Ronnie Coleinger: A Winter Collection

by Coleinger, Ronnie

  She turned the boat into the waves and continued in a northerly direction, hoping the wall of fire would not advance on her. She realized she could not keep the boat running at full speed or she would run out of fuel long before she reached the harbor where she could seek medical attention.

  Suddenly, the engine began to sputter and then quit running. Rebecca felt panic set in and she began to scream. She began moving her camera bag and duffle bag that blocked her access to the engine cover. She sat the water jug on the cowling between the front seats, but quickly realized her error. The jug tipped over and landed in the bottom of the boat. Before she could get hold of the handle, most of the water had run out onto the floor. She heard the sound of the bilge pump as it turned on and drained the spilled water into the sea. She quickly grabbed the container and closed the lid, but most was lost. Once she had calmed her emotions a little, she raised the hatch covering the engine and looked around. She had no idea what she was looking at; she was no mechanic. She began to cry.

  The sun had set, however, the burning gas and oil lit the western sky like a setting sun. Rebecca tried to sleep, but the pain from the burns kept her awake. She hoped to see lights from the shoreline, but she decided she was still too far south to see lights. She found that rubbing cold water on the burns helped, but she was now running low on water. She slipped over the side of the boat and soaked her body in the salty seawater, trying to conserve her precious drinking water. By morning, she feared she would only have a few sips of fresh water left to drink. Some of her blistered skin now seeped fluid. She knew that she needed to drink as much water as possible to keep her burned body from dehydrating.

  As the sun began to rise in the eastern sky, she returned her attention to the engine, hoping to find some simple reason for it to have failed. As she looked, she realized that a wire had come unplugged from a round thing with other large wires plugged into it. She plugged the wire into the empty center hole and tried to start the engine. When it started, she began to scream again, venting her anger over not seeing the loose wire the first time she looked. As she raced the boat across the water, the adrenaline raced through her body as she attempted to survive the horrible fire that had so badly burned her body. As she aimed the boat in the direction shown on the GPS, she slumped over the steering wheel and allowed the breeze to soothe her burning skin.

  As she raced towards the harbor that would provide medical attention for her severely burned body, she noticed something fast approaching in the distance. As she watched, a large vessel steered directly towards her. She saw the vessel’s emergency lights begin to flash and the vessel slowed in the water directly in front of her. Rebecca slowed her boat and steered towards the vessel. She could see the United States Flag flying high, but at first, she did not recognize the second flag. It was white with blue lettering. Suddenly, she realized the flag was that of the Coast Guard. She moved her boat up close to the larger vessel and began screaming that she needed medical help. Within just a few moments, two men boarded her vessel and began helping her onto the deck of their vessel.

  As they laid her on her stomach on a small cot, they quickly cut the remains of melted clothing from her back, neck and butt. They quickly placed sterile dressings over her skin and soaked them with sterile water. The medics continued to work on the places where her clothing had melted into her skin. The fire had severely burned the left side of Rebecca’s face and her left ear was mostly missing. It was then they realized how extensive Rebecca’s burns truly were. Burns covered the entire backside of her body, from the top of her head down to her knees. One of the medics spoke to Rebecca and explained that he was going to give her some pain medicine. As the morphine flowed through her system, she smiled for the first time in many hours. She looked up at the medic and said, “I owe you a steak dinner in payment for that pain medicine.”

  While the medics started an IV to get some fluids into her body, the remaining crew tied her boat behind the Coast Guard vessel. The captain quickly radioed the nearby hospital and requested a helicopter to carry Rebecca to a burn center.

  ***

  After Rebecca had healed for a few months, she decided to move to a small cabin near the Seine Mountains. Her father had owned the land and built a cabin on it. After he had a heart attack, he sold the cabin to a woman from the area; however, the woman had received a promotion and planned to move into a condominium in California. The woman had called Rebecca and offered to sell the cabin and land to her if she was interested. Since Rebecca’s father died a year earlier from a second heart attack, she quickly accepted the woman’s offer.

  Rebecca desperately wanted to live away from people. With parts of her body badly scarred from burns, and with the southern regions of the North American continent under a smoky haze from the burning petroleum fires in the Gulf, she needed a remote place where she could live off the land. She liked to hunt and fish and hoped to live out her days in a part of the planet that she considered God’s country.

  Rebecca had worked all day long trying to clean the cabin and put away her meager belongings. She sat a small pot of water on the heart and moved some hot coals around it. When the water was boiling, she poured some into a cup and dropped in a tea bag. She picked up the coffee and walked out the back door of the cabin. She decided to sit down in a wooden chair that was resting on a flat area around a fire pit.

  As she sat down, she realized that a large black raven was perched high up in the top of a pine tree. As she looked at the bird, it flew down and sat on the clothesline post a few feet from her. Rebecca watched the bird for a moment and then asked, “What is it you want, bird?” The bird cocked its head to the side and looked at Rebecca for a moment. Then it spoke and said, “You are invited to supper at a cabin a few miles from here. A mage by the name of Monique owns the cabin. If you accept her offer, she will transport you to the cabin in one hour. Two other females who also live at the cabin will join you for dinner. One of those women is a friend of yours. She goes by the name of Ginger. The menu consists of fresh venison stew, fresh blueberry cobbler, potatoes baked on the hearth, and elderberry wine. If you decide to accept, please pack your backpack for a few days stay and bring your rifle with you. The bears are not always people friendly.”

