by Betty McLain
Dody laughed as she took three folding camp stools from the trunk of the car. With them was a folding card table. “I will set these up. You bring the picnic basket, Rod. I am rather hungry myself.”
“So am I,” agreed Sue. She began to help Dody with the table.
“Ella sure knows how to make sandwiches melt in your mouth.” Rod said. He was devouring one in practically one bite as he spoke.
“They have been melting in your mouth for fourteen years now.” said Dody laughing.
“Yeah, but they are still great. “ Rod said, grinning back at Dody.
There was the sound of a car nearby. Dody turned her head to one side to see if she could tell where the sound came from.
“I thought I heard a car.” said Dody. “I hope no one else wants to camp here. It will not be as much fun with a crowd.” Two men emerged from the trees that surrounded their camp site, as she stopped talking.
“Well, look who is here,” said Sue brightly.
Dody looked at her friend suspiciously. “Did you tell them where we were going?”
“No, not exactly.” said Sue. She flushed a bright red.
“You wouldn’t just happen to have something a couple of starving guys could eat,” asked Ron with a big smile.
“I think that we might be able to manage something,” said Dody smiling back at Ron.
“Here, Greg,” said Sue. “I am finished. You can have my stool.”
Rod quickly got up from his stool and grabbed a fishing pole. He started getting it ready so he could go fishing later.
Ron and Greg sat down and Sue got them some sandwiches to eat. Turning around, she saw Dody leaning against her car with her eyes closed. She hurried over to her. “Dody, are you alright?”
“Oh, Sue.” She moaned. “I think I am going to be sick.” She turned and darted off into the trees.
“What is wrong?” asked Greg anxiously. Before Sue could answer, the sound of Dody being sick came back to them through the trees. Greg picked up a small hand towel and wet it. He followed the sound to Dody. He had no trouble finding her. As he walked along, he was wondering if his being there was causing a problem with Dody. He had to be around her enough to convince her they belonged together. He could not give her up. He knew she had feelings for him, too. It was just a question of getting her to admit it to herself. He wished he did not have to go back to work tomorrow, but he had only been at the firm for three months, it was not a good time to ask for time off.
Chapter 11
When he reached her she was leaning weakly against a tree and looking pale. Greg silently handed her the damp towel and watched her as she bathed her face.
“Do you feel better, now?” he asked.
“Yes, much better,” she agreed. Dody looked at him and flushed under his steady regard. “I must have eaten something that did not agree with me.”
“Shouldn’t you see a doctor?” he asked as they started the walk back to camp.
“I have already seen a doctor. I know what the trouble is. I am fine now. I was only sick because I forgot to take my medicine this morning.”
“Gee, Dody,” Rod said, when they returned to the camp site. “You said that you were not sick”
“I am not sick, Rod. I am fine. I promise you I won’t get sick every time I eat and ruin our camping trip.”
“Well, if you are sure,” said Rod. He did not sound as if he was convinced.
“I thought you had something to keep you from getting sick,” said Sue.
“I do. I just forgot to take it this morning.”
“Why would you need something to keep you from being sick?” asked a very puzzled Ron.
“That is a good question.” stated Greg.
“A very good question,” laughed Sue. “Answer the gentlemen, Dody.”
Dody shot her friend a frowning look. She looked from Ron to Greg. “I can not see the state of my health is any of your business.”
“You are my wife,” said Greg quietly. “The state of your health is most certainly my business.”
Dody looked silently at Greg for a moment before lowering her eyes. He looked very worried. Was he really worried about her? Did he really mean that the way it sounded? She was so confused. She could not think.
“Dody,” pleaded Sue. “You have to tell him sometime.”
“Is that why you invited them here?” she asked her friend angrily.
“That is not fair, Dody. I was only trying to help.”
Dody looked at Sue contritely. “I know you were. I am sorry I snapped. I guess I must be tired.” Dody raised a trembling hand to a very pale cheek.
