Tread Softly

Cheryl heard a wet thud. Spray rained against the tent flaps.

Danny's legs shot out from under him. He bounced up and down, knees pounding the tent floor, flopping in mad spasms that seemed to last forever. At last, he lay motionless.

Cheryl stared in horror as Danny began to slide through the flaps. His buttocks vanished. His legs dragged along as if he were being sucked slowly into a dark mouth.

Cheryl was alone in the tent.

But not for long.

Chapter Two

Meg staggered into the living room, a strap of her negligee sagging down her arm. 'Good grief, hon, what time is it?'

'Nighttime,' Karen said.

'Tell me. Christ, tell me. Call this a vacation?'

'I sure do.'

'Yeah, guess you would.' She flopped into a chair, hooked one leg over its stuffed arm, and stretched to reach for a pack of cigarettes. 'What time's he picking you up?'

'Five-thirty.'

'Gug. Want me to put on some coffee?'

'I don't want to be peeing.'

'Shit. Car full of kids, you'll be stopping every five minutes anyway.' She lit a cigarette.

'They're not exactly kids,' Karen said. ''Julie's sixteen. Benny's thirteen or fourteen.'

'Even worse. Christ, kiddo, you're in for it.'

'They're okay.' Karen propped the backpack against the sofa and shoved in the mummy bag.

'Who's this other family?'

'The Gordons. Never met them before.'

'They have kids, too?'

'Three.'

'Oh, you're gonna have a swell time. Hope you're not planning to screw the guy.'

'We'll see.' Karen buckled the leather straps of the cover, picked up the backpack, and carried it toward the front door. She leaned it against the wall.

'Sure sounds like loads of fun. Wish I was coming.'

'You were invited.'

'Give me a break. I need a campout like I need a third boob.'

Karen dropped to the sofa and started to put on her hiking boots. They were Pivettas, scratched and scuffed. They had stood in the back of her closet, unworn since the summer she finished her M.A. four years before, but they felt comfortable and familiar, like good friends from the past — friends with stories of dusty switchbacks, the cool wind of mountain passes, desolate lakes, icy streams, and campfire smoke. She finished lacing them, and slapped her bare knees. 'This is gonna be great.'

'You're a masochist,' Meg said, and stabbed out her cigarette.

'You don't know what you're missing.'

'Sure I do. Sack time.' She pushed herself off the chair, yawned, and stretched. 'Well, have fun if you can.'

'Right. See you next Sunday.'

'Give my regards to the chipmunks.' With a wiggle of her fingers, she turned away and left the room.

Karen glanced at her wristwatch. Five-twenty-eight. Leaning back, she stretched out her legs. Her plaid shirt was gaping open at the belly. She fastened the button, then checked the fly of her cutoff corduroys. All set. She yawned. Maybe she should've taken Meg up on that coffee. She inhaled, a deep breath that seemed to fill her whole body with a light, pleasant weariness. As she let it slowly out, she shut her eyes.

A whole week in the mountains with Scott. Kids or no kids, it would be wonderful. They would find time to be alone, if only at night. It'd be cold, and they'd snuggle together with the wind whapping the tent walls.

The blare of the doorbell shocked her awake. She shoved herself off the sofa and hurried to the door. She pulled it open.

Scott, standing under the porch light, smiled at her through the screen.

'Take your Watchtower and shove it,' she said, and shut the door. When she opened it again, his face was pressed to the screen.

'I want your body,' he whispered.

For an instant, face mashed out of shape, he looked like a stranger. Karen felt a tingle of fright. Then he stepped back and was Scott again, handsome and smiling. 'Ready for action?' he asked.

'Yep.' As she pushed open the screen door, she leaned out and glimpsed his car in the driveway. The headlights were on. The car's interior was dark. 'The kids there?' she asked.

'Just barely. It was murder getting Julie out of bed. Benny was raring to go. I'm not sure he even slept last night. Then he decided he couldn't live without his binoculars and we couldn't find the damn things.'

'Did you?'

'We did. But it screwed up our departure time.'

'You're forgiven.'

'Thanks,' he said. He took Karen into his arms. He smelled of coffee and after-shave. With his mouth pushing gently against hers, she felt so comfortable that she thought she might doze off. Until his hands went under her shirt. She was wide awake as they moved up her back and under her armpits and closed gently over her breasts. They circled. They caressed. Her nipples stiffened under their touch.

'Think I'll send the kids home,' he muttered.

'Mmm. I've missed you.'

He kissed her again, hugging her tightly. 'We'd better get it in motion. You all packed and ready?'

'All set.'

She bent to pick up her backpack. 'Allow me,' Scott said. As he lifted it, Karen hurried to the coffee table. She grabbed her handbag and floppy felt hat, and followed him out the door.

The morning air wrapped around her bare arms and legs, seeped like chilly water through her shirt. Shivering, she waved at the dim face peering out through the backseat window. In the blue-gray light, she couldn't tell whether it belonged to Julie or Benny.

'You can get in,' Scott said.

She shrugged, preferring to wait rather than enter the car without him. They went to the trunk. She stood with her shoulders hunched, arms folded across her chest, legs pressed together, jaw tight to keep her teeth from chattering.

Scott smiled back at her as he unlocked the trunk. 'The heater's on.'

'The fresh air feels good.'

He laughed, and placed her backpack on top of the others. Then he swung the lid shut. 'Forget anything?'

'Probably.'

He leaned back against the trunk, looking relaxed and warm. Of course, he was wearing long pants and a flannel shirt. 'Sunglasses?' he asked.

'Got 'em.'

'Jacket?'

'In my pack. Wish I had it on.'

'Let's go.'

Karen headed for the passenger door, taking her time, waiting until Scott was in the driver's seat before she opened the door. She ducked inside and smiled over the back of her seat. 'Morning,' she said.