Picture Prompt- 129

It looked like a good place to spend a few needed vacation days.  A beautiful scenic village with thousands of tourists to blend into.  What a find!  When Peter suggested meeting here, I had no concept it would be this perfect.  Peter wasn’t a bad sort, but he once again dragged me into a “situation”.  “Come visit, we’ll have a great time skiing.  We’ll stay in the lodge and see beautiful women. . . .it’s on me!”  Well who could resist that invitation?  Not me of course.  Little did I know I was to be involved in what was a “harmless” ruse.

Peter greeted me eagerly, and I was so enamored by the surroundings, I fell into his mood instantly.  Two single guys, free to live the high life for a few days.  I unpacked quickly, anxious to get down to the bar and see what was happening.  As we strode in, I was not disappointed to see a few beautiful snow bunnies at the tables.  We cozied up to the bar and ordered drinks, then turned to survey the prey.  Greeted by smiles from one of the group of four, we made our way to join them.  The evening went well.  After dinner we parted ways and agreed to meet the next morning to ski.

Not wanting to leave the warmth of the coverlet, I peeked out to realize I had overslept.  I hoped the group hadn’t left for the slopes yet and quickly donned my skiing attire.  It still fit! Running every day had kept me in shape.  I hurried to the stairs to find the group waiting, and noticed the woman Peter took an interest in was missing.

“So, Pete, where’s Julie?  I thought you two were skiing together today.”  Peter looked rather embarrassed and mumbled a few words.  I didn’t bother to ask again, thinking I probably shouldn’t persue it.  The rest of the group seemed anxious to leave for the lift, so the conversation was forgotten.  

After a tiring day on the slopes, the group met again in the bar for drinks.  Again, Julie was missing.  Peter didn’t seem too jolly as they compared their skiing prowess earlier in the day.  After dinner they again said goodnight to meet the next morning.  Peter and I lingered a bit in the lounge and I couldn’t resist asking what happened.  “It looked like you and Julie hit it off, what happened, did her boyfriend show up?”  Laughing at what I thought was a joke on my old friend, noticed Peter wasn’t amused.

“As a matter of fact, yes.”  I was surprised, but not shocked.  It wasn’t the first time my friend found himself in this position.  Not being married, Peter liked to play the field and “attached” women were not off limits.  “She was all for getting together and then as we were heading up to my room, she got a call.  It was Mike, her boyfriend.  What I didn’t tell you, well I guess I should have, but Julie and I planned this trip a while back.  I’m sorry, Jack, but I was using you as a cover.”

Disappointed but not wounded, I was having a good time, a needed vacation paid for by Pete, so let it go.  “So, what happened, did she leave right away?”

Actually, no.  She spoke a few words, then hung up.  She stayed with me most of the night, then I guess guilt took over and she left.  Her boyfriend is very jealous, was checking up on her.  She’s done with me, I guess.” Jack could tell his friend was hurt by this, but basically, he brought it on himself.  “I won’t be seeing her again.”

We both started to feel the weariness of the activities of the day, drinks, and disappointment, and headed up the stairs to bed.

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