Viva Vermont! Read online

“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 gen
erous, 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.”

  Eliza then pulled out her cell phone and soon was talking to someone on the other end. “Coast is clear,” she said. “All systems go.” Then she hung up.

  “Who were you talking to?” asked DJ.

  “Oh, you’ll find out.”

  Now DJ was suspicious. “No, seriously,” she said, “What’s up?”

  “Just a fun little surprise. That’s all.”

  “What kind of surprise?” asked Rhiannon.

  “Wait and see!” Then Eliza ran on up the stairs, giggling as she went.

  It didn’t take long to see what she was up to. Or to realize that Taylor and Casey were equally involved. First Garrison and Seth arrived with food. Lots of food. And Taylor and Casey began setting it out on the dining room table. Then, shortly after that, Harry arrived with a large box of bottles and began to set them up on top of the general’s bar, which was securely locked.

  “What are you doing?” demanded DJ when she realized what was going on.

  “Getting ready for a nice little party.”

  “A nice little party?” She frowned at the bottles of hard liquor that he was lining up. “I don’t think so.”

  “Now, don’t worry,” he assured her. “Eliza and I plan to do this with class. Not like the other night when my place got trashed.”

  “Class?” DJ stared at him. “How is that even possible?” He chuckled. “You’ll see.”

  “This is totally unacceptable!” she said loudly.

  But that just made him laugh louder.

  DJ was furious now. She glanced around, looking for Rhiannon for backup, but she wasn’t around. DJ ran up the stairs.

  “Rhiannon!” DJ yelled, going into the bedroom and startling poor Kriti who seemed to be taking refuge in their room.

  “What’s wrong?” asked Kriti in a quiet voice.

  “Pizza here?” Rhiannon stuck her head out of the bathroom.

  “No, the pizza is NOT here. And what’s wrong is that Eliza and Harry are throwing a party.”

  Rhiannon frowned. “A party?”

  “Right now, Harry is down there setting up a bar.”

  “Oh …” Kriti looked concerned.

  “I told him it was unacceptable, but he just laughed.”

  “What do we do?”

  “I don’t know.” DJ slumped down onto a chair.

  “Should we call your grandmother at the restaurant?”

  DJ considered this. “I don’t know …”

  “Maybe it won’t be so bad,” said Kriti.

  “I can’t believe you’re supporting it,” said DJ. “You were so wasted that you were throwing up—“

  “As my father says, we learn by our mistakes,” said Kriti. “If we are to grow, we must learn.”

  “But this is—”

  “Lighten up, DJ.” Taylor was now in the room. “Harry said you were flipping out down there. Can’t you see that it’s no big deal? Just a little get-together with our friends before we all go back to civilization tomorrow. Can’t you just chill for once?”

  “Chill?” DJ glared at Taylor. “This is not our house. The general has trusted us. My grandmother has trusted us. Eliza obviously set this up to get them out of the house so that—”

  “But they’re only going for dinner,” said Taylor coolly. “They should be back, what? Around nine or—”

  “Ten!”

  “Okay, ten. But, seriously, what can happen between now and ten?”

  DJ considered this. “I don’t know.”

  “Well, I do know,” said Taylor. “Just a few laughs, some food, and a few drinks. No one is going to get crazy tonight. Understand?”

  DJ sighed. “No.”

  Rhiannon put a hand on her shoulder. “Taylor’s probably right.”

  “There’s not much you can do anyway,” said Kriti. “Except govern yourself.”

  “Govern myself?” DJ frowned at Kriti.

  “It’s all anyone can do,” Kriti continued as if she were an expert in this. “We only control our own actions.”

  “So are you drinking tonight?” DJ asked her.

  Kriti solemnly shook her head. “No. Not even a sip.”

  Well, that was somewhat reassuring. Still, DJ did not like this. Not one little bit!

  18

  “WHAT’S GOING ON HERE?” asked Conner when he came in the back door bearing pizza.

  “You guys having a party?” asked Bradford.

  DJ ushered them to the kitchen where Rhiannon was already waiting, and together the two girls explained.

  “We didn’t know what to do,” said DJ. “I mean, I told both Harry and Eliza that this was totally unacceptable, but they just laughed.”

  “Big surprise there,” said Bradford.

  “We considered calling Mrs. Carter,” said Rhiannon.

  “But we felt bad about spoiling their evening.” DJ shook her head. “They were such fun this afternoon. And, really, they’ve been good sports. They probably deserve a night out.”

  “Besides, as Taylor pointed out, the party has to end before ten since our chaperones will be getting home by then.”

  “That’s true,” said Conner. “I can’t imagine Eliza wanting to risk getting caught.”

  “Exactly,” said Rhiannon. “So, we’re holing up in here.”

  “Running down the clock,” added DJ as she peeked into the pizza box. “Looks good.”

  The four of them sat at the kitchen table eating pizza and trying to pretend there wasn’t a party going on out there.

  “Hey, what is this?” asked Seth as he came into the kitchen with an empty ice bucket. “Private party?”

  “Yeah,” said DJ grumpily, “and we’d like to ke
ep it that way.” “Don’t mind me,” he said as he helped himself to the ice bin in the freezer.

  “Two more hours,” said DJ sadly.

  “Maybe we should go out there and mix,” suggested Conner. “Just to make sure nothing gets out of hand.”

  “Or broken,” added Rhiannon with a concerned frown.

  So the four of them crashed the party that they wished wasn’t happening. To DJ’s surprise, it wasn’t just the guys from Harry’s cabin. No, that would’ve been “too boring,” according to Garrison, who explained, “We needed more chicks … so these dudes would lay off our women.” He had an arm draped around Casey’s shoulder as if to show ownership.

  DJ stared at Casey with narrowed eyes. Casey had a glass of something amber in her hand, but she avoided DJ’s gaze. Well, why shouldn’t she feel guilty? They should all feel guilty.

  “This party ends at nine thirty,” DJ said loudly.

  But Garrison just laughed.

  DJ went over to Rhiannon. “Man, would I love to knock some heads together.”

  “Love your neighbor …” Rhiannon smiled. “But I do understand.”

  “This started out to be such a cool day,” said DJ sadly.

  “I know …”

  “I was thinking about what Kriti said. I mean, she’s sort of right. We can’t control these idiots, but does that mean we just stand by and watch?”

  “I don’t know …” Rhiannon shook her head.

  “It’s so frustrating.”

  “It’s hard to know what’s best. I guess we should just be glad that this can only go on for another—” She glanced at the clock. “Just over an hour.”

  “An hour of torture.”

  Just then they heard a crash in the dining room. “Oh no,” said Rhiannon with wide eyes.

  “I hope it wasn’t anything expensive,” said DJ as they hurried to see.

  “Or irreplaceable.”

  Fortunately, it was only a glass pitcher, and Eliza seemed unconcerned.

  “It’s a crystal glass pitcher,” Rhiannon pointed out.

  “Put it on my bill,” said Eliza. Then she nodded to Kriti and to the broken glass. “Can you get that, sweetie?”

  DJ gave Kriti a look as if to say, “See what this gets you?” But Kriti seemed oblivious as she began to pick up the largest broken fragments and set them on a paper napkin.