These Certain Young People 

There were two couples, who knew each other because one half of one couple had dated one half of the other. Years ago. Names: Darrell and Jane, Eric and Darcy. Jane and Eric had dated many years before, and this was in the past, it was agreed, and it was fine with everyone all around. All were friends now, yes. Neither of the couples was married, but they were monogamous and happy and 27. All of them were 27 and they enjoyed being this age. One day the four of them decided that they should, as a group, go skiing some day - spend a weekend together in some place with snow and cottages and goggles.

They set the date a month hence, and rented a house. As the weekend approached, Darrell came down with whooping cough, and Darcy was sent away on business. So Jane and Eric, who had had a history - a rather steamy history, it must be noted - were left to decide whether or not they should still go to this cottage, for which they had planned and paid. Darrell and Darcy were reticent in their advice; they were both very trusting and disinclined to conflict or suspicion. Even so, they secretly hoped their mates would choose not to go, because after all, things do happen alone in houses, after skiing and with eggnog and hot tubs. In the end, despite the secret wishes of good Darrell and Darcy, Jane and Eric decided to ski after all, thinking that it was silly to let the rental go to waste. They made the wrong decision, of course. It was a stupid goddamned decision that only idiots of a certain age would make - that age when you do cruel and wretched things because you think there will always be time to become a good person later. These sorts of people are terrible and aren't worth talking about any more.