The Lighter Side of Large (18 page)

A boat pulls up underneath the jumper but I can’t see exactly what it’s doing.

“Ready to move on?” Jae asks.

“I want to do it,” I say.

“What? Bungee jump?”

“Yes. Can we ride over there?”

Jae’s mouth drops. “Yeah, it’s not far. Are you sure? You really want to do it?”

I nod. “Absolutely.” I can’t believe what I’m saying. I can’t believe I want to take a flying leap - literally. But there is something about the way Jae describes the experience and this past week of losing weight and going on this date which makes me want to do it.

“We can jump tandem, if you’d like,” Jae offers.

I laugh. “Even better.”

My heart is racing as we race up the winding trail, up and up the cliff side to the bridge. I can’t believe I am going to do it. It’s crazy, it’s unbelievable, but I want to do it. It’s not like I need to prove something; it’s more like a baptism, a symbol of having already done something.

When we reach the top, I’m relieved to find a port-a-potty, then join Jae at the bridge. He’s already stepped out of his overboots and coveralls. I strip out of my coveralls with his help. As we walk along the bridge to the jumping point, the reality of my decision hits me and my blood runs cold. The blue sky, the green forest, the majestic mountains - everything screams life and freedom and adventure. But their beauty fades as we walk along the bridge. I break out in a sweat and begin to hyperventilate. My heart is thumping so hard that it hurts. I wonder if I am going to have a heart attack and die before I jump or have a heart attack and die on the way down.

“Nervous?” Jae asks and the bungee operator buckles him into the tandem harness. They stand almost on the edge of the bridge; it gives me the willies.

“Yes,” I shudder. But I can’t back out now. Not that I felt the need to save face, but I made the decision and I can’t go back for my own sake.

My hands are shaking. He takes my hands in his. “I’m here with you.”

Now it’s my turn to be buckled in. We stand face to face in an embrace, Jae squashed against my belly, but he doesn’t seem to mind. I feel dizzy standing so close to the edge and close my eyes to calm my nerves. It doesn’t work.

“Right, you’re all set, boss man,” says the bungee guy with a slap on Jae’s back. I open my eyes and stare in terror at the river below. Fear washes over me. “You sure know how to impress a lady.”

Jae grins at him and punches his arm lightly. “If you’re gonna do it, do it with style.” He turns his attention to me. “Let me know when you’re ready,” he says in a calm, soft voice. “We’ll push out and away from the bridge. Take your time.”

I swallow and nod. I think I am making the biggest mistake of my life when I tear my gaze away from the precipice and look into his eyes. Their green depths are alive and shining. His mouth is set in a slight smile which somehow reassures me. Suddenly, it’s not like we’re standing on a bridge about to jump off. All I see his Jae. We could be anywhere and all I can focus on is him. My heart doesn’t thump quite so hard; my breathing slows. As I gaze into his eyes, he gazes into mine. Is that something passing between us, a tingle of electricity? It’s not my imagination; I can tell from his eyes that he feels it, too.

A sense of peace and safety in his arms gives me the courage I need. In the back of my mind, I hear my father say, “
You need someone who sees that your river runs so deep that he can’t help falling in” and we, as one, both take the step which sends us hurtling over the edge.
It’s like we’re moving in slow motion as we step off. Every detail becomes so clear.

And then we’re falling and I’m screaming my head off in terror. Jae is hollering just as loudly.
What if the cord breaks?
The thought goes through my mind as we fall, and then boing. We’re flying up, down, up, down. I’m shrieking hysterically. I have no idea how long we bounce before we come to a laughing, hanging halt above the boat. It occurs to me that I’ve fallen in a man’s arms - literally - and I can’t stop laughing. Somehow we get unstrapped and I’m still laughing my head off.

Jae gives me a big hug. “That was awesome! That was even better than jumping solo. Did you like it?”

“Did I like it? Whooeeee!” I shout, pumping my fist in the air. “I did it! Bella did it!”

•

“That was so amazing!” I say as Jae pulls into my driveway. “I still can’t believe I jumped. I did it. I really did it! I was so scared and then the rush you get. It’s exhilarating. Were you scared that time?” I don’t stop talking to let him answer. “Wow, what a feeling of freedom. I feel like I can do anything now. It was better than sex and chocolate!”

Jae chuckles.
Oops - did I just say that?
I scrunch my face in horror as it occurs to me what just flew out of my mouth. I’ve been talking non-stop since we left Go 4 It, the entire drive home. Jae politely listened to me rave about the jump and the bike trail, but mostly the jump.

“Yeah, it is more intense than sex and chocolate,” he agrees and turns of the ignition. He gets out and goes around to my side of the Jeep to hold the door as I get out.
What a gentleman.
My heart skips a beat at this simple considerate act. I’m not used to being treated like a lady.

“Bella, I had a fantastic time today,” he says as we walk toward the front door. “You’ve really helped me out with my business and I can’t thank you enough.”

“It was my pleasure,” I say, rummaging through my purse for my keys. “I don’t know when I’ve laughed so hard or had such a thrilling time. Thank you for inviting me.”

“Whoa - that’s a lot of keys,” Jae points to my bundle of metal with teeth.

