Propinquity


      Drew's house. He came downstairs, carrying a couple of bags.
      "Two weeks at a cabin in the middle of nowhere. Doesn't get any better than that," Drew said.
      Kate and Oswald came in the front door.
      "The beer's all packed and ready to go!" Oswald said.
      "Do you really think twenty cass is eough?" Kate asked.
      "You think we should bring more?" Oswald asked.
      "Nevermind," Kate said, then shook her head.
      Lewis came in through the kitchen, carrying some fishing gear. "We ready yet?"
      "All except Lauren," Drew said.
      I came in the front door. "Okay, I'm here. I had to get drinks that aren't beer for myself. Pardon me for wanting something other than water to drink."
      "Let's go!" Drew said, ignoring my comment.

      We reached the cabin a few hours later and let me tell you, it looked just like the one in "The Great Outdoors." We unloaded all our crap and got settled in.
      "This is nice," I commented. "How'd you ever find this cabin, Drew?"
      "It's a long story," Drew said and left it at that.
      "TV, stereo, huge fridge, all the comforts of home," Lewis said.
      Oswald came in the room. "And there's a pool table out back. Man, I never wanna leave!"
      "Well, we've got two weeks," Drew said.
      "I'll never leave before the two weeks are over!" Oswald said.
      Kate came in the room. "There's also a hot tub out back!"
      "Okay, Drew, who died and left you this place?" Lewis asked.
      "I said it's a long story," Drew said.
      "Fine," Lewis said.
      "Who's up for some pool?" Oswald asked. He went out back, followed by Drew and Kate.
      I turned to Lewis. "There's something about this that doesn't feel right."
      "I know what you mean," Lewis said. "Nobody's been upstairs yet..."
      "Let's check it out," I said.
      We went upstairs and started checking out the rooms.
      "Six bedrooms," I said.
      "The three on this side are adjoining," Lewis commented.
      "Same thing over here," I said. "I wonder what else is up here..."
      We wandered around some more.
      "Everything looks pretty normal," I said.
      "This is gonna be quite the interesting two weeks," Lewis said.

      That night, I'm looking out the window.
      "Man, it's really coming down out there," I said, turning to the others.
      "Ah, it's just a little rain. Besides, we've got plenty of stuff to keep us preoccupied," Drew said.
      There's a bit of loud thunder and a flash of lightening.
      "Normally, I wouldn't mind this, but I'm starting to get a little creeped out, here," Kate said.
      "All you guys are doing is complaining," Drew said.
      "I haven't," Oswald said.
      "It's nothing personal, Drew," I said. "All I know, is if I see a bald-headed bear, I'm leaving."
      "Yeah, all we're missing is that and the rifle made into a lamp," Lewis added.
      "You guys watch too many movies," Drew said. "Now, come on, can we get back to the poker game?"
      There's more loud thunder and some lightening. The lights went out.
      "Well?" I asked.
      "Shut up, Lauren," Drew said.
      Lewis clicked on a flashlight ans shown it right in Drew's face. "Watch it."
      "Okay, okay, I'm sorry," Drew said.
      Lewis moved the flashlight beam to my face.
      "Thank you, Drew." I paused. "Will you get that outta my face?" I took the flashlight from Lewis and shown it on his face. "How do you like it?"
      "Fine, just fine," Lewis said, then gave me an evil grin.
      "Oh, Lauren, please take it off him, I'm gonna have nightmares!" Kate said.
      "Thanks alot, Kate," Lewis said.
      I show it on Kate's face.
      "Ahh... get it off me!" Kate said, starting to laugh.
      "Hey, you missed me!" Oswald said. I moved the light to him.
      "I think we need more than one flashlight," I said, then shown it on my own face. "This makes me wish I knew a ghost story."
      "Why don't you just tell us about one of your dates with Lewis," Kate said.
      "Very funny," I said, quickly movingthe beam back to Kate.
      "I'm getting ignored over here!" Oswald complained.
      "Oh, knock it off, Oswald," Drew said.
      All of us started arguing at once.

