Our Sick Inheritance (editing)

Chapter 44 - Stop Clowning Around

With more sun than Washington had, Mt. Ashland was inviting because it didn't seem starved for the cold white patterned ice that was prominent across the country. It was as if here the sun took vacation and the Gods looked favorably on the snow babies, Jake thought. As he made his way into the ski lodge, Jake watched as parents taught their small children how to ski on the bunny hill. Again, he wished he had started when he was much younger.

Steve Jillian, a friend that Jake had gone through school with, was working the desk. It was no surprise that Steve's family had moved down when Steve chose to go to college in the town his father grew up in because they still loved the environment of the community. It was a yuppie-hippy place where everyone cared deeply about nature, animals, art, crafting, skiing and each other. Jake made it a ritual each year to stop on his way back to Colorado each time he visited his own family. He looked forward to seeing his friend for he knew Steve always worked at his Uncle's resort every winter for extra money.

Steve stood behind the front counter watching what he wrote on a piece of paper before he looked up to catch sight of his friend. A big smile spread across his face to expose teeth as white as the snow that covered his mountains.

"Hey buddy, great to see you!" Jake and Steve gave a half hug and various shakes in greeting.

"Heading back to school?" Steve asked.

"Yep, it's my last year. For you, too right?" Jake asked.

"Yes. I've already got an opening at the high-school to teach math after the summer."

"That's great man. I'm going home to work with my Dad for a few years after I graduate then to open my own practice." Jake said with a shrug.

"Sounds good, I miss your family. You and Brittney married yet?" Steve asked typing stuff into his computer as he talked.

"No. I'm hoping to convince her to move with me after she graduates." Jake said keeping his face passive even though he was feeling a faint sense of panic that she'd say no. He was much more confident about their relationship before he had talked to his sister Stacy.

"Right on. I met a girl here that I've been hanging out with. She's a graphic designer and takes pictures up here while she skies. Her name is Tiffany and she's beautiful." Steve responded with dreamy eyes.

"Nice. Is she coming up tonight?"

"No, but maybe next time you come down, she'll be living with me. I haven't talked her into it yet, but I keep encouraging her to bring her things over little by little. Before she knows it there won't be anything left in her apartment and she'll give it up." Steve said making Jake laugh. Steve put a nice pile of info on the counter in front of Jake. A couple of girls walked by giggling so Steve and Jake glanced their way for a moment.

"You are in cabin six which is a great view of the mountain you like. I hooked you up."

"Excellent thanks man, I'll catch you later." Jake said grabbing the key and papers off the counter. They bumped fists and Jake rolled his bag into the elevator up to the main cabins.

After Jake settled into his cabin and climbed into his fitted attire, his energy level was up and ready. In his gear Jake felt strong and fit. Once he headed for the hills, he couldn't wait to ski even though he always got nervous jitters on the lift. Heights always made him anxious, but the beautiful view of the snow-covered trees and perfect sloped mountains made him feel like he was in a Christmas holiday cartoon.

Stepping onto the snow after the lift dumped him on the top of the mountain was always scary because it was continuously moving. Jake trekked to the area he wanted to ski down and lowered his goggles onto his eyes. Looking down he felt nervous and excited. Once he started there was no stopping, so he visually made sure the trees were in the same place they were since the last time he skied the hill the year before. Not that they moved, but some of them seem to grow fast, taller, and wider. As he flowed downhill creating his own wind, everything else from his mind just melted away. It was just him with the mountains, and there was no other feeling like it.