Bronze Miner

Max interrupted. “I know what it is, Cheryl. You and I have become friends. We are sharing the rent burden. We enjoy the Pac Woman game at the bowling alley. We respect one another and we have feelings for one another. But there is a subtle and maybe a subliminal force at work between us. We both share that force and it is pulling us together. It is similar to skiing and camping in the great outdoors. We are immersed together in these wonderful things. Your statue and the work you do. You have created a phenomenal work of art that will go on public display. It is a visible product of your talent and creativity. It is powerful and captivating. There are two other things at work that draw us together. One is 304. The view is powerful and captivating. Actually, it is overwhelming for me. We both love the great outdoors. The last attraction of course is skydiving and the open cargo door of the airplane at ten thousand feet. It is powerful and captivating. It is haunting because of its unknown, hypnotic force. The thought of jumping through the door is completely unnatural. These events have contributed to our interests in each other. They play part in the equation of why we are attracted to each other.”

“Oh, my, how eloquent. You should lecture at the university. What else, Professor Max? Do you have anything to tell me on this romantic evening?

The clouds became a blanket and random raindrops began to fall. A huge roll of thunder washed down the mountainside.

“Max, it looks like the weather is moving in. We better get the gear in the tent.”

Once inside they left their wet boots by the front door. The down pour was cold. The big drops burst loudly on the tightly drawn rain flap. It sounded as if they were inside a popcorn bag in a microwave oven. Max sealed the mattress air hole with the plug and screwed the plastic cap over it. He turned on the nine volt flash light and put it on the cooler.

Thanks to the rain, the whole environment had changed. They were together in a primal crib. Stay cool. This could be explosive. The mattress filled all but two feet along the side of the tent. The cooler with the food and drink went into the corner. Cheryl dug into her back pack to check a couple of things. The interlude gave her time to recall her chat with Sherry. He plays unaffected and uninterested and indifferent. His thoughts are otherwise. “He is waiting for you to come forward. He is waiting for your approval. When that happens, nail him.” Wow. Sherry maybe right on the button. “Don’t let him get away into the non commitment role. You got to nail him if you want him.” Sherry was right. Cheryl could feel her juices flowing and her body temperature warmed up a notch.

“Now what were you saying?”