Foster Wellness Recreation Group.”
I heard a small gasp near my shoulder. I was sure I was the only one to hear it as a curious murmur ran throughout the room. On stage, the MC said, “That’s incredibly generous. Can you tell us what the mission of the organization is?”
Taking a long glance at Merit, her eyes a little misty as she looked at me with astonishment, I started to decline answering. Only I was stopped short.
“It’s a foundation geared toward giving children in foster careand home displacement situations opportunities to play sports, among other extracurricular activities. Just like the girls with no sports teams, some foster children and families don’t have money for uniforms or dues or to travel to competitions, which leaves little to no opportunity to participate at all. FWRG takes donations and they have a great sponsorship program where you can sponsor individual kids. I sponsor several both here and in the only other sister location at this time. Virginia.”
Merit spoke easily to the room but clutched my hand in a grip so hard I was afraid she might pop a finger or two. I smoothed my thumb over the top of her hand to soothe her. I was proud of her for speaking up; because this wasn’t something she should keep inside.
“It must be a great program if you all decided to donate personally.”
“It is.” She nodded. “Selfishly, I can vouch for the Denver program because it’s one that I founded. And personally, I can promise the Virginia program changes lives… because it changed mine.”
A murmur rose throughout the room. You could see the surprised looks of some of the people who were closest to her on a day-to-day basis. She’d kept this so close to her heart for so long that the possibility of it even shocked those around her.
“Six,” I murmured in warning. Just a couple weeks ago she was still choking up while talking about her favorite man in the world, her grandfather. I didn’t think she could get through this without crying.
But she ignored me, and like I predicted, her voice wavered as she continued, “I was fostered when I was fourteen. Orphaned. And on top of life as I knew it being over, I thought I might lose basketball too. The one thing my family left when they passed. This game.”
I slid my hand along her back, realizing it was useless to try to stop her now. She was changing right now, right in front of everyone.Because even as she wobbled her words, she was still speaking them. With strength and purpose. I don’t know if it was because it could benefit the cause or because she was just coming to her own terms with things, but she was suddenly much better at speaking about the things that had devastated her. And she was no longer speaking like they’dendedher.
So I'd support her.
Mer continued on in a wobbly voice. “And then one day, a school counselor told me about the FWRG. They sponsored me until I went to college. If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Not because they paid for me to play basketball but because they gave me a connection back to my late family during some of the darkest parts of my life. I'm forever grateful.”
“Wow, Merit. I think it’s safe to say no one knew or expected that. You’re incredibly strong and your story is inspiring,” MC guy said. Across the room, I could see Rob Manzinni sneering. What a tool. “Were you the one who informed the group about the program?”
“No,” she said, her voice low and wistful as she looked at me. I looked back, skating my eyes around her face to check her over. She let out a watery laugh before she was suddenly blotting her eyes. “Dammit, I'm going to kill this guy for making me cry in front of you all.”
A soft chuckle rose and fell, and Mer took a breath before trying again. “No. I had no idea they even knew about FWRG. But I’m glad they brought it up here. Everyone here seems genuinely dedicated to helping those in need. So if ever you want to help a child find a place after being displaced, come see me.”
Stronger this time, the room clapped and I had the distinct feeling that they weren’t clapping for the event or the night, but the girl by my side. All of them were recognizing the strength in her I’d always seen.
She deserved it. I clapped, too.
She didn’t care about it, hardly even acknowledging everyone applauding her. She just turned her head to look at me quietly, a strange expression settling on her face.
“Alright! It’s safe to say we all know who we’re rooting for tomorrow. And I think that wraps us up—Oh, wait. Last question! What does your team name mean? The NAs is not a very conventional name. We’re all curious.”
Mer looked at me expectantly, and I was happy to take it away for the night. She’d already done good enough. “It stands for the Not?—”
Hold on.
I couldnotsay our dumbass name up here. The “Not Asshats”was not an appropriate team name. Not for any situation, let alonethisone.
I clamped my mouth shut, immediately shooting a look of dread beside me. It was met with the evil glint I'm sure she hadn’t picked up until she started hanging around the guys and my sister. Oh, the assholes.
Leaning down to the mic, Merit said, “It stands for Non-Application Aid. We believe you shouldn’t need to pass a test to get help.”
I shot her a sharp look as she smiled triumphantly out at our team, who were all snickering into their drinks at the table.Assholes. But as she turned to move off the stage, I didn’t follow. She noticed right away that I wasn’t in step with her and looked over her shoulder to find me.
Leaning down, I murmured close to her ear, “I’ll be down in a second. Go find Iris and hold the baby.”
The look she gave me was both confused and suspicious. It was also the one she gave when she was going to argue. I gave her a harder look. “Go on, Six.”
