On a Slippery Slope Read online

  I look over at Gabby, who is chatting away with A.J. It looks like they are having a deep discussion about something.

  “How?”

  “Well, we thought it would be a really great angle to let your friends instruct you. You would just follow along.”

  “You want them to teach me?” I say, wondering if I should pinch myself because this is a dream come true! I might actually get away with this after all!

  “Could you do that, Hannah? I mean would you be willing? I think your audience will relate better if it seems like they are learning with you, not from you.”

  “Um … sure, I guess.”

  “It’s almost a shame that you are such a great skier.”

  “I’m not that great.” I look down shamefully at my beautiful skis.

  “Oh, Hannah. Stop being so modest. I know you’re a pro. It’s all everyone is talking about.”

  “So, if you would just … um … you know … let Gabby show you the ropes, you know, skiing basics like putting on skis, and getting on and off the lift, then you guys can go through the harder stuff like how to get down the hill in one piece.” Andy smiles. “So, are you on board?”

  “Um … sure,” I say again, guiltily. I hate lying to Andy. I really do.

  “Okay guys! We’re ready!” Andy yells to the crew. “Everyone in position. Gabby, we need you over here.”

  Gabby zooms over on her skis.

  “Okay, Hannah, you can do this.” Gabby whispers. “We can do this!”

  Just like that, the two of us are surrounded by people — Andy, Gwendolyn, the camera guys, the lighting guys, the sound crew, Synora from makeup, Chloe, Ivy, Marcel, a few other kids from the club, and some random skiers who are just checking out what’s going on.

  “Okay, Hannah,” Andy whispers, “Just try not to be —” she pauses, struggling to find the words “— too perfect.”

  “Shouldn’t be a problem,” I say, trying to manage a smile.

  “Hannah, you seem off today. Is something wrong?” Andy asks, frowning. “Did you take your vitamins?”

  “Yes.”

  “Did you get enough sleep?”

  “Yes.”

  “Did you eat your breakfast?”

  “Yes!”

  “Then what’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. Everything is great,” I lie.

  “Good,” Andy says, smiling sweetly.

  “Andy, we need you over here. We’ve got a problem with sound.”

  “We’ll get started in a minute,” Andy says, heading over to the sound crew.

  “Oh my gosh, Hannah, I almost forgot to tell you!” Gabby exclaims.

  “What?”

  “Okay, so Ivy’s cousin …”

  Without meaning to, I look over at Nathan.

  Great! He just saw me gawking at him. He’s smiling and giving me a thumbs-up. Weird.

  “So, I overheard Nathan and Ivy talking. Ivy was all, ‘I doubt that girl can even ski.’”

  “What did he say?”

  “He said, ‘What, are ya jealous of her or something? What does it matter to you?’”

  “He didn’t tell her?”

  Gabby shakes her head, grinning. “Nope.”

  “But he saw me on the bunny hill. He just saw me on the lift. I made a fool of myself. It’s obvious I can’t ski.”

  “I’ve known Nathan for a long time, and I can tell you, he might be Ivy’s cousin, but he can’t stand her. He’d never give her something to gossip about.”

  I smile over at Nathan to say thanks, but he is too busy giving last-minute instructions to the kids to notice.

  “Sound is up and running,” Andy yells. “Everyone ready?”

  “All good here!” The lighting guy calls back.

  “Great! Camera crew ready?”

  “Good to go!”

  “Since we’re at the top of the hill, we’re going to do things a little backwards today,” Andy says. “Let’s start filming up here. Gabby will show Hannah the basics. Once we’re at the bottom, we’ll tape our intros. Okay, girls?”

  “Okay!” Gabby squeals.

  “Okay, Hannah?”

  Everyone is looking at me, waiting for me to speak.

  “Hannah!” Andy asks again impatiently. “Are we okay?”

  “Yeah … um … sure,” I reply.

  “Okay, take it away, Hannah,” she says, grinning. “You know what to do!”

  I don’t know what to do, that’s the problem ...

  “Hannah, come on. We’re rolling!” Andy’s waving with her hand like a madwoman, urging me to get started.

  Andy’s words are swirling around in my head — there is no turning back from a lie on air. EVER. And then Gwendolyn’s — One minute they love you, the next, you’re public enemy number one! A villain … history.

