Bad news from the sports world. The school board must trim the budget so the no-cut cross country track program is in danger of, well, being cut. It’s both ironic and tragic. Sue wants her mom to attend a marathon school board meeting to discuss the cutbacks. Frankie agrees because she feels responsible for the cross country program being in jeopardy. Apparently, she prayed for it to go away. Oops.

There’s a lot of bickering at the Orson Junior High board meeting. Only Frankie Heck is the voice of reason when she suggests they put aside their personal interests long enough to focus on what’s best for the school. And what’s best for the school is not cutting cross country!

The crowd goes ballistic but everyone settles down once Sue steps up to the microphone to plead her cross country case. She says, “Don’t any of you remember how horrible junior high can be if you don’t have something? The panic that hits you in the lunchroom when no one will sit with you even if you pretend to have an English accent to seem more interesting!” Sue’s heartfelt speech brings a smile to Frankie’s face that disappears the moment the board votes to drop cross country.