Act 06 Tearing Down Walls
I awoke the next morning in a clouded haze, stumbled down to the kitchen and started getting things ready for our hike. As I peered out the window, I knew our time together at the cabin would be coming to an end soon, as I watched the snow drip from the evergreen branches at a rapid pace. I half considered postponing the hike, to give me more time to plan for my wife and Jeremy to hook up. Finishing loading the backpack and stacking more wood on and around the fire, My mind reminisced only of those devious little plans.
Judy didn't get up until one, then another hour to get ready. I told her that she seemed to be walking funny, but she just blamed it on the alcohol, which may have been partially true. We set out for the lake, with the idea that we might not make it, because of the late start.
The hike was refreshing, most of it we held hands and talked about our lives, and what we would be doing in ten years, where we would be working, where we would go on vacations, where we would travel, anything and everything but this weekend. We hugged and kissed, smiled and chatted.
When we finally arrived at the lake, frozen white and green, there were large firs surrounding it, their branches hanging down, overloaded with snow and ice. The cracking of wood and constant drips on melted snow filled our ears. We ate the snacks I prepared on a snowed over log that I wiped clean, then headed back toward the cabin, toward the reality of this weekend. The hike home was mostly silent, just the sounds of footsteps and thoughts whirling around in my mind.
We reached the cabin long after dark, there was steam coming from the hot tub, where Jeremy was relaxing with a glass of whisky. We greeted him kindly, and he offered us a drink. Judy declined, explaining that she was much too tired and was going to head to bed. I sat on a chair in the gazebo and chatted with our friend.
"We should make an attempt to get you home soon. I'm sure your family is worried sick." I told him.
"Yes" he agreed. "How soon do you think?" His face soured a little.
"Maybe day after tomorrow. I'll check tomorrow." I glanced over toward the driveway, shrugging my shoulders.
"Thanks for everything, Jack, I really appreciate what you have done for me." His voice was upbeat.
"Anytime Jeremy." I nodded at him. "I guess I better get the fires stoked for the night." I held my glass out and he filled it up with whisky. As I headed back to the house, a new plan was formulating in my mind.
When I finally finished my work, which ended up being much more than I expected, I found Judy asleep in bed, naked. I crawled in beside her and quickly fell asleep.
Surprisingly, I woke up before my wife, she was lying in the same position as the night before. Once downstairs, I found myself alone, I packed a backpack then put food and drink, mostly alcohol, in the garage outside. While standing beside the fire drinking coffee, Judy came down the stairs. It was noon, and she looked as though she needed more sleep. She had on her tight black shorts and a matching black sports bra.
"What have you been up too?" She kissed me on the cheek softly.
"I'm getting ready to go out." I sipped my coffee.
"Oh yea. Why?" A big yawn came from her mouth almost drowning out the words.
"I'm going to hike to the road, to see if it's passable, and maybe catch a car." I motioned in the general direction of the driveway. "I need to see if we can get Jeremy home."
"Oh." Her face was full of thought. "Maybe Jeremy will go with you?" Her words trailed off.
"I think I'll go it alone, this time. You can keep him company, you know, until I get back." I looked down at the blackness of my coffee.
"I'll worry honey." She turned around and headed for the kitchen. "You should take him."
"I'll be just fine." I said, as I followed her in. "Besides, I'm already packed." I picked up the radio I left on the counter and handed it to her.
"These are good for about a mile. I'll radio when I reach the logging road, about an hour away, and again on my way home, so you know when to expect me." The words seemed reasonable to me, and somewhat to her, by the expression on her face.
"I know my way, don't worry." I assured her.
"I know you do, just be careful." Pouring a cup of coffee, she looked deep in thought.
"I will. I'll be leaving in about an hour, I'm going to bring in some more wood and fill the generator first." I explained. "and eat, of course."
It took me a little over an hour to finish. Everything was set and as well planned as I could make it. I kissed Judy on the lips, turned on my radio and headed out the front door.
"Don't forget to radio." She yelled out the big oak door as I was rounding the corner of the driveway and out of sight.
I held the two-way radio high, signaling that I heard her. Once out of sight, I circled back around, through the thick evergreen trees and back to the garage. While in the garage, I waited. I worked on the generator, organized my tools and ate the snacks I prepared. Once an hour went by, I radioed.
"Judy.....Judy are you there? I hoped she didn't realize how close I sounded, by the clarity of my voice through the radio. There was a long pause.
"Jack, is that you?" It broke up a little, to my surprise.
"Yes." I radioed back. "I've reached the logging road, and will be heading to the highway. I'll radio when I get back to this location."
"Ok sweetie. Be safe." She replied, concern in her voice.
"Will do." I set the radio down on the shelf and opened the whisky.
After a couple of drinks, I crept out the garage door and made my way to the front of the cabin. Being careful not to make any noise, I moved to one of the front windows I had left partially open and peeked in. Judy was standing in front of the fire with a glass of wine in her hand, still dressed in the same clothes. If my plan didn't go as expected, I would be stuck out here, or in the garage, for at least an hour. I waited, sipping my drink. About ten minutes later, as I was leaning on the cabin porch, I heard voices.
"I'm going up to take a shower." Jeremy's voice brought me to the window again.