“Shouldn’t you lie down for awhile?” suggested Greg, as he noticed how her hand was trembling.
“Yes, I think I shall.” Dody agreed weakly. She started to walk slowly toward her and Sue’s tent. She stopped as she met Greg’s gaze and saw his drawn features and the worried look. She managed a weak smile.
“There is nothing to worry about. I am alright. Really I am fine. We will talk soon.” With this, she went on into the tent. She crawled into her sleeping bag and closed her eyes. She only meant to rest for a bit, but she was very tired and she was soon sound asleep.
“Will she really be alright? Shouldn’t she see a doctor?” Greg asked.
“Do not look so worried. Dody is fine. There is nothing a doctor can do for her. She just forgot to take her medicine. That is all. Now, you two come on and eat.”
The two men moved back to the table where the food was ready for them to eat.
“Gee, Sue, if Dody is really sick, we will have to cancel our camping trip. Dody said she was not sick. Is she okay?” Rod looked very worried as he questioned Sue.
Sue shook her head and gave them all a reassuring smile. “We do not have to cancel our camping trip. The fresh air will be good for Dody.”
“Can’t you tell us what is wrong with her?” Greg asked.
“I can not do that. I have already interfered enough by calling and telling you about the camping trip. The rest is up to Dody. She said she would talk to you later. Give her a little time to rest up.”
She asked Ron a question about art, and they were soon in a deep discussion about art and the last art show. Greg sat quietly, deep in thought. Rod had taken his rod and reel and wandered away to the fishing stream.
Greg shook his head and looked around. He had been so deep in thought he had not noticed when Ron and Sue had wandered away exploring. He was completely alone. He looked at his watch and realized with a start that he and Ron would have to be leaving soon. They had a long drive ahead of them back to the town where they were living. He looked over to the tent where Dody was sleeping. He got up and walked slowly toward the tent. Once there, he called her name softly. There was no answer. He opened the flap and went inside. He stopped and looked down at Dody. She was sleeping peacefully. A smile lurked on her lips. Greg caught his breath as he looked down at the woman he loved. He sat down beside her and gazed at her lovely face. She was sleeping so peacefully, He hadn’t the heart to wake her up. For the moment, it was enough just to look at her and be close to her. His heart and eyes drank in her loveliness as a thirsty man would drink water. He bent over and kissed her lips very gently.
Dody stirred, but she did not wake up. She whispered, “Greg.”
Greg sat looking at her with his heart in his eyes. She could not have said his name in that tone if she did not love him, he thought.
“I will see you in a week, my love,” he whispered very softly, and withdrew from the tent.
Sue and Ron were approaching as he came out of the tent. Greg went to meet them. He gave Sue a reassuring smile, and turned to Ron.
“We are going to have to get back to town, Ron,” he said.
“Yes, I suppose so. It is getting late.” He gave Sue’s hand a small squeeze.
“Did you get a chance to talk to Dody?” Sue asked Greg.
“No, she was sleeping so peacefully, I decided not to wake her up.” Greg re
plied.
“The sleep will do her good, but I wish the two of you could get together and sit down and talk.” Sue seemed very frustrated with the situation.
“We will be back next weekend. Then I intend to find out what is going on. Will you keep an eye on her, Sue? If she gets sick again, get her to see a doctor.” Greg gave Sue a pleading look.
“I will do my best,” she promised.
“Thanks.” Ron and Greg said their goodbyes and left for their drive back to town. Greg gave one last longing look at the tent where Dody lay sleeping.
As they went through the trees to where they left their car, Greg gave a huge sigh. Ron gave him a commiserating look. It sure was hard to leave just when he found his wife again. It was going to be a long week.
It was a couple of hours later when Dody woke to the smell of frying fish. Rod caught them and cleaned them, and then he and Sue were cooking them over an open fire.
“Umm, that smells good,” she said.
