In the background, he thought he heard pandemonium—cheers, shouts, Team members calling his name.
“Oh, thank God!” She sounded like she was in tears. “Congratulations. I’m so proud of you. We all are. Now come home to me. There’s a storm headed your way.”
“I see it. I’ll be on my way back down in a minute.” He glanced at the approaching clouds. “Tell the Team and my mom hi. And tell Joanie …”
Conrad’s throat went tight. “Tell her I got it for him.”
“I will. Everyone sends their congratulations. I love you. Be safe.”
“I promise. I love you, too.” He ended the call, tucked the phone back into his pocket, energized by the sound of her voice.
He reached into another pocket, took out a small steel cylinder. Inside, was the magazine cover of him and Bruce together on the summit of Everest. He pushed the cylinder deep into the ice and snow, stomping on it with his boot, driving it deep.
Tears filled his eyes, a choked sob rising from his chest. “We got it, Bruce. Do you here that, buddy? We got it.”
He remained just a moment longer, letting peace sink into his chest. Then he put on his oxygen, turned, and began the long descent back to camp.
* * *
Conrad stoppedin at the Tengboche Monastery on his way back to Kathmandu to pay his respects. It was strange to see the place again, to hear the chanted prayers, smell the incense. The days when he’d taken refuge here seemed so distant now.
The Lama received him, shared a meal and tea with him, listening to his account of the climb. “You are not the same man who left here all these months ago.”
“No.” Conrad couldn’t help but smile. He pulled a photo of Kenzie out of his jacket. “She’s the reason. My wife, Kenzie.”
“I am happy for you.”
“May I ask you a favor?”
“Of course.”
“I have a friend at home whose father came from Tibet. Her ancestors were monks here long ago. I would like to take something back for her—a scarf perhaps, a word or blessing from you. It would mean so much to her.”
The old man nodded, chuckling. “What is that song?”
At that, the Lama began singing. “It’s a small world after all…”
It was either the most sublime or the craziest moment of Conrad’s life.
* * *
Ten days later
Kenzie drovewith Laurie and Joanie and her boys to DIA to welcome Conrad home. The media were there in force, thronging around International Arrivals. He was getting a hero’s welcome, whether he wanted one or not.
God, she couldn’t wait to see him, to hold him in her arms again.
On the screen above, it said his flight had landed ten minutes ago. He had a lot of gear, and he had to get through customs, so it would probably take a while.
She, Laurie, and Joanie sat and talked quietly, keeping clear of the reporters, while the two boys pretended to be airplanes.
“There he is!” Laurie pointed.
Kenzie looked up, hear heart swelling at the sight of him.
He stepped out of customs, pushing a cart piled high with duffel bags. Reporters and TV cameras crowded around him, everyone asking questions at once.
“How does it feel to be the first man in history to conquer all three peaks alone and in only five days?”
