Forever...: a novel by Judy Blume Read Free Book Online Page A

improve I'll get longer ones. I didn't think that would be likely.
    "First one foot and then the other," Michael said, as I tried to walk. But I got tangled up and tripped over myself. Both of us were laughing by then. "Let the ski slide across the snow .. don't try to raise it."
    "Oh … like this?" I asked.
    "Very good," he said, taking my arm.
    Somehow we made it to the chairlift. "Just grab the side and sit down when the lift comes," Michael told me. "Ready … now!" I sat down and was surprised that I landed in the chair and that Michael was right beside me. Before I had a chance to think about it we were going up. Michael pulled the safety bar down, looked at me and said, "You're going to love it." I nodded and tried to smile back.
    "We're getting off at the beginners' slope so you don't have to worry."
    "I'm not worried."
    "You look scared to death."
    "Don't be silly … I can't wait to learn to ski." But I was thinking, we're going up so high … how will I ever get down? My father was right … I am going to break a leg … I'm going to fall off this chairlift and break a leg … maybe even two … probably two legs and an arm … possibly more than that even.
    "Getting off is tricky," Michael said and he flipped the safety bar up, leaving me free to fall off in mid-air.
    "Just do what I do … point your skis up."
    I did what he said.
    "That's it … now get ready … we're going to stand up in a minute and then just let the lift push you away … got it?" Michael grabbed me but I forgot everything he'd said and he had to push me out of the way or the lift would have whacked me in the head and naturally when he pushed me like that I fell over.
    "Damn!"
    Michael laughed.
    "It's not funny."
    "You better get used to it. You're going to be on the ground a lot today, but cheer up … tomorrow you'll be an expert."

    "Ha!"
    He helped me to my feet. My nose was running. "Here … " he said, pulling a tissue out of his pocket. I blew my nose.
    "I forgot to tell you … everybody's nose runs when they ski."
    "Swell."
    "Ready?"
    "Are you sure I'm going to be able to do this?"
    "Didn't you tell me how coordinated you are … a tennis whiz … a modern dance freak … "
    "I never said whiz and I certainly never said freak !"
    "Relax … anybody can learn to ski."
    "I hope so. Just one simple question before we start, okay?"
    "Sure … go ahead."
    "How am I going to get down the mountain?"
    "You're going to ski down, Kath."
    "I was afraid you'd say that."
    Michael was right. I spent more time on the ground than on my feet on my first try. But by noon I'd been up and down the beginners' slope three times. On my third try I didn't even fall when I got off the chairlift and if I wasn't skiing exactly, well, at least I was doing something. Sharon and Ike were already at the lodge, saving a table for lunch. "Hey … how'd it go?" Ike asked.
    "You wouldn't believe how good she's doing," Michael told them. "I'm really proud of her!"
    "Did you enjoy it?" Sharon asked.
    "Yes, it's fun … it's a very good feeling."
    "Invigorating," Ike said.
    "That's it … invigorating."
    "And it builds up a good appetite," Sharon said. "I'm starving … "
    "Let's get on line," Michael said. "I don't want to waste a lot of time in here … I want to get Kath back on the slopes."

    After lunch we tried a different trail. "Skis together," Michael said, "let them run across the slope … glide … glide … good … okay … now, kick your heels down the mountain … that's it … great … "
    "I did it," I called. "I actually stopped!"
    "Yeah … now you won't have to sit down every time you lose your balance." I scooped up some snow and threw it at him, but he ducked and laughed. We skied until 4:00, when the lifts closed.
    "I've had the best time," I told Michael as he helped me out of my bindings. "I really loved it."
    "I'm glad," he said. "You're not a bad student either … considering."
    "Considering what?"
    "Oh, just considering." He kissed me on