Ever After - William Wharton

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much as he’s yours. You just have to let go.’

      It’s a teary goodbye at the airport. As soon as I put Wills on the plane, I telephone Danny to verify that he’ll be there at the airport in Los Angeles to pick him up. Danny can sometimes forget even the most important things. We split the cost of the fare.

      So Bert and I take off for Greece, camping. I’ve always hated camping. We didn’t do much of it in our family. Dad said that during World War II he’d had all the camping he’ll ever need for the rest of his life. The idea of sleeping out on the ground in what he calls a ‘fart sack’ has no appeal to him.

      I’d been camping with other kids in high school. They all lived in big houses with maids, and roughing it was fun for them. But in Paris, we lived in a small apartment, only 300 square feet, all five of us, which was already halfway to camping. Then, when we went to the mill, we had no electricity and needed to haul water from the well; it was freezing cold at Christmas and there was no way to wash your hair. I don’t look forward to camping at all. But Bert’s so excited by the idea I agree to go.

      We drive all over Greece, camping in campgrounds, and it’s as bad as I expected. Then Bert sprouts the idea we must climb Mount Olympus.

      ‘Why do a crazy thing like that? It looks awfully high to me. We could get lost and never be found again.’

      ‘But, Kate, it’s the home of the gods. There are paths and trails all the way up. We could never be lost. If you get tired, I’ll carry you.’

      I give in. Bert’s always so easy to live with except when he has one of his fixations, these goofball notions. Then he’s like someone possessed.

      He carefully makes tight knapsacks for each of us, his about twice as big as mine. He checks my hiking boots and socks. I’d forgotten Bert’s a farm boy who knows how to handle himself in rough country. Maybe he wants me to go with him so he can show off.

      At first, it isn’t so bad, and we sing as we walk along. Then it starts getting steeper. I want to turn back. The top is still far off. Also it’s beginning to feel cold, in the middle of July!

      ‘Come on, Kate, we’re more than halfway. Think of it. We might meet some of the gods; it’s the chance of a lifetime.’

      ‘You go ahead, Bert. I’ll wait here.’

      ‘Give me your hand, Kate. I’ll pull with each step.’

      I give him my hand. We slug along for another half hour. Then I sit down on a rock. I look up to the top. We don’t seem to be any closer.

      ‘Honestly, Bert. I can’t make it. I’m not the athletic type. You go on and I’ll start back.’

      ‘Let’s just take a little rest, Hon. Then we’ll see. Look, the view from here is beautiful. It must be sensational on top.’

      I’m too tired to argue. I have a headache and I’m beginning to feel faint. What kind of guy am I living with?

      After another half hour, I have my breath back. I’m ready to start down. Bert stands up, windmills his arms around in big circles, helps me wrestle my pack up on my back again.

      ‘Kate, try 200 more steps. I know you can do it. If you come this close to the top of Mount Olympus and turn back, you’ll never forgive yourself.’

      So we start trudging on, Bert practically dragging me along behind him. I begin to understand the meaning of the word ‘enthusiasm,’ one of Dad’s favorites. I don’t know how many times I’ve heard him say it meant ‘with the gods’ in Ancient Greek or something. Bert’s definitely with the gods, or, at least, wants to be.

      I’d been counting, trying to give my mind something to do, and once we reach 200 I stop. If it weren’t so cold, I’d be sweating down into my boots. The top looks closer, but not close enough. Neither of us says anything. Bert drops his pack and helps me off with mine again. We sit on the rocky side of that damned hill. Even Bert is puffing.

      ‘Well, we’re getting close, Honey. I’ll bet not many women have made it this far. I’m proud of you.’

      He’s being so slick, which isn’t like him. Maybe living together is a big mistake. What other goofy ideas does he have? Mount Everest? I feel I might be getting hysterical.

      ‘OK, Bert. I’ll try to reach the top of this goddamned mountain but when we come down, we’re finished. I don’t want to live with a madman.’

      ‘Oh, come on, Kate. You don’t mean that. If you feel that way, let’s just turn on back right now. I didn’t realize. I’m sorry.’

      I look at him and stand. He pushes the pack up on my back and then pulls on his. He starts on his way down the hill. I turn and start up. I’m determined to shame him, make him realize what he’s been doing. I’m sure I’m going to die of exhaustion or a heart attack and it will be his fault. He hurries after me.

      ‘You OK, Kate? Come on, let’s go back. Your face is white.’

      I don’t answer. I keep my eyes down and take one step at a time. If this is the last thing we ever do together, at least I’m going to do it right. He trudges along behind me. I don’t even think to worry about Wills. I’m that mad. Bert tries to take the pack off my back but I shrug him off. He doesn’t say anything.

      I don’t know how I do it, but we reach the top. I check to be sure there’s no higher place, then plop down. I’m sure I’m going to faint, but I don’t. I look out. It is beautiful. Bert’s on his knees beside me, looking into my face.

      ‘Please don’t be this way, Kate. I just got so excited by the whole idea I didn’t think. Come on, give me another chance.’

      I stare at him. Then I see tears in his eyes. I’d never even thought Bert could cry. He knows. He knows how close he’s come to losing me. More than anything else, I know how much he really loves me, not just romance or sex but love with a capital L-O-V-E. I fall over into him.

      We sit on top of that cold, uncomfortable hill through most of the afternoon.

      ‘Kate, we’d better start back down before sundown. I’m not sure I can find our way back to the camp in the dark.’

      I stand up. I look at him.

      ‘Bert, I know you can.’

      He looks me in the eyes carefully, gives me a hug, and we begin walking.

      It’s hard to believe how easy it is going down. Although my legs are like rubber and my big toe feels as if it’s going to push its way right out the front of that heavy boot, we make it just as the sun sets. Bert has both packs. I know he’s incredibly excited about having made it all the way to the top but he doesn’t want to say anything until I do. And I’m just too tired.

      When we arrive at the tent, I flop on the sleeping-bag. I hurt all over. Bert piles our packs in the corner, then kneels at my feet and unlaces my boots. I’m too tired to stop him. He gets off my boots and socks, then begins massaging my feet. Having my feet massaged is one of the things I like most in this world. How did he know? Immediately my headache starts to fade. I begin to be proud we’ve actually made it. He covers my feet and crawls up to my head. He looks into my eyes.

      ‘Kate, you did it. You climbed to the top of Mount Olympus. That makes you a goddess. I always knew you were one, but this proves it.’

      He reaches into his pack and pulls out, of all things, a bottle of champagne, a warm bottle. He’s toted it all the way up that mountain and then back again.

      ‘I hoped we could drink this up there, but it wasn’t the right time. Will you drink some with me now, before it explodes?’

      I smile and reach up for him. He comes down on me and gives me one of his most loving and enfolding bear hugs. Up there on that hill was the closest I came to losing the best man in the world. We drink the warm champagne slowly. Bert undresses and undresses me. We climb into the sleeping-bag. We haven’t even finished the bottle when I fall asleep with

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