  I look at the fluffy microphone hanging over my head, then at the crowd, and then into Andy’s pleading eyes. Finally, I know what to do.

  18

  A Slippery Slope

  “Hannah, you’ll be fine. Just follow me,” Gabby whispers.

  “I’m sorry, Gabby,” I say.

  Gabby’s mouth falls open. She shakes her head. “No … don’t do it. I already fixed everything. Don’t tell!”

  “I’m sorry,” I say again.

  “Hannah …” She sighs.

  “Okay! What’s going on?” Gwendolyn demands.

  I suck in a deep breath and plant my poles in the snow. “What’s going on is that I’ve never skied, I can’t snowboard, and this is my first time ever on a ski hill.”

  “I knew it!” Ivy screeches.

  “I knew it, too!” Chloe yells. “I told you, A.J.! Didn’t I?”

  A.J. doesn’t answer. He just stares down at the snow.

  “Well, didn’t I?” Chloe shrieks. “I called this from the start! She is a liar and a cheat! Finally, everyone knows the truth!” she adds triumphantly.

  “Miss Smart,” Gwendolyn says, locking her narrowed eyes on mine, “it seems to me that you have been deceiving us all for quite some time now. You have just admitted that you are a liar who has betrayed your classmates, your employers, and basically, everyone who knows you. Being a good liar is not a quality we admire here at Channel Nine. I’m sure you’d agree?”

  “Gwendolyn, it’s not like Hannah meant to —” Andy jumps in to rescue me, although, I don’t understand why; I lied to her, too.

  “Andy!” Gwendolyn interrupts sharply. “You’re defending this girl?”

  “Well, she didn’t really …”

  “Stop right there!” Gwendolyn demands. “I’ve heard enough. Defending the actions of a girl who has hoodwinked tens of thousands of people is further proof that you are not the professional that you pretend to be. Hannah is a wolf in sheep’s clothing!”

  “Hold on a second here, Gwendolyn!” Andy shouts.

  “No, you hold on! I’ve got more to say!” Gwendolyn shouts back.

  I’m watching in awe as Gwendolyn and Andy’s screaming match gets more and more heated by the second. I think if I disappeared right now, no one would notice because all eyes are glued on them. It’s like watching a tennis match, following the ball back and forth, over and over.

  “That’s enough!” Gwendolyn bellows, bringing the match to an end. “The simple fact of the matter is — Hannah, you’re fired!”

  Everyone gasps, including Andy. I don’t, though. I was expecting this.

  Suddenly, I hear a yelp of what I can only imagine is pure joy, coming from Chloe. “Yes! Yes! Yes! Hannah is fired! Fire the Smarts! Fire all of the Smarts!”

  Gwendolyn nods at Chloe. I never even thought about how this would affect my dad. He had nothing to do with this. Nothing at all!

  “Gwendolyn … you can’t,” Andy cries.

  “Oh, but I can, Andy. And don’t think for a second that I’ve forgotten about you.” Gwendolyn’s eyes are sparkling with delight. “I’ve been wanting to say these words for so long — Andy, you’re …”

  Sudde
nly, the door to the building, where all the crew was earlier, swings open and Phillip emerges. He looks larger than life in his big red parka and silvery hair.

  “Gwendolyn!” Phillip says into a megaphone he’s holding. “No one is getting fired today!”

  Gwendolyn’s eyes instantly soften as she turns toward him. “Oh, Phillip,” she says sweetly. “When did you get here?”

  “Obviously, just in time.” He closes the door, and makes his way across the snow to join us.

  “You won’t believe what’s been going on here. And right under our noses!”

  “Don’t worry, Gwen. I know what’s going on. I’ve been watching everything inside on the monitors,” Phillip says, smiling. “Hannah, are you ready?”

  “Um …”

  “Gabby, can you show Hannah the ropes?”

  “Sure!” Gabby exclaims.

  “Phillip … I don’t think you quite understand …” Gwendolyn says, shaking her head in disbelief.

  “I think I do, Gwen. We’ve got some talented kids here ready to get working.”

  “But Phillip … I know you think the world of her, but Hannah has been lying to us all. She can’t ski.”

  “You know what, Gwendolyn?” Phillip creases his forehead and taps his chin. “You might be right.”

  “Of course I’m right.” She smiles, batting her eyelashes.

