Patty led the way with the compass and map. There was no discussion between them for the first 30 minutes of the hike out to the planned work area. Cliff had no argument with it, and they set out down the ladder to get started on the work. She laid out her plan for Cliff and went over the pattern of sample collection that she and Paul had developed. She gathered the topographic map, compass and containers they would need for the job. The fog from her short sleep was just starting to lift as she rinsed her face again after changing into her jeans. She would have to change into her jeans so he wouldn’t be able to see his handy work. ‘Man he sure didn’t hold back.’ She thought. They were red and the edges of the stripes were bluish.
Lifting one leg and pulling her skin taught, she saw the stripes where Cliff applied the ruler. An involuntary groan came as her bruised thighs took her weight on the rim of the seat. She closed the door to the bathroom and sat down on the toilet to relieve her bladder. She got up and went to the sink to splash water on her face. Paddy sighed and swung her legs off of the edge of her bed. "I’m not going to say it again." Was all he said. He recognized the blend of aggravation, and defiance. When he did look back at her it was just a passing glance. Her face was set in a glare, her lips tight and her eyes narrow with contempt. She watched him until he turned to look at her. She watched Cliff move around the open space of the cabin and felt it sway in cadence to the movement. The deeper bruised areas were no longer numb. She grimaced as her weight pushed her bottom onto the mattress. This is your assignment not mine." Cliff walked away toward the table. Full memory of the events of the morning and noon hour came back to her. The skin of her bottom and legs tingled as the fabric of her shorts rubbed against it. "Leave me alone." Patty stretched trying to get her mind to push through the fog. Let’s go." Cliff moved over and shook her shoulder. Patty rolled over so she faced the wall, and shook her head no. It felt inadequate, and put her in no mood to deal with Cliff. Sleep had come quickly, it was deep and without dreams. Let’s go." He bent down and shook the mattress under her. Cliff entertained thoughts of letting Patty sleep, but only briefly.