Shaw - The Cascade Preppers

T he Trail between the Trees

The early winter sky was cast in a vibrant lavender that led to piercing blue above the horizon. It was as cold as hell is hot, if one can imagine the heat of hell as freezing. Graham pulled in the weighted line, hand over hand. He wrapped the twine from hand to elbow while staring down the murky blue ice hole of the frozen lake. The brown trout came squirming its way up the ice tunnel toward him to meet its fate.

Sam reached out and grabbed the greedy guy that currently hung midair. Removing the hook from its mouth, he dropped the frigid fish into a pail with its brothers. Sam and Graham were going for quantity over size when fishing in the shallow waters beneath the ice, but the chore of getting enough to feed everyone in their group had taken a little longer than usual this morning. In a matter of minutes the sky had gone from the deep blue, with a moon encircled in a fine mist to daylight so intense that eye protection was needed. Despite the warmth of the sunlight, extra layers of fur were still a necessity.

Once theyd caught enough for everyones breakfast, they silently gathered their gear to make their way back up the trail to camp. Like any two men whod worked the same routine, they would perform their job without uttering a single word with regard to the task. Get your nose out of there, Sheriff, Graham gently warned the dog in a worn, low voice as he caught him peering into the bucket. Youll get your share. He patted the dogs head, tousling his fur, and picked up their morning haul. Sam came up behind him with the other lines after hed covered the ice holes with spare plywood to keep them from freezing over too much.

Ready? Sam asked.

Yeah.

They crunched along the reliable crust as their boots echoed in the vast open until they met the trail between the trees. Mark had recently finished clearing the paths from that nights continuous onslaught of snow.

As they walked up into the clearing, Bang, dressed in his snow gear from head to toe, tossed scraps to the chickens as they scampered all around him, eager for the meager delicacies. Sheriff ran up ahead to help out his young friend. Amused that the dog didnt understand why they kept the birds caged, nor why he wasnt allowed to visit with them inside the coop, Graham laughed. The hens often ran away and rudely, collectively, scurried to the other end of their enclosure when Sheriff came to greet them each morning.

Graham called out to Bang, Make sure you give them fresh water.

I always do, Bang replied, looking put out by the unnecessary reminder, but then his expression changed. Mark told me to tell you Ennis isnt up yet.

All right, thanks. Ill give him a hand. Graham and Sam walked in silence past the front of the cabin. Sam seemed to be pondering something, which wasnt unusual for the man. One could spend the entire day with him and, other than a nod or an occasional word, he wouldnt say much, but Graham always suspected Sam was either thinking ahead or mourning the separation from his daughter Addy. Whether hed ever let another in on his thoughts was anyones guess, so it surprised Graham when Sam spoke up.

You know, Ennis wont see another winter. You might want to be prepared for that, Graham.

Graham spoke softly. Yeah, Ive pretty much figured that out. Were losing him a little each day. He rarely talks, but when he does, its always warnings. Like, hes trying to give us as much as he can before he goes. Graham stopped midstride and scuffed his boot into the ice, sending crystals a few feet forward. Im thankful weve had him for as long as we have.

Sam clapped him on the back. He liked Ennis too. The old man had even shown Sam a thing or two about carving the little wooden figurines he made for Addy, the daughter he could see and hear but never again touch. If a man taught you something useful in life, he was a keeper in Sams book. Too bad they had to witness Ennis fade away so soon after coming to love and respect him so much.

Hey, Ill clean the trout and gear. You go ahead and help Tala with Ennis, Sam said.

Thanks, Sam. Graham handed off the gear to him, then noticed Sheriff trotting behind Sam in high hopes of a fish head or two. The dog easily shifted his daytime alliances based on who had the better treats. This morning Sam was the man, but by nightfall hed no doubt shift his loyalty back to Macy.

Graham walked back toward the cabin, took the stairs two at a time, and thudded onto the porch. The cabin door swung open. Tala greeted him with a fretful expression.

There you are! I need your help; hes not doing well, she said. The worry lines on her forehead became clenched as she fought back tears. Graham reached for her. Shhh, dont worry, he said, soothing her as best he could. Not often one for anxiety, Tala had proven herself to be level-headed, more so than most of the people Graham had ever encountered. Everyone silently predicted and dreaded the upcoming loss of Ennis. Yet, Talas evident anxiety worried Graham and made him fear the end was near.

Mark and I tried to help him up, but he said hed wait for you. Sometimes I think he doesnt recognize us.

Ill go check on him. Has he eaten or drunk anything yet?

I brought him some water earlier. I dont think hes had any yet. Then, lowering her voice even more, she whispered, Graham, what are we going to do? Hes getting worse every day, and hes avoiding water and other drinks. I think hes got an infection, and he doesnt want us to catch on to how much pain hes in.

Weve been lucky to have him this long, Graham said and pulled her toward him. She looked pale. He caressed the side of her face with the back of his hand. Looking into her eyes, he saw a flash of fear and wondered what scared her. Before he could ask, his attention was diverted by footsteps behind him. Macy stepped out of the bathroom, getting a clear view of their embrace.

Cant you guys do that somewhere else? she said, stomping with frustration out the door.

Graham and Tala both laughed. Poor girl, Tala said, returning to the subject of the ailing old man. I think Ennis needs antibiotics and phenazopyridine hydrochloride.

Phenazo-what? Graham asked.

Phenazopyridine. Numbs the urinary tract. Dont ask me how I know. The antibiotics we have, but none of the other. I hate to think of him in constant pain.

Graham nodded. Hugging her close, he kissed her on the forehead, then released her. Lets keep him as comfortable as we can until we know for sure.