Something Down There

by Nancy Widrew

  “I was just considering that,” said Karen, with a nod toward Jeremy. “But I have to confess that I’m not really the outdoor type, although we really are completely indoors, aren’t we?”

  Sara’s face crinkled into a wide grin. While it resulted in tiny cracks along her eyes and deepened her smile lines, it somehow made her look ten years younger. “That’s true, of course, but I can’t think of a better way to spend a day, although I’m not ashamed to admit that my first few times caving, kept me up the night before. Right, George?”

  Her husband nodded. “Yeah, and your knees would shake on the way to the car. But, don’t forget, this was originally your idea.”

  “But now we all love the sport. Here we own the world. Even Keith likes it. Right, Keith?” She reached out and squeezed his shoulder.

  Keith ignored his mother. “I’m hungry,” he said. “Can we eat now.” His words were more a statement than a question.

  Sara winked at Karen. “See. Just like I said. Well, I guess this is as good a time as any for lunch. Care to join us?”

  Neither Karen nor Jeremy was hungry after eating a big breakfast, but being a part of this small human family, fostered a sense of camaraderie and obligation.

  “How about we all pull over a boulder,” said George. He emptied his backpack of food before shoving it under his butt as a makeshift seat. “It’s a little cold below, if you know what I mean,” he added.

  The others did likewise.

  Karen’s appetite picked up with the array of food from both families spread out on a plastic tarp: sandwiches, fruit, home-made trail mix, and chocolate chip cookies—Sara’s specialty. Jeremy whose appetite was easily triggered had no trouble making room. There was plenty to go around since everyone shared from the communal pool.

  Taking a large thermos of coffee, Sara offered some to the younger couple.

  “Thanks, but we brought some too,” said Karen. “It’s my only addiction—well, that and chocolate chip cookies.” She eyed them guiltily and reached for a second, thinking about those extra five pounds she wanted to lose. Screw it. Women are supposed to have curves. She let the sweet taste sit on her tongue for a few seconds, then sighed and blissfully chomped away.

  After pouring some milk into a paper cup, Jeremy offered it to Keith. The young man snorted as if insulted and said, “I stopped drinking that years ago.”

  Sara rolled her eyes discreetly.

  Conversation turned typical, centering on jobs and family. George, it turned out, worked as an electrician. So much for stereotypes, thought Karen, as she erased college professor from her mental list.

  Sara, like Karen, was a teacher.

  “Phys-ed,” she said, lowering her voice.

  Karen often wondered why physical-education majors seemed defensive about their career choice. With two left feet, she had a healthy respect for people who possessed a semblance of athletic grace. In fact, teachers as a whole were given a bad rap, she decided, recalling the words: “Those who can’t do teach, and those who can’t teach, teach gym.” She couldn’t quite place where she had heard this—a movie perhaps?—but vowed to toss it into her personal trash can for quotes best forgotten.

  “I teach English,” said Karen. “At least I used to. When we moved from New Hampshire last spring, I had to give up my job. It hurt. I can’t deny it, but Jeremy was given such a good opportunity in Baltimore. Still, I had no idea the market would be flooded. It seems there are fifty applicants for every opening.”

  Sara leaned in toward Karen. “I know just what you’re going through. When I wanted to return to work, I had the same problem.”

  Karen eyebrows shot up. “What did you do?”

  “I subbed. Besides bringing home a pay check, I made connections.”

  “‘Connections’?” she parroted.

  Sara shook her head, amused by the younger woman’s naivety. “Of course. Everyone knows it’s not what you know, but who you know.”

  “I suppose there’s something to that,” acknowledged Karen, pressing an index finger to her mouth, “and anyway, subbing would be a lot better than sitting home alone. Thanks. It’s a good idea.”

  “My pleasure and I’d be interested in learning how you make out. Say, why don’t we exchange phone numbers?”

  “I’d like that,” said Karen, “and if you’re ever near Maryland, I hope you’ll look us up.”