“Well, hello sleepyhead.” Sue remarked with a smile. “We were beginning to think that you had gone into hibernation. You are certainly looking much better.”
“I am feeling great. Did Greg and Ron leave?”
“Yes, they had to get back home. They both have work tomorrow.”
“Oh,” said Dody, looking a little less cheerful. “You know, I do not even know what kind of work that Greg does. Do you know?”
“Yes, he is a lawyer. He just started at a new job a couple of months ago. Ron told me about it,” said Sue. “Ron and Greg said they will be back next weekend. Greg said to tell you that you and he are going to have a long talk.”
“Oh,” said Dody.
“Yes, and if you will take my advice, you will tell him about the baby and get it over with. Whatever happens, it will be better for you and the baby than all of this tension.”
“I know you are right. I would have talked to him today, but I was just so tired.” Dody bit into a delicious piece of fish.
“What baby?” asked Rod, who had been an interested spectator to their conversation.
Dody looked at him with a grin. “Mine,” she said.
“You do not have a baby.” Rod said, looking over at Dody in confusion.
“No, not yet, but I will have in about six months. It is not born, yet,” she said.
“Oh,” said Rod. “Great, but what has that got to do with Greg?”
“Well, Greg and I are married. We were married three months ago in Reno .” said Dody. She gave Rod a fond smile and continued to eat her fish.
“Oh.” said Rod. He thought that over for a while. He seemed to be turning over all of the information in his mind. Dody watched him with a small grin while he was thinking. “Well, then, of course you will tell him. He will be a great dad.”
“How do you know he will be a great dad?” asked Dody, curious.
“Well, he has been helping out with our little league ball game practice on the weekends. He does not get mad and yell at us when we mess up. He just shows us how to do it right. All of the guys really like him.”
“Oh,” said Dody. “I can see you are going to be glad to have him for a brother-in-law.”
“You bet,” agreed Rod. “I will be the envy of the whole team. It is great about the baby. I am glad for you.” said Rod shyly.
“Thanks, Rod. I am glad, too.”
Chapter 12
“The radio does not work,” said Dody. “It probably needs new batteries.”
“When were they changed last?”
“I don’t know. Rod usually takes care of it. I hope he doesn’t have any luck fishing today. I’ve eaten so many fish these last three days I feel as if I’m going to turn into a fish.”
“I know” Sue agreed. “I’ve been checking every time I swim to see if any fins are growing. So far I haven’t seen any. Come on, I’ll race you to the water.”
The two girls took off. For three days they had been swimming, fishing and exploring. They also spent a lot of time lying in the sun while Rod fished. They both felt rested. They felt the peaceful calm creep in and take over. Little did the others know that under the calm, Dody suppressed a growing excitement as she waited for the end of the week and for Greg to return.
On Friday it rained. The girls spent their time inside their tent playing cards. Rod joined them for a while, then, not wanting to stay cooped up, he put on his raincoat and went fishing. He scowled at the girls worries.
“I’m not afraid of a little water!” He promised he would be careful, and hurried away before they could come up with any more reasons to stop him.
The water didn’t seem to hurt him. He returned that evening in a much happier frame of mind. He had with him a long string of fish that would have made any fisherman proud. After duly praising the catch, Dody and Sue thanked their lucky stars it was raining and they didn’t have to eat the fish. They happily settled down to a meal of sandwiches.
Since their radio wasn’t working and they were tired of cards, they crawled into their sleeping bags early. They were all soon asleep.
Dody never knew what caused her to wake up. She shook her head to clear the fog of sleep from her. She turned her head to one side, listening. What was that sound she heard? Puzzled, she crawled from her sleeping bag and made her way to the window. She stared out in amazement. There were no words to describe the way she felt as she looked out there.
“Rod, Sue, wake up! We’ve got to get out of here!”
“What’s the matter?” They demanded sleepily.
“There’s water all around us. It’s at least knee deep and rising very fast.”
