“Well,thatwas Knox,” Kate says superfluously. “You should steer clear of him even more than Wyatt’s parties.”
“What do you mean?” I ask, my fingers gripping the large coffee cup. “What’s up with him?”
Kate looks to the door where just a few seconds ago he disappeared. “The question, my dear, is what’snotup with him. Women, scandals, stress… Knox takes it all. He’s a good guy, but…” Shesighs. “Snowboarding doesn’t seem to be helping him find the right path.”
For a while we’re both silent, while in my head the image of his piercing green eyes continues to whirr. Eventually I sigh, too, and dig my wallet out of my jute bag. “Thank you for your wonderful pancakes. What do I owe you?”
Kate shakes her head. “Put your money away, dear. Today breakfast’s on me.” She smiles. “Welcome to Aspen.”
2
When Eyes Meet
Paisley
It smells like wood. That’s the first thing that crosses my mind when I open the door to Ruth’s B&B.
And, indeed, the walls of the little house are completely paneled in wood. There’s a fire crackling next to a sitting area with chintz chairs and a brown leather sofa. In one of the chairs sits a woman with graying hair, knitting. She looks up as I come in and scatter the snow I’ve brought with me across the thick carpet.
“You look completely frozen,” she says. “Frozen and skinny.”
“Umm…” Are all the people in Aspen this direct? “I’d like a room if you have any. Just for a few days!” I add quickly when deep furrows break across the woman’s brow. “I mean, I hope. It…It could turn into more.”
“Girl, what are you doing to me?” She slowly gets to her feet, but not without heaving a deep sigh. “Don’t you know it’s high season?”
“High season?”
The woman steps behind the counter to leaf through her reservation book. “It’s winter. Aspen’s ski resorts have been booked out for months. And now all the world’s in town to see our Knox atthe regional championships.” She raises her eyes and looks at me. “You’re not another one of them, are you?”
“One of them?”
“His groupies.”
“Oh. No.” With a vindicating smile I lift my skates. “iSkate Aspen wants me. I don’t have anywhere to stay yet.”And I’ve got enough savings for one month, tops. “I don’t need a lot of room. Just a bed. Or… I mean, I’d be happy to sleep on a couch. Doesn’t matter. The main thing is that I…”
“Good God, no.” With her head she points at the sitting area. “That thing sinks deeper than a capsized ship. You wanna destroy your back?”
“I…”
“Let’s have a look,” she mutters, leafs through another page, and runs her finger down the list of reservations. My shoulders sink with every deepening wrinkle on her forehead. “Nope, not a chance.”
I feel a lump in my throat. My fingers hurt from digging them into the leather of my skates. I ease up. “Okay, well…not a big deal. Could you, however, tell me where the next B&B is, maybe?”
A sympathetic expression appears on her face. “Everything’s going to be booked.”
A feeling of panic begins to spread throughout my body. Panic mixed with hopelessness. I mean, what am I supposed to do? A sense of futility takes my breath away.
It’s my life. Over and over it’s my life that puts me into these situations. Normal people just don’t hit the road like me. Normal people plan and are prepared, have more things with them, more than just a few pieces of clothing, sanitary products, and ice skates.
Normal people aren’t as confused as me. Haven’t had as shitty a life as me.
“It’ll be okay,” I stammer. My voice seems thin. “Maybe I’ll find something outside of town.”
The woman frowns. Her lips form a thin line. “Give me aminute, okay? You can wait by the fire. There’s some chocolate in the dish on the table.”
The floorboards under the carpet groan as she makes her way to the end of the counter and disappears behind a door. A heavy silence comes over me, giving my thoughts too much space.
I wish she hadn’t gone. I wish she’d just continued talking with me. Then I wouldn’t have to confront my fear of where to go. Where I’m supposed to sleep tonight.