  Sara and George exchanged glances. “As a matter of fact,” said Sara, “we were planning a trip to Washington, D.C. next spring. Ever been there? It’s just a hop, skip, and a jump from you. Maybe we can meet and take in the sights together. I’ve always wanted to see the cherry blossoms.”

  Keith smirked, causing his mouth to pucker like a crooked seam. “Count me out. I’m not into cherry blossoms.”

  “But we can also visit Georgetown University when we’re there,” said George. “It’s time you started looking at colleges.”

  With a shrug of indifference, Keith said, “I suppose so.”

  Karen borrowed a pen and small notebook from Jeremy, who never went anywhere without them. Being a reporter, he considered them part of his anatomy.

  After Sara scribbled her number inside, Karen wrote hers on a separate sheet, and, as an afterthought, added Jeremy’s work number on another page. She tore them off and handed them to Sara, who immediately transferred them to her pants pocket.

  Karen, normally shy, hesitated before speaking. “Then we have tentative plans for Washington and cherry blossoms?”

  Sara returned the question with an affirmation. “I’d say it’s more a definite date. I’ll look forward to it.”

  George stood up, cracked each knee in turn, before raising his hands above his head for a luxurious stretch. “Sara, my love. I think it’s time we got going.”

  “I think so too. We’ve done enough exploring for one day.” She turned toward her new friends and explained, “We’ve been here since early morning, and we have a long drive home.”

  Karen’s lips tightened into a thin line. Not wanting anyone to notice her disappointment, she bent down and began gathering the remains of their lunch, throwing it into a paper bag. “I hate when people leave their trash behind,” she said, keeping her face lowered.

  “I know what you mean,” seconded Sara, scrambling on her knees to help. “I saw a couple of beer and soda cans lying about, even a condom. It’s downright sacrilegious in a place like this, although I know the local kids use this cave as a hangout. George used to be one of them.”

  George nodded reluctantly, the color on his face deepening. “That was years ago,” he said. “Should I tell everyone how you passed geometry in junior high?” Sara and George looked at each other with Cheshire cat grins then burst out laughing at the same time. Still chuckling, George extended his right hand to Karen and Jeremy for a friendly goodbye as well as to change the subject.

  Sara, more affectionate by nature, gave Karen and Jeremy hugs, saying, “We’ll be in touch.”

  All five walked to the rocky path along the wall leading back to the outside world. George pointed to the rope still dangling from the boulder above. “I see you took a shortcut down.”

  Jeremy’s sideways smile seemed more like the smirk of a mischievous boy caught cheating at school. “I thought Karen would enjoy the thrill of flying. But we’ll be following your example on our way up.”

  “It was fun going down that way,” Karen admitted, “but once was enough.”

  The young couple watched as the threesome started up single file. George, the last to ascend, turned his head around and stopped. “Oh, by the way, did you check out the waterfall?”

  Jeremy’s ears perked up immediately. “I didn’t know there was one. Where is it?”

  “Just follow that passageway I pointed out earlier. The one with the cigarette butt stuck in the wall. Then take a right at the second—no, let’s see—third offshoot. The first one is little more than a crevice and the second comes to a dead end. The third is the largest so you ca
n’t miss it. It’s worth checking out.” He continued on with a wave of his hand.

  Karen’s forehead formed ridges as she watched her new friends continuing up, knowing she’d have to imitate their maneuvers soon enough. After turning around a bend, the threesome disappeared for a few seconds. When they were back in view, everyone smiled and waved again. Soon the path became trickier but the climbers were adept, managing the handholds and footholds in the spiky-toothed boulders with proficiency. Karen reached up to rub her temple, now beginning to throb, and she wondered if Jeremy had packed any aspirin.

  Before she could ask, she heard Sara calling from above. “We’re up. See you next spring.” Her voice trailed off until it sounded little more than a murmur.

  Karen could only see the lights from their headlamps, but knowing they were safe, she began to relax. Then glancing down at her feet, she noticed a slip of paper and bent down to pick it up. Written on it was Jeremy’s work number. Apparently, it had fallen out of Sara’s pants. Damn, she thought. Oh well, at least, they have our home number and we have theirs. She folded the paper and placed it inside her pocket.

