AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Then I book an Uber to the airport, finally breathing a sigh of relief at the knowledge that I’m going home.
24
ELISSA
It doesn’t matter how many times a day we talk or how often we text, I’m still worried about Nick. Things are not good there, and no amount of money should keep him there. If we have to go into debt to get him out of this situation, then so be it. His health is more important than anything, especially with the baby on the way.
While I’m a salaried employee here at Badger Creek that doesn’t mean I can’t pick up extra hours doing lessons again. The tips were always great and until I’m told I shouldn’t ski anymore I should try to bank as much money as I can. I talked to my doctor about where I work and how I do still ski from time to time, and I was told as long as it’s something I’ve done before, I’m okay to go ahead and continue. Keeping in mind that my center of gravity is off now, but again, once I’m a little bigger, I’ll stop, not wanting to risk any injuries. We have enough of that going around here to begin with.
Honestly, I don’t even know what to do. All I know is that Nick is on my mind twenty-four hours a day and not for all the reasons he was just a few weeks back. Now it’s just constant worry.
But it’s like fate has a small answer when one of my instructors comes in saying she isn’t feeling well. She looks like shit with her red-rimmed eyes and pale face.
“Elissa, I have one last night lesson and I just can’t do it,” she says, closing her eyes. “It’s just one of those glow kiddie things, you know?”
“No problem,” I reply. “Not feeling well?”
“No, I feel awful. I have for most of the day, but I wanted to push through. I just can’t…” I cut her off with a wave of my hand.
“Say no more. Go home and rest. Take tomorrow too. I’ll find someone to cover your lessons. Let me know how you’re doing.”
She nods, taking her exhausted body out of my office. It’s that time of the year. Being around tons of people, especially when teaching, you need to get up close sometimes. Sickness happens, and it also gives me the opportunity to earn a little extra cash.
The parents of these types of events tend to be super generous with their tips because they’ve just gotten to spend a solid two hours without their kids while on vacation.
Most of the time they spend it at The Matterhorn having a few post-slope cocktails, although I’m sure some of them slip back to their room at the lodge for a little action too.
This is one of those events that Zoey and I teamed up on, creating a fun little night for the kids to do some skiing with glow patches on their gear.
It’s brought in a ton of money and my staff is always eager to sign up to supervise it. Most of the kids know how to ski and it’s only on the bunny slopes, making it easier to keep track of all of them. My staff mostly just takes pictures and shows them funny things they can do with glow sticks while skiing or snowboarding. They get to ride the lift a few times and then they get cups of hot chocolate and s’mores to roast by the fire when they’re done.
It's been a while, but I’m really kind of excited. I haven’t even tried out some of the new gear we got in, and this is the perfect opportunity.
Grabbing my phone, I quickly shoot Nick a text letting him know that I’ll be out on the slopes for a bit if I don’t respond to his texts. I don’t want him worrying about me.
Me:I’m subbing for one of my staff who went home sick. I’ll be out on the slopes for Glow Ski Night with some kids. Just letting you know. Love you.
I wait a few minutes,but I don’t hear anything from Nick, which isn’t super surprising. It’s dinner time. I’m sure he’s with his teammates in the cafeteria chatting jumps and shit. As much as he’s been miserable there, he has made some friends and there’s nothing more that he loves than talking jumping and skiing.
I’m rifling through all the new gear in the storage area when I hear someone call my name. Taking the ski pants and the jacket I pulled with me, I head out to see who it is.
When I round the corner, I see Max waiting in the lobby of the ski lodge. He’s wearing his medic gear and has his helmet in his hands.
“Hey!” he calls out when he sees me. “I was waiting for Abby outside, but she hasn’t shown up yet. Any idea where she is?”
“Yeah, sorry about that,” I reply, pulling the pants on over my jeans. “She went home sick. I’m filling in for her.”
“Seriously?” Max asks, the shock in his voice making me laugh out loud.
“What?”
“I don’t know. It’s been so long since you’ve done something like this, just…I don’t know.”
“Don’t think I can do it anymore? Come on, Max, I could ski circles around you back in the day. I’ve still got it,” I brag, resting a hand on my belly. “Even with extra cargo.”
Now it’s Max who lets out a hearty laugh, shaking his head. “I know you’ve still got it, Elissa. I’d never challenge you to a race. Looks like we’ll be hanging out together tonight. I’m your medic for the event.”
“Awesome. Glad to have you out there with me,” I say, putting on the jacket and zipping it up over my belly. I’ve had to go up a size and while my stomach isn’t that big, it’s made a difference in my clothes already.
