“Yes, I would love to go to the party with you.”
“Sweet,” he says. Too late, I remember that I wasn’t going to give him any encouragement.
“Now I have a favor to ask you,” I say.
“Anything.”
“Show me what you can do on the terrain park.”
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely.”
I find a place at the bottom of the jumps to watch. It’s easy to be an appreciative audience. Michael wasn't lying when he said he was an expert. After he finishes the first run, he comes over to me.
“Okay. I’m impressed.”
“There’s one I haven’t done for a long time, a back flip.” He hesitates. “Maybe I shouldn’t try it.”
“Go ahead,” I urge.
“Okay.” He takes his skis off to hike back to the top. “But if I break my neck, you have to be my private nurse for the rest of my life. Oh, and watch for ski patrol. I don’t want to get banned from the mountain.”
While he’s hiking up, Tyler and Alex meet up with me. Alex is snowboarding pretty well for her first day. Maybe I should have let Michael teach me how to board.
“What are you doing sitting in the snow?” Tyler asks.
“I’m getting ready to watch Michael break his neck,” I answer.
“Cool.” Tyler and Alex sit down beside me.
Michael comes rocketing down the hill, building speed as he goes. He hits the biggest jump dead center. I have to force myself to watch and not close my eyes. He’s going to die, and it’ll be my fault.
He flips backwards almost too effortlessly. He hangs in the air for what seems like a long time, then lands perfectly.
I can’t help it. I jump to my feet, clapping and screaming as he skids to a stop next to me.
“That was so awesome!” Tyler slaps Michael on the shoulder.
Alex is falling all over herself to tell Michael how cool she thinks he is.
Matt’s voice comes over the radio. “Be quiet,” I say. “What was that, Matt?”
“I said, ski patrol is ready to kick us out. Mom and Dad and Kendra’s parents wanted to meet us for dinner at the lodge, so could you guys come take care of things up here, please?”
“That depends, Matt.” I smile into the radio. “What did Kendra say?”
“I said yes!” Kendra screams from the other end. Tyler and Michael cheer. Alex hugs Michael, then turns bright red when she realizes everyone is watching her.
Michael takes the radio. “We’ll be right up. C’mon, Jess, race you to the top.”
“Even you can’t do that.” I’m still smiling. It’s getting harder to dislike Michael.
eight
Letting it Slip
December 21, 2004
