* * *
“Nope,I changed my mind. I don’t want to do it. Can I ride that thing back down?” Mackenzie states falling to her side with her skis still connected to her legs and pointing at the chairlift.
I click my skis off and sit down next to her. “This list is about getting you to try new things,right?”
“Yes, but I very purposely left flying down a freezing mountainoff.”
I laugh out loud, loving her pouty lips and protesting spirit. “Okay, I’ll make you a deal. I’ll let you quit if you let me put you between my legs and ride slowly down the mountain with me. Then you can go inside to enjoy an Irish Coffee and warmup.”
She glances in the direction of the down slope then back at me and bites her lip. The way her nose is bright red along with her cheeks make me smile. She’s been a trooper so far, getting dressed and checking out her gear, so I only have this one lasthurtle.
She slumps slightly. “Fine. But please goslow.”
I kiss her cold lips. “Deal. Let me help youup.”
Once she’s standing, I position my skis around the back of her and straddle them on either side of hers. I take her poles in my hands and hold them in front of us so she has a straight line to hold onto.
“I’m going to turn ever so slightly toward the bottom of the hill and our skis will slowly start to take us. I will move us in big sweeping turns so we go as slow as possible. Are youready?”
She doesn’t respond but shakes her head and tightens her grip on the poles. I’m saddened by her fear but also overjoyed that she’s putting so much trust inme.
Mackenzie is almost a foot shorter than me so I’m able to see over her while I maneuver our first turn. Her hold on me loosens once we get going so I pick up our pace just a little, increasing it with every turn until we’re going at a goodspeed.
“Oh my god!” Mackenzie yells and I can tell it’s more out of fun rather than fear. “We’re reallyskiing.”
I laugh. “You are baby. Now watchthis.”
I pick up our pace more and do tighter turns. Her squeal of joy is my perfect reward and pride fills my heart. Skiing is my escape, my favorite sport and being able to share this with her checks off every box on mylist.
We make it to the bottom of the hill and I release the poles so I can ski to the front ofher.
“That was amazing!” she yells, slightly jumping in excitement and I have to reach out to steady her before she falls. Her arms wrap around my neck. “Thank you so much for making me dothat.”
“I told you you’d love it. Want to goagain?”
“You’ll ski with me just likethat?”
“You know I’d do anything you want me to do. Let’s go.” I hand her the poles so she can push her way back to the lift, making this the best ski day I’ve everhad.
22
Dear Diary,
Things are going so well,my heart aches. I made that silly list, but I never thought I would find love, especially a love like this. Everything on that list means nothing compared to what I share with him. Am I selfish to want more? Is it awful to want the world, wrapped up with a pretty redbow?
Mackenzie
Connor
I’m doingwhat I never thought I would. I’m calling my mom and my sister on a three-way call to talk about my love life. I can’t help my laugh when I think how I got to thisplace.
“Are you there?” Mom asks, obviously confused about how this is supposed towork.
“Yes, Mom, I’m here,” my sisterreplies.
“Me too. Thanks for setting this up, Trace,” I say, rubbing my face, nervous as hell over what I’m about tosay.
“What’s up? Why do you need to talk to Mom and me at the same time?” Tracyasks.