  Rebecca continued to stare at the bird and then said, “I accept Monique’s dinner offer. I will be ready to travel in one hour.” The bird nodded its head and flew off towards the east. Rebecca sat considering what had just taken place. She was uncertain how and why the raven could talk in a language she understood, but did know that the Seine Mountains were magical. The settlers who originally lived and mined the mountains often spoke of the spirits that lived on and protected the Seines. There were tales told of black cats and flying witches that drove off the logging operations that tried to clear-cut some of the huge ancient oak trees.

  As Rebecca sat thinking about a bird inviting her to supper, she began to laugh. She finally shrugged her shoulders and said aloud, “I cannot believe I am doing this.” She finished her tea and then headed into the cabin to get ready to travel. She decided to put on her hiking clothes, strap her hunting knife to her belt, and pack her backpack with a coat and a few clothes. She packed the normal things she always carried when backpacking in the mountains just in case she found herself lost or needed to spend a night in the forest. She checked her rifle, slid it into the scabbard and attached it to her backpack. Then she placed a full box of ammunition into the backpack. Then she filled the bullet holders in her vest so she had bullets nearby if she needed to reload her rifle quickly. Now that she was ready to travel, she stepped out onto the porch, locked up the cabin and placed the key into her pants pocket. As she slid a full water canteen into the side pocket of her backpack, she suddenly felt as if she was about to pass out. She grabbed hold of the doorframe to steady herself.

  Rebecca knew she was moving, but could see nothing around her. She felt her body in motion and felt dizzy, but then she heard voices and realized she was standing besid
e a strange cabin with two women holding her arms. The women were speaking to her and it took Rebecca a moment or two to realize that she was perfectly okay. She looked at the girls and smiled. One of the women asked, “Rebecca, are you okay now?” Rebecca realized that she was perfectly okay and said, “I am now steady. I felt dizzy before, but now I am fine.” The girls released their grip on her arms and stepped back.

  The woman that had first spoke to her introduced herself as Ginger and the other woman reached out and shook Rebecca’s hand as she introduced herself as Natalie. A third woman stepped out of the back door and introduced herself as Monique. Just as Rebecca was about to speak to Monique, the black raven she had seen earlier today at her cabin landed on the ground. As Rebecca watched the bird, it shifted into the human life form of a very handsome man. He stepped up to Rebecca and said, “Welcome to the Seine Mountains, Rebecca. It is wonderful to have a beautiful unattached female living nearby. I hope we can become good friends.” Rebecca heard a snicker from the girls around her as Monique stepped up and put her hand on Rebecca’s shoulder. Monique said, “We should get you inside before these mosquitoes eat you alive, or Charles takes advantage of you.” Rebecca smiled at Charles as the girls escorted her into the cabin. As they stood in the kitchen, Rebecca looked into Ginger’s eyes and said, “It has been a very long time since I last saw you. I knew you lived somewhere around the Seine Mountain, because you have a mail box in the cities post office.” Ginger stepped up to Rebecca and said, “I have lived here in the mountains with Natalie for many years now. We had a small cabin of our own, but later moved in with Monique. I believe the last time we spoke was at high school graduation in Mississippi.” Ginger stepped up to Rebecca and hugged her. When she stepped back, she put her fingers on Rebecca’s scarred cheek and said, “I am sorry that you were injured in that fire in the Gulf of Mexico. However, now that your body has mostly healed, it is time we begin the process of healing your mind and the damage done to your soul. This mountain has magical powers that can heal one’s body, but the healing of a soul requires much time and many friends. I hope you will allow us to help you with that healing process.”

  Once Rebecca placed her backpack and rifle in the corner, she took a moment to look around the cabin where she found herself. The aroma of roasting meat permeated her nose but the smell of blueberry pie overpowered everything else. Monique pointed to a spot at the large table and said, “Have a seat, Rebecca, supper is almost ready. We are excited to have you join us in our home.” Rebecca giggled and said, “I had no trouble at all finding the cabin.” As everyone giggled over Rebecca’s comments, a large black cat walked out from a bedroom and headed towards her. Two smaller black cats followed the larger one, but they both took a moment to stretch as if they had just woken up from an afternoon nap.

  While the two smaller cats rubbed up against Rebecca’s legs, the larger cat jumped up on the bench and sat down beside her. The cat then said, “My name is Blacky, and the two cats at your feet are named, Fatin and Blackjack. Welcome to our home. Monique has spoken of you ever since you moved into your father’s cabin.” Rebecca looked up at Monique and said, “I seem to remember seeing you, Monique, somewhere before. Maybe I saw you at my father’s cabin when I visited him one summer. I am certain I know you.”

  Monique explained that Rebecca’s Father and her were very good friends when he lived in the cabin at the bottom of the mountain, until he sold the cabin and moved away. Monique looked Rebecca in the eyes