The Game Read Free Page B

things.”
    “Each other?” Marcie asked.
    “Nope. A can opener and a flashlight.”
    Everyone laughed and the tension dissipated.
    “There are two bedrooms and one bath,” Dave continued. He glanced over at Frank and Marcie. “You guys won’t mind sharing, right? I’m going to turn off the heat in the bedrooms to conserve energy and we’ll bank the fire. We’ll divvy up the blankets and sheets. I’d suggest keeping your clothes on in bed. If you want.” His teasing brought smiles from the girls, but no answering one from Frank.
    “We’ve got soup and crackers for tonight,” Shari said. “Coffee and crackers for breakfast, and hopefully, by then, the snow will have stopped and we can…what’s wrong?”
    Dave shook his head.
    “I know this area. The road sucks, and in the best of times, there’s hardly any phone reception here.” He grimaced. “I didn’t count on not having any food or a kitchen.” He sighed. “I need to check on the generator too.” He shook his head. “What a fiasco.” He put his coat back on and picked up the flashlight from the kitchen. “I’ll be back in a minute.”
    Marcie rose. “I’m going to look through the closets again. Maybe there are some extra clothes packed away.”
    “I’ll get supper on the table—such as it is.” Shari headed to the kitchen. “I wonder if there are plates or cups or utensils? Dave didn’t say.”
    *
    “Guess I’ll just keep the fire going.” Frank tossed some crumpled newspaper on the logs and sank back onto the rug, staring into the flames.
    What the hell should he do? He had planned on sleeping on the couch, leaving the bedroom to Marcie. Now he’d have to share the same room, hell, the same bed. Despite keeping their clothes on, he knew she’d expect something more from him than simply body heat.
    What the fuck should he do?
    A blast of frigid air and a stream of curses announced Dave’s return to the cabin.
    “What did you find? Nothing good, I can tell.”
    Dave shook his head.
    “That son of a bitch! He never refueled the generator. We have enough for maybe three days if we coddle it. No lights after dinner; collect water in whatever containers we find.” He paused. “Let’s get the girls, and I’ll give them the good news.”
    * * * *
    “Well, that’s it. As for personal hygiene,” he took a deep breath, “I hope you all brought lots of deodorant, because this place is going to get pretty rank otherwise.”
    The group sat around the fire in stunned silence, taking in Dave’s words. Marcie still held the box she’d found in one of the closets on her lap. An improvised apron made from a towel hugged Shari’s waist.
    Dave leaned back against the couch and bowed his head. He spoke again, his voice muffled.
    “When the weather lets up, the snowplow will eventually clear the road to the cabin. The problem is, since no one is supposed to be here, we’re a low priority. We could try calling them, but the cabin phone isn’t working either.” He raised his head, impotent fury in his eyes. “The bastard was most likely pocketing the money for most of the bills.” He clenched his hands. “If I had that mother…” He loosened his fists. “We’ll get through this, I promise. It’s only a few days.”
    Shari got up and brushed off her hands. “Well, I found a couple of pots under the sink, and we have one mug—minus its handle—a glass with one small chip, and one unscathed measuring cup. We’ll divvy up the crackers and dine by the romantic glow of the fire.” She chuckled. “’Cause we only have two chairs. Dave, can you help me bring things in?”
    “Sure.”
    As soon as the door shut behind them, Dave turned Shari around.
    “Thanks.” He swiped a patch of dust from her cheek with his thumb. “You’re being a lot more forgiving than I deserve.”
    “Why? It’s not your fault. It’s your Gran’s caretaker who should be strung up by his prick, naked and gnawed on by hungry wolves.”
    “Whoa!”