More Than Fine. (Complete)

36- MTF I'm your Man

Copyright © designschool 2021

All Rights Reserved

     After having a brief "church" service Sunday morning, while eating an assortment of French toast, frittata, hash browns, sausage, and fruit prepared by the live in housekeeper, everyone geared up for another day on the slopes. Chip was the only one not in attendance during the service, but he joined the group as they were heading to the slopes. The plan was to ski until lunch, then afterwards the guys would teach the girls to snowboard.  To everyone's surprise, Chip stayed with them to ski.

     "He must be feeling better about things," Jill whispered to those standing near her.

     Throughout the morning Chip was mostly quiet, but occasionally spoke with his sister or with Gia.

     "I hope your friends don't think I'm a snob," he'd told Gia when they made it to the bottom of a slope nearly simultaneously. "I'm just not much for conversation this weekend.

     "Everyone knows your situation." Though it was surely embarrassing for him, she hoped he would realize that meant they would be understanding and not make judgements about his lack of interaction. "The fact that you're spending today with us in spite of that says a lot about you. Try to relax and maybe the change of scenery will work to cheer you up."

     "That's what my parents hoped, but your company has been more beneficial with that."

     At his words, Gia searched the hill for Nick. They'd gotten separated a while back, and though that in itself didn't bother her, she couldn't help but think it would be good for Chip to see them together. Throwing their relationship in Chip's face during conversation, when he'd not overtly shown interest, seemed hurtful when he probably was only talking with her because she'd happen to be around when he was tipsy and overly talkative the night before.

     "And if I relax too much," Chip grinned, I'll be in no shape to take these slopes.

     They were both laughing at that just as Evie, Kate, and Jill joined them questioning the cause for levity. Jill seemed pleased that Chip had made a friend, but Gia couldn't help but think it might also be because she had her sights set on Nick. Gia placed a hand over her chest as a feeling of unease came on again. The battle with jealousy was tiresome, and still fairly new. All indications were that Jill was just a truly nice and good woman who would never tread on another woman's territory. The problem was that all that niceness and goodness, combined with her natural beauty seemed enough to lure any man; and now to find that she had a family doting on Nick and she'd soon be spending a good deal of time with him on something close to his heart. How could he not be dazzled? Gia on the other hand had nothing to offer, and it was possible her only appeal had been her proximity at the time he finally opened himself up to relationships.

     The discussion turned to snowboarding. It was approaching time to meet back at the chalet for lunch, then afterwards snowboarding lessons for the girls. Evie, Kate, Jill, and Gia all admitted to being somewhat nervous. Kate most of all, since she had read up on the most common snowboarding injuries. Chip insisted, for his part, he would make sure the girls were taught all the safety precautions and that they took things slowly to avoid injury.

     Snowboarding lessons did indeed start out slowly. The guys were thrilled to show off their skills. After they spent some time going over everything with the girls as a group, each girl was paired off with a guy. Chip was the exception as he was paired with both his sister and Kate. He'd tried to claim Gia as his second partner, but was turned down by an insistent Nick. Nick's claim on Gia made her heart race and butterflies take over, though the timing was terrible with her need to have all her wits about her while learning to snowboard.