Part II:
I first to came to know Loretta on a fine, cold day in February. I don’t consider myself much of a romantic, so my interest in Loretta was only platonic. Whether or not she was attracted to me, I never was too sure. She often laid down subtle hints that led me to believe that if the situation had been different, a romance may have been kindled between us. I am getting a bit ahead of myself, as I didn’t actually meet Loretta until I was about halfway done with my search for an entrance to the strange, square-shaped object that I discovered.
I stood up from the milk crate I had been using as a makeshift chair and made my way out of the tent I had been using as a makeshift home. It was nothing special, but I had divided it into sleeping quarters and a place to eat my meals in peace. As I mentioned before, I strongly prefer to consume meals alone. Although I had managed to develop a friendship in the course of my work, I wasn’t about to make any concessions.
“Are you done eating yet?” Loretta called from just outside the tent. “I don’t want to disturb you, but I was hoping we could get some more research done before it gets dark. Plus, the weather is very agreeable right now.”
I let out an inaudible sigh, while shouting back, “Yes, I will be right out. Why don’t you pack up the gear in the car?”
Loretta didn’t say anything back, but I could hear the door of the Jeep opening and the bags being loaded inside of it. I didn’t feel like taking the time to clean up my meal, so I sealed my plate and silverware up inside a large plastic bag and brought it to a safe place outside camp.
To be continued…
