Page 1 of Curves of Steel

Michelle

“We’re all ready for you, Ms. Sincero.” The producer shoos me toward my seat on the set ofRise ’n’ Shine, Colorado!He smiles warmly at me, but I don’t miss his use ofMs. — it’s not all that long ago that everyone called me Miss Sincero.

Well, not long for regular people.

But in the figure skating world, the five years since I retired from the ice are an eon. To them, I might as well be ninety-five, not twenty-five.

Especially after retiring due to an injury.

That’s why everyone thinks I retired, at least. And what I continue to let them think.

Because the truth? That’s much worse.

The press already rakes me over the coals for being older, heavier, and no longer on the ice. Imagine what they’d do if they knew why I really retired.

Taking my seat, I smooth the cream-colored dress with the ice-blue ribbon accent along the hem that wardrobe dressed me in. I can’t seem to escape these colors. White and blue were my signature colors on the ice, and they’ve followed me ever since.

At least I look nice in them, with my porcelain complexion, long, brown hair, and dark eyes to match.

I wonder when people will get tired of trying to force me back into the life I used to have — or if I’ll never be able to outrun the shadow of my skating career.

I give a little shudder at the thought. I’d love to be known for something more than the things I used to be good at.

But if I want that, maybe I need to stop agreeing to do interviews like this one.

“Michelle, hi!” comes a familiar cheerful voice. Gail, one of the co-hosts ofRise ’n’ Shine, Colorado!advances on me with arms outstretched. I hunch into an awkward imitation of standing to field her hug, then gratefully sink back into my chair.

“So glad you’re here,” she says, flashing her brilliant white smile as she takes the chair opposite me.

“Thank you for having me,” I return.

I jump as a hand claps onto my shoulder. I spin to see Allen, Gail’s other anchor half, grinning down at me.

“You made it!” he barks. “So glad. Going to be a great interview.”

I try to murmur something in agreement but am immediately cut off by the cry of a producer.

“And we’re live in five . . . four . . . three . . .”

He counts the last two beats silently, and then we’re on.

“Folks, we’ve got a special treat for you this morning,” Gail chirps at the camera.

“That’s right, Gail,” Allen says. “We’re here live with Michelle Sincero, former figure skating champion.”

I try — and fail — not to wince at the wordformer.

“I’m so glad to be here, Allen and Gail,” I say, beaming in the way I know I’m expected to. “What a treat.”

Allen leans in. “So tell us, what have you been up to since you skated into the history books of pairs figure skating five years ago?”

“I’m so glad you asked, Allen. As you may know, I’ve been back on the circuit judging pairs competitions.”

“Fantastic,” Gail says heartily as if she doesn’t know that judging is what a skater does when the sport has put her out to pasture.

“But I’m also thinking of branching out,” I continue. I’m excited to share this next bit. It’s breaking news — no other news outlet has scooped it yet. “I’m going to—“

“Hang on,” Allen says, sending me stuttering to a halt. “Michelle, we love you.”

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