Ski Trip

Regina wasn’t going to let anything spoil their long-awaited vacation.  A little cross country skiing before lunch would be ideal she thought.

“Weather Channel says the storm’s not due ‘til after 3pm,” Derrick said.

Regina’s eyes brightened.  “Then let’s go.” 

An hour later they were stopping for a snack along the trail, “Storm’s coming in a little early,” Regina said, disappointed.

Derrick looked at the sky.  “It’s coming in fast,” he agreed.  “We should head back.”

The wind picked up and snow began sticking to the bark of the trees.  “I can’t see where I’m going anymore,” Regina confided at the next clearing.  “Are you sure we’re going in the right direction? I don’t remember this boulder.”

“Everything looks different when it’s snowing.” Derrick tried to sound convincing but even he wasn’t certain.  “You packed matches?”

Regina nodded.

The couple continued, side by side, until everything was white.  “We should’ve been back by now,” Derrick acknowledged.  “What do you think we should do?”

Regina thought of everything in their backpacks.  “Look for a boulder, the side of a cliff, or a thicket,” she said.  “We can use the tarp as a wind block, wrap up in the extra clothes and blankets, build a fire, and wait for the storm to clear?”

They huddled beneath the tarp as the wind howled throughout the afternoon and evening. The snow continued, but they kept the fire going.

Regina felt herself nodding off during the night when the wind snagged the edge of the tarp and pulled out the stake.  “Grab that!” she shouted through her scarf, rousing Derrick from his nap.

Standing, Derrick reached for the flapping tarp but let it go and began to laugh.  In the darkness he could see the lights of the condominium complex just a hundred yards away.


300 words