by shaun roundy
Chapter One: Room Service
"Room 116, this is your wake up call. It's 6:30."
6:30 was far too early to be up. I knew it couldn't be more than 20 degrees outside, so I curled up a little tighter and tried to ignore Jenifer.
"Sir? Sir?" she called through the tent, then shook it vigorously. "Sir, are you alive?"
"Yes, I'm alive," I answered, rolling over and noticing the depression my body had made in the snow overnight. I could tell it was still dark outside the tent. "Is this room service? Could you send up some hot chocolate, please?"
"Sorry, sir, today's special is oatmeal. Would you like apple cinamon or brown sugar and maple?"
Even oatmeal in bed was more than I had hoped for. "Which would you recommend?"
"I recommend whichever one I happen to pull out of my pack in the dark."
"Sounds excellent, I'll take that please." My eyelids drooped shut again as Jenifer's footsteps crunched through the snow toward the center of camp.
A moment later I awoke again as the zipper of my tent opened. I thought I noticed a little more light in the sky now. I could hear the sounds of others moving around camp and the hiss of camp stoves heating more water. Jenifer stepped into the tent, kicking a bit of snow in with her boots, and handed me a steaming bowl of oatmeal. I sat up in my bag, reaching out for the bowl while trying to keep the bag sealed tightly around me.
"Thanks! If you'll sit down for a moment, I'll get your tip."
Jenifer sat down crosslegged next to my backpack and watched as I ate. I finished, scraped my bowl, and closed my eyes. It felt good to be warm inside. "That hit the spot," I said, leaning down on one elbow. "Now for my after-breakfast nap."
"How can you sleep, Spencer?" she asked, brushing a few chunks of snow toward the door. "We're on vacation, there's no reason to sleep in."
"Jet lag, I guess."
Jenifer just shook her head. "Crossing one time zone doesn't create jet lag. And besides, you gained an hour. For you it's already eight o'clock."
"Must be the altitude, then. Without as much oxygen, my body needs more sleep to function."
"We're only at eight thousand feet, there's plenty of oxygen."
"Maybe..." I was running out of excuses.
"Maybe you're just lazy," Jenifer offered.
"Yes, that's it, that's the word I was looking for." Jenifer laughed, then leaned forward to give me a kiss. "Ah, yes," I said, sitting back up, "your tip, I almost forgot."
Just as I closed my eyes, she slipped her hand behind my neck and dropped a chunk of crusted snow down my shirt. My eyes shot open, my heart skipped a beat.
"Get up," she said, then climbed out of the tent, zipping the door shut behind her.