Page 25 of Going Down
“It’s okay. I miss him, too.” I scratch under her chin and she purrs. I reread her the text string Dash sent saying he’d arrived safely at the next resort before throwing off the covers and getting us breakfast. If Dash were here, we’d be off on an adventure. So why not take Capote on one?
I dress her in pink camouflage—now I’m the crazy person who picks out clothes for a hairless cat. Sue me. It matches Dash’s green jacket—and snag her kitty harness, which I also bought.
We drive over to the mountain and I weave in and out of the buildings, showing her off, and enjoying everyone’s company in the main lodge’s business office. A few employees on the skeleton crew needle me about showing up. This was supposed to be my vacation week. Being around people lifts my spirits. I can’t find the words to express how being here makes me feel closer to Dash when he’s a million miles away. Capote and the trailer will be gone soon.
“Is Kat still here?” Chip’s voice crackles over the walkie talkie.
I pick it up, clicking the side button. “I am. What’s up?”
“Mind coming down to First Aid? There’s something I want to talk about.”
“Uh, sure?” I respond.
I’m trying to work this positivity angle, but worry overtakes me on the way to see him. I hope it’s not bad news.
“I’m not getting fired or anything?” I ask Chip, clutching the kitten.
“Only if you want to be.” Chip tosses a folder on his desk and looks at the blank pairing board. We’re the only two medics on-site during the offseason. The resort only needs additional coverage when it holds a big event. If we can’t handle it alone, the local EMTs get paid to lend a hand for the day.
He scrubs his face. “What’s your plan, Kat?”
I shake my head, sitting in the chair he offers. Capote wiggles on my lap. I let her down since the leash gives her a wide berth to roam in Chip’s office.
“I got a message from a friend who manages First Aid for a small hill in Vermont. It’s family-run, closed March to December, but they do swift business in-season. She’s going on maternity leave and wanted to find out if I knew anyone certified and with enough experience to manage the safety operations there this winter. I told her I’d talk to you.”
My palm flattens over my chest and I swallow. “What if I’m not interested?”
Chip shrugs. “You still have a place here, Kat. But I’m not going anywhere. This is an opportunity to move up the food chain. One season at a small hill won’t land you my job. Although, it could get your foot in the door as an assistant manager at a bigger one than this.
“You talk about him a lot, kid. The things Dash is planning to do down under and the places he sees. Don’t live vicariously through him. Go on an adventure of your own.”
“In Vermont?” I’m skeptical that a hundred miles would make much of an impact on my life.
“It’s still a step forward. Out of your comfort zone…And if you have to step back in March—if you don’t want to find a position somewhere else— I’ll keep your spot open here.”
I sigh with relief that Chip is providing an anchor. “How long do I have to decide?”
“She’s due later in the fall. Wants someone on staff and ready to learn the ins and outs of their operation beforehand. She’s not coming back for a good six months after. It’ll all be yours to oversee.”
I worry my lip.
“Think it over.” My apprehension is obvious to Chip. “Accept the interview. Hell, Kat, you may not get the job. But your dependability makes you my first choice if the roles were reversed.”
I furrow my brow, joking to lighten the mood, “Are you having a baby sometime soon, Chip?”
“Smartass. Get out of here!” He crumples a piece of paper and tosses it at me.
I dodge it and tell Chip I’ll give him an answer soon. His confidence bolsters me, but I won’t be the next one to leave my dad in the lurch.
On rocky emotional footing, I head home. There are two people milling between melting piles of snow when Capote and I pull up to the trailer.
“Hey, Sugar!” Cadence opens her arms and pulls me into a big hug. I cling to her a bit too long. She doesn’t seem to notice. I’m not ready to tell anyone about the job offer. Dash is already slipping from my life. Somehow Cadence’s presence is exactly what the doctor ordered after talking to Chip. I’ll be sadder than ever when she goes, but for now, I’m going to blow the dark clouds away and enjoy her friendship.
A younger version of Dash with short hair that curls at the tips hasn’t stopped unplugging extension cords. He wraps up a hose, tossing it in the back of Dash’s overkill truck where his generator and portable solar panels already are.
“Gatlin! I know you want to hit the road, but what if we have to pee?” Cadence calls to him.
“There’s plenty of bushes over there.” He laughs, sounding like Dash, and points to the woods where hardly a tree has greenery.