Doing the Limbo

Doing the Limbo

“Wake up, Meredith. I'm meeting Mark downstairs for breakfast if you want to join us. Then I'm going for a massage at the Vail Hythe Well and Spa. Your snowboard lesson is scheduled for 9:00. Can you find your own way there? It's close to Gondola One. I can walk you over on my way to my spa treatment.”

“What happened to your promise not to be treating me like a kid anymore while we're vacationing here, Whitney? I'll find my way, not go into the woods alone and, only to make you happy, won't speak to strangers. But wait. That's how you met Mark. I'll not promise that one. I need to meet a nice fellow like you did. Anything happen last night you want to confess, Big Sister?”

“I'm not gonna be sharing such information with you, Little Sister. But for now we are keeping it on the friendship side. I'm in no hurry to rush into more after the Conrad crash. Don't wait too long or you'll miss breakfast and you'll be needing energy to go the course. If you don't see me downstairs where shall we meet for lunch?”

“Let's text when we're ready. Aren't you going on the house walk after your treatment?

“True. Good idea. Text it is.”

>>>

“So, Students, those are the basics. You'll understand more when we go up the hill and strap these boards on to actually maneuver on the snow. But remember safety first. Use the buddy system. No going into the woods alone and avoid those wells under the trees. Everyone have their buddy? Time to head up the hill. Let's go. You, there, in the yellow parka. Where's your buddy?”

“No one is left. Must have an uneven number of beginners.”

“Oh, that's right. You arrived a little late and didn't get paired up.”

“Sorry, got turned around and lost my way here.”

“We'll form a threesome for you when everyone is up top. Say, have we met before? You look familiar.”

“I get that a lot around here. Evidently I favor your famous home town skier, Lindsey Vonn. I may even be wearing her coat. I found this at a second-hand store last night when I got into town. I'm from the LA area so don't own a lot of winter gear. My sister invited me on this ski trip at the last minute. I believe I'll like snowboarding better.”

“Well, we're about to find out. Stay close to me until we find you some partners. You know my name is Instructor Ian. And you are?”

“Student Meredith.”

“Pretty name for a pretty student. Hope you enjoy this adventure.”

“I'm finding it very enjoyable so far, Instructor Ian.”

“Okay, Class. Meredith here needs to partner up with one of you couples because we are short one person. Who will take her?

“I see several volunteers so Meredith you choose.”

“There aren't any girls volunteering so I guess these two guys up front will be fine, thank you.”

“I'm Rex and this is Jake. Has anyone ever told you, you look exactly like...”

“Lindsey Vonn. Yeah. No relation, sorry. None of her skills either as you'll soon see.”

“You're on your own to practice, Class. I'll be watching and offering tips as needed then we'll meet at the bottom for a summary in an hour.”

>>>

“Is this everyone? Wait, I don't see a yellow... Oh, they're coming now. Looks like Rex and Jake are supporting the young lady quite a bit. Hope there's no injury.”

“Mostly wounded pride. Afraid I spent more time on my rear than you taught. I slowed these guys down quite a bit so I owe them an apology. Thank you for all your help, fellows. I really appreciate you putting up with me. I'm supposed to teach my sister's boyfriend how to do this after lunch. I'll try to leave out the falling down part.”

“Anyone else have questions or something they struggled with? I saw some fine action out there. Hope everyone enjoyed themselves. You'll all be Olympians one day.”

“Looks like I was your oldest student today, Instructor Ian. Must be a sport better learned when you're young. When you bounce.”

“You'll get the hang of it with a little more practice. So where are you going for lunch, Meredith? Maybe I should drop in and give your sister's boyfriend a few pointers how to avoid your technique?”

“You would do that for me, really?”

“It's against protocol to fraternize with students. It's usually not a problem for me because they are mostly kids. But I find myself attracted to you. Helping your friend wouldn't be fraternizing with you.”

“What if I hired you for a private lesson or two?”

“Then I could never have an actual date with you. I would rather date you than teach you at this point. If you want more lessons I'll find a colleague but he would want to date you, too. So...”

“We have a dilemma. But I do need to text my sister to decide where we're meeting for lunch.”

“Why don't I steer you to a local eatery away from the tourist crowds. We have some unique options. Then it could look like I happened to run into you and its not a true date.”

“You go far and beyond the call of duty, Instructor Ian.”

“You can drop the 'Instructor' title now.”

>>>

“There they are now, Ian.”

“Wait, you never said your sister was a twin.”

“We're not. She's eight years older. Over here, Whitney.”

“What a quirky little eatery this is, Meredith! A little hard to find. How...?”

“Let me introduce you to Ian, my snowboard instructor. It's his favorite lunch hangout.”

“Pleased to meet you, Whitney and Mark, right? Anyone ever tell you you look...”

“Everywhere we go around here. Lindsey Vonn and Michael J. Fox. But you could pass for a young Kevin Bacon, spiky hair and all.”

“Thanks, Bro. The ski cap look can't be helped around here. Nice to meet you. Meredith says you're interested in a few tips on snowboarding. Thought it might help if I gave them to you so you don't copy her sliding on her tush technique she mastered.”

“Much appreciated. Sounds as if you're bending over backwards to help her out.”

“The limbo dance is my specialty. Hey, people are lining up now. Ready to join in?”