BREAKAWAY

He protected me. He was there during the shit storm called, Cincinnati Romano, and I needed a friend. Since then, he has shown me a part of life I’ve never experienced before...…

I can’t breathe. I don’t know if it’s because of the cold wind in my face or my sides hurting from laughing so hard, but I can’t breathe. Who knew ice skating would be so much fun! I’m blowing around this rink like nobody’s business, but as soon as my friend Alex started chasing me, I was off! Laughing and feeling in the cold breeze. I turned around just in enough time to see him face plant to keep from running into a small child!

“Sloane! Not fair! You can’t keep skating with the polar bear trainer! They are for the kids!”

“Yeah, well some of these kids skate better than I can walk in heels!”

Yeah, so maybe I am skating behind what they call a trainer for kids. This one is in the shape of a polar bear. Sue me.

Alex catches up with me.

“Give it up, angel.”

“No.”

He point to a group of kids with impatient looks on their faces.

“You see that line over there? It’s kids, waiting for a trainer and they are watching the only adult hogging one.”

I roll my eyes.

“Fine, whiny damn kids. If I fall, I’m blaming every one of them.”

“If you fall, I’m taking a picture and laughing my ass off.”

Well let’s just say by the end of the evening, every kid was cursed with diarrhea for a week and I think I broke my tailbone, but I never laughed so hard in my life. Though, the next day I found a huge bruise on my ass the size of a golf ball. Thanks Alex, thanks a lot.

“Ok Sloane, you bounce the ball into the cup on the other side of the table and if you make it, they have to drink. If you miss, you have to drink. Think you got it?”

“Got it. Seems pretty simple enough.”

Well shit on me. It’s not simple enough as it seems. After bouncing the ball into the plant by the door, off the wall onto the makeshift dance floor, and into someone else’s drink, I can officially say I suck at it and I’m drunk.

“Let’s dance!”

I grab Alex’s hand and find our way to the makeshift dance floor. For the next twenty or so minutes our bodies are moving to the music and we both are laughing so hard we’re practically holding each other up.

“Sloane, I hate to tell you this because you seem to be having so much fun and all, but you can’t dance. Like, you have two left feet!”

“I know! But you see, that’s the fun in it. I don’t give a shit!”

Waking up the next morning, I find myself lying in bed with Alex. Fully clothed, thank God. Speaking of God, who in heaven’s name let me drink so much. Alex rolls over and looks at me. Damn, he looks like shit. Though I’m pretty sure I don’t look like a runway model either.

“Come on angel, we need you to get up. Your phone’s been ringing nonstop for like an hour.”

“To hell with my phone. It didn’t get drunk last night. I need to sleep.”

Speak of the devil and he shall appear. My damn phone rings again. It’s my dad so I answer.

"What do want, Dad?"

“Sloane Isabella Dominguez, do you have any idea how long I’ve been calling you? I was fixing to get in my car and drive to the city.”

Too damn early in the afternoon for this.

“Why hello to you too, Dad. And yes it is nice to hear your voice and I love you too. Oh, and by the way, yes, I will be shutting my phone off after all, so I can get me some fucking peace so I can sleep.”

“Don’t get smart with me, young lady.”

“What is it, Dad? Please spit the shit out and make it quick. I don’t have the patience this early.”

“Early? Sloane, it's fucking two in the afternoon.”

“Semantics.”

“Your going to put me in an early damn grave.”

“You have your Will and Testament up to date?”

“Not funny. Where are you?”

“In bed.”

“Whose bed?”

“Mine.”

“What were you doing last night that you're sleeping all day today and couldn’t answer the damn phone?”

“Hanging out with a few friends.”

“Did you have a good time?”

“The best.”

“Dammit, Sloane. Alright, are you at least coming home for a visit next weekend?”

By now all the questions have my headache raging, and I have my arm over my eyes.

“Yeah, Dad.”

“Alright. Go back and sleep off your hangover. Drink plenty of fluids and tell Alex to keep to his side of the bed. Matter of fact, see if he wants to come with you next weekend to visit. I love you, princess.”

“Love you too, Dad.”

I cut the call and roll back over.

“Dammit Alex, quit hogging the cover!”

“I’m sorry Alex, can you repeat that?”

“Horseback riding.”

“Yeah, I was afraid that was what you said.”

“It will be fun!”

“Naw, I don’t think it will be.”

“Come on angel, riding a horse isn’t that hard.”

“Alex, let me tell you something, the only kind of beast that will go between my legs better be long, thick and know how to work it. Horses not included.”

He didn't listen. Later that afternoon, I'm standing in front of a beautiful brown and white spotted horse named, Gracie.

“Hurry up Sloane!”

“Don’t rush me! Okay pretty girl, I’m going to ride on your back now. Yes, I know it’s demeaning but Alex is making me do it, so please stand still.”

I stand on a stool and put my foot in a stirrup. I do it exactly the the way he showed me, and carefully sit on Gracie.

“Good girl. We girls gotta stick together now don’t we?”

“Sloane, are you talking to your horse?”

“Maybe?”

“Well kick her so we can get moving.”

“WHAT? You want me to kick her? What the hell has she done to you?”

“You have to nudge her to get her to start moving.”

“Oh... nope not happening. She was good enough to let me sit on her, I’m not going to break her trust by kicking or nudging her.”

“You’re kidding me, right?”

“Try me.”

“What are you doing?”

“Getting off so I can give her a sugar cube. She deserves a treat for letting me sit on her.”

“Your going to send me to an early damn grave.”

“Well wait in line, cause I’m working on someone else before you. Gives you time to get your Will and Testament in order.”