Chapter 9

Alex couldn’t settle down enough to read so she took Mandy out to the barn to play fetch. Tomorrow she’d go over to Peter’s. This was the first time she’d had to think back about where her life had gone over the years. The farm animals reminded her of her high school years at the wizarding school, Aspen Glen. Then, everything seemed so important and life changing, but now those days seemed so easy and carefree. Her other problems had become minor, compared to her being stranded in the mountains. In one day her life had changed. Was it for the better?

College had taught her one very important lesson—never give up. No matter how long it takes, keep trying. The old adage “if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again” had become her motto. Especially now. She would get her life put back together. Tomorrow she’d get to talk with her parents and her boss.

She tossed and turned all night, worrying about whether she’d still have a job. In the morning, they hurried through breakfast and chores so they could get over to Peter’s early in the day. Alex wrapped each egg to make sure none of them broke as they rode and tucked them into the snowmobile’s saddle pack. Steve and Peter used an exchange system of milk and eggs for canned vegetables. The day was sunny at the moment, but more storms were predicted for later in the day so they couldn’t stay too late.

But it would be an afternoon away. She’d been going stir crazy the last few days with the frequent snows and looked forward to getting out of the cabin. To make matters worse, Steve had been keeping his distance. She was curious if Peter’s cabin was basic or if he had more modern features. They loaded up the snowmobile and Alex climbed on behind. Steve had shown her the basics of how a snowmobile worked yesterday. She’d lived all her life in Colorado but had never ridden one before; today would be her first. Steve took off across the open field heading straight down the valley. After a few minutes they went down a hill and Alex could see a large house. It was a two-story brick building with porches and balconies on each level. The roof was almost completely covered with solar panels which sparkled in the sunshine. Beyond, she could see three other structures stretching off down the valley. Behind them another mountain loomed up. On the far side of the valley a line of pines and firs ran along the bottom of another wall of rocks. She spent so much time looking around, they were at Peter’s before she realized it. Steve parked, helped Alex off, and carried the saddlebag up to the house. Peter came out as soon as they reached the porch.

“You need to stop by some day,” Peter said. “Come over and take a long leisurely shower and enjoy using electric for a change.”

When they entered the house, Alex stopped mid-stride and stared. She’d never imagined anything like this. There were curtains, puffy chairs with pillows, area rugs, a big screen TV, and modern appliances. She wandered around taking it all in.

“How do you run all this?” she asked.

“Did you see my collection of solar panels?”

Alex nodded.

“They power everything here and even provide some power for the other three houses. I also have a satellite dish for TV and Internet. I can’t work without them,” Peter said. He took the milk and eggs and headed back to his storeroom to get some canned vegetables. He screamed, ran out of the storeroom, slammed the door, and leaned against the door, trying to catch his breath.

“What happened?” Steve headed toward Peter.

“A spider. A big, hairy spider.”

“You big girl.” Steve headed out to the kitchen and returned with the flyswatter. “You should know by now to take this with you.” He waved the flyswatter.

“Yeah, but it was so big.” Peter moved away from the door.

Steve entered the storeroom and they heard several loud smacks. A few moments of silence passed, more smacks, silence, another round of smacks. Steve reappeared.

He was holding the biggest spider Alex had ever seen.

Steve looked at it a moment, turning the mangled body this way and that. “You were right. It was big.” He started to act like he was going to fling it at Peter, and Peter made a run for the other part of the house. He smiled and looked over to Alex. “It always amazes me how a man who writes battle games can be so afraid of spiders.”

“Why haven’t we come over here sooner?” Alex asked Steve.

He was dumping the spider body in a trash can. “I only have a limited amount of gas so I only use it for important trips.”

Peter poked his head around the corner of the hallway. “Is it gone?”

“All gone,” Steve said.

Peter looked at his watch. “We’d better get to the radio then; it’s almost time. Sorry we have to use the radio, but the Internet reception is iffy right now, and I haven’t gotten a satellite phone yet.”

Alex followed Peter back to one of the other rooms while Steve settled into one of the chairs. The first call was to Alex’s boss, Tom.

Tom asked, “When can you get back?”

“I don’t know for sure, but it could be almost a month or more before I can get out,” Alex said.

“I couldn’t believe it when I first heard. If it was anyone else, I would wonder if they just wanted some time off. I know you wouldn’t do this.” He paused, “I put you on sick leave for a week, then put you on vacation, but even that’s running out in a couple of days.”

“I appreciate it. I’m so sorry this happened.”

“I really like you as an employee, but I can’t keep your job open that long. I’ll have to hire someone else.”

“I understand.” Alex gripped the microphone tighter. This had been what she was afraid would happen.

“I’ll give you two weeks termination pay, that’s the best I can do. When you ever get back be sure to stop by in case there are some openings. I’m sorry, that’s all I can do.”

