It was freezing. Freezing clear to your bone as only the intensely dry air of Northern Idaho can. I had received the jacket as a Christmas present. Blue denim, snow white synthetic sheepskin lining, broad collar. The collar was pulled up and hugged my ears. The cement didn't help me stay any warmer. Lying on 10 degree cement drains your body heat no matter how new and incredibly neat your jacket might be.
We had come to Lewiston for Christmas as we did so every couple of years. We only had time to do this during Christmas as my father's work precluded other vacations long enough to make the 12 hour trip and be able to inhale twice before leaving again. Unfortunately Christmas is in Winter and Winter can be cruel to travelers far from home. In spite of the drifting snow and slow going we never had any serious mishaps. No mishaps at all that I can remember.
We had arrived safely, in answer to my grandmother's prayers, and were immediately enveloped in the warmth and comfort of family too happy to see us to speak. Only hugs and kisses could begin to convey the joy. Grandma cooing, saying how much I'd grown, hugging, kissing, cooing. Grandpa, loudly celebrating the return of, "Captain Frickey", his pet name for me, hugging, kissing, celebrating. You couldn't cut the love in that room with knife, not even a Ginsu, just too thick. Enough love to sustain a body for 3 lifetimes filled that house and we hadn't even brought in the luggage. Furthermore we had only seen Grandma and Grandpa. We still had Aunts and Uncles to see. Even more love to receive, more intense happiness, more hugs and kisses. One can never really fill up with love. I know. If it were possible I would have experienced it by now. No, one can never be truly filled with love, unable to take any more.
I had but one other person to see. One vision to make the journey worth while. I had an intense crush on my older cousin, Cheryl. She was beauty absolute. She must have been in her late teens, I all of 12. Long blond hair. Dancing eyes. Perfect teeth. Disarming smile. Tall. Athletic. Beautiful. We arrived at Aunt Fern and Uncle Leon's home and once again were enveloped in happiness, relief and love. Cheryl paid as much attention to me as can be expected of a 18 year old towards a 12 year old cousin. I was oblivious. When we hugged the arms of an angel encircled me. I could smell her perfume. I could have died right then and been happy. It seemed to last forever, this hug, but was over in a second. She excused herself and we continued the celebration of love and joy. I played with my Uncle's marble game and listened to the stories of the previous year. It was some time later when I came to wonder where my cousin had gone.
She was in the basement, you see. with her boyfriend. Alone. In the basement. The two of them. Together. Alone. Supposedly cutting his hair. I decided to take a look and see just how much hair cutting was going on. I put on my new jacket and went out the back door. The sub-zero air stung as it entered my warm lungs. I was familiar enough with the layout of the basement to know which window would offer the best vantage point. I checked the area for anyone crazy enough to be outside in this cold and started on my way.
I was now outside, Prone on the cold cement, crawling. The basement window just ahead. I could see light coming from the narrow portal. I crawled closer, imagining myself first a soldier sneaking passed enemy lines and next a cowboy making his way to the outlaws' horses. Either way I made it to the window. The cold which started out as fingers worming their way through my new jacket were now full grown icy fists slamming their way to the core of my being. I knew I had to work fast. Stealthily I made my way closer to the window, glancing around every few seconds to make sure my movements were not observed. What would I see? What were they really doing? I quietly peeked into the window and flagrantly spied on my cousin and her boyfriend. I'm not proud, mind you, but I was twelve and it seemed like the thing to do.
Passionate kisses, urgent caresses, soft sighs and moans! None of this did I see or hear. Instead I was witness to a simple haircutting. What luck. I was all set to gain a little added education in the boy/girl department, even if it was my cousin, and she was cutting his hair! Needless to say, disappointment descended. I quickly became bored. After all, who wants to watch hair being cut! I felt cheated. I quietly made my way back to the patio and from there into the warmth of the house.
That would be my last attempt at voyeurism. To this day I have no cravings to peer into windows or keyholes. Christmas, however, did not stop and I was able to bask in the presence of my angelic cousin for many hours. She has since married and moved to the east coast and is, I think, living happily ever after, as she should.