The Game by Jeanne Barrack Page B

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    “So, what did you learn?”
    “I learned that living only half of your life isn’t living at all. I learned to trust the friendship of my best friend.” He turned around and looked at Dave. “I learned that love transcends every barrier.” He took a deep breath. “And I learned that as much as you love me, you love Shari more. You love her the most. And I want that kind of love, too. So, I’m going to give myself permission to look for it.” He smiled. “Now that I know I’ll always have your love, I won’t be afraid I’ll lose it if, no, when I find another lover.”
    Dave gently kissed Frank’s lips.
    “Promise you’ll bring him to the apartment for me to give my seal of approval.” He cupped Frank’s cheek. “Only the best will do for my best friend.”
    * * * *
    “Oh, my God, do you hear it?” Shari asked.
    Dave rushed over to the living room window and tried looking out. “I see it! The plow’s coming!”
    Marcie and Frank crowded around them at the window.
    “It looks like it’s coming straight to the cabin!” Marcie rubbed her sleeve on the window cleaning off some more grime.
    Frank grabbed her and kissed her smack on the mouth.
    “It is! Look!”
    The snow flew in a wave as the plow crawled up the driveway. A cleared passage with snow walls six feet deep on either side grew longer and longer as the plow approached the front of the cabin. The mammoth machine stopped about ten feet from the door, and the driver, dressed in heavy winter gear, jumped out and hailed them.
    “Do you have access to a shovel?”
    Dave shook his head and the driver nodded in understanding.
    “I’ll clear the porch.”
    The driver unhooked a huge shovel from the vehicle, and in only a few minutes, the porch deck was uncovered. The four friends rushed out of the cabin, grabbing their coats on the way. The girls clutched the driver, hugging him.
    “Thank God you came.” Frank blew on his cold fingers, his jacket still unbuttoned.
    Dave smiled in jubilation. “Man, I could kiss you!”
    The driver laughed and pulled back his hood revealing twinkling brown eyes and a lean jaw. He grinned.
    “Just happy we got to you. We haven’t had this cabin on our route for years. We didn’t even know anyone was up here.”
    “Dave told us that might be the case,” Shari said. “That’s why we stoked up the fire so the helicopter would find us.”
    “Helicopter?” The driver stared at them.
    “Yeah. Dave said one goes up to look for any stray people, just to make sure no one was stranded during a storm,” Frank added.
    “The copter didn’t see your smoke. It’s at the mechanic’s for repairs. We were pretty sure we’d plowed everywhere it was needed. Then we got a call from some old guy this morning. Said there were visitors at the Cohen place. I got in the plow and well, glad we got the call.”
    Stunned silence greeted the driver’s announcement.
    He shrugged. “Hey, that’s what they told me. Look, can you guys be ready in about a half hour? I can lead you down to the main road. The weather isn’t looking too great for later on today, either.” He shook his head. “Crazy weather this winter. No snow at all and then wham. Listen, I’ll clear off your car if one of you guys will help.”
    Frank nodded.
    “Let me get my gloves and I’ll be right with you.”
    No one spoke at first when they trooped back inside the cabin. Then Frank broke the silence. “There’s gotta be a mistake, but we can check it out later. Right now we’ve got a ticket out of here. If you guys pack, I’ll get the car cleared off. The sooner we get back to the city, the sooner we can find out who called.”
    * * * *
    “Nice guy, that snowplow driver.” Marcie sipped a cup of steaming coffee from the thermos the driver gave them. “This is better than Starbuck’s. Here, Frank, your turn. Leave some for Dave and Shari.”
    Frank blew on the liquid, cooling it a bit. He sighed with pleasure as he swallowed the heavenly