Fear of Falling by Laurie Halse Anderson Read Free Book Online

Maggie, and Zoe to join us, plus a few people from her office. So we’re all working like crazy to get everything ready. Despite all the work, I can tell she enjoys the hustle-bustle of holiday preparations.
    Right now she’s making her special cranberry relish while Ashley works at the table beside her, coloring name cards for our guests. Brian is bringing in firewood to have ready for Thursday. Even I start to feel cheerful and excited about the holiday, in spite of my worries over Dad being here.
    Brian dumps his load of wood by the fireplace in the family room, then turns to Mom. “Do you need any more stuff from the store? I can swing by on my way home from work tomorrow.”
    Mom beams at his thoughtfulness but shakes her head no. “I’ve got everything I need,” she says with satisfaction. And as she looks around the kitchen at me and my brother and sister, I think maybe she’s not just talking about ingredients for the meal.
    Wiping her hands on her apron, Mom leans over and kisses Ashley on the top of her head. Everything feels peaceful and contented, kind of like in one of those holiday commercials for stuffing.
    I just hope nobody changes the channel.

    When I get to the barn after school the next day, Dad’s waiting for me. He grins at me, and I smile back. It’s starting to feel like it used to. Not nervous, the way you feel around company. As if we’re remembering how to be together.
    At first it feels just like the old days, when Dad used to give me lessons. He seems really happy to be here with me, and it feels wonderful to have all his attention like this.
    He watches as I trot around the practice ring on Comet.
    â€œTighten up your reins a little, David. That’s right—let the horse know you’re in charge.”
    I adjust my reins for more control, then press Comet into a nice, steady canter. I’m trying hard to please Dad. At least my seat feels balanced for once, like I’m moving with Comet, not just on her.
    â€œLooking good out there!” Dad calls. “Keep that up, and you’ll be in the 2012 Olympics!”
    My heart swells in my chest, and I feel almost as if I could fly. I’m so glad Dad’s back! I tell myself to quit worrying so much about him. Everything’s going to work out fine.
    â€œIt’s time for Air David to take flight,” Dad announces with a grin. But instead of setting up the practice jump, he walks to the far end of the ring and opens the gate to the big outdoor jumping arena. “You might as well start learning on a real jumping course.”
    I’m not sure I’m ready for this, but I take a deep breath and follow him into the arena.
    Dad must have caught my look of doubt. “Lesson number one: act confident, even if you’re not, to psych out the competition,” he tells me with a wink. “Don’t worry, Comet’s jumped this course before. She’ll show you how it’s done.”
    Despite Dad’s encouragement, I can’t help feeling nervous about the jumps. My lesson yesterday was a total disaster, and I don’t want to repeat that in front of Dad. But I’m his son, I remind myself. I must have some of his talent.
    Dad sets the jumps low, and Comet takes them with no trouble at all. It’s actually kind of fun going over one jump after the other, getting into a rhythm. When we finish the course, I’m feeling good, but tense. The sweat from my palms has soaked through my riding gloves. You can do it, David, I tell myself. Make Dad proud of you.
    â€œHey, kiddo, you’re making this look too easy!” Dad says with a smile, raising the crossbars higher. He’s setting them nearly three feet off the ground, higher than I’ve ever jumped before.
    He’s testing me. Challenging me. Comet watches Dad with interest, her ears perked forward.
    I want to take that challenge, but something holds me back.
    â€œI—I’m not