Chapter 34: Some News is Not Good News
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"The figure-skating world was stunned and saddened today by the unexpected death of Olympic, and World champion, Aleksei Rocmanov. While vacationing with his partner, Jordan Jamison, at the vacation home of Ms. Jamison's coach, Mr. Rocmanov, and his partner, were struck by a snowplow that lost control after hitting a patch of black ice. The snowplow apparently struck them twice, the second hit pushing them through a guardrail and sending the vehicle the skating partners were traveling in plummeting more than one hundred and fifty feet over the side of a mountain. The vehicle rolled several times before hitting a stand of pines and coming to a stop. Ms. Jamison was admitted to the hospital where she was treated for a broken left wrist, a mild concussion, bruised ribs and lacerations. She was at her partner's side when he died. Funeral plans have not been announced, as yet." The reporter, Mark Foster, somberly intoned, his voice emotionally strained. The same reporter who three years before had announced Jordan and Aleksei's plan to become pairs skating partners.
"Truly devastating news for the figure skating world, Mark. As everyone knows, the pair were planning to participate in next month's Olympic games and were the favored pair to bring home Gold for the United States. Those dreams and hopes are now gone and we can only wish Jordan a speedy recovery and send our heart-felt condolences. When such a tragedy occurs, it's hard to understand the reason behind it. When it happens to people so young and full of promise - it's impossible to understand." The co-anchor added, her eyes filling with tears and threatening to ruin her perfectly made-up face. "Please know, Jordan, you're in our thoughts and prayers, and we will never forget the magic you, and Aleksei shared with all of us. We will never be able to thank you enough for that special gift."
"From all of us, at Channel 5 News. Good night," The anchorman closed, the screen filling with clips of Aleksei and Jordan's all too short skating career together.
Text Copyright © 2000 by Constance E. Moynihan