“Track Star Doesn’t Go to State Championships”
By Roger Adams
What most people have to say about the Spring Stone matter is, “It is a mystery.”
That's what Karen Bishops, wife of Phil Bishops, who is Stone's track coach, said of Spring Stone – a ninth grader that has dropped out of school to be tutored privately. Friends describe Stone as having unkempt dirty blond hair, and by a friend of hers, Milos Steven’s, “one-of-a-kind blue eyes.” Stone was one of the most respected students at Pemota High, being bred for the 1980 Olympic Games. Phil Bishops said, “Spring could definitely win a gold medal someday at the Olympics.”
Stone was known as a great student and “one of the nicest people in the school,” according to several sources. She received qualifying times for the State Championships prior to December. However, Bishops said, Spring’s times were not actually as good as was originally thought. When tested again for confirmation, she was found not to have qualified. Shortly thereafter, Stone's parents took her out of school. Stone's mother, Jocelyn Stone, had this to say: “We're doing the best we can with what we know. Spring is not feeling well about the recent turn of events and we are trying to make sure her talents don’t go to waste. She's under the tutelage of a wonderful woman we met.” A woman who is a friend of Spring’s family said she is tutoring Spring privately and that Spring is doing very well. Spring contacted this reporter and refused an interview. When Jocelyn was asked how Spring is doing, she said, “She's doing just fine.”
Friends of Stone's don't seem to be so sure. Ashley Fink, one of Stone's best friends, said, “Spring thought that her track coach was conspiring against her and her running times were wrong.” Milos Stevens said, “Spring was a nice girl but she ran into some trouble with her mind and I'm sure her parents are doing the best thing for her.” Regarding miscalculated running times, the evidence seems to exist. After all, last year Spring made the State Championships by a large margin. The discrepancy was explained by Milos Stevens as this: “She was suffering from psychotic delusions. Anyone's performance would reflect that.”
An alternate explanation seems to be percolating in the minds of Stone's friends. Ashley Fink said, “Spring was the smartest girl I've ever met and anything she says, I believe. I don't know what happened. But whatever Spring says is the truth. People aren't going to tell you what happened because they'd end up in as much trouble as Spring. Spring hasn't done anything wrong.” Nine students, all close friends of Stone's, have been raising a fund to hire a private investigator. They said unanimously, that Stone was not crazy. And they would not rest until they found out the truth. Stone's English teacher, Andrew Murray, said he didn't have much comment regarding the situation with Stone, but “wished her the best.”
At the end of last year, when Stone was in eighth grade, a student newspaper called The Pemota Voice, did an article on her because she was practicing for the State Championships. Stone was asked about her training practices, winning a medal, and her hopes for the future. “Once a week I eat whatever I want,” Stone said. “I like nacho's and sometimes ice cream. The rest of the time it's oatmeal and salmon. It's important to let yourself live a little. Otherwise you'll be so depressed you won't be able to compete,” Stone said. “Before my afternoon runs I feel a little tired. So I usually walk for a while and try to let the cold air hit me. That wakes me up.”
Phil Bishops, her track coach, told the Pemota Voice, that Stone could have gone to the State Championships with another set of tests but decided not to go to the Championships at the last minute. “Spring had a feeling that she was going to be injured or that something was going to go wrong. She decided that she just wanted to sit this one out.” When asked what she hoped for in ninth grade, Stone said she had high hopes for a great year, and was looking forward to spending ninth grade with her best friends.
That has not happened.
Christy looked back down at the gerbil as Rey finished reading the article. “So Spring,” Christy said. “What did happen?”
Casey was on the move again, and Christy began writing. Then Casey stopped and Christy read. “That's what you guys have to figure out. And since you drank Mountain Springs tonight, I'll be along for the ride. On Sunday, you’re going to meet Inez Castel at four o'clock across from the home from the turret. You may not understand everything Inez says. That’s okay. Don’t bother trying to get the truth from him. The boy is a liar for hire. Oh yeah, time to talk to Annette.”
Radelle called from downstairs. “Christy, Annette is on the phone for you.”
Christy looked at Rey, enjoying this immensely. “I’ll get the phone,” Christy said. “You put Casey back.”
Rey took Casey and ran down the hallway with him. Christy picked up the phone.
“Hey, Annette,” Christy said.
“Christy, girl. Don’t rush to pick up the phone or anything.”
“Sorry. Me and Rey were doing something.”
“Each other?”
“No,” Christy laughed. “What’s up?”
“Is Rey with you now?”
“No. But he told me about Brianna and Ms. Parker,” Christy said, trying to make Annette feel guilty.
It seemed Annette didn’t care. “Oh, well, I have to tell you something before he comes back. I’m on a mental health ward.”
Christy thought that she felt like she could use a rest on a mental health ward herself. “Did you try to kill yourself?”
“No. I just needed a break. My parents checked me in a couple hours ago. But I need you to get my homework from my teachers. Can you?”
“Sure. I would be happy to. What’s going on?”
“I’ll tell you at a later time. It’s no big deal.”
“Well, me and Rey might be able to help. We’ve been figuring out some things about what’s going on at Pemota High. There’s some girl named Spring Stone who has something to do with everything. Can we visit you?”
“Sure. I guess. Do you know where Holly Dawn Hospital is?”
“Yeah.”
“Let me give you my number. They only have a payphone here.” Annette did so.
They said, “good bye,” and Rey returned from Brianna’s room. He sat on the bed and raised his eyebrows, waiting for Christy to say something. She said, “Annette’s at a mental hospital.”
“Why?”
“She didn’t say. But we can visit her sometime this week. I have to get her homework.”
“I can get her assignments from Ms. Parker.”
“I don’t know what to tell her.”
“Well,” Rey said. “Maybe Inez will have some answers.”
Christy breathed in deeply and blew her bangs off her forehead. “God,” she said. “I hope so.”