Tread Softly

'Like curses?'

'Like curses, ghosts, Ouija boards, palm reading, astrology, witches and goblins and gremlins.'

'What the hell's a gremlin?'

'I don't know, a fairy.'

'Something that lives in San Francisco and lisps?'

'And eats quiche.'

'We oughta go on Letterman,' Julie said.

'It hurts to laugh.'

'Me, too. Gets my stomach muscles.'

'Yeah. So stop laughing.'

'You, too.'

'Right. Anyway, where was I? Oh, yeah, Mom and the curse.'

That brought a snort and gales of laughter through the phone. 'Oh,' Julie finally gasped. 'I'm sorry. I' — she giggled — 'I think I'm… a bit giddy. No sleep.' He heard her take a deep breath. 'Okay. I'm all right. Continue.'

'I think I was done.'

'Oh. All right. So. What've you been up to?'

'Just unpacking.'

'I'm saving that for tomorrow morning. I don't even want to look at that junk. The first thing I did was get in the shower.' He pictured her naked under a hot spray, rubbing her breasts with soap. 'Man, it sure feels good to be clean again. Now I've got Ben-Gay from head to foot.'

'Bet you smell terrific.'

'The fumes make my eyes water. And my nightgown's sticking to me.' He pictured her in a flannel nightgown. Of course, it probably wasn't flannel. Not in the middle of summer. Something light and transparent, and clinging to her breasts. He wondered if she'd put any Ben-Gay on her breasts.'. like a real person again,' she said. 'The Long Hike almost did me in.'

'Almost did us all in.'

'How's Heather getting along?'

'Not bad. The doctor says she'll be sore for a couple of weeks, but it's nothing to worry about. Mom's got her in the kitchen, soaking it.'

'Maybe she oughta try some Ben-Gay.'

'Yeah. Couldn't hurt.'

'At first it's pretty hot, but you get used to it.'

'Maybe I'll try some. After my shower.'

'You're still yucky, huh?'

'Yeah. I got last shot at the bathtub. I'm still waiting tor Rose to get done. She takes forever.'

'Just as well. What if I'd called while you were in the shower?'

'I would've called back.'

'I might've been in bed by then.'

'Wouldn't you have waited up?'

'Maybe, maybe not. A girl's gotta get her beauty sleep.' 'Good thing I wasn't in the shower, then.'

'A very good thing.'

There was a long silence. Nick suspected she was getting ready to hang up. He clutched the phone tightly.

'Well. 'she said.

His heart was thudding and his mouth was parched.

'… I guess I'd better let you — '

'Julie?'

'Yes?' she asked in a hushed voice.

'Look, I want to see you.' There. It was out.

'That would be nice,' she said.

'Tomorrow? Tomorrow night? Maybe we could go to a movie or something.'

'I'd really like that.'

'Great.' He let out a nervous laugh. 'This is so weird.'

'What's weird?'

'Asking you for a date. I mean, like we were almost strangers or something.'

'We're the same people who were in the mountains, Nick.'

'I know. I guess so.'

'You guess so?' She laughed softly.

'It's just that, you know, now we're back. It's strange.'

'I haven't changed. I still feel the same about you.'

A smile trembled on Nick's lips. 'I feel the same, too. I really miss you. How about seven o'clock?'

'Fine. Just let me check with Dad. Hold on a minute.'

Nick waited. He took a deep, shaky breath. He'd done it, he'd asked her and she'd seemed as eager as he was. I still feel the same about you. It was almost too good to believe. He was already nervous, anticipating the date.

'Okay,' she said. 'It's all set. Tomorrow night at seven?'

'Great. I'll see you then.'

'Do you know how to find the house?'

'No, but Dad. ' He didn't want to lose the sound of Julie's voice. 'Maybe you'd better tell me.'

There was blue terry cloth under Karen's face. Her lungs felt on fire, pain blasting through her body as a spasm of coughing shook her. Someone's hand was rubbing her back. As she lifted her head, nausea swept through her. She managed to get to her knees and twist around, briefly meeting Meg's worried eyes before scurrying to the toilet and vomiting.

When she finished, she sat on the toilet seat, sobbing and coughing, gasping for breath. Through teary eyes, she watched Meg fold up the bloody bathmat. She unrolled some tissue, wiped her eyes, her mouth and chin.

'How's the noggin?' Meg asked in her low, husky voice.

Karen groaned. She drew fingers through her wet hair, and felt a lump above her ear.

'Thank God I heard you yell. I was about to turn on the I V.' Meg opened the medicine cabinet. She took down a box, slid a tampon out, and tore off its wrapper. She handed it to Karen.

While Karen inserted it, Meg pulled the bathtub stopper.

I tell you, kiddo, you scared the shit out of me. How're you feeling? Should I run you over to emergency?'

'I'm okay,' she muttered.

'I was gonna give you about ten more seconds to wake up, and then I was gonna call the paramedics.'

'How long was I out?'

Meg shook her head. 'No idea. Maybe three or four minutes, I don't know. I just knew your ticker was still inking and you were breathing. I figured you'd come around, sooner or later, but I started to have my doubts.'

'What a mess.'

'The bathmat's a goner. I'll clean up the rest after you're in bed.'

'No, I'll — '

'You're in no condition to do anything, kiddo.'

Karen looked down at herself, wrinkled her nose, and unrolled more toilet paper. As she rubbed away streaks of blood, she said, 'I've gotta take another shower.'

'I suppose you do. Sit tight for a second.' Meg hurried from the bathroom. Karen continued to clean herself. Soon, Meg returned with a spool of tape. Reaching up, she worked at securing the shower curtain to its rod. 'Think it was the curse?' she asked.

'I know it was the curse.'

Meg chuckled.

'A week early.'