Heartbeats During Hell Week
Rae entered the alumni charity challenge to win. Jo entered because the shelter needed a new roof. Being assigned the same team felt unfair to both of them. Rae remembered Jo as the woman who had beaten her in every debate. Jo remembered Rae leaving before anyone could congratulate her.
By the third day, their score was respectable and their conversation consisted entirely of corrections. Then a storm canceled the obstacle course and flooded the shelter's supply room. The organizers offered to postpone. Jo took off her team badge and began carrying boxes upstairs. Rae followed, still arguing that the heaviest cartons should go first.
They worked until midnight. Without a stopwatch, Rae discovered that Jo hummed when she was worried and never asked for help until her hands were shaking. Jo noticed that Rae checked every stair before letting anyone carry a load behind her. Their rivalry had made them attentive in ways neither had understood.
At the closing ceremony, they received no trophy. Their team had missed two scored events. The shelter director handed them a photograph of the dry supplies instead, and Rae placed it on the winners' table. Outside, Jo asked whether she wanted coffee after the challenge. Rae began planning a route, a time and a backup cafe. Jo touched her wrist. This one isn't timed. Rae laughed, then admitted she had been hoping the week would last longer. They walked to the nearest cafe without checking whether it was the best one.