Viva Vermont! (15 page)

17

“WHERE ARE THE OTHER GIRLS?”
asked the general as he flipped a pancake. DJ and Rhiannon and Grandmother were the only ones at the breakfast table on Sunday morning, and Grandmother did not look pleased.

“They're sleeping in,” said Rhiannon.

More like it sleeping it off, thought DJ. Casey and Taylor had both been totally wasted when they made their noisy entrance last night—make that early this morning. DJ was surprised that they hadn't woken up the general and her grandmother. Just a little while ago, DJ had stuck her head into Eliza and Kriti's room and was convinced that both of them had overindulged as well. Kriti surprised DJ since she never used to drink. But, of course, Kriti was under Eliza's influence as much as anything else these days.

Really, DJ felt like things were getting more and more out of control, and she intended to have a talk with Grandmother. She just wasn't sure when. It almost seemed unfair to bring it up here at the general's place.

“Why not wait until we get back to Crescent Cove,” suggested Rhiannon as they put the breakfast dishes into the dishwasher.

“You're probably right.”

“Then you and I can speak to her together. I'll back you up.”

DJ smiled. “That'd be great. I really want her to understand that it's serious. I mean, Taylor's parents might not care what she does, but I know that the other girls' parents would be furious if they knew what was going on.”

“But, don't kid yourself, DJ. This could be going on even if they were at home. In Casey's case it was.”

“Yeah … I guess. Still, it seems wrong. And even more wrong to sit back and say nothing.”

Rhiannon nodded. “Totally.”

As it turned out, the guys, other than Conner and Bradford, weren't in very good shape either.

“That house is even more disgusting today,” Conner told DJ as they rode a lift together. “Man, I don't see how even the best housekeepers can get it clean again. I won't go into details, but just imagine a dozen drunken guys sharing two and a half bathrooms. It ain't pretty.”

DJ made a face. It sort of reminded her of the horrid “shared” bathroom back in Everett Falls. She had considered using it the morning after she and Conner had “slept together” but was so disgusted by the smell that she had waited until they went for breakfast at the café to relieve herself.

“Sorry,” said Conner. “Guess I should spare you the details, huh?”

“Well, to be honest, it's no walk in the park sharing accommodations with Casey and Taylor either. One of them, I'm guessing it was Casey, must've gotten sick last night. She partially hit the toilet. But Rhiannon cleaned up the rest of it.”

“It's too bad.”

“Well, let's not think about it,” said DJ as they got off the lift. “Let's not let those losers spoil our day.”

He nodded as he pulled down his goggles. “That's right. Bad enough they're spoiling their own.”

DJ glanced up at the gathering clouds overhead. “It looks like weather's coming. The best riding might be this morning.”

“Viva Vermont!” he yelled as he shot down the slope ahead of her.

“Viva Vermont!” she cried even louder as she took off.

About midway down the slope she pulled over to the side and paused to take in the beauty all around her. Really, it was incredible up here—truly God's country. But it was too bad that some people were too blind—or too wasted—to even see it. Still, she was determined not to allow the stupidity of others ruin this day for her.

Rhiannon's skills seemed to be improving, and she finally felt brave enough to attempt one of the more difficult runs. “I'll stick with you,” promised DJ at the top of the hill, “and the guys can go ahead if they want.”

“We'll wait for you at Midway,” said Bradford.

So Rhiannon and DJ enjoyed a slow, careful ride down, and Rhiannon only fell once. At Midway, they saw the guys sitting off to the side and joined them.

“Isn't it awesome up here!” said Bradford as Rhiannon flopped down next to him.

“Yeah, it makes me want to sing a praise song,” said Rhiannon.

“Well, it is Sunday,” said Conner. “Go for it.”

So in her beautiful, clear voice, Rhiannon started a song that they all knew from church and youth group. And before long, they all joined in. Then she started another song, followed by another. DJ thought it was the most incredible thing she'd ever done. To sit up there in the pristine white snow and the tall pine trees, just singing songs to God—it almost made her want to cry, but with happiness. When Rhiannon finally ended the last song, they all just looked at each other in amazement.