“I’m sorry too. I’ll have my parents come by and clean out my desk.” She paused to get her voice under control. “Thanks for all your help.”

“I’ll pass the microphone to your mom now. Good luck,” Tom said.

Some indistinct voices and rustles came across the air-waves.

“Alex dear, is that really you?”

“Yes, Mom.”

“I couldn’t believe it when I got the call a few days ago. I’d been worried out of my noggin. No call, nothing. I scried…I could tell you were alive at least.”

“I know, Mom, but it isn’t like I could pick up a phone and call.”

“I know, but you could have sent me a bird.”

Peter looked at Alex like he wanted to ask what she meant.

“Mom, be careful. You know I couldn’t do anything like that here. Did you hear what Tom said?”

“Yes. I’m so sorry for you, but you know how I felt about that kind of work.”

“Can you clean out my desk for me?”

“Of course, dear. You know I’d do anything for you.”

Alex squirmed in the chair. “How are Joseph and Vladimir doing?”

“He’s spoiling that dog rotten. He can only afford to pay three quarters of the rent for now though.”

“That’ll at least slow down the drain on my money. You know where all the accounts are, don’t you, Mom?”

“Of course, but you needn’t worry about that now. We’ll help you out, just keep yourself safe. Don’t be taking any risks to get here a little sooner. We’ll take care of things for you.”

“I know you will. Thanks.”

“Can we talk again next week?” her mom asked.

Alex looked at Peter and he nodded.

“I should be able to. Love you, Mom, and give my love to Dad.”

“Love you, honey. Take care and stay safe. Bye.”

Alex mumbled bye and handed the microphone to Peter. He talked to his friend on the other end for a minute then disconnected.

“We arranged for another call with your parents next week,” Peter said.

“Thanks for doing this for me.”

“Anytime, just glad I could help.” Peter pulled open a desk drawer and pulled out a half full bottle of whisky. “Take this. I think you need it. Let me show you around.”

Alex took the bottle and followed Peter as he showed her the rest of his house. There were several bedrooms on the second floor with only a couple of them furnished. “If you ever want to, you could stay here.”

“Thanks, but I’m okay for now. I’ve been trying to catch up on some reading.” And kiss Steve again.

Peter nodded. They headed back to the first floor. He showed her the rest of the rooms which included a theater decked out to look like the bridge of a spaceship. His study was an explosion of sticky notes and papers. The walls were covered with dry erase boards, which had writing and sticky notes filling all the space. One large desk was covered with computer equipment while another desk was heaped full of papers. Manuals lay scattered around the floor.

Then she spied it, a diet soda can. She dashed over and picked up the can. “Do you have any you could give me?”

“Sure, I’ve got some in my pantry, come on.” They headed back out through the living room. He went through a door off the kitchen but paused and looked around the floor. “Just checking. I don’t want to find that spider’s brother.”

Alex walked into a large narrow room. There were two freezers and wall-to-wall industrial shelves packed with all kinds of supplies. “No wonder you can share with others.” She walked around looking at everything.

“Yeah, we’ve arranged a pretty good barter system. Steve provides milk and eggs, I have canned goods, and one of the neighbors has a greenhouse where they grow fresh vegetables. Here’s the soft drinks.” He handed her a couple of cans. “I’ll bring more the next time I come over.”

“You don’t know how much I’ve missed these.” She pulled the cans close to her body.

“Don’t need to tell me. I couldn’t live without them.”

“Do your panels always provide you with enough power?”

“Most of the time. I only have problems when we get a lot of snow and they get covered.”

“Like these last two weeks? Then what do you do?”

He pointed to a large cabinet at the end. “My batteries get me by for quite a while if I’m careful, then I have to resort to my generator and fireplace.”

“I guess we’d better get back before it snows again. Thanks for the supplies.” She held up a can.

Peter walked with her back through the house. “Have faith. Everything will work out.”

Steve stood up when they came back out. “Ready?”

Alex nodded and they headed out. She tucked her supplies in the saddlebag and got on. Alex thought while she rode back to the cabin. Why hadn’t I left earlier? Even one hour would have made a major difference. One hour earlier and I would have made it home. How could something that seemed so minor have such devastating consequences? Here I am, I’ve lost my job, and can’t even predict when I might be able to get home. Just one hour earlier.

What if I’d turned left instead of right? I would have found the hotel. I’d have had to stay for a couple of days, but I wouldn’t have lost my job.

No. I turned right and got marooned in this mountain valley. With no idea of when the road will be passable even on a snowmobile. She would find a new job, maybe something even better, and for now just enjoy every day more fully.

Oh well. At least she had a roof over her head. She’d even been able to get a call out to let her family know that she was safe. After all, tomorrow might not ever come. And when it did, who knew what it would bring.