Page 19 of One Last Run

Pete clasped her hands behind her back, pacing in front of them like a drill sergeant. “Good tries, good advice, but wrong. The first rule is that it’s not that serious. You’re not a pro. There’s no grade at the end of this. No one will be impressed with how good you are. You are doing this for pure joy, no other reason.” Pete’s own board lay toward the edge of the run. She reached to help Maggie stand, letting Maggie wobble and find her balance, then let go of her to reach for Danica.

“I’m too old for this,” Danica whimpered as Pete helped her to her feet. “Why the hell do you do this? It’s ten thousand times worse than skiing.”

Pete grinned. “Once it clicks, you’ll see. It’s like... flying.”

Danica frowned, tucking her chin back into her face covering.

“Okay, let’s take it slow and steady. This is just like the bunny hill. So, let’s take it wide as we practice our turns from heel to toe. No need to gain speed right now, we’re just getting a feel for a real run,” Pete coached, holding onto Danica’s hand a little longer than she probably needed. They’d ended on such a bad note the day before, but Danica didn’t seem to be holding a grudge. “See the giant opening where this run turns and splits into Teddy’s Way? Make your way slowly down and we can pause before the turn.”

Maggie and Danica both nodded, and both hopped to get their boards angled correctly to start down. Seeing both of their shaking legs, Pete found them endearing. She didn’t know why she felt so much pride in her friends for trying something new and scary, but it made her want to sweep them both up in hugs. Entirely because of her pride, that was all.

Maggie was the first to start her wide falling leaf pattern down the run, taking her time. Danica began to follow the same path, falling almost immediately.

“You okay?” Pete asked, hurrying over to where Danica struggled to get back up.

“I’m fine,” Danica said. “My ass is going to be so bruised tomorrow.”

Pete laughed. “Yeah, but better a bruise than a broken bone. That was a good fall. Most people fall forward and catch their wrists.” She reached to help Danica again, reaching to steady her with a hand on her waist as she wobbled. They both paused, and Pete was grateful her goggles shielded most of her expression.

“I’m good,” Danica said, and Pete took a step back, trusting her.

Danica was, in fact, not good, and fell over again almost immediately. Pete heard her muffled curses behind her neck gaiter. “Yeah, you seem good,” Pete teased. Danica accepted Pete’s offered hand.

“I hope Maggie is having a good time at least,” Danica said, steadying herself without letting go of Pete’s hand.

Pete glanced over her shoulder to where Maggie was zig-zagging down the run like a pro. “I think she is.”

“I’m glad we were able to be here for her. Has she seemed a little... off? We talked about Gwen and the kids earlier and she sounded so weird,” Danica asked, adjusting her glove. Her board slipped sideways an inch or two and her hands shot out,grabbing Pete’s jacket again. “Fucking hell, did they put extra wax on this or what?”

Pete chuckled, supporting Danica as she recovered her composure. She waited for Danica to stop wobbling, then added, “I haven’t noticed anything. She’s been a little more intense, a little wilder than I remember, but I thought that was just like a ‘Mom’s Big Week Alone’ kind of thing.”

Danica sniffled, letting go of Pete to steady herself. “Well, I think we should keep a close eye on her.”

“You got it, boss,” Pete said, taking a step back to look at her form. “Okay, I think you’re putting your weight too far back. You don’t have to be scared to lean into it. Here, center your weight.” Pete reached out, taking Danica’s waist in her hands. Despite about seventeen layers between them, touching her like this affected Pete’s heart rate and the swirling nerves in her stomach. “See how that makes it so your board doesn’t want to slip out from under you?”

Danica nodded. “Glen told us all of this.”

“Yeah, well, Glen may have told you, but you aren’t doing it, so now I’m telling you.”

“I don’t remember you ever being so bossy,” Danica said with a smirk.

Pete chuckled, watching Danica’s feet. “Okay, now shift your weight from side to side.” Danica didn’t move a muscle, and Pete could feel how tense she was. “Come on. Side to side. Shimmy.”

Danica let out a sigh, fogging the air in front of her face. She shifted awkwardly from side to side.

“Jeez, Wendell, loosen up. No wonder you’re so bad at this,” Pete teased.

“I miss Glen,” Danica mumbled, but did as she was told. Pete felt her shift her weight from side to side. As she shifted her weight to her back foot, the front of her board slid forward and she reached out to grab Pete’s jacket again, but lost her balancesomewhere along the way and ended up wrapping her arms around Pete’s neck, their bodies pressing close.

Pete could feel the warmth of Danica’s breath on her cheek as she over-corrected, nearly falling backwards.

“You’re a mess,” Pete chided gently, balancing Danica again. “Loosen up.”

“I am loose,” Danica countered. “I am fully relaxed. Free as a bird. I’m a chill girl.”

“You’ve never been a chill girl in your entire life, Wendell,” Pete joked, and Danica stuck out her tongue. “Watch out. That’ll freeze out here.”

Danica laughed, and the sound made Pete’s insides feel a bit swirly. She hadn’t realized how much she’d missed Danica’s laugh, an infectious, bubbly kind of sound.

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