When he returns, he has a pink helmet in hand.
“May I?” he asks as I nod.
I push my glasses further up my nose, and he slides the helmet over my head and clips the strap gently under my chin.
“Feel free to fall now, can’t have you knocking that noggin.” He laughs and takes a seat next to me. “I’m Andri.”
He offers the same large blue hand that just held me up moments ago.
“Daphne,” I mutter, suddenly shy.
“And what brings you to my mountain?”
“Oh, do you like livehere?” I realize now the words that my brain refused to acknowledge earlier. Andri is a yeti.
“Um, yeah.” He cracks a smile. “But inside, if you’re implying that I dwell in some cave. I own the Hallow Hill Ski Resort.”
Daphne, you're so stupid, of course he doesn’t live in a cave.
“Oh shit, I’m sorry. I’ve never met a yeti before, I shouldn’t have assumed.” My words run together, flying out of my mouth at record speed.
“It’s not a big deal—there’s not that many of us around anymore, so it’s not like you would have had much exposure. Also, I’m not really a yeti, seeing as I’m not Himalayan. Abominable snowman is probably more geographically appropriate. I don’t care for that one much, though.” He doesn’t seem offended, at least.
“Oh god, there I go sticking my foot in my mouth again. I guess I should really ask what you want me to call you?”
“Human mouths can’t say the word correctly.” He stops and makes a deep growling noise that I’d never be able to replicate. “Snowman, even yeti if you want, but really, you can just call me Andri—it’s my pleasure to meet you, Daphne.”
“You too, thanks for the soft landing.” I blush. “I’m afraid I’m shit on these things.”
“You know—” Andri starts right as Gerald slides up, face red and fists balled at his sides.
“God, Daphne, can’t you handle the simplest of tasks?” He pulls me up to an unsteady standing position. “Quit wasting this”—he eyes Andri from toe to tip with slight confusion—“person’s time.”
Andri stands, puffing out his chest a bit.
“It’s really no issue, I don’t mind helping newbies.”
Gerald sighs and grabs my hand. “Even if they’re as helpless as this one? How on earth am I going to get you ready for Vail with the family?”
“Have you ever even been on skis, Daphne?” He ignores Gerald's criticism. “Because it’s a skill, it just has to be learned.”
“She’s probably unteachable, but we’ll try our best.”
That stings, and even though it’s not out of character for Gerald, in comparison to Andri’s compassion, it seems worse than before.
“You know what, I haven’t had a student in a while—maybe I can teach her?” Andri steps between Gerald and me. It feels like a protective move.
“How much?” my fiance asks, like money will ever be a concern of his. It makes me feel small that it seems there’s a monetary amount my learning is worth.
“No charge, this is my resort. I really just want everyone to have an enjoyable stay.”
Gerald straightens at Andri’s admission, like the fact that he owns the ski resort makes him of value now.
“We could probably make that work.” He shrugs off his super generous offer with the casual way he accepts that.
Then Andri turns to me.
“Only if you want to, Daphne,” he says softly.