Sleep vanished as they scrambled up to look. They looked out at the swirling, rising water in horror.
“Where did it all come from?” asked Sue.
“I don’t know,” said Dody. “I know we have to get out of here. Get your shoes and coats on so that we can go.” They hurried to get prepared to leave.
* * *
Greg arrived home from work that evening very excited. He found Ron waiting for him. They were supposed to go and visit Greg’s parents and see Dody. He had asked Ron to meet him at his apartment so they could leave from there. “Ron, I’ve made it!” He exclaimed. “I’ve been given my first big court case.”
“Hey, that’s great!”
“There’s just one problem,” said Greg, his face losing some of its animation.
“What’s that?” Ron enquired.
“I have to dine with my client tomorrow night. The case goes to court in a little over a week. I’ll have to spend a lot of time preparing for court.”
“Aren’t you going home this weekend?” asked Ron.
“Yes, I have to see Dody, but I’ll have to start back after lunch tomorrow. I hope you don’t mind having such a quick trip.”
“I don’t mind at all. We’re all ready to go. I made some sandwiches. We can eat on the way.”
“Let’s get going,” said Greg, impatient to see Dody.
They were about five miles from home when Ron turned the radio on to a local station.
“NEWS FLASH!” The tension in the announcer’s voice caught both men’s attention. “The crack that formed in Markee Dam is widening. There is danger of flooding. The flood waters are traveling east toward the old river bed. All people within a five mile radius are advised to seek shelter.”
“The place where Dody and Sue are camping is right in the line of that flood, isn’t it?” asked Ron.
“Yes.” As he pressed his foot lower on the accelerator, the car shot forward at an outrageous speed. It was only a matter of minutes before they came to a screeching halt at Dody’s front door. Jumping from the car, Greg dashed to the door. Mrs. Lansing answered his impatient knocking.
“Why, Greg, whatever is the matter?”
“Hello, Mrs. Lansing. Is Dody here?”
“No, they’re still camping.”
“The gulch is flooding,” said Greg as dashed back to his car.
Ron glanced, app
rehensively, toward the speedometer as Greg sped toward the camp site, but he knew better than to say anything.
“Dear God,” thought Greg, “You couldn’t have let me find her only to take her away again.”
They were a quarter of a mile from the camp site when they had to stop because of the water. “We had better leave the car here and walk on,” said Greg. “There are a couple of flashlights in the glove compartment.”
“Here they are,” said Ron. They set out through the water with grim expressions on their faces.
Chapter 13
After hurriedly getting into shoes, Dody, Sue and Rod waded through the water to the car. They all piled into the front. Dody tried to crank it without success. "It must have gotten wet."
"Now, what do we do?" asked Sue.
"We climb," said Dody. "We've got powerful flashlights. If we can get to the top of that hill, we should be safe enough until help comes."
"What are we waiting for?" demanded Rod. "Let's go."
They worked their way slowly but steadily through the cold water. Dody felt herself shiver, even on this warm night. They finally were getting clear of the water. It was only about three inches deep when Dody stepped on a loose stone and missed her step. She reached, blindly, for something to hold onto. She gasped sharply as she felt something cutting into her arm. Quickly she righted herself and continued on, trying her best to ignore the pain in her arm. When she reached the top of the hill, she dropped down beside Sue and Rod. She was breathing quickly and her arm was throbbing painfully. "Hadn't we better turn one of those lights on, just in case someone comes looking for us?" she asked after she caught her breath and the pain in her arm eased.
"Yes, I'll see about it," said Rod, rising. He took one of the flashlights and turned it in the direction of their flooded camp. Turning, he caught his foot and was pitched forward. Dody and Sue rushed to help him.
"Rod, Rod, are you alright?" asked Dody as she reached his side. He lay still, face down. They turned him over onto his back. "Rod!" cried Dody.
"He hit his head on that big rock over there," said Sue, pointing at the rock.
