I was settling in for a nice night of reading when I saw a missed call on my phone. I checked the message:
"Hi Kit, it's Tina. Remember I told you I have a small place in the mountains? I need to do some work on it. I need some help. Are you free this weekend? Please call me."
"Hell yeah, I'm free this weekend," I thought aloud in my little apartment. I called her back. She picked up right away.
"Hello?"
"Hi Tina, it's Kit. I'm free this weekend. I'd be happy to help."
"Oh, hi-great! We need to leave Friday night. There is a lot to do. Can you do that?" She sounded hurried. Friday was the next day.
"Tomorrow, Friday?" I asked just to be sure.
"Yes."
"Sure. I can come by after work."
"No, I'll pick you up. What is your address?"
Not one to argue, I gave it to her and told her when I'd be home.
"Thanks, Kit. See you then," with that, she hung up.
A little curt I thought but I did not take it personally. The next day I wondered what I had gotten myself into. Most likely, it would be something good. It would not be my usual boring weekend. I was pretty sure of that.
After I got home from work, I did not have to wait long. I recognized Tina's black suburban from my previous visit as soon as she pulled up. I was ready to go. I grabbed my bag and headed to her truck. I tossed my bag on the back seat and jumped in the passenger seat. Her things were in the back and the rest of the truck was nice and clean. She looked remarkably fresh for a late Friday afternoon, after what had to be a busy week. Her warm face and soft skin glowed in the late afternoon sun. She wore an unbuttoned red flannel shirt with a black t-shirt underneath. She could not hide her chest, even with loose fitting clothes. Jeans and work boots told me this was a working weekend. I was hoping for more. The ride was a solid three hours and fast approaching summer storms would not make it any faster. You can learn a lot about people being on the road together a few hours. She talked a lot and proved to be a good listener as well. The age difference melted away. Every so often she would touch my leg or shoulder. It was like hanging out with an old flirty friend. She drove safely and calmly through traffic and two big thunderstorms. Dinner was drive-thru fast food. Nothing bothered her and I felt at ease. Soon we were on the back roads winding our way up higher and higher into the mountains.
Tina turned off on a dirt road, which seemed to be never ending. I knew she trusted me at that point. I was pretty sure I could trust her. There was no one for miles and miles. Suddenly, I thought she was running off the road! The driveway was so over grown. You had to know it was there or you would surly miss it. We came to a gate and she started to get out.
"No, I'll get it," I said jumping out.
"You need the key," she called after me.
I ran to her door and got it. It was still raining pretty hard. The lock was old and temperamental. I finally got it and the gate opened and she drove through.
"Thanks Kit," she said as I got back in.
The path continued on a mile or so further back into the woods going upwards. At last the lights illuminated a small log and stone house with a screened in front porch and tin roof.
"Here we are," Tina announced and cut off the lights plunging us into total darkness.
"Just a moment," she said.
I could hear her rummaging around for something in her pocketbook. Even though she was right be beside me, I could see nothing. At last she clicked on a small flashlight.
"Come on Kit."
I followed her up the steps and waited as she unlocked the screen door and the main door. Once inside, I saw a large room with a brick fireplace sparsely furnished; a comfy couch, a few easy chairs and tables. There was also a big ceiling fan and some reading lamps. Native American style rugs covered much of the wood floor. The place has an organic woody smell. A small layer of dust covered most everything. I followed her over to a lantern.
"Hold the flashlight while I get this lit. The only power here is a little generator out back. We'll fix it tomorrow. The lantern and a fire will have to do for tonight. Let's air this place out Kit. When I get this lit, will you open some windows?"
"Yes."
Once lit, the lantern cast a soft, yellow glow around the room. I went around and opened the windows letting in cool, moist air. I sat down in a chair next to a small table. The walls were adorned with original nature paintings. She went to the fireplace and in no time had a nice fire going. Tina took off her flannel shirt, boots and socks. With that, she collapsed on the small couch across from me.
"That's much better," she said.
"I'll bring in the stuff from the car."
With that, I bolted outside before she could object. A few trips later, I had the important things inside, getting myself good and soaked in the process.
"Oh Kit, you're soaked!"
"I'll be okay. I can change," I said pulling off my shoes and socks.