gratitude.
The next morning Catherine and Larry were having breakfast on their bungalow terrace that overlooked the lake. It was a perfect day. The sun was shining down, and a lazy breeze was coming off the water. A pleasant young waiter had brought the food. Catherine was wearing a negligee and when the waiter came in, Larry had put his arms around Catherine and kissed her on the neck.“ What a great night,” Larry murmured.
The waiter had stifled a smile and discreetly retreated. Catherine had been a little embarrassed. It was unlike Larry to be affectionate in front of strangers. He really has changed, Catherine thought. It seemed that every time a maid or bellboy came into the room, Larry would put his arm around Catherine and show his affection, as though he wanted the whole world to know how much he loved her. Catherine found it very touching.
“ I have a great morning planned for us,” Larry said. He pointed to the east, where they could see a giant peak towering into the sky.“ We’ re going to climb Mount Tzoumerka.”
“ I have a rule,” Catherine declared.“ I never climb anything I can’ t spell.”“ Come on, they say there’ s a fantastic view from up there.”
Catherine saw that Larry was serious. She looked up at the mountain again. It looked as though it went straight up.“ Climbing’ s not what I do best, darling,” she said.
“ It’ s an easy hike. Paths all the way up.” He hesitated.“ If you don’ t want to go with me, I can go alone.” There was sharp disappointment in his voice.
It would be so simple to say no, so simple to just sit here and enjoy the day. The temptation was almost overpowering. But Larry wanted her with him. That was enough for Catherine.
“ OK. I’ ll see if I can find an alpine hat,” she said.
A look of such relief came over Larry’ s face that Catherine was glad she had decided to go. Besides it might be interesting.
She had never climbed a mountain before.
They drove to a meadow at the edge of the village where the mountain trail began and parked the car. There was a small food stand at the side of the road, and Larry bought some sandwiches, fruit, candy bars and a large thermos of coffee.
“ If it’ s nice up there,” he told the proprietor,“ my bride and I may want to spend the night.” He gave Catherine a hug, and the proprietor grinned.
Catherine and Larry walked up to the beginning of the trail. There were really two trails, branching off in opposite directions. Catherine admitted to herself that it looked like an easy climb. The paths seemed wide and not too steep. When she turned her head to