Page 20 of Ghost of Ex-mas Past
“A long time ago.” Bea’s smile is gone and she’s widening her eyes at me, the universal sign forShut up.
Except I kinda can’t. “Not that long ago.”
“Eight years is a long time, Charlie,” Bea says, an edge in her voice.
“Well, okay then.” Gavin chuckles uncomfortably. “Have a great time up on the mountain, Bea. Charlie.” He nods goodbye, and in a smooth move, presses the tip of one pole to the binding, which pops one foot out, then that foot steps on the other binding and he’s free. He nudges his toes under the base and kicks each ski up and hoists them over his shoulder.
“Show off,” I mutter.
Bea glares at me. “Not a long time?” she echoes.
“Feels like yesterday,” I say cheerfully.
“Is this a green?”Bea asks while looking directly at the sign with the big green dot on it.
“Yup,” I assure her.
“But is it, like, aneasygreen?”
I laugh. “Yes, this is the easiest of easy greens. I did all the runs today and this one is the best.”
She’s still skeptical. “It looks really steep.”
“It’s not that bad. And I’ll be right here with you.”
“Okay.”
We stand there a moment, other groups getting off the ski lift and gliding past us down the hill.
“Do you want me to go first?”
She nods.
“Okay. Goggles on.” She follows instructions and I push myself over the small lip. Iswoosh-swoosh-swooshand slide to a stop fifty feet or so from Bea. “Your turn,” I shout back.
Bea shuffles her skis over to the edge and braces herself. Carefully, she tips over the side, but her skis are angled in. She’s pizza-ing down the slope, but picking up speed.
“French fry!” I shout at her.
“What?” She’s going faster now, and her mouth is making an O, and not the good kind.
“You’re pizza-ing! You need to french fry!”
Bea passes me too fast, unable to stop. “I’M NOT HUNGRY!” she shouts, but there’s fear laced in her voice. She’s out of control and zooming past.
A kid no older than five whips by me and then zips past Bea too close for comfort. Bea jerks and loses the battle against her skis. They cross over each other and she tumbles down with a shriek.
Complete yard sale.
11
Bea
I can’t seeanything but blue sky. The snow beneath me is icy and hard and I’m pretty sure I got some down my pants.
One ski is facing the wrong direction and it’s wildly uncomfortable. Must fix that ASAP...when my heart stops feeling like it’s going to explode out of my chest.
A red helmet and yellow reflective goggles appear. Gloves come up and remove the goggles to reveal Charlie looking at me with concern in his eyes.
