The four occupants of the late model, 4 wheel drive vehicle, got out and stretched their limbs. They breathed in the clear mountain air, briefly admired the scenery and began to unpack their hiking equipment from the trunk. It was late afternoon in mid-summer and they felt the warm air, despite being in the mountains. All four had experience and were looking forward to three days hiking.
Harry Chalmers and his Vietnamese wife Kim had been married for 18 months. They often walked the mountains together. Their Best man, Marty, was the most experienced of the group, having hiked in various countries. Kim's friend Anh, recently arrived from Vietnam, made up the party. She had never previously hiked in the USA. However, she had spent days in the forest in her native country and was well practiced at walking considerable distances.
Anh had come to the United States to study. She had a two year visa and was enrolled at a community college. Kim, who had lived in the US since she was 10, had agreed to look after Anh during her stay. Their mothers had been friends back in Vietnam. Anh was a shy girl, even in her native Vietnam, so she appeared very quiet and reserved to Kim. However, she had a steely resolve and when she decided on a course of action she would not be dissuaded. Thus she had travelled to a foreign country to further her education.
Kim's father was American and her mother Vietnamese. He had been working in Saigon and had met and married Kim's mother, before moving them all back to the US to commence a new job. Kim was a slender, attractive young woman, with wavy shoulder length hair. She had met Harry at College, when aged 18 and they married two years later.
Harry was a tall, good looking young man. At 6 foot he was a full eight inches taller than Kim. Despite his looks he considered himself very fortunate to land a girl so attractive. They were deeply in love and shared similar interests. Her mother would have preferred Kim to marry a Vietnamese boy, but she accepted Harry.
Harry and Marty had been friends since High School. They were athletic, played tennis together and competed up to State level. Both were competitive. Marty had many previous relationships, none of which lasted more than a few months He was viewed my many as arrogant, but Harry always dismissed this criticism of his friend. Harry was as loyal to Marty as he was to Kim.
Once they had unloaded all their gear and arranged their backpacks, the four set off into the mountains. The men were impressed that Anh carried as much as Kim, despite being shorter and slighter in build than her part European friend. Marty had his 22 caliber hunting rifle slung over his shoulder. He always took it with him when he went hiking and had it loaded in case he sighted some game or they came across an aggressive bear. It gave him a sense of security. He enjoyed the fact that it often caused unease among his tramping acquaintances, especially the women.
The weather forecast was for fine weather and they planned to wander the trails taking in the sights. The boys and Kim had done this a number of times previously and Marty, in particular, knew the trails very well. Both boys were in buoyant moods as they walked along in the late afternoon sun. The girls were a little more subdued for differing reasons.
Anh had only been in the US three weeks and was somewhat overawed by the experience. Being a bright, middle class, 22 year old from Saigon, she was familiar with a cosmopolitan lifestyle. However, any new country required adapting too. The food, the language, the customs, were all foreign to her. Kim had been very helpful with this, but it was much to take in.
"What do you think of our mountains?" Kim enquired.
"Beautiful and pleasing," Anh replied, limiting her response to English words she knew well.
"Yes, very pleasing," Kim said smiling, as they trailed the two young men.
This was the first time Anh had seen Kim smile since they first got into the car to travel to the mountains. She had wondered if something was wrong with her friend or maybe between her friend and her husband. They continued to walk in silence, listening to the men talk about which trails to take and where they would camp the night. Then Kim spoke in Vietnamese, which she knew the males had limited knowledge of.
"You must be wary of that one," Kim said indicating toward Marty.
"Why?" Anh replied, unsure why her friend would utter such a warning. Marty had been a gentleman since she had met him a week ago. Far more polite and non-threatening than some of the young men who she had encountered at the College.
"Just remain on your guard with all American boys," Kim said, deemphasizing Marty.
"Ok, Mum," Anh replied in English, with a smile. Kim was not telling her anything she did not already know. She was merely echoing her mother's parting advice. She smiled inwardly, feeling Kim was being over protective.
However Kim was not merely being protective of Anh, in regard to Marty. She derided herself inwardly for not having the guts to press on with her warning about him. Her husband's friend had two sides to him and the one he kept hidden was far from pleasant. Kim had experienced it first hand, but she was safe with her husband alongside her. Anh had no man to protect her, so Kim knew she must take up this role.
They walked onward passing no one on the trail, until the light began to fade. They found a clearing near a stream and set up camp for the night. So far everything had been uneventful and the walk most pleasant. Kim began to relax. Harry noticed this.
"You Ok now?" he said giving her a hug. "Anh seems to be enjoying herself."
When Harry had suggested going hiking with Marty and Anh, Kim had been strongly against it, making all sorts of excuses. Harry had ignored her and when he asked Anh directly, she had said she was very keen to go into the famous American mountains. Harry had noticed Kim was sulking in the days leading up to the trip, but was unsure why. Being an upbeat sort of a man, he was happy that she now seemed to be coming out of her sullen mood.
"It's just great out here," he said looking around, putting out his arms and drawing in a deep breath.
Harry turned her gently and enveloped Kim in his arms. They were facing away from the other two, who were conversing. Harry took the opportunity to envelope one of Kim's breasts with his large paw.
"Stop that," Kim said in a stage whisper.
"Why? You like it, I know you do," he said, while he continued to massage a handful of breast through her T-shirt and bra.
"He's right," thought Kim. "I do like it."
"You two need some time alone?" called Marty. He had been watching Kim.
Kim shrugged out of Harry's arms. She did not like the idea of Marty watching her play fight with her husband, let alone become aroused by this play. She went off to collect some firewood.
Marty went back to telling Anh about the wonderful view from Pine Ridge.
"It will be nice to go to there," she said
Marty smiled. "It will be nice," he thought to himself. "But only if I can get rid of these other two." He knew that would not be easy, with Kim on the alert.
That night they sat around and the boys smoked some weed that Marty had brought with him. Kim and Anh declined. Kim because she was weary of its affect and Anh because she had never tried it and did not intend too. She momentarily wondered about the loose morals of some of these Americans. Marty spent time cleaning his rifle as was his habit during camps. As he cleaned he chatted with Harry and watched the women.
He liked Asian women and found them both attractive, but Anh was shorter, slighter in build and had straight hair. Usually dressed in jeans, he was pleased she had worn shorts on the trip. He watched her walk around and kneel, admiring the slender smoothness of her slim legs.
They had brought small, two man tents, but it was warm enough not to need them. They slept by their campfire, in sleeping bags, under the stars.
Next morning they were up early and soon on their way. The trek was proving uneventful and all of them, including Kim, were in good spirits. By early afternoon they had tramped some considerable distance at a good pace. They were all hot. They'd passed a stream that had an inviting pool, but the boys in the lead merely pushed on past it. Kim did not say anything at the time, as she did not want them all stripping off in front of Anh and she did not want Marty looking at her body. About half a mile further on they rested for a siesta.
