Page 80 of Reverse Pass
We pile into the car and make the drive up to the cabin, pausing in the driveway as we stare up at it and the surrounding valley. Less of a cabin and more of a lodge, it’s intimidating in its size and the way the valley unfurls around it. It looks like something out of a picture book. It’s gorgeous, and the air is crisp with a fresh layer of snow on the ground.
When we get to the door, my mom answers and envelopes both of us in a giant hug. Her signature jasmine perfume wafting around me.
“Hi mom,” I say smiling at her as she yells for my dad and for Ben’s mom to come see us.
“Hi sweetheart!” She smiles brightly. “Oh you changed your hair again. I like the color. And Ben. My god, every time I see you, I feel like you’ve grown a few more inches.”
I give him a surreptitious little grin because I’m just waiting for her to scruff his head like he’s five, but he grins in response. Just playing along like a dutiful boyfriend. My heart stutters at the thought of him being my boyfriend, at what that might actually mean for us, for me. I stare at him for a long second before I hear a whir of happiness and excitement barreling toward me.
“Oh my god. Violet! Look at you! I’ve missed you so much!” Mama Beth wraps me in a tight hug.
“Look at you! You look amazing.” I smile back at her.
“Yeah. I’ve been trying a new lifestyle out and doing some dating. I’ve decided 49 is the new 29.”
“Dating? How’s that going?” I smile. Nora and Ben’s dad was an epic asshole and he’s been out of their lives for a long time. Their mom had mostly gone it alone, with a few short-lived boyfriends along the way who were lucky if they even got to see, let alone meet Nora and Ben. She was protective of their little family unit, and I didn’t blame her. Despite everything Nora and Ben had turned out to be fantastic, and a lot of it was thanks to her.
“It’s a jungle out there, to be honest. But I figure with Nora and Ben gone now I can live a little bit.”
“As long as I don’t have to hear about the living.” Ben cuts her a worried look.
“I won’t share details. It’s a family weekend. Give me some credit!” she says loudly as he brings our luggage in, but then she pulls me aside with a sly little grin. “We definitely have to talk some details over wine.”
I grin and nod at her, noticing that my dad has finally made his way downstairs.
“Well look at that, you decided to join us after all.” He always gives me a hard time, but the grin goes all the way to his eyes, the fine lines around them wrinkling under his glasses as he smiles at me.
“I did. Ben and I came up together. He had class, and I had office hours today, so we had to leave after that.”
“Well we’ve got some pizza and wings ready. Some beer in the fridge. Don’t eat too much though. Your mothers have a huge feast planned. The amount of food we lugged up here could feed an army.” He shakes his head and pulls me into a bear hug before he turns to Ben.
He holds his hand out and they shake. “I hear you got yourself into a bit of trouble.”
“Unfortunately.” Ben scrubs a hand behind his head. “But I’m working on the remedy. I’m off the bench now.”
“We all have to have a little fun sometimes.” My dad shrugs it off. “But I did miss seeing you on the field.”
“Hopefully that won’t be happening again.” Ben gives him a look.
“Violet!!” Nora yells my name from the upstairs railing and then comes flying down the steps.
“Nora!!” I yell back and she jumps at me, wrapping her arms around me and we spin for a moment.
“I’m so glad you’re here. We have so much to catch up on! Come with me!” She wraps her hand around mine and drags me out from the room, already talking a mile a minute about the latest developments. I glance back over my shoulder at Ben and he just smiles up at me, winking as we hit the doorway.
* * *
The restof the evening is relatively quiet with us all just getting settled in and catching up. Nora telling me about her new job, introducing me to her boyfriend, Eric, who has been brave enough to join us for the holiday, and the new apartment they’re renting. Before long though, I’m crashing from the long week, and I excuse myself after numerous more hugs and chatter to escape to my room. When I’m back in my room after a shower, a text pops up on my phone.
Ben
This bed is not comfortable
Mine’s not terrible. And the view from the room is amazing
I bet it is
I stare at my phone for a second, trying to think of something clever to say in return. I hadn’t actually gone to bed yet, but I had tried it earlier when I’d pretended I might be able to sneak a nap in before dinner. I should be in bed, but instead I’m standing near the window, staring out at the wide expanse of Colorado wilderness where the reflection of the moon off the snow keeps the valley beyond the cabin illuminated, and the trees shimmer with an iridescent light that looks otherworldly. I love it up here but so rarely get to visit with all the demands of my program.
