AllFreeNovel
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The drive he spoke of was an hour jaunt through the mountains which ended at a small airport.
“Umm, Luc?”
“Yes?” He chuckled.
“That sign said Freefall.”
“Sure did.” He nodded as he parked the car.
His amusement only fueled my extreme apprehension. My chest grew heavy, my hands trembled, and my eyes stung as tears gathered in the lower lid.
I practically vibrated in my seat when we pulled into the airfield in Long Island. My father had announced at dinner the night before that we’d be taking a small family trip the next morning, but he hadn’t said where we’d be going.
Skydiving was something I’d always wanted to try, so when our SUV entered the small facility, I couldn’t believe one of my dreams was about to come true. We didn’t do anything as a family unless it reflected positively on my father, especially during campaign season, so I wasn’t surprised when I saw a mob of press waiting by the front of the building to take pictures.
I was smiling from ear to ear when we walked into the building and met with one of the instructors. But my grin faded soon after.
“Emory,” Mom said. “Take your sweatshirt off and give it to Melissa, please.”
“Who?” I asked.
Just then, a young girl, around my age, strolled into the room.
“Hi.” The girl waved.
“Melissa will act as your double today, Emory.”
My father’s statement was like a knife to the gut.
“What?” I wheezed.
“Oh for God’s sake,” Mother huffed. “You’re too big for the tandem jump and we can’t very well skydive as a family of three. So, we paid Melissa to take your place. Now stop being such a baby and take off your sweatshirt. You’ll be able to watch everything on the monitors in the control room.”
“Emory, babe. Come back to me, please.”
Luc’s concerned voice penetrated the memory, bringing me back to the present.
“Hey, what’s this?” He wiped a streak of wetness from my cheek.
“I appreciate the thought, but I can’t go skydiving.”
“Can’t, Emory? Or you don’t want to?”
Taking a deep breath, I turned in my seat and explained my previous experience, including the weight limit issue.
“Those motherfuckers,” he growled. “How old were you?”
“Twelve, but I was––”
“Don’t you dare make excuses for them,” he interrupted, unbuckling his seat belt and turning to face me. “There is an arbitrary weight limit for skydiving, but I highly doubt you were anywhere near it. They lied to you, Bellezza.”
Anger bubbled to the surface. In the back of my mind, I’d always wondered if they’d been telling me the truth or if they were embarrassed because my body didn’t fit into their perfect mold. Well, I guess I had my answer.
“I’m so sorry this has brought back such a horrible memory, and if you want to leave, I’ll understand.” He threaded his fingers through mine, careful of the brace I still wore.
“No,” I grumbled. “Let’s do it.”
“You sure?”
