Write On!

              again. I recognized him as a driver for KAPS Trucking but was
puzzled that there was no rig in sight. One rule of the north,
however, is hospitality, so I opened the door, albeit reluctantly.
" Thank heavens," he exclaimed. " I'm mired in the mud
about three miles down the road with a broken axle. I radioed the
company and they are sending in a replacement and a mechanic on
a chopper but, since there's nowhere they can set down where the
truck is stuck, I told them I'd meet them at PK's yard and walked
up here to wait for them. It was farther than I thought and that mud
is a killer to walk in. I'm tired, disgusted, and generally stressed. I
don't know when the chopper will get here, how long it will take to
get unstuck and repaired and back on the road. I'm already about
12 hours late at Peace River and not out of this darn place yet. It's
not unusual to have two or three breakdowns on a trip up here.
Please tell me you have a hot coffee on the stove! "
Somewhat reluctantly I invited him in.
For the remainder of the afternoon, while stealing
surreptitious glances at our bathtub resting, and cooling, in the
corner, we Carried on a desultory conversation and poured coffee.
We listened and looked for the expected helicopter, hoping it
would come soon. I knew I couldn't put this poor fellow back out
in the cold, but will admit that the thought did cross my mind-often.
Eventually his help did arrive. Not even stopping for coffee
as they were fast running out of sufficient light for flying, he
climbed in and they were gone. Finally!
" Now," I said, " let's have that bath!"
" Have you looked at the time lately?" Georgina asked as
she struggled into, her boots to head home. " It's after five and if
youlre going to get supper on the table for the crew, you'd best get
at it. I guess we'll have to postpone the bath till tomorrow. "
What a disappointment, after all that work. I was crushed. I
prepared the meal, working around the tub on the floor. I washed
dishes and prepared the kitchen for breakfast, heating water in pots,
as my ' boiler' was full of bath water. Each time I stepped around
that tub or even noticed its existence I was further depressed.
Waiting till tomorrow seemed such a let down after all the
enthusiasm and hard work.
Next morning after breakfast chores, we did get together
and did have our baths. It was wonderful, such luxury! Although
somewhat uncomfortable and hurried, it was everything we had
imagined and hoped for. We " oohed" and " aahed" in pleasure as
we soaked and splashed and, wonder of wonders, even washed our
hair. For the first time in a month I felt really clean. Although I