I bet her thighs aren’t even burning. She’s just trying to make me feel better. As for a story? I motion for her to go ahead of me. The first story that comes to mind isJack and the Beanstalk. “Once upon a time ...”
She puffs a laughs. “Not a fairy tale. A personal story.”
Well then. That changes things. My life is definitely no fairy tale. But how much am I willing to reveal?
“Tell me about learning to fly.”
That’s a good one. Where to begin? “I grew up on an orchard.”
“How beautiful.” She shoots me a smile over her shoulder. “The closest trees to my childhood townhouse in San Francisco were the ones painted on a mural across the street.”
“That’s beautiful in its own way, and it’s one of the reasons I love to fly. I get to see all different kinds of beauty.” I shrug not because I take our job lightly but because it’s too profound for words. I’m forever grateful. “My world was beautiful, but also a lot of work. As a kid, what fascinated me the most were the crop dusters. I did a school project on them, and it wasmy science teacher who encouraged me to pursue aviation. If not for her, I might still be an apple farmer.”
Another grin. “I’m picturing you in overalls.”
“The only overalls I’ve ever worn are blue-and-green plaid with a Seahawks logo.” I don’t mention that Joey wore a matching pair, but for the first time, I can remember that game fondly. I’m not missing time with my former fiancée, because I’m enjoying my time right now.
“That’s not any better,” Claire teases, and it takes a moment to remind myself that she’s talking about overalls and not dating. Because this isn’t a date.
Back to the subject. “I never wore overalls for farming because I got my pilot’s license at sixteen and my instructor’s license at eighteen. I was too busy spraying crops, giving tours, and teaching others to fly.”
“Wow.” She sobers. “How great to know exactly what you wanted to do as a kid, then to actually get to do it.”
I can tell by the dip in her tone that she’s thinking of her dance career. Of her perceived failures as a flight attendant. Of her unknown future.
“Well ...” She needs encouragement, so I’ll open up a little more. For her. “I thought I’d train to become a commercial pilot as soon as I turned twenty-one, but I fell in love with someone from my hometown and didn’t want to leave.”
“Joey,” she says, startling me.
I forgot I’d told her my ex’s name, and I’m even more surprised that she remembered. “Yeah.” Her knowledge makes it easier to finish my story. I already feel known. “So I got a late start but finally pursued my dream of commercial flying. It just took more sacrifice than I expected.”
This time when she stops, I don’t think it’s because of the mountain we’re on. It’s because of my emotional challenges. And because of hers.
Chapter Eleven
Claire
Thelure offlying isthelure ofbeauty.
—AMELIAEARHART
My feet are stuck to the wooden tie with the tar of dread. I’m afraid Nathan gave up his relationship for this career. After giving up my career, my relationship is the only thing I have left. I can’t lose it too.
Nathan speaks words I don’t want to hear. “They say if you love someone, let them go, and if they return, then they were always yours. What they don’t say is that if you’re the one to go, you might not have anyone to return to.”
“I’m so sorry,” I say, but I’m not thinking about him at all. I’m thinking of Wyatt. And panicking.
I need to go back to the hotel. I need to call my boyfriend and make sure we’re okay. I can’t do that here because there’s no cell service. Which means I should run down these steep stairs with the risk of falling and breaking my face so that I don’t break my relationship. I might be able to. Climbing has been easier than expected.
“Time for a water break?” Nathan mistakes my fear for fatigue. Or maybe he just wants a break himself. He swings the backpack off a shoulder and retrieves one of the many water bottles he’s packed.
With shaky fingers, I grip the bottle and squirt cool liquid down my parched throat. It’s not my arms or legs that feel like Jell-O. It’s my heart.
“Better?” he asks.
I wish dehydration was my only issue. The OJ drinker on my plane had it easy.
I face the mountain again. My pulse surges ahead. The sooner we get to the top, the sooner we can take the other trail back down. I wish we’d never been reflowed to here. “Let’s go.”
