Trixie and Tad giggled as they got out of the car and headed towards Trixie’s apartment. The late July night, filled with the sounds of crickets and cicadas, glowed with the sultry moonlight.

“Give me your keys, Trix,” whispered Tad. Trixie stared at her boyfriend and gulped. “I don’t have them. I didn’t bring a purse with me tonight.”

“Ha ha, Belden,” muttered Tad.

“No, seriously, I don’t have them. We’ll have to think of another way to get into my apartment.”

They sat down on the steps that led up to Trixie’s apartment and discussed various options they could try to gain access to it.

“If I could just get up there, I could crawl through that open window,” remarked Tad as he surveyed the building.

“Even if I stood on your shoulders, I wouldn’t be tall enough,” observed Trixie. “Should we call Spider?”

“Nah. He’d just laugh at us. Hey, what about that ladder that is strapped to the top of that pick up truck?” asked Tad as he pointed out a rusty construction truck parked nearby.

“Do you think we could snatch it without anybody seeing us?”

Tad grinned at Trixie. “Let’s give it a shot.”

The two quietly ran to the vehicle and found that the ladder was being held in place with bungee cords. They quickly unsnapped the cords and slid the ladder off the truck. Lugging it back, Tad placed the ladder against the wall of the apartment house and tested its’ strength. “I think it will hold me. Keep it steady, ok?” said Tad as he prepared to ascend the ladder.

“Wait,” cried Trixie as she remembered another time and another ladder. “You hold it steady while I climb up. I’m smaller and lighter. You’ll have an easier time trying to steady the ladder than I would.”

Tad looked at Trixie’s short denim skirt, skimpy top, and strappy sandals that she was wearing. “Uh, Trix, you’re not exactly dressed for ladder climbing,” he pointed out.

Trixie looked down at her clothes and shrugged. “Just keep your eyes closed,” she giggled as she began to climb. “And no peeking.”

Tad stood below her, watching as she approached her open window. He exhaled in relief as he watched Trixie efficiently remove the screen and scramble over the windowsill. Once Trixie was safely in the apartment, Tad ran the ladder back to the truck and strapped it back in place. His tread was light on the steps as he ran up to Trixie’s apartment. She opened the door and let him in. They both collapsed on the couch, laughing at their late night adventure.

“Trixie,” gasped Tad. “I have a confession to make. I peeked.”

“I have a confession too.” giggled Trixie. “My keys fell out of my back pocket when I went over the windowsill.”

“Good thing we didn’t call Spider,” noted Tad. “We’d never hear the end of this one.&rdquo