  “Maybe Hannah has withheld the truth, but I don’t recall her ever saying she could ski. Do you?”

  Gwendolyn screws up her face. “Um … well … no.”

  Phillip looks over at me with a slight frown. “Hannah, I’m sure you’ve had lots of opportunities to tell the truth and set people straight.”

  “Yup, lots,” I admit.

  “And probably you should have, but in the end, who did you hurt, beside yourself?”

  “Everybody?” I offer.

  “Really? How do you think you’ve hurt everyone, Hannah?”

  “Phillip! She’s deceived us all!” Gwendolyn cuts in.

  “Gwendolyn, with the utmost respect, zip it! I was talking to Hannah. So, Hannah? Does it really matter that you can’t ski? Can you tell me one person whom you’ve actually hurt?”

  “Um, Gabby …” I look over at my friend.

  Gabby smiles. “Nope!”

  “A.J.” I look at him.

  “Nah, me neither,” he says with a shake of his head. “Except, I was kind of hoping for a little competition. But hey, after a few lessons from me, who knows.”

  Suddenly, Chloe yells, “Why are we still here talking about this? Gwendolyn fired her!”

  “Well, I’ve un-fired her,” Phillip asserts. “Hannah is going to do a wonderful job today. She’ll learn how to ski and snowboard, and, in the process, show our audience at home how an amazing young lady embraces life with passion, pushing past her fears to meet challenges head on.”

  “Actually, it’s kind of a bonus that you’re a newbie!” Andy finally speaks up.

  “My sentiments exactly, Andy!” Phillip says. “So, shall we get started?”

  I nod yes. Who knew coming clean would feel this good? And to think I almost … well, you know.

  “Let’s do this!” Gabby hollers, throwing her arms around me. “You’re going to be amazing. Isn’t she, A.J.?”

  “She’s gonna be great.”

  “The kids will need to fill out paperwork,” Gwendolyn snarls.

  Andy smirks. “Great! Can you handle that, Gwen?”

  Gwendolyn’s eyes are instant fire! “If you think I’m going to do anything for —”

  “Gwendolyn,” Phillip interrupts, “can you get the kids’ paperwork in order?”

  “My pleasure, Phillip.” She throws one final steely glare at Andy, and then motions for A.J. and Gabby to follow her back to the building.

  At that moment, I feel another pat on my back, actually more of a push than a pat. It’s Chloe! “See you at the bottom,” she whispers.

  Oh no! I’m moving. I’m really moving. I can’t stop. I forget what to do! What should I do? “I can’t stop!” I scream.

  Why is nobody rescuing me? I look back — Andy is talking to Phillip. A.J. and Gabby are off with Gwendolyn, and the rest of the crew are busy talking amongst themselves.

  There are only two people watching me: Chloe and Ivy, and their smiles couldn’t be any bigger.

  Oh crap! “Helllllllp!” I scream again. Nobody is listening! I can’t believe how fast I’m picking up speed. This is crazy! I’m going to kill myself — for real this time! I’m trying to keep on my feet, but my arms are flailing, and I just lost a pole! What am I going to do with only one pole? I’m off balance. Oh my gosh! There is a jump coming. I forget how to turn! Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, OH MY GOSHHHHHH! I just went over it! I’m still standing! Thank god! Oh no! A huge lineup of kids! Nathan’s kids! What are they doing here? They were at the top a few minutes ago! And now they’re just standing there right in the middle of the hill! Oh my gosh! I’m going to hit one! I can’t stop!

  “Get out of the way! I can’t stop!” I scream, charging toward him.

  Suddenly, the kid I’m about to hit looks up and starts hopping out of my path. Wooooooosh … I just miss him. Oh no! Here comes that half-pipe thing! I’m heading straight for it! Oh god!

  “Help!” I scream into the air. Somehow, I narrowly miss the entrance. Okay, I can finally almost see the bottom! I can’t believe I’m going to make it down alive! Oh no! Here comes another jump, and another, and another! What is this? OMG. Gabby told me about this! I’m on the moguls. Up, down, up, down, up, down, up, down. How am I staying on my feet? This is crazy! Finally, I’m back on the regular hill.

  “Hannahhhhhhhhhh!” I hear people screaming. “Snowplow! Snowplow!”

