Second Date

by Michael Bernier

25 May 2010

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Flash Writing

Inspired by fool

Dave stopped by Janet’s desk and asked, “So, what would you like to do this weekend?”

“How about another hike through the woods, like we had at the retreat? I had a lot of fun there, didn’t you?”

“Oh yes, we certainly did, didn’t we?” Dave replied sarcastically as his mind started to drift off…

They had met a week earlier at an office retreat in the wooded foothills of a neighboring county. It was the typical professional retreat, with pep talks, team-building exercises, and of course lots of drinking. The first evening, Dave had noticed an auburn-haired woman at a table across the room sitting quietly and lightly sipping from her wine glass. Being a light drinker himself, he decided to walk over and strike up a conversation.

After the usual introductions Dave noted, “I see you’re a social drinker like I am.”

“Is it that obvious?” Janet asked, slightly red-faced. “Yes, you’re right. I don’t drink to get drunk and act stupid.”

“Neither do I. It’s just a waste of perfectly good brain cells.”

She chuckled at his dry humor. They continued to chat for the next hour, growing more relaxed with each other’s presence as they talked. They learned that their cubicles were at opposite ends of the same floor, but somehow they had never run into one another. She admired his calm and confident manner of speaking, while he noticed her nervous smiles and soft voice.

The evening started to wind down, and others were heading off to their cabins. Dave offered to walk Janet back to her cabin, and she agreed. As they approached the front door, she gathered up the courage to blurt out, “Say, we have that pairs exercise coming up tomorrow. Why don’t we be partners?”

“I was thinking the same thing,” he said. “I would be honored.” They smiled at each other, and she went inside.

Bright and early the next morning, Dave and Janet were the first ones to arrive at the dining hall and had a leisurely breakfast together, chatting mostly about the big event of the day – the “Walk and Work Together” hike.

After breakfast the camp leaders gave a quick briefing. The plan was to split up into pairs, then be taken to one of several different trails along the road that led back to camp. Each trail had a series of obstacles to negotiate and puzzles to be solved. The purpose was to determine who was best able to think on their feet and be a team player. The first team to make it back to camp would win a prize.

After the briefing, Dave went back to his cabin and returned with two daypacks. Handing one to Janet he said, “I put together a few things that might be helpful today – water, snacks, that sort of thing.”

“Great idea!” She was really starting to like this guy…

They were taken to one of the trails, and after a “Good luck and we’ll see you back at camp” from the driver, the pair were left alone to begin their hike. Throwing their daypacks over their shoulders, they started down the trail. They soon learned that Dave was better at finding ways to overcome each obstacle, while Janet was better at solving the puzzles. Together they made steady progress down the trail, taking turns at the lead and following markers that were set out in advance to point them to the next stop. They grew more and more comfortable with one another as they worked together, soon laughing and carrying on as if they’d known each other all their lives. Janet had never felt so happy before; here was somebody she could really be friends with…and maybe more…

After stopping for rest and a snack, Dave took the lead as they started off in the direction pointed out by their last marker. But the next marker had gotten turned around, causing them to miss a key turn and head well away from the main trail. After an hour of walking without sight of another marker or obstacle, it became obvious what had happened.

“We’re lost!” Janet exclaimed. “I’m sure of it! This is the third time I’ve seen that boulder – we’ve been going through these woods in a big circle.”

“Okay, Miss Smarty Pants,” Dave replied jokingly, “let’s see if you can do better.”

Janet harrumphed and said, “Fine with me! We’ll go *this* way,” and headed off in a different direction at a faster pace. Dave could barely keep up.

They came upon a clearing, and before the two could stop they plopped into the middle of a quicksand pool.

As they started to sink into the mire Dave yelled, tongue-in-cheek, “You fool! At least we were safer going *my* way!”

“Ha…Ha…Ha” came the equally sarcastic reply.

They were soon up to their waists. Janet screamed for help, but Dave knew there was no one else within earshot.

“Stop screaming and throw me your daypack!” he commanded. She pulled it off her shoulders and tossed it to him. He reached inside and pulled out a length of rope. Fashioning a loop, he tossed it toward a boulder near the edge of the pool, nailing it on the first try.

Tossing the other end of the rope to Janet, they slowly pulled themselves out.

Safe again on dry ground she gasped, “How did you know to bring a rope?”

“I used to be a Boy Scout. ‘Be Prepared’ isn’t just a motto.”

“I agree!” She threw her arms around him and planted a big kiss on his cheek.

“Dave? Dave?” she said, jarring him back into the present. “Sweetheart, are you okay?”

“Oh, I’ll be fine, but I’m not sure about another hike just yet. How about a movie instead?”

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Wrong Way1 April 2010

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