This Is It

Chapter 32: "I'm sorry... About the way I behaved with you..."

"OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! Mayaaaaaaa! I can't believe it! She really did it... Heck! Who am I kidding! Of course she did it!" Carina exhaled in defeat knowing very well the kind of girlfriend she manage to get.

Maya had just bungee jumped from a bridge at the Crooked River High Bridge in the beautiful Peter Skene Ogden State Park in Oregon, and she was now falling towards water like a shooting star.

Maya felt the wind pushing against her body, but all she could think about was how life manage to give her a precious chance at true happiness and a chance at overcoming past traumas, fears and life challenges that came along the way.

She felt free, like she hadn't felt for a long time.

Free like a bird that had finally escaped from its cage after having spent many years behind bars.

Maya smiled as she looked up to the sky above her and saw an angry looking Carina shaking her head with disbelief while watching Maya bounce through the air with what seemed like some sort of pleasure.

Carina rolled her eyes and watched her girlfriend bouncing down towards the river below, unable to resist a grin on her face.

When Maya touched solid ground again, she laughed out loud and said: "That was freaking awesome! I want to do it again! Can I do it again? You should come too Carina! It will be so much fun!"

Carina wasn't very amused with Maya's excitement.

She couldn't believe Maya actually thought it would be a good idea to go back and try it again, let alone take her with her.

"Suuure Maya! You can do it again Maya! We all have to make choices in life... To jump or not to jump from a bridge... To keep or not to keep a girlfriend... Choices... Choices..." Carina spoke sarcastically while gesturing with her hands in a pondering way before turning around to walk away without saying another word.

Maya took a deep breath with a dumb smile on her face and quickly started following Carina without giving it another thought.

Carina walked back to where the others were waiting for the helicopter to fly back to Eugene and allowed Maya to catch up.

When Maya reached her, Carina grabbed her hand and pulled her into a bear hug, giving her one kiss on her forehead and not letting her go.

"I'm just relieved to see you're ok, Bambina! But that doesn't change the fact that what you just did was completely stupid and irresponsible. You are still in recovery, Maya! Stunts like these are what can jeopardise all the hard work you have been putting in!" Carina spoke passionately and with concern while rubbing Maya's back gently.

Maya held onto Carina's arms for support and nodded in agreement.

"Sure... But you and I heard what Teddy said. I'm completely recovered on what concerns her. Me being back to work at desk duty for the next two weeks is just a precautionary measure." Maya tried to reason.

Carina rolled her eyes as she released her grip and stepped back while giving Maya one last gaze over her shoulder with an accusatory and at the same time warm look in her face.

"Oh! And another thing... Don't hold your breath waiting for me to be jumping off bridges... I like it when you breathe, Bambina." Carina winked smiling at Maya before heading off to rejoin the others who were already waiting for them to come back.

The two women had the opportunity to join a group of former olympians and spend the day at the P. S. Ogden State Park, helicopter ride included.

The group enjoyed their day together, hanging out by the river, going on a couple of hikes and doing bungee jumping with a big barbecue in the mixing.