That guy's a jerk.
Yeah Marc, you've already told me. So what? That's nothing new.
You don't get it. He was talking with his loser crew after training. And they made disgusting hints about that mountain weekend. I have to tell Catherine. That guy's a piece of shit. We can't leave her alone with him in the mountains.
Hey, calm down. What exactly did he say?
His buddies asked if he was going to the same place as last time, if he'd be covered. Shit. She's expecting a romantic weekend and that asshole is only thinking about one thing.
Alright, listen. Calm down. You know how guys are. We brag, we exaggerate, when really we're just big teddy bears. I'm gonna play devil's advocate and you're gonna hate me for it, but just because you take two girls to the same place doesn't mean it becomes your personal spot. You've never taken two girlfriends to the same restaurant?
That's not the same at all, I wasn't gonna screw them in the bathroom.
So you know what? Catherine is 20. She's a grown woman. She's going hiking with her boyfriend, they're spending the night there. She's not naïve. She's not going in blind. And most of all, did you ever think that maybe Catherine actually wants to spend a weekend alone with him?
I still need to talk to her.
What are you gonna tell her? "You know your boyfriend is spending the night with you in a shelter and he brought condoms?" Great. She's gonna laugh in your face, you know that.
Yeah, when you put it like that, I'm the one who sounds stupid.
Thanks for admitting it. About time. Look, I don't like that guy either. He's not very subtle and Catherine could probably do better, sure. But it's her choice and we have to respect it. And I want to believe that this idiot knows how to behave with a girl. I've never heard anything bad from the girls who went out with him, anyway. So he just talks big, that's all. We have no right to interfere. Trust her, please.
Do you think we could call her?
Absolutely not.
******************
So, for next Saturday, everything's good. Marc, you picked up the drinks, right?
Yeah, I'll go get everything Friday night with my dad's pickup, it'll be easier.
And you, Catherine, did everyone get back to you?
Yeah, it's all good. I got two or three no's, but overall everyone will be there like usual. My parents are setting everything up in the garden Saturday morning, and I picked up four extra mattresses so we can all sleep there.
Marc, what did you plan for the brunch? Marc? Hey? Anyone home?
What? Uh… yeah, I'm picking up the drinks Friday night, I said.
Hello Earth! I just asked you a question about the brunch. You okay? You sleeping? Am I annoying you with my questions?
No, no, sorry, I was somewhere else, that's all.
Then come back down here for a few minutes so we can finish organizing. You were super on it a few weeks ago, now you're taking this way too lightly.
Not at all. My mom told me she'd take care of the shopping for the brunch. She'll probably cook some stuff too, so no need to worry.
That's cool. I guess my mom's in on it too then. Peter, why are you looking at me like that? What's the problem?
Alright Catherine, don't keep us waiting any longer, tell us.
Tell you what?
Oh, don't play dumb. Tell us about that fabulous surprise weekend. We're waiting. Right, Marc?
And then you make fun of our girl talk. You guys are exactly the same, actually.
It's our feminine side coming out. Come on, we're not gonna beg you either.
Alright, fine. It was really nice. The weather was beautiful, we ate well, and I came back totally exhausted.
Okay, but could you maybe go into a little more detail, please…
You guys really need to make up your minds. You didn't want me to go, and now you want all the details. What is this? an interrogation?
First of all, I never said anything. Marc's the one who made a whole scene about the date. But yeah, we still wanna know.
Alright. We left early Saturday morning. Stephane had everything planned: food, sleeping bags…
Ouch! Why did you just kick me?
Ah damn, sorry Marc. I just stretched my leg, that's all. Go on, he's sensitive, Marc.
So when we arrived, we got our gear ready for the hike with backpacks and boots. We hiked for a good three hours before stopping for a picnic in the grass with cows all around us. It was beautiful. The weather was great. It was perfect. So we took a little nap before continuing for almost another two hours toward the shelter.
Didn't your feet hurt, you who never do any sports?
You want another kick, Marc? No, it was fine. I held up pretty well. But I wasn't mad to finally arrive. Anyway, then we sat on a bench to admire the view before dinner. Someone there was cooking, so we had soup, mountain cold cuts—amazing, you guys would have loved it—and cheeses the guy made himself. A real treat. And man, I was starving. Then we went to bed. There were six of us in total in the shelter. It was really nice.
So, princess there had to sleep in a sleeping bag?
Make fun if you want, Marc. Yes. I was all wrapped up in a sleeping bag that Stephane zipped all the way up so I wouldn't be cold. I didn't sleep much, but… wake-up around seven, huge breakfast, quick cat wash with cold water outside, and then we started heading back down nice and easy.
Wow, so it really was great then?
It was incredible. I'm embarrassed, I was so tired I fell asleep in the car like a sack of potatoes. Stephane drove the whole way back by himself. But he was just as happy as I was. It really did us good. And now I'm totally fired up for next weekend. Anyone want another drink? I'm going to grab a Coke.
Yeah, refill mine. Need help?
No, it's fine. Be right back.
So, relieved? The monster didn't hurt our princess.
You enjoying this? You want me to say it, don't you?
Say what?
Yeah, Peter, you were right. Stephane is just a big-mouthed guy and Catherine wasn't in any danger. You were right to tell me to shut up. Thank you, oh great guru.
Oh, I like that. Great guru.