Simon waved the women over, “It’s ready.” He said.
Cherish began to laugh as she placed both hands over her face and shook her head. Discretely, she dried her eyes and cheeks before they turned towards the men and met them halfway, "How bad was the damage?" Margaret asked.
Margaret looked to her husband and waited for him to answer her question. Simon Sr. answered his wife, “Two-hundred.” Margaret sighed because she knew her husband meant two-hundred each since Simon split the cost.
Cherish placed her scarf back in its place and followed Simon towards the entrance. The cashier stood there with an assistant and waited until they approached. Cherish’s cheeks were fully inflated as she stepped closer to the man.
He held out a pair of black skis and boots in her direction, “I hear you guys are only going to be on the small slopes today. Someone is a newbie here?” he questioned gazing over their faces. He then stopped on her and saw how she was dressed. Found her. Cherish slowly turned her gaze towards Simon as everyone gathered their gear.
The assistant pointed to the exit at the rear of the large building, “Right out there and to the right is where our beginner and kiddie slopes are. Have fun and stay warm!” she exclaimed sending them off.
Simon smiled to the enthusiastic woman, “Thank you.” He replied.
Outside, Cherish only felt the chilling pinch against her cheeks and forehead which was fine by her. She carried her equipment towards the benches lined along the large building and watched as the others began to strap themselves in. She stuck her skis in the snow and leaned them against the exterior wall before sitting beside Simon.
All was well until she took one boot and attempted to bend over to put it on. Only, she didn’t move. With three jackets, she was too padded to reach her feet. She nervously cut her gaze to the others as the boot hung over her fingers. Margaret strapped herself in while her husband was already testing himself on his skis. Cherish pushed her cheeks out and exhaled against her scarf when she saw Simon’s tall form lower to one knee in front of her.
He took the boot from her hand and pulled her foot out. He tightened them around her leg and gripped against her calf, “Too snug or just right?” he asked tilting his head up. He peeked at her over his glasses and broke into an easy smile, “We’ve almost got you finished.”
She rested her gloved palms on the bench and gripped while watching him, “It’s a little tight, but I think it’ll be alright.” She said staring into his blue hues.
Simon stood to his feet and handed her the poles before he picked up her skis, “Alright then. Let’s go.” He said.
Once out in the sun and thick padded snow, their breaths billowed into a cloud while Simon placed the long sticks in the ground. He held his hand out for Cherish to steady herself, “Put your toe against the clamp and stomp down. If you want to get out of the ski push the tab behind your foot with the pole.” He explained while showing her.
Stopping, she listened to what he said, but his instruction went in one ear and out of the other. She glanced down at the skis in front of her and nodded cautiously, “Uh…alright.” She muttered Stepping in, she felt a snap which caused her to lift her foot with the ski. Cherish’s eyes widened as she stumbled back awkwardly and held her arms out at her sides; catching herself. As Margaret helped her upright again, Cherish clenched her jaw, nodded, and pushed through her inhibitions. Everyone was awkward when they were a beginner. Which is what she’d always be.
Simon smirked as he pushed his right leg out, “Okay, slide forward, one leg at a time, like this.” He said. Scooting onward, he glanced back at her to see if she followed along, “Let’s go to the lift.” He said.
Sliding as best as she could with Simon, there were others who glided around them on snowboards. Cherish blinked at him, “Lift? What do you…” Staring up where the lines were, she finally noticed what he meant. Alike to a pulley system, her mouth fell open as she watched people climb onto the seats, buckle in, and start the ascend further up the mountain. All she saw were lines of dangling feet and skis in the sky. Pausing, she looked at Simon and shook her head several times, “Y-You want…me to go…up there?” She asked. He knew for a fact she was terrified of heights. The airplane alone almost caused her to have a stroke and now he wanted her to brave that? She reached for him and leaned far over before she grabbed his arm, “Do…do we need a lift for the bunny slopes?” she asked.
Margaret turned to see that Simon and Cherish lagged. She nudged against her husband before calling out to them, “Hey! We’re going to go up higher! You stay with Cherish! See you guys for lunch! Love you!” Margaret then pulled along her husband with a grin towards another line; leaving them.
Holding onto Cherish, Simon helped her slide her way across the ski hills before he pointed up to the lifts, “Oh yeah, we’re going all the way up to the tallest, maddest bunny slope.” He teased.
Cherish wobbled from one side to the other, "It all sounds big and it all sounds bad, Simon!" She replied.
As he brought her around to the other side of the lodge, there was a much smaller, man-made hill with kids. A
