Nothing Is Negotiable Read Free Page A

the bed, her head in her hands. Luke came over with aspirin and a zip lock bag full of ice.
    Bonnie held her thumb up and tried to move it. “I don’t think it’s broken but it hurts like a son of a gun. I can’t believe this. I don’t even know if I can hold my camera with this hand.”
    There was a knock on their door. It was the young lady from next door. Luke couldn’t help but notice her striking looks: long blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes. In her hand she held a white box with a red cross on it.
    She glanced from Luke to Bonnie. “I don’t want to bother you, but we had this in the Hummer and thought something in here might help.”
    Luke stepped aside and she walked over beside Bonnie. She set the first aid kit on the bed and opened it. Luke could smell her perfume. She hadn’t been hiking all day that was for sure.
    “Thanks, but I’m not sure what I need at this point,” Bonnie said.
    “There’s all kinds of stuff in here, even an elastic bandage for your hand.”
    “I’m going to take a shower and get cleaned up. Then I’ll be able to see the damage a little better.”
    “I’m Christina,” she said, backing toward the door. “If there’s anything we can do, let us know. And if you feel up to it, come out and have some wine and cheese with us. It might help kill some of the pain.”
    “We might do that. Thanks,” said Luke.
    Christina stepped outside and Luke closed the door behind her. As he turned around, he saw Bonnie rush into the bathroom and slam the door.
    Seconds later, he heard her being sick again.
    He waited a minute and heard it again.
    “You okay?” was all he could say.
    “I think so,” she said weakly.
    A few minutes later, Bonnie staggered out and sat on the side of the bed.
    “Want me to go get something for your stomach?”
    “No, I’ve got some Pepto in my suitcase. It was probably something I ate for lunch. But let’s not let this ruin our trip.” She kicked off her running shoes. “I’m already feeling better. I’m going to take a shower, why don’t you have a drink with our neighbors? They seem nice.”
    As she disappeared into the bathroom, Luke realized there was nothing he could do, so he stepped outside, and closed the door behind him. The man rose and extended his hand. “I’m Jack, and you’ve met Christina.”
    Jack’s grip was firm, but his hand was soft and Luke couldn’t help but notice the gold Rolex on his wrist. He stood about five-ten with curly dark hair and looked to be about fifty, considerably older than Christina.
    “How is your wife?” Jack asked.
    “Not so good right now,” Luke said. “In addition to her fall, something she ate didn’t agree with her. She’s pretty sick, too.”
    “She’s just having a bad day all around, isn’t she?” Jack seemed sincere. “Sit down, Luke. May I pour you a glass of wine?”
    “Sure, thanks,” he said, settling into the chair beside Christina.
    Jack picked up a leather case beside his chair and opened it. Inside Luke saw two more wine glasses and a silver corkscrew encased in red velvet. Jack pulled out one of the glasses and filled it for Luke.
    Jack was a lawyer in Kalispell, a small town on the west side of Glacier National Park. He and Christina came for a few days to do some hiking and just “hang out.” For the next ten minutes they made casual conversation. Jack told some of his favorite lawyer jokes, which led to what Luke did for a living, and then to what brought he and Bonnie to Montana.
    A few minutes later the sun had dipped behind the mountain and Bonnie stepped out of their room. She had a bottle of water in one hand and a small digital camera in the hand that now was wrapped in the elastic bandage. Her auburn hair looked freshly brushed and hung beautifully down past her shoulders.
    When she sat down, Luke took the camera and motioned toward the mountain to the west. “Glad you brought that. I was about to miss a beautiful shot.”
    “That’s a tough shot with