  Jeremy tapped her shoulder. “You ready?” he said, eyes bulging like snowballs. “Let’s find it.”

  “Find what?” said Karen, knowing full well what he meant.

  Seeming to sense her reluctance, Jeremy unhitched his backpack, reached inside and pulled out a ball of string. “There,” he said. “You can’t accuse me of not being careful. When we get to the passageway, the one with the cigarette butt, I’ll put this loose end”—he held it up for her to see—“under a heavy rock and unwind as we walk. We’ll be all set.”

  Karen took a deep breath, puffing out her bangs as she exhaled. She knew he would look for the falls with or without her, and she didn’t want to be left alone. Reluctantly, she followed.

  The string, shadowing dutifully behind, offered Karen a tangible connection to the world but provided little release from her growing concern. Jeremy, to Karen’s relief, was mindful of her feelings, and grabbed her hand with a comforting pat. Together they continued, paying careful attention to George’s instructions.

  “This must be the first offshoot,” said Jeremy, pointing to a crevice in the wall too narrow to squeeze through. They walked beyond the second, the dead end, adjusting their bodies to the height of the ceiling and the sharp bend in the tunnel. Karen, however, began to feel claustrophobic and though their lamps provided ample lighting nearby, distant shapes grew huge and demonic with components resembling misshapen heads and limbs. Swallowing fear, Karen felt like calling out for her mother but instead heard herself say, “I don’t like this. I want to go back.”

  His arm around her waist, Jeremy leaned in, whispering. “You hear that?”

  Karen stood still, cupped a hand around her ear. Yes, she heard it, too, a tapping then a deep thumping like the pizzicato from a bass fiddle being plucked with a finger.

  They walked on, following the call of the down-flow, and as they approached the third offshoot, it grew to a rumble as if glad to have someone hear its timeless peal, a coloratura of runs, trills, and polyphonic vocalizations.

  The falls was not what she expected but far from disappointing. The water, instead of gushing from a towering overhang, seeped between rocky layers, increasing in volume on its descent until it was greater at the base than the top. Yet its steady and subtle performance allowed her to see the lightly colored stones underneath, shaded as a bride by her veil.

  Karen put her hands under the water, forming a cup, and raised it to her lips. “It’s delicious,” she said. Then thinking she’d made a mistake said, “I guess I was thirsty. Is it all right?”

  After Jeremy assured her that the water, filtering through rocks on its decent, was safe to drink, she helped herself to more. Drops dripped down her face. She didn’t bother to wipe them off.

  The water drained into a shallow pool perhaps twenty feet across and then onward before finally seeping into the ground and becoming no more than a puddle.

  Karen looked around her and said, “It really is lovely and I’m glad we came, but I’m ready to go home.” Her eyebrows shot upward and two parallel lines deepened between them as Jeremy began to strip off his clothes.

  “W-what are you doing?” she stuttered, not believing her eyes.

  “What does it look like? Come on. Loosen up for a change and join me.”

  Loosen up? she thought. What’s he talking about? Am I really an old fuddy-duddy? With a determined I’ll-show-you look, she stripped off her clothes, flinging shirt, pants, everything on the ground and jumped into the pool beside Jeremy.

  The ice-cold water caused goose bumps to appear on her flesh and her nipples to stand at attention like two toy soldiers. Jeremy circled her inside his arms, passing on his warmth. She proceeded in kind by reaching up, drawing his head down to nuzzle her neck. The thought of making love passed through them both, but looking at the rocks and mud amidst the cold water made them both reconsider.

  With a trace of a kiss still on her lips, Karen slipped from his arms and the moment faded. “We can continue this later at home,” she said, her voice low and suggestive.

  “Whatever you want. You’ve been great today, Karen. You never fail to surprise me. I’m proud of you.”

  They stepped out of the water, letting the air dry their bodies.

  Karen froze. “What was that?”

  “What was what?”

  “I heard something. It sounded like voices.”

  “I didn’t hear anything.”

  Karen frowned as she scrambled back into her clothes, suddenly aware of her nakedness.

  After picking up their belongings, they made their way back, following the string, until they were in the main section of the cave. They checked to make sure they weren’t leaving anything behind; satisfied, they walked over to the path along the wall, the same one Sara, George, and Keith had used less than an hour ago.

  Jeremy adjusted his carbide lamp, searching with his eyes. “Funny,” he said, the corners of his mouth drooping like sleeves from an oversized sweater. “I don’t see our rope hanging down.”

  Karen, for a second, thought he was joking. Then bewildered, she walked to where it was supposed to be. She stared at the spot unable to believe it wasn’t there, somehow hoping her concentration would force it to reappear.

  “I don’t understand,” she said, pacing back and forth. “Even if it had fallen, it would still be here.”

  “It must be some bad practical joke,” said Jeremy. “But who would do such a thing?”

  The idea of their new friends, Sara and George, committing such an act was inconceivable. Perhaps their son, Keith? Yes, he seemed the type, insolent and ready for mischief. Karen had had such boys in class before. And who else could it be, anyway?

  Jeremy’s lips pulled back in anger, baring his teeth at the transgression. “Well, at least we don’t need it to get out of here. Still—”

  #

  Not long after they’d already stopped to fill up the tank and use the rest rooms, Keith announced, “I gotta take a crap.”

  George gripped the wheel. “You gotta what! What kind of talk is that, young man? Someone should wash your mouth out with soap.”

  Sara burst out laughing as if she were watching her favorite sitcom. “What’s wrong with you, George? You think he’s a little kid? Besides you use worse language all the time.”

  George’s lips spread into a lopsided grin. “Yeah, I do, don’t I? Oh, well. Can you wait till we get home, Keith? We stopped less than an hour ago, and we only have another thirty miles left.”

  “Don’t think so, Dad. This time it’s real business.”

  “All right, I get your drift.” Steering the car to the outer lane, George shifted to second gear and drove off the exit ramp. Within minutes he found the bright orange roof of a Howard Johnson’s and pulled into the parking lot. Keith rushed out while George pocketed his keys and Sara fussed with her purse.

  “I�
��m not very hungry,” said Sara, “but I could use a drink.”

  “Me too,” said George. “Counter okay?”

  “Sure.”

  The restaurant was warm, and Sara draped her jacket over an unoccupied stool.

  “Just two cokes,” said George as a waitress in a white paper cap approached. “Should we order one for Keith?”

  “No. He may want something else.”

  “So what do you think? Did you enjoy the day?” George leaned forward as the waitress placed his drink before him.

  “Yes,” said Sara, “but next time I’m ready for something more challenging.” She peeled the paper from a straw, placed it in her soda and took a sip. Immediately she began to sneeze.

  “Bubbles again?” asked George.

  “Yep. Went right up both nostrils.” She took two napkins from the dispenser, honked, wiped, and placed the dirty napkins in her pocket before finishing her drink.

  “I may as well use the bathroom as long as we’re here. See you in a minute.” She walked down the corridor, passing the men’s room, where Keith, his back against the wall, was zoning out on a joint. Sara swore under her breath as the sweet, smoky smell, which she recognized from years past, wafted by.

  “Dammit, Keith,” she barked through the small crack between the door and jamb. “I know what you’re doing. No wonder your grades are plummeting. How do you expect to get into college?” She rattled the handle, but it was locked. “Wait till I tell your father. And you can forget about using the car tomorrow.” She let out a “Grrrr.”

  After entering the “Ladies,” she emptied the contents of her pocket, inadvertently throwing out the second sheet with Karen and Jeremy’s home number mixed in with the dirty napkins. Straightaway, she realized her mistake and considered going through the trash. “No way,” she said, still distracted and fuming over Keith’s smoking dope. By the time she got home, she had already forgotten about her new friends. She had more pressing issues on her mind.