Alma Mater

If knowledge were acquired by carrying books around, I'd be the sharpest tool in the shed," Vic thought as she carted the last load up three flights of stairs on a hot summer day. Sweat rolled between her breasts. Light poured into the rooms, the windows thrown open to catch any hope of a breeze. As she placed the carton on top of the old kitchen table, it swayed ever so slightly from the weight. "Dammit!" a voice complained from outside. Vic walked to the kitchen window that overlooked a well-maintained yard. A small creek bordered one side of the property, a line of thick pines obscuring the view into the neighbor's yard. Vic leaned out her window and listened to the sounds of struggle and fury. She trotted down the stairs, jumped the creek, and emerged through the pines. A young woman perhaps five feet five inches tall, blond, her back turned to Vic, was cussing a blue streak while trying to slide an old dresser from the back of an equally old Mercedes station wagon. "Need a hand?" Vic's low alto startled the woman. She turned around. "You scared the shit out of me!" Her voice betrayed Pennsylvania origins. "Sorry." Vic smiled. "I'm your neighbor. Vic Savedge. Come on, we'll get the dresser out and we can carry it up together." "I'm Chris Carter." The woman held out her hand. Both women smiled and shook hands. Then Vic removed the dresser with one pull. "How'd you do that?" "Patience. You lost yours," Vic sensibly replied. "Guess I did." Then she slyly added, "Anyone ever tell you you're big and strong?" "Every day. And it doesn't get them anywhere." Vic laughed. "But in your case, seeing as how I have to live next to you for the year, I'll carry this up." Chris struggled to pick up one end. "This thing is awkward." She blinked to keep the sweat out. "Put it down," Vic commanded. "Why?" "Just put it down," Vic repeated. "You go ahead of me and open the doors." "You aren't going to carry that up by yourself, are you?" "It'll be easier than trying to maneuver you and the dresser." Vic hoisted the bird's-eye maple dresser on her back, bent over, and started up the back stairs of the Olsen house. Chris's apartment was at the top of that house just as Vic's apartment was at the top of the DeReuter house. She gladly put down her burden when she reached the top of the last flight, breathed deeply, then picked it up again and headed toward the bedroom. Chris led the way, apologizing with every step. Vic placed the dresser against the wall. "There." "Thank you. Really. I can't thank you enough." "A Co'Cola would help." Vic wiped her brow, droplets of sweat spraying off her fingertips. Chris's kitchen was graced with newer appliances than were in Vic's kitchen. She opened the refrigerator door, pulled out a cold can of Coke, grabbed a glass with dancing polar bears on it, dropped in ice cubes, and poured the soda. Then she repeated the process for herself. "They taste better over ice." Vic gulped hers down. "True." "Here, you need another one." Chris popped open another can and poured its contents into Vic's glass. Her eyes met Vic's for a seBrown, Rita Mae is the author of 'Alma Mater' with ISBN 9780345428202 and ISBN 034542820X.