a change in the winds aloft

a change in the winds aloft

fiction
edward w pritchard

see various Gabby and Beverly stories a gay couple together two years and then Gabby dumped Beverly suddenly. This story preceded the breakup. See the strange case of Dr Melvin to start backward through the stories on Gabby

Gabby was in charge of the rock climbing class because Eric was going to be late. They were climbing at an old two story house without ropes or special equipment. This climb was only for advanced certified climbers. Gabby was excited to lead the group and proud to be qualified to be in charge. She had been doing rock climbing for five years at Kent State University fitness center and worked at it intensely.

The regular highly certified instructor Eric was a perfect physical specimen. Tall and lean, a runner and he did yoga and rock climbing. He was also very attractive but that wasn't significant to Gabby for she had been born gay. However she admired Eric and his drive and intensity inspired her.

There were seven members of the group today including Gabby. Four were young college students, a couple of years younger than Gabby and one was an older man of about forty. Beverly the only other woman, Gabby's friend was late to class. Several college coed's had not come although scheduled. They feared this climb today. Even Eric's good looks could not motivate them to come here today. The reputation of the climb was intimidating them.

Gabby joked easily with the young men as they stretched in commradary. The leader in these situations was not questioned once the climb began and Gabby liked that. These guys liked Gabby. She was capable, intelligent, motivated and they knew her sexual orientation and it made things easier. The older man was nervous about this climb and he followed Gabby's instructions carefully and attentively. He was a department head at the college and Gabby was trying to protect him today.

The house was old and vacant and owned by the University. They had bought a large piece of farm property and reluctantly for now let the climbing group use the house. It was not that tall. Only two and a half stories. The challenge to the climb were the wood slat panels that went up from the ground to the roof ledge. They were put on upside down from a normal slat. There was a half inch recess at the top and then a slick piece of blue wood 8 inches wide until the next recess. The house was maybe 45 feet high. At the roof was a sharp old gutter that couldn't be hung on so the climber just had to go up touch the gutter and go back down. Of the 87 people certified to make the climb in the rock climbing group, each year only a dozen or so did and got their name on the board at the office at the fitness center for successfully climbing the North Ridge. This climbs nickname for being like Mt. Everest.

A few of the young men were anxious to start and Gabby let them go up ten feet or so. Immediately they saw the challenge; it was impossible to hold onto the the half inch slats and they was no room for the toes. Once one started the climb , they couldn't stop. Several of the confident young men slipped heavily to the muddy ground. Before a climb the maintenance department always saturated the climbing area to mitigate injuries.

Gabby was joking with the young men and taking charge helping a few up off the muddy ground when Beverly arrived.

As she walked up Beverly was glad to see Gabby happy. Beverly loved Gabby. Gabby was a loner and it made Beverly smile to see her with her friends. Beverly was in the rock climb group because of Gabby. Beverly was a superb athlete but once she mastered the wall at the gym she didn't need more of this stuff. Beverly did well at the gym in climbing because height mattered and weight was a handicap and Beverly was tall and lithe.

Gabby frowned a little when she saw Beverly. The men changed immediately when she arrived. They knew about Gabby and Beverly but where they treated Beverly like one of the guys no one could keep their eyes off Beverly. She was unaware of it and it always angered Gabby, but on the inside; for she didn't say a lot of things to Beverly or anyone else for Gabby didn't like to share her feelings.

As Beverly stretched the men began to help her with things and the older professor began to protect her. David wanted to give her a boost.

After the warm ups and stretching Gabby went through the rules of the climb. The leader of each climb did this and it was ritualized and unquestioned. Gabby began to joke about my wife is so dumb jokes as she reviewed the standard operating procedures.

She said my wife is so dumb that -----

She made a few dumb jokes as she went through the five minute speal about how to fall, what to do if you can't go on, then gave a motivational ending.

She concluded with my wife is so dumb she doesn't know she has a nice ass and thinks everyone looks at her because of the new yellow dress she bought.

The Professor shot Gabby a judgmental look and Beverly finally realized what was going on.

Beverly didn't enjoy the rest of the climb.