“That was awesome,” said DJ in a hushed voice.

“Kind of like being in church,” added Conner.

“Only better,” said Bradford.

“This is like church,” said Rhiannon. “God said where two or more of us gather together he's in our midst.”

“I can't imagine a more spectacular church,” said DJ.

“Is it okay to pray?” asked Rhiannon in a quiet voice.

“Of course!” exclaimed Conner, and they all nodded.

“Dear God,” began Rhiannon. “We just want to say how much we love you, and we want to thank you for this amazing time—and this incredible weekend. You are awesome, and we really do appreciate you.”

“Yeah, God,” continued Bradford. “We know we're not perfect, but we also know you're working on us. Help us to be a better source of life for our mixed-up friends. Help us to love them the way you would love them.”

“That's right,” said Conner. “Instead of wanting to kick some … well, you know … help us to say the right things to these guys. Help us to direct them to you. We believe you can do miracles—just like you've done in us.”

DJ felt it was her turn, but she still wasn't totally comfortable praying with others. Even so, she took in a deep breath and began. “Dear God, I agree with everything these guys just said. I really do want to show your love—especially to Taylor and Casey. I worry about them, God. And I want them to come to you the way that I have—we have—come to you. Please, show us how to reach these guys for you—with your love.”

Then they all said “amen!” This was followed by a group hug and a joyful ride down the rest of the hill. They got in several more rides before the snow started to fall. But by one o'clock, it wasn't looking too good.

“Why don't you guys come over to our place,” suggested DJ. “I'm sure the general won't mind.”

So they all trudged through the snow to the general's lodge, planted their snowboards by the back door, and went inside to see that the other girls were just starting to stir. They looked pretty awful, and when DJ started to pull things out of the fridge to make sandwiches for lunch, Kriti, who had just made a cup of tea, held her hand over her mouth and made a fast dash to the nearby powder room where they couldn't help but hear her emptying her stomach.

“Poor Kriti,” said DJ as she set a jar of mayonnaise on the counter.

“I'll go check on her,” offered Rhiannon.

DJ continued to put out stuff for sandwiches. Her plan was to create a sandwich bar and let everyone fend for themselves.

“Kriti is one sorry girl,” said Rhiannon when she came back.

“Feeling pretty nasty?” asked Conner as he began to build his sandwich.

“Oh, yeah.”

“Maybe it'll be a lesson for her,” said Bradford.

“I hope so.” Rhiannon reached for a plate. “She said she's never going to touch alcohol again.”

“Here, here,” said Conner as he held up a can of soda.

“Hey, maybe they'd like some Sierra Mist,” said DJ. Then she grabbed a couple of cans and ran up to their room.

“What d'you want?” asked Taylor as she sat in a chair looking like something the dog had dragged in.

“I brought you a soda,” said DJ as she set it on the desk.

Taylor brightened ever so slightly. “Thanks.”

“Sorry you missed out on this morning.”

“Oh … well … maybe later.”

“There's a storm coming in now,” DJ told her. “So I doubt you'll want to go up there until it breaks.”

“Don't worry,” said Taylor. “I don't think I want to go anywhere for a while.”

Then DJ let herself into Eliza and Kriti's room. Poor Kriti was flopped out on her bed again, looking even worse than Taylor.

“You okay?” asked DJ.

Kriti waved a hand without speaking.

“I brought you a soda.”

Kriti closed her eyes and muttered a weary “thanks.”

DJ felt slightly hopeful as she returned to her friends in the kitchen. “Maybe this will put the brakes on all the crazy partying,” she told them as they sat down to eat their lunch.

It snowed for the rest of the afternoon, but it was fun being stuck in the fabulous lodge with a crackling fire and all the other amenities. The four young people ended up playing charades and Pictionary with Grandmother and the general for a couple of hours. DJ was surprised to see this playful side of the general. Normally, he was somewhat formal and polite, as well as slightly intimidating with his perfect posture and steely gray hair. But during charades he cut loose and managed to crack them all up with his offbeat sense of humor. Really, by three in the afternoon, DJ felt like it was turning out to be a perfect day.

