“And that is what is so funny,” Tina said getting herself under control.

 “Well you all continue laughing away. I have a meeting at school and then as hitting the gym,” Dana said standing up. “I’ll see you all later.”

The other women called out there goodbyes and with one last look at Alice to reassure herself that she was safe and happy, Dana left the Planet.

**

“Fairbanks hang back a second,” Dana’s coach called out as everyone was gathering there things at the conclusion of the team meeting.

“Sure coach,” the athlete replied before turning to Harrison and telling him she’d catch up with him at the gym later.

A few minutes later, both Dana and her coach were seated in the latter’s office.

“I just wanted to check in with you Dana and see what you are thinking,” the coach began.

“About what?”

“Well you are half way through college. After this season, you have one more left on this armature level. I want to know what you are thinking about for after graduation,” he explained.

“Oh, well that’s easy: tennis. I’m going to continue on. I mean my plans haven’t changed. I know I’ll be ready to compete on a professional level. It’s what I’ve been training for practically all my life,” Dana replied somewhat defensively.  This was nothing new. It had been her plan when she started at UCLA and she never, to her knowledge, gave an indication that anything had changed; which made the athlete wonder where her coach was going with this conversation.

“I agree. I really think you can compete on that level Dana…”

“Why do I feel that there is a big but coming…”

“No ‘buts’, Dana.  Your head is where it should be, in training. That’s great. Now though, it is time to start thinking about getting a manager, figuring out if you only want to go solo or try doubles and if double who your partner is going to be.”

“Harrison is my doubles partner,” Dana said firmly.

“Harrison is good but I don’t think he is on the same level. This tournament coming up in Paris during Jan Term, I want you to think about letting me pair you with someone else,” the coach said. “This is a big tournament for not only the team but for YOU Dana. There are going to be potential sponsors there. You guys are going to be playing some of the best international amateurs in the game today. I think you’ll have a stronger performance with Sco …”