Two More Days

Two More Days

“Most enjoyable lunch experience, ever! You and this local place have a knack for entertaining, Ian.”

“Thanks, Mark. Doing the limbo really conditions the core muscles you're gonna need to master snowboarding. Wait and see.”

“Take it easy on me, please. I still need to be able to photograph tonight's parade down the mountain into Vail or I'll sabotage my career at 'People Magazine'.”

“We better get a wiggle on if we're going to get any snowboarding practice in this afternoon, Guys.”

“My body can't think about wiggling until this lunch settles some, Meredith. The food's delicious here, Ian. Thanks for sharing it with us.”

“It's been my pleasure but she's right. We better head up the mountain.”

“I want to get some skiing in but that means I have to go it alone while you three are snowboarding.”

“How about I get Mark started then he and Meredith can work out some beginner flaws together while I hit the ski slopes with you for a while, Whitney? I don't have any classes to instruct this afternoon other than Mark.”

“Sounds like a good plan, thanks.”

“Oh, wow! Look! Is that who I think it is coming in the door? No! Don't all look at one time, we'll freak her out. Maybe this is the chance we've needed, Whitney. She is back in town. We can tell her about our find.”

“Yes, that's the real Lindsey Vonn. What are you two look-a-likes talking about?”

“We'll explain later, Ian. Do you know her? Could you introduce us?”

“I don't personally know her but she'll respect my Instructor logo on my jacket and possibly give us the time of day. She must get swamped by fans all the time. Especially long-haired blonds resembling her. She may be trying to avoid tourists by coming here.”

“We found something valuable in my second-hand yellow parka probably belonging to her. We gotta return it to her. Do you have one of your business cards with your number on it, Whitney? We could hand it to her on the way out explaining why it's important. She may even recognize my coat.”

“Could I ask her if I can take a picture of her for 'People's'? Maybe with the two of you returning her medal?”

“Worth a try but we don't have the medal with us now, Mark. We put it in the hotel safe until we could take it to the police so they could return it to her when she returned home.”

“Good call, Whitney. Let's at least congratulate her qualifying for another Olympic game and I could ask for a picture to celebrate. 'People' would definitely publish it.”

“We can't all simply rush her. Let me have the waiter send a drink her way and ask her if she minds us stopping over to talk a minute. Okay?”

“Sure, Ian, thanks for being the man of reason. The rest of us are star struck.”

“The worse she can do is say no, Mark. But the 'People' angle may help. And, of course, she'll want her medal back, Ladies.”

>>>

“That went well. Thanks, Ian. She is so gracious. We have a photo shoot all lined up before the parade when the sisters will return her Bronze medal from 2010 Vancouver Games to her. She's eternally grateful you two found it and not some money grabbing bargain hunter who would have sold it to highest bidder.”

“Now let's hit the slopes. Are all of you ready? We can take my SUV.”

“It's why we came to Vail. Let's blaze some trails. Say, Ian. Everyone usually rides shuttles or free buses around town. Why your own vehicle?”

“I drive in from a nearby town daily to work here, Whitney. Vail has restrictions on any new construction so there's a severe housing shortage. Employees live elsewhere.”

“Sounds like a national problem, too. Housing prices have sky-rocketed. It's made my services of redecorating older homes boom and once Meredith gets her degree this spring we plan on buying and flipping houses. She'll have the business and marketing know how and I have the decorating sense. We'll both get real estate licenses.”

“Impressive. All I do is play in the snow all winter.”

“What about the summer time?”

“I help out a friend with his construction business. I'm pretty good with my hands, Meredith. Hope I get a chance to prove it to you sometime soon.”

“You're making her turn red. But I have to admit I'm hoping to prove my prowess with a camera lens to willful Whitney. Maybe some winsome shots showing off your wondrous willowy body somewhere other than the slopes. Didn't you mention hoping to go to the hot springs in Glenwood?”

“Mark! I'm astonished. Is getting women to take off their clothing all men ever think about?”

“Now you mention it, I'd say you're right. Do you agree, Ian?”

“Don't get me in your tub of hot water there, Pal.”

“I'd say you jumped in yourself, Instructor Ian. Are we supposed to trust you guys from here on out?”

“What did we do? We're simply enjoying your company, having a good time! We've got a couple of days of great skiing still ahead of your departure. Don't spoil it. I usually never connect with tourists like I have with you three. Yeah, men tend to be men and you must confess you ladies like a little male attention. Am I right?”

“Okay. Indeed we do and you two are gentlemen. I think I speak for Meredith, also, when I say we're being cautious and don't intend on jumping into bed immediately with someone we only knew for a day. Hope you understand. Let's enjoy our time here knowing we'll go our separate ways when it's over. If something more develops afterwards, then it's meant to be.”

“Ah, oh! Guess I better cancel the romantic room I booked for the luxurious Austria Haus Hotel, Whitney.”

“Did you really do that for us, Mark?”

“I've high hopes on high slopes!”

“Well, forget everything I said. We still do have two more days.”