“Yeah,” I shrug, “Silly, sentimental habit. I never throw away an old key, and so my collection grows each time I move or get a different vehicle or purchase something which requires a key.” I jingle them. “I have the key to my old dorm room at university, even the key to my locker in secondary school.”

“It’s a better habit to have than smoking or boozing,” he notes.

“That’s true,” I laugh. “But they can get heavy.”

“Most habits do,” he says and shuffles his feet. “I’ll email you those photos as soon as I get home. And I do want to join you and your friends for coffee soon. Maybe you can bring your artwork so I can take a peek?”

“Sure, that’d be great,” I smile and feel my heart skip a beat again.

“Good. I’ll be seeing you soon then. Good night,” Jae says. He walks a few steps away then stops, turns, and walks back. “Bella, would you like to go out sometime?”

“You mean a proper date?” I tease.

Jae nods. “Yeah, one where I don’t have to make up a business excuse to ask you out.”

That same electricity I felt on the bridge tingles through me again. “Why would you want to go out with me?” I blurt.
I can’t believe I just said that.

Jae places his hands on my arms and bends down to whisper in my ear. “Because you, Bella White, intrigue me. You are the first real person I have met in a very long time. And . . . I like you.” Then he kisses me chastely on the cheek.

He likes me? “Yes, I do want to go out sometime,” I reply before he has second thoughts and changes his mind.

“Wonderful. I’ll give you a call this week.”

“I look forward to it.”

Even in the moonlight, he can probably see my face is glowing. He releases me. “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight,” I smile and wave as he returns to his Jeep and backs out of the driveway with a confident roar.

Long after the sound of the Jeep fades, I stand on my front porch. My hand touches the place where his lips caressed my cheek with a kiss. I can’t believe my luck.

•

RoMANce: Hey there, how are you?

ShyNSweet: FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

RoMANce: What’s up?

ShyNSweet: I bungee jumped today!!!

RoMANce: No way! How was it?

ShyNSweet: The absolute best feeling ever! Terrified at first but after you make the leap you feel like you can conquer the world.

RoMANce: What made you jump?

ShyNSweet: Insanity LOL I really can’t say. I went quad biking with a friend and there was bungee jumping nearby and I just decided to jump.

RoMANce: You’re braver than me.

ShyNSweet: I’m a chicken when it comes to heights but I just had to do it.

RoMANce: Do you go quad biking a lot?

ShyNSweet: Never but it was a blast. Also had a picnic on a cliff top with a great view of NZ. Best day ever.

RoMANce: I’m jealous. Makes me want to go quad biking.

ShyNSweet: You’ll love it. But you have to bungee jump, too.

RoMANce: Where at?

ShyNSweet: Go 4 It Adventure Centre down in Nelson Parks National Forest.

RoMANce: I’ll have to check it out. Did your friend bungee jump too?

ShyNSweet: Yes we jumped together.

RoMANce: Did she like it?

ShyNSweet: He’s jumped solo before but says jumping tandem was more fun. I’m so pumped right now I don’t think I’ll sleep tonight. Endorphin high!!!

RoMANce: So it as a date?

ShyNSweet: Yes, my first in years.

RoMANce: Quite an unusual first date

ShyNSweet: Yeah but I wouldn’t trade it for roses and chocolates and champagne, not by a long shot. Especially not the chocolates. Did I tell you I lost 2kg this week?

RoMANce: Fantastic Life sure is looking up for you

ShyNSweet: You’re right – it is. And it feels great. I can’t wait to see what next week has in store.

CHAPTER TWELVE

“Which is the best way to lose weight? The best way to lose weight is to not find it in the first place.”

FROM BELLA’S BLOG
http://www.thelightersideoflarge.com/ch12

I face the door at Café Crave and check my watch.

“We’re early. Stop fidgeting. He’ll be here soon,” Sands tells me for the third time.

“I know, I know,” I say. It’s been four weeks since my date with Jae and I haven’t seen him since then. We correspond through emails and phone calls and texts every day; however, he’s been getting his business ready for its grand opening, which has swallowed almost all his free time, hence the reason we hadn’t gone out on a second date yet.

But he is in town today to take care of his other business (whatever that is) and he eagerly accepted my last-minute invitation to meet for coffee - and, conveniently, meet my friends so they can check him out.

“He’s here!” I stifle a shriek as he walks by the window.

“Should I turn and look at him? Or does that look too eager?” Sands wonders aloud.

Jae walks through the door and it’s like sunshine bursting through the clouds. An enormous grin spreads across my face and I wave at him. “He’s coming over,” I say through my teeth.

“Well, of course he is. Where else is he gonna go?” Sands says. She decides to turn around, then changes her mind, then turns again, then changes her mind again.

“You’re going to give yourself whiplash,” I scold her, and then Jae is at our table. “Hey there, stranger. Fancy meeting you at a place like this,” I flirt.

Jae leans down and gives me a kiss on the cheek and I die and go to heaven. “Hello there. And look, I didn’t grab anyone. I’m improving.” He pulls out a chair and sits.

“Jae, meet my best friend, Sandra, but we call her Sands. She’s my personal trainer, too.”