A Spring Welcome
It was an early spring day back then when it should have been colder than it was but the sun blessed us with warmth and sweet talkings of upcoming weather. The snow was driving everyone in town crazy being holed up for a month and a half. It was no surprise to see everyone out enjoying the day with the biggest smiles we’d worn this year. Some more than enthusiastic kids sported shorts and t-shirts but the rest of us had on standard pants and a light jacket or long-sleeved shirts; when the wind came through, it whipped you with the cold still. It was best to lounge in the sun and soak up the warmth like a rock. Several people were singing along to jovial tunes to keep up with the energy, which made the town a little busy out. It was hard to get annoyed by it though, everyone was so happy.
Despite the cheer, the crowd was too much and I wanted to spend my time taking it all in someplace where I could hear myself think. So I booked it down the southern roads to avoid the chillier winds of the northern mountain. I didn’t have a secret spot to hide out but there were enough hilly fields to plop a butt and enjoy it all. I’d packed a blanket and some snacks to keep me happy for a while. I didn’t want to drag myself back up there to eat later. Several people had the same idea and we waved, but it was clear we all wanted our own spot so we took different directions and eventually settled far enough apart that we couldn’t hear each other.
I laid out and soaked up the sun like it was money going in the bank. It was the perfect temperature to relax and I even dozed off for a few. The birds were in full orchestra mode giving us the show of the year so far. It was natures perfect lullaby and alarm depending on the cadence they chose. I spotted a doe and her fawn wondering in the distance doing the same thing we all were. Not a living soul wanted to miss out on this opportunity. I looked around to see what else was out to play when I fell in love.
The most beautiful girl was running towards me. Her brunette hair waving with the movement and turning to gold in the sunlight. She wore a a white linen blouse with aged blue jeans from years of adventures. It was as if time slowed down while she ran to me; I stared with intensity of another gift of Nature. Her name was Kris and she was quite the talk of the town in many circles since she tended to go off on journeys without telling many people about it. She’d stumble back into town with a souvenir and a tall tale to turn our heads. She scared some people off with her bravery and brazened attitude but that same combination made her attractive to others. I was one of the others. I’d spent many a hour daydreaming about us being together and going on adventures and creating our own stories to tell folks. I couldn’t believe my luck today. How had she known I was here?
I sat up more and started to wave and smile taking full advantage of the situation. She enthusiastically waved back at me! She really was there to see me! I figured I’d stand up to greet her properly when she got to where I was, which wouldn’t be too long since she was sprinting towards me. I got half way up when a bloodcurdling scream tore through me. I snapped up to find what shut every bird up around me. It didn’t take long to find. Every ounce of heat I’d gathered drained out of my body in an instant. I couldn’t feel the warmth or happiness from the sun anymore.
A grizzly bear had charged out of the woods and reached Kris. I stood in horror as it ripped off her right leg. She screamed again but not in terror but in heart wrenching pain. It was a scream of lunacy; she was pleading for mercy and death. The grizzly did not accept. It slashed her back fervently and she hit the ground without another sound. The bear then bent down and took a quarter chunk out of her torso. Her blood sprayed over the field sparkling in the sunlight and painting the grass with globs of red. My stomach turned and bile rose to my mouth. I was completely frozen where I stood, watching this animal devour this girl. I suddenly realized Kris wasn’t running and waving to come spend time with me in the sun but instead was running away from the grizzly and waving her arms to warn me. I was a lovestruck fool.
I took a step back. The bear registered my movement and looked up at me. The energy turned electric and I knew I was a goner. I’d end up just like Kris. A devastating painting of death and desperation to remain ignorantly out of the circle of life. The bear let out a roar so loud the birds took off from the trees. It jumped up and down on its front legs not only intimidating me but smashing Kris further and further to shreds. Her blood was all over its face and front paws. Even from this distance I saw the deadly claws gleaming in liquid of the massacre. I’m not embarrassed to admit that my bladder lost control and I dribbled down my leg some. As if my weakness was the cue to charge, the bear took off towards me. His sudden burst of energy shocked me out of myself and took off running. I let everyone ounce of energy I had be split between my legs and my lungs. I screamed so loud for help I didn’t care how it sounded. I so desperately wanted someone to hear me but I didn’t have hopes of getting away.
It wasn’t the best plan since I wore out faster after dispensing that force, and the bear was immensely faster than I was from the beginning. He was on me before I got my third scream into the air. I didn’t once turn around to check his progress but I knew he was there the moment my face smashed into the ground. I’d taken a step and never made contact with the ground. In the offset balance, I tumbled down and rolled. For a split second I didn’t register what had happened. But that didn’t last long. The pain surged through my body with an impact I didn’t expect. Things don’t ever feel the way you think they will. The bear had swiped my leg out from underneath me like he did Kris. He hadn’t taken the whole thing but my right leg was only attached by some strands of muscle and flesh from the front. The entire back end was disconnected; even the bone. Blood rushed out of me like a fountain as I rolled over face my fate.
The bear reared upwards letting out another bloody victorious roar and I knew that was it. I’d be seeing Kris very soon. Maybe we’d even get to talk about our gruesome demise and have that story in common now. I’d gotten my wish but not the way I’d expected to.
“Would someone shut her up?”
“Huh? Who?”
“Grandma is mumbling to herself again! It’s driving me absolutely crazy! I’ve got to drive through this piss-poor weather and it’s hard enough to concentrate without hearing her mumble that damned story for the thousandth time!”
“Oh come on, you know we can’t stop it. Can’t you put headphones in?”
“No I can’t! Can’t she get passed a moment that happened fifty years ago!?”
“She’s scratching at her ghost leg now, so obviously not. How much further do we have to go? It sounds like she’s almost done telling herself.”
“Another few hours. Which isn’t bad but its the fifth time I’ve heard her mumble it on this trip!”
“You’re taking your stress out on her and we both know that’s not fair. She’s lost so many memories now, it’s no surprise…”
“That the one that stuck was such a traumatizing event. Yes I know! Bear ate girl she loved. Bear came after her. Bear took her leg. He screamed and accepted death. Hiker shot bear. Grandma survived. Blah blah blah! It’s just…I’m being an asshole, you’re right. This storm is not fun to drive in and I’ve only made the drive once before.”
“I know I know. I still think it’s a great story despite the horror of it. Grandma truly lived a wild life. I think it was that moment that led her to be so adventurous. She inspires me, too.”
“She definitely did some crazy unexpected things in her life. Oh jeez, what is this!? Full traffic stop? Son of a bitch!”