This is the edited version of the original. It was pointed out to me that I had made a hard right turn at the intersection of past and present. I hope I got it all straight.
*
The alarm clock goes off at 3 AM. I grope for it in the dark. I find the snooze button and almost press it. Then I remember that today we're goin' fishin'. I struggle to my feet and turn on the light. It blinds me temporarily. There is only one good thing about getting up this early. That thing is sleeping in the next bunk.
The lump in the bunk starts to wiggle.
It says, "What time is it?"
"3 o'clock," I mumble. "I'll start the coffee."
I stumble across the cabin to the camp stove and finally get it lit. Sliding the coffee pot onto the burner, I look across the cabin to my bunk mate. She hasn't stirred.
'C'mon, bail out," I yell.
The lump peeks out from under the covers. She blinks her eyes.
"I've gotta pee." She says.
'Well, get with it," I reply. "We need to be on the lake by 4:30 if we want to catch some fish. Once the sun comes up, we may as well not be out there."
A shapely leg comes out of the covers and tests the floor.
"It's cold!" she says.
"This isn't the Waldorf," I bark. "You're the one who had to tag along on this trip. Get a move on!!"
She moans her way across the cabin and out to the 'facility' in the woods. 10 minutes later she comes sprinting back through the door. She has a deranged look on her face.
"It was after me!! It was going to eat me!!" she whimpers.
I look out the back door and spot the raccoon. Very fierce.
"At least that vicious beast left something for me to eat later," I chuckle. "Coffee's ready."
I had gotten dressed while she was battling with nature. Now she starts dressing as I prepare breakfast.
"Damn, that smells good!" she smiles.
We wolf the meal down and head for the lake.
It is still cold and dark as we climb into the boat and head across the small bay to Thunder Point. We anchor off the point and drop our baits into the water. She is hooked up almost immediately.
"There is a penalty for out fishing the captain," I inform her.
"What might that penalty be?" she inquires as she sinks her hook into another nice trout.
"You'll find out at lunch time. That's when the captain exacts his revenge."
She looks at me, giggles and hooks another trout. So far, I have not had a bite. I start to feel pretty grim when suddenly, I hook a fish. I manage to get him into the boat, but the score is still 3 to 1. She keeps slaughtering the fish while I sort of plod along. The sun pops up above the trees and the bite is off. We soak some bait for another ½ hour or so, but catch nothing. I pull the anchor, fire up the outboard and head back to the cabin. We share fish cleaning duties and put the cleaned fish in the freezer. It is the only appliance at the cabin.
"What now?" she inquires.
"It's still 4 hours to lunch. Let's go on a hike. I promise to save you from any raccoons that are lurking in the woods."
"OK," she stutters. "Are there any bears out there?"
"Sure! This is northern Michigan. This will be like hiking in the zoo except, no cages!"
She is the daughter of wealth. Nobody has ever talked to her the way I do She isn't used to it. She is used to getting her own way no matter what. Now she is isolated up here in the northern Michigan woods with a peasant (me). I brought her up here to get her out of her natural environment. I have some really sweet plans for her for later.
She is an absolute knockout. Shoulder length blond hair, 38, 24, 36, great legs, beautiful face, and a sweet personality completes the package. From the first time I saw her, I knew I was sunk, that she could have anything she wanted from me. I, however, could not have anything I wanted from her. We have been going together for 16 months and so far little games of slap and tickle are as far as we have gotten.
Now, up here in the sticks, I plan my final approach to home base. Whatever it takes, I know it will be worth it.
We start up a small trail away from the lake toward a little creek that feeds the lake. I must admit that she doesn't complain about the trail or the bugs. I can tell she isn't entirely comfortable with the situation. An hour up the trail, we find the creek. I lead the way along the bank to a spot that I consider to be one of the most beautiful on earth. There is a small, grassy clearing beside the creek. It is surrounded by tall trees with few bushes.
I set my pack down and she follows suit. I find the blanket and spread it out in the grassy glade. I get a bottle of water from the pack and offer her a drink as I sit down on the blanket. She takes the bottle and sits beside me.
"OK, what's the deal?" she asks. "You now have me in your evil clutches. I have no idea where we are or how to get out of here. If you have something in mind, let me know now."
"Actually, I do have something in mind, but it requires your trust and cooperation."
"OK, what is it?"
"You have the option, right now, of having me take you back to the cabin or staying out here with me."
"What happens if I stay here with you?"
"Then you will become my love slave, at least until lunch time." I whisper with a smile.
She looks like she is thinking hard. She knows that if she goes back to the cabin she will also be on her way back to the college this afternoon.
"You know I'm a virgin, don't you?" she asks.
"I suspected as much," I reply. "I could tell pretty much from the way you were acting at the school. I have to tell you that you are driving me completely insane. You are beautiful beyond belief. You are great company. We have been going out for well over a year and so far you haven't even let me stick my hands in your bra. I can only take so much. I'm not trying to scare you or make you sad. Either you want it or you don't. I love you and want you badly. The choice is yours."
She is thinking hard again. This can't be good. I figure that the longer she thinks about it, the less likely it is that my goal will be attained.
"What about protection?" she asks.
"I don't consider that to be important. If you take this to the next level with me, I will expect you to marry me. Children are welcome," I vow.
"Hey, wait a minute!" she exclaims. "Did you just ask me to marry you?"
"Well, yeah," I reply digging into my pack for the small velvet box.
I present the contents of the box to her. It is a 3 carat engagement ring.
"Will you marry me?" I beg.
"Hell yes," she cries. "I've been waiting for you to ask me for over a year."