      About midnight, Lewis and I are in my room, sitting on the floor.
      "What a night. We're still without power, we're all practically at each other's throats... what next?" I said, spinning the flashlight beam on the ceiling.
      "Yeah, we're the only ones still talking," Lewis said.
      "What happened to us down there?" I asked, then set the flashlight on the floor to illuminate the whole room.
      "No idea," Lewis said. "Man, we'd be better off going home."
      "Yeah..." I said, then turned the radio on.
      "The thunder storm hit unexpectedly and has washed out the bridge..."
      I turned it off. "Maybe we won't be leaving anytime soon."
      "Wonderful," Lewis said.
      There's more thunder and lightening.
      "Usually, I don't mind a thunder storm, but I wish it'd come to an end already," I said, almost freaking out.
      Lewis put an arm around me and rubbed my shoulder. I leaned my head against his shoulder. "All we gotta do is make it through tonight."
      "And then get torn apart by everyone else in the morning," I said.
      "Yeah... true," Lewis agreed, then paused. "So...?"
      "No," I said, immediately.
      "Wait, you don't even know what I was gonna say," he said.
      "No but I think I have a good idea," I said.
      Lewis stayed silent.
      "Well?" I said, becoming impatient.
      He let out a breath. "Yeah, okay. You definitly knew what I was gonna say." He sighed.
      "Oh, stop it! That's not gonna make me change my mind," I said.
      "Is there anything that would?" Lewis asked, sounding very hopeful.
      "Hmm... no," I said. "Not at this time, anyway." I grinned.
      "When? I'll set the whole day aside!" he said.
      "It's a while coming, but trust me, it'll be worth it," I said.
      "So... only taunting till then, huh?" Lewis said.
      "Oh, yes, and lots of it!" I said.
      "I think I can live with that," he said.
      "You'll have to," I said.

      The next morning, the sunlight came through the windows in my room. The brightness woke me up.
      I opened my eyes to find I was still laying on the floor. I looked to my left, then my right. 'Now, where did Lewis go?' I asked myself. I got up and peeked in his room. Nope, not in there.
      I got some clothes and headed to the bathroom... er, one of the bathrooms. The room was spotless. I locked the door behind me and took about a twenty minute shower.
      I'd gotten changed, then came out and went back to my room. I looked at the lock. 8:13. I started brushing out my hair.
      There's a knock at the door.
      "It's open," I said.
      The door opened. Lewis just stood there. I turned.
      "Torture!" he said, then smiled.
      "Shut up," I said, almost laughing. "Anyone else awake yet?"
      "I don't think so... unless they're over there scheming against us," Lewis said.
      "Which is very possible," I added, then finished with my hair. "Looks kinda nice outside."
      "Not as nice as you," he said.
      "no!" I said, then grinned. "You don't give up."
      "You better believe it!" Lewis said.
      I thought about that for a moment. "Geez..." I shouldn't have thought about it. "And before breakfast, too." I shook my head, trying to get that thought out.
      "Did you wanna go for a walk or something?" he asked.
      "Yes! That's what I was getting at!" I said.

      Drew is making breakfast. Kate came into the kitchen
      "Drew," Kate said.
      "Kate," Drew said.
      "We were really acting silly last night," Kate said.
      "Yeah... and it didn't help that Oswald kept complaining," Drew said.
      "It was kinda funny, though, when you threatened to stick the flashlight up his nose," Kate said.
      "Well, it's all behind us now. I'm gonna apologize when the others come down and we'll get ack on the right foot," Drew said.
      "That's the spirit!" Kate said.
      Oswald came into the kitchen. "Mornin', Kate."
      "Hey, Oswald, I'm sorry about the flashlight comment," Drew said.
      "Yeah, well... you gotta admit that'd be pretty funny!" Oswald said, almost laughing.
      "Are Lauren and Lewis still up there?" Kate asked.
      "No, didn't see 'em and both their rooms were open," Oswald said.
      "As long as their stuff is still here we know they didn't leave without us," Drew said.
      Lewis and I came in through the patio door.
      "Hey, you guys didn't kill each other!" I said, smiling.
      "Yet," Lewis corrected.
      "Ha ha, very funny. Last night's brawl is over," Drew said.
      "Good!" I said. "Besides, the bridge is washed out."
      "Excuse me?" Drew asked.
      "We heard it on the radio, Drew. The bridge got washed out. We're stuck here for now," Lewis said.
      "This is not going too well," Kate said.
      "I thought vacations were supposed to be fun," Oswald said. We glared at him. "What?"
      "I guess we're just going to hafta make the best of this, then" Drew said. "Who's up for some pool?"
      "Ooh, me!" Oswald said, following Drew out to the pool table.
      "I think I'll go check out that hot tub," Kate said, then left the room.
      "So much for that," I said, plopping down on the couch.
      "What?" Lewis asked.
      "The hot tub," I said, then grinned.
      "You serious?" he asked.
      "Maybe," I said, smirking.


Part 2