  Stupidly, I turn my head around to see who is yelling. Just as I do, I hit another jump and I’m flying through the air. Oh, this is not going to end well! “HELP!” I scream for no real purpose. I mean, who can help me now? And then crash, bang, thump, roll, roll, roll, skid, stop.

  Sprawled out on the snow, realizing I’ve got no poles to help me up (my second pole was mangled and sent flying in the crash), I decide to lay here for a moment to catch my breath. A second later, I hear the sound of snow being expertly carved behind me … swoosh … it comes to an abrupt stop. The next thing I know, I’m being effortlessly lifted and pulled out of the path of oncoming skiers.

  Who is this mystery ski-hill hero who is rescuing me? It must be A.J., at least I hope it is. Breathless with anticipation, I turn around, only to find myself coming face-to-face with some old guy with a white beard who looks like Santa with a knapsack on his back.

  “You took quite a spill there, miss.”

  “Yes …”

  A split second later, I feel a spray of snow as A.J. comes to an instant stop beside me. “Hannah! Oh my gosh! How are you?”

  “Happy I’m still alive.” I laugh.

  “Nothing broken? Anything hurt?”

  “Well, my pride a bit, and I’ll probably have a few bruises.”

  “Thanks, Fred,” A.J. says to Santa with the knapsack. “I can take it from here.”

  “You be careful,” Fred scolds, “and learn how to snowplow,” he adds with a jolly laugh as he skis away.

  “Really, Hannah! That was wicked!”

  “What, my crash?”

  “The way you handled those moguls! Seriously, is there anything you can’t do?”

  “Plenty! As you just saw.” I laugh.

  “Don’t be so hard on yourself. I think you’re cool.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes, really!”

  “Um … well, thanks, but I don’t think that looked very cool.”

  “Hannah, everything about you is cool! Seriously! You have an entire film crew at the top of the hill, all there for you! You make stuff happen in your life.”

  “I’m pretty sure stuff just happens and I go with it.”

  “Stop it, Hannah, you’re awesome,” A.J. protests. “I don’t thin
k you realize just how great you are. I mean you’re brave, and smart, and crazy.” He brushes a snowflake from my cheek. “Someday … um …” he stammers, sounding almost nervous, “… I hope maybe, that you and I, I mean that you might want to be … um … my …”

  Rinnnnnnng, rinnnnnng, rinnnnnng

  Seriously? His phone is ringing now?

  “Oh geez, I told them I’d call as soon as I made sure you were safe. They’re all waiting for news.”

  “Tell them I’m still in one piece,” I say with an embarrassed laugh.

  “Hi …” A.J. says into his phone. By the astonished look on his face, I can tell that the person he’s talking to isn’t anyone here on the hill.

  “Why are you calling … what’s going on?” he asks softly.

  I’m dying to know who’s on the other end. Whoever it is must be important because it looks like he’s in a different world, like he’s totally forgotten where he is, and what he is supposed to be doing — calling everyone to tell them I’m okay.

  Well, I guess, for that matter, I could call them myself, but then I’d miss out on the rest of the conversation, which is not going to happen. I’ll just send a quick text to Gabby:

  Hey, A.J. is with me. I’m fine. Lost one pole, bent the other. Can you let Andy know? See you in a few minutes.

  “You’re coming back?” A.J. says, rubbing his forehead. “When?”

  After what seems like an eternity, he hangs up.

  I’m trying hard to be patient, giving him a moment to digest whatever it was that he just heard, but it’s really hard, like torturous, especially since he just keeps staring at his phone in a daze.

  In the end, my patience dwindles, and I decide I can’t wait any longer; I need to know. “Who was that? Who is coming back?” I demand.

  A.J. looks up from his phone, and smiles. “Piper.”

  Acknowledgements

  After nearly a twenty-year hiatus from skiing, I thought it might be a good idea to head up to the ski hill to do some research, but as everyone from Nova Scotia knows, our weather doesn’t always co-operate. My first thank you goes out to Mother Nature for giving us the winter of all winters, complete with a seemingly endless string of snowstorms! The conditions were great, but even better (for a girl like me, who doesn’t fare winter well) was the chance to retreat to the cozy lodge at Martock where I would steal breaks to warm my fingers, soak in the atmosphere, and write while watching my teenage kids zoom down the hill.