Free Crazy Blood by T. Jefferson Parker Page B

the town council a more equitable allotment of the streetlight banners. Say, fifteen each for Chamonix and Vault, and sixteen for Gargantua. As a nod to their much deeper pockets.”
    â€œThat’s a travesty,” said Jacobie.
    â€œDeal,” said Adam.
    â€œSir,” said Jacobie.
    â€œThe fuck, Grandpa?”
    â€œAh, excellent,” said Claude.
    Adam stood and made an underhand shooing motion toward the door. “Out out, damned spots. Mike, I need to talk to you a minute. You people hold the funicular for him.”
    The Racing Committee filed out, mostly arguing, Claude laughing, Brandon casting a hangdog look back at Adam before slamming the door. Teresa began the cleanup. Adam heard the funicular engine start outside. “Mike, has Brandon talked to you about the X Course for the next cup?”
    â€œYes. He wants two more gates, tighter banks, and flatter straights. For safety, after Robert.”
    And to favor his lighter-bodied skiers, thought Adam. Such as Sky. “And what did you tell him?”
    â€œI told him to do his job and let me do mine. I always set the best and fairest course I can, Adam. And the safest.”
    â€œI know you do.”
    â€œAnd I want you to know that the padding on the X Course was very heavy, high quality, and correctly installed.”
    â€œI have no doubt.”
    â€œI’m crushed about Robert. I love him.”
    â€œI know you do.”
    Mike stood there for a moment.
    â€œIt’s good to have a friend who tells the truth,” Adam said. “Please let Wylie know he’s on the team. Not to sweat the money.”
    â€œI hope those corporate pricks don’t run his family out of business.”
    Adam considered this notion. He understood the value of prosperity for Mammoth Lakes, and he understood the value of family. This was about both.
    â€œAnd did you hear? April Holly is moving to Mammoth to live and train, away from the spotlights in Aspen.”
    Adam had not heard. He’d never met April Holly, but he’d seen her image on supermarket magazines and on TV thousands of times. She had four World Cup Crystal Globes and a gold medal from Sochi. A snowboard wizard with a pretty smile and bouncy hair. America’s snow princess. “Another Olympic medalist for our mountain. I’m pleased.”
    â€œI hear she travels with quite a crew. Private jets, custom Escalades with her picture on the sides. Bodyguards, coaches, and supermom. They say she creates a spectacle wherever she goes.”
    So much about snow sports has changed, thought Adam, suddenly back in his station wagon with Sandrine and Don Oakley and his girl, all packed in and barreling down the highway with eight pairs of skis on top, ski gear and cheap food loaded to the roof, music on the radio if they could get it, following the FIS circuit from Mammoth to Squaw to Aspen to Jackson to Stowe and then on through Europe. He’d never forget those days. Always trying to take down the Europeans, put America on the map for the downhill, slalom, giant slalom, and the combined. They hadn’t quite accomplished that. But they’d gotten the attention of the USOC, and paved the way for Billy Kidd and Jimmie Heuga in ‘64.
    A flurry of snow blew into the foyer just before Mike closed the door. Glancing out the window, Adam saw Mike’s footprints multiplying in the snow, then Mike climbing into the silver funicular car. The thick steel cable lowered and the car started down.
    Teresa took his arm and laid her head against his shoulder. “They want only what they want.”
    â€œTeresa, let’s build a fire in the bedroom and lie down by it.”
    â€œIt’s built and I’m ready.”
    â€œYou are a joy to these old bones.”
    â€œYou are a joy to mine.”
    â€œSandrine always said it wasn’t how much you love, but how much you are loved.”
    â€œThat is what we do for each other.”

 
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