“How sweet that you're humoring the old folks,” said Eliza as DJ returned to the kitchen to refill her coffee cup. By now the other girls were pretty much back to life. With showers, makeup, and fresh wardrobe, they could almost pass for healthy. Well, other than the dark shadows under Kriti's eyes. She still seemed to be keeping a low profile. DJ suspected she'd had time to think things over and was seeing Eliza in a new and not terribly flattering light.

“The general is totally hilarious with charades.” DJ set the coffee pot back. “And it's fun.” As in hint-hint, maybe Eliza should try it too.

“And helpful.”

“Helpful?” DJ frowned. “What do you mean?”

“Nothing.”

DJ decided to ignore whatever new game Eliza was playing. As she went back out to join the others, she saw that the snow had finally stopped. “Hey, it's clearing up out there,” she pointed out.

“Yeah, but the lifts will be closing in about twenty minutes,” said Conner.

“Not really enough time to go again,” said Bradford.

So they started another round of charades—women against men—and the girls were just about to concede when Eliza waltzed in the front door with Harry. With her pink cheeks and perfect smile, it was difficult to believe that she'd been out partying last night. But perhaps she hadn't overdone it as badly as poor Kriti.

“We have a surprise for you,” said Eliza as she came over to General Harding.

He grinned up at her. “What?”

“As a thank you for your wonderful hospitality, the girls and I have gotten you a little present.” She tossed a quick warning look at DJ and Rhiannon, but they just watched with interest.

“It's a gift certificate for the River Trout Grille.”

“Oh, that's a delightful restaurant,” said the general. “The chef there is from New York and a real artist. How thoughtful of you.”

“And we made a reservation for the two of you for this evening,” gushed Eliza.

“Oh, my!” Grandmother clapped her hands. “That's wonderful, Eliza.”

“Yes,” said General Harding. “Delightful.”

“Eight o'clock was the earliest we could get you in,” said Eliza as she handed the certificate to the general. DJ peeked to see that it was for $200—pretty generous, she thought. But then Eliza could afford it. And, really, it was kind of sweet. Maybe this was Eliza's way of apologizing for the stupidity that had transpired in the past couple of days.

General Harding looked at his watch. “Well, it takes about twenty minutes to get there, Katherine. I don't know about you, but I wouldn't mind a little nap first.” He extended his hand to her.

“Definitely.” She let him help her up.

“And you can go early for drinks and appetizers,” suggested Eliza. “I asked them to hold you a small table in the lounge.”

“You are a dear,” said Grandmother as she patted Eliza on the cheek. “A lovely, lovely, dear.”

“But I didn't get dinner catered tonight,” said the general. “Being that they don't work on Sundays. I hope that's—”

“Not a problem,” said Eliza. “We're big girls; we can fix our own dinner. Don't worry.”

After the general and Grandmother were gone, DJ peered curiously at Eliza. “That was awfully nice of you. Do you want us to all reimburse you for the certificate?”

She waved her hand. “No, it's my treat.”

“Well, thanks.”

“See you later,” she told them, giggling. Then she and Harry left.

“I wonder where they're going,” mused DJ, not that she cared.

“Not to his place,” said Bradford. “You can count on that.”

“Well, you guys don't have to go back there either,” said DJ. “Well, not until later that is. Feel free to hang out here as long as you like.”

“You kids have a nice evening,” said General Harding as he opened the front door for Grandmother.

“Bye-bye,” called Eliza. “Y'all have a good time now!”

“We should be back around ten,” called Grandmother.

Eliza stood by the window, watching. “There they go,” she said in a cheerful voice.

“I can't believe he doesn't mind driving that huge thing around,” said DJ as she observed the motor home pulling out of the circular driveway.

“It's probably very safe,” said Rhiannon. “What time is it?”

DJ peeked at the big clock in the foyer. “A little before seven. The guys should be back soon.”

“Yum … pizza …” Rhiannon smacked her lips. “What a great idea.”