Seventeen-year-old Airin Marks is funny, bright, and has big dreams: to become a writer and learn to fly. But she also has a secreta secret that comes with guilt, bad memories, and more than a few nightmares. Nineteen-year-old Ry Truman is unorthodox, headstrong, and passionate about one thing above all others: skydiving. But like Airin, hes got some baggagein the form of an ex-girlfriend whos left him with a particularly nasty parting gift. When the pair meets at the drop zone Rys opened near Airins home, sparks fly. But this wont be a simple summer romance. For one thing, neither is ready to dive headfirst into a relationship. For another, Airins overprotective stepfather has a thing or two to say about her new obsession. And then theres Diego Montgomerythe strange writer whos taken to hanging around the zone to research his next novel. But Diegos attention seems more focused on Airin than on anything else, and before long, both Ry and Airin start to wonder if Diego really is who he says he is. Told in the alternating voices of Airin and Ry, and set against the exuberant world of skydiving, Freefall is a gripping, unforgettable story that builds to a devastating climax. A perfect summer read. Lewis tugs at both the heart and the head, and creates not just a story but a universe. We, the readers, are richer for it.Vicky Metcalf Short Story Award Committee