Page 17 of Crashing into Love

The girl, who looked to be between seven and nine, if Drew had to guess, stood up tall on her board, looking proud of herself, with her hands on her hips, and her coach started working with her, showing her how to turn her board on the snow, which required either gliding it into the snow if they were on the edge of something because the tip would eventually hang over it, or taking a little jump and turning it in the air a few inches off the ground. The girl was having a hard time with the jump and fell down on her butt a few times. At first, she laughed it off, but eventually, Drew could see the frustration even in her goggle-covered face.

She sat there, continuing to watch without being able to hear them from the sounds of the restaurant behind her, the people talking on the bench and chairs, and the general crowd on the snow in front of her. Drew squinted and wished she could, though, because she’d just watched the coach try to show the girl how to make a turn in the snow, causing her to fall over yet again. This time, when the girl got back up, she unclipped her boots from the board. Then, she said something to the coach and left the board in the snow as she took a few steps away. The move the coach was trying to show her was technically fine, but clearly, that girl needed the basics, and that move wasn’t something Drew would show someone who had only just learned how to clip in.

“Hey, I see you’re learning how to board,” Drew said to the little girl as she approached.

“Not anymore.” The girl crossed her little arms over her chest and stared down at the snow beneath her feet, kicking it a bit.

“Hey, that move is pretty hard even for me, and I’m a pro, so maybe you could start with something a little easier next time. I’m sure you’ll get it.”

“Drew? What are you doing here?”

Drew turned to see Selma standing there, lifting her goggles to her helmet and looking at Drew in confusion.

“Boarding,” Drew replied. Then, she realized that Selma was the coach she’d been watching this whole time. She hadn’t been able to tell from afar, with Selma wearing a helmet and goggles. “I was just watching your student from over there. I didn’t know it was you. I thought I’d offer a little encouragement.”

“She’s fine,” Selma replied and crossed her arms over her chest in a pose that now looked very familiar to Drew.

“You just had her trying to turn in this snow up here when it’s all messed up with everyone walking around the restaurant. She could barely get herself clipped in.” Drew turned back to the girl. “No offense.”

“I’m just learning. Mom says it’s okay to make mistakes when you’re learning.”

“It’s always okay to make mistakes. You just don’t want to make the same one twice. That’s the trick,” Drew said to her.

“Drew, can you back off a little, please?”

“Yeah, sorry. She was just getting frustrated, and I didn’t want her to give up. I didn’t know you were a coach, too. How many jobs do you have now, Selma?”

“I’m not her coach,” Selma replied and took a few steps around Drew toward the little girl. “She’s my daughter.” Selma placed her hands on the girl’s shoulders and stood behind her. “Gia, can you say hi to Drew, please?”

“Hi, Drew,” Gia said, giving Drew a small wave and a smile.

“Your…”

“Yes.”

“She’s…”

“I have the afternoon off today, so I was teaching her how to board.”

“She’s finally letting me learn,” Gia stated proudly. “Before, she said she didn’t want me up here until she thought I was ready. But I’m nine; I’m ready, Mom.”

“I know. That’s why we’re here.”

“I didn’t know,” Drew stated.

“Why would you?”

“Touché,” Drew said.

“Would you mind?” Selma asked and gave Drew a dismissive nod. “I really don’t need your help. I know my own daughter and how to teach her how to do something that I also do professionally.”

“Mom’s awesome. She has all these medals at home. Have you seen them?” Gia asked.

“No, I haven’t,” Drew answered, thinking she’d seen those medals around Selma’s neck at times but never hung up or displayed at Selma’s home, how Gia probably meant.

“Do you have medals, too?”

“I have some, yeah,” Drew confirmed.

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