“Anytime you need to stop and take a break, just let me know, okay? Easy does it. And here we go.”

His hands stayed securely attached to my shoulder and waist as we shuffled forward. It took us a year to get down the rest of the way, I swear. Eric was doing most of the work, steering me cautiously, thoughtfully. He told me stories about all of his injuries on the slopes. He had broken his nose three times. Two times on trees. Once on his own knee. I started to laugh, but it hurt my head too much when I did.

Just past the chalet where we got our lunch and rented skis, there was another wooden hut with a red cross on it and a shuttered window. I had never noticed it before. There was just one room inside with a cot, a chair, a desk, and a counter full of bottles of antiseptics and cotton balls. A sweet-looking older man sat at the desk in a white lab coat over a thick green sweater. He had a gray beard and reading glasses perched on the end of his nose, and he was very intently filling out a crossword puzzle when we came in.

“Took a spill, huh?” he asked with a warm smile. His voice sounded like static on the radio, deep and crackly.

“Yup,” I said.

“Hi, I’m Dr. Wasserman.”

“Sam Levy.”

“You mind if I step out for a second and get someone to help me find your dad?” asked Eric.

“That’s okay, you don’t have to.”

“Good idea,” said Dr. Wasserman at the same time. Eric left before I could protest.

I explained what happened as Dr. Wasserman sat me down on the little cot and checked the back of my head for any lumps or bumps. Then he pulled gingerly on all of my limbs.

“You stop me if anything hurts,” he said. He touched my glands, massaged my stomach, listened to my chest and took all my vitals. He shined a little penlight in my ears, my throat, my eyes.

“Anybody home?” he said with a gruff laugh. He smelled like cough drops.

Just then, Dad burst through the door. “Oh! Sammy! You okay, sweetie?”

“I’m fine, Dad. I’m fine.”

He rushed in and kissed me on the forehead. I could see Kathy behind him, nervously craning her neck.

“Are you sure? Are you sure?” Dad was asking, frantically running his hands over my face, my neck, my arms.

“She’s gonna be fine,” said Dr. Wasserman.

“Oh, sorry,” said Dad. “I’m Judd Levy, Sam’s dad.”

“Eugene Wasserman.”

“And I’m Kathy,” I heard. Good job. No further explanation needed.

Dr. Wasserman turned back to me. “Well, the bad news is, you took quite a spill. The good news is, I think you’re gonna live. You probably have a mild concussion. I could send you over to Burlington General to get a checkup, but there isn’t really much they can do for you except tell you to rest. Or you could just go back to wherever you’re staying and put your feet up by the fire for a day or two. What do you think?”

“I can take you to the hospital if you want. I’ve got the truck,” said Eric. I had forgotten that he was still there.

“Oh, you’re staying at Phil’s place?” asked Dr. Wasserman.

“Yeah,” said Dad. “Listen, Sam, we can go to the hospital if you want, sweetie.”

“Whatever will make you feel better,” Kathy chimed in.

“Well, you’ve got a big fan club here, huh?” said Dr. Wasserman. “What do you think, young lady?”

“I think sitting in front of the fire sounds good,” I replied.

“You sure?” Dad asked.

“Yeah.”

Dr. Wasserman told me to get in a lot of clear fluids like broth, and if I threw up again or felt really dizzy to give him a call. He helped me off the table and gave me his card.

“Seriously, anytime. My usual activity for a Wednesday night is to watch water come to a boil or time the traffic lights, so don’t hesitate to get in touch with me.” Then he turned to the three faces in the doorway.

“Now, who is going to take this lovely lady home?” he asked.

“I will,” said Dad and Eric at the same time.

“It’s okay, I’ve got her,” said Dad.

“Really, I can take her, Mr. Levy,” said Eric. “You guys only have a few days left on the slopes. Why don’t you finish your afternoon?”

“No, no, no, no, no, I’ll take her.”

“It’s no trouble. My truck’s parked right over there.”

While they were talking, I took the opportunity to lie back down on the cot. My limbs were so achy and tired. So were my eyes.

The next thing I knew, Eric was easing me off of the cot, and we were saying good-bye to Dr. Wasserman. Dad and Kathy were going to find Jeremy and return all of our equipment.

“So, I guess I don’t qualify for the Super G, huh?” I said as we walked slowly to the parking lot.

“The Super G?” asked Eric.

“Never mind.” I was glad he didn’t get it. “Sorry I was such an ass. I was just trying to … I don’t know. I was being stupid, I guess.”

“Hey, these things happen, you know?” said Eric.

“Sam!” I heard behind me. Eric helped me turn around. It was Ashley, running toward us with her hands in the air.

“I’m so sorry. I tried waiting for you up there, but then I thought I missed you. And then when I got to the bottom I looked for you again. And then Drew came by and told me what happened. Oh sweetie, are you okay?”

“Yeah, Ashley. I’m all good.”

“We were having such a fun time, too. Tote bum.” Which I guessed meant “total bummer.” I tried to give her a smile. She smiled back.

“Oh, darlin’, can I do anything for you? Do you need anything?”

Her face looked so long with concern.

“That’s okay, Ashley. Really, I just need to go back to the inn and lie down.”

“Okay. Well, how about I try to catch up with you later today on the phone, okay? We still have to exchange e-mail addresses or something so we can stay buds.”

“That sounds good,” I said.

“Ooooh, I’m gonna miss you. Can I …?” She reached in to give me a hug. “You take care now, you hear?” She looked like she might cry.

“Promise. You, too.” I wanted to tell her how much fun she was, but I didn’t feel too steady standing up.

Eric and I walked the rest of the way in silence. His truck was a big navy pickup.

“This is Snoop,” he said.

I looked around, but there was nobody there. “Who?”

“The truck. His name is Snoop.”

“Oh hi, Snoop.”

“Just to warn you? It’s pretty hairy inside. Usually I’m traveling with someone much smaller and furrier.” He smiled.

“No problem,” I said.

He helped me up into the cab and made sure I was all settled in before he shut the door. There were a lot of dog hairs in here. And pine needles on the floor. And on the console I saw there was a small pad of paper with what looked like a sketch of a mountain pass, the rocks drawn in shades of gray. I didn’t have time to get a good look, though. Eric was already opening his door.

“I swear it’ll warm up in just a few. You freezing?” he asked.

“Nah, I’m fine.”

He turned the key in the ignition, and Steely Dan was playing really loud.

“Oops, sorry about that,” he said sheepishly, ejecting the CD. The local news came on.

“Looks like it’s gonna be a big one, too. Starting off in the morning and not tapering off until late in the evening. We may get as much as one and a half to two feet, so get out those shovels,” said the announcer.

Eric turned the radio down.

“Sounds like it might be the perfect day to stay in tomorrow,” he said.

I didn’t even answer. I just leaned back into the headrest and closed my eyes.

By the time Dad and Kathy and Jeremy came back, Eric had already set me up in front of the fire in the living room with a fleece blanket that felt like butter and a steaming cup of hot chocolate. I wasn’t sure I could get it down, but it smelled great.

“How’s the patient?” asked Dad, kissing me on the forehead.

“Better,” I murmured.

“We found someone who wanted to see you,” said Kathy.

“Nice job, nerd,” said Jeremy, leaning in and rubbing my head delicately.