The chest was massive, resembling an old-style foot locker. It was solid oak, with a flat lid, and bore a sturdy lock. Julie was straining against its weight, huffing and grunting as she tried to move the mass.
“Here,” Sharon said, taking the lengthwise edges in her hands. “Where’s this going?”
“Right to the center of the room,” Julie groaned, relieved physically and mentally with the lessened strain. The pair easily got the chest into position.
“Damn,” Sharon gasped, dropping to one knee and struggling to catch her breath. “What’s in there, your gold ingot collection?” She said it in jest, though the sounds of rattling glass and wood piqued her interest.
“Sorry, can’t tell ya,” she replied. “It’s a secret.”
Sharon crossed her arms as her face contorted into a scowl. “Julie…I’ll keep it quiet. As your roommate, I think I have a right to know.”
Julie thought it over for a moment. “Um…maybe it’s better if you didn’t…”
“I handled the nymphomaniac thing relatively well. Trust me, I won’t kirk out.”
Her gaze turned pensive, then inquisitive, and finally softened to a smooth smile. “Okay. But you gotta keep it quiet,” she urged. Her voice was laden with a relieved sigh, as though she’d carried a great psychological weight for a long time, that was just now lifted from her shoulders.
“Not a problem,” Sharon nodded.
Julie gave her a grin, one which seemed half friendly, half seductive. She bent over and grasped the lock, making sure to none-too-subtly show off the fact that she didn’t wear underwear. Sharon tried not to look.
The old lock clacked open when the ornate key was inserted into it, and Julie raised the lid. Sharon peered inside to see…
Wed Aug 14 16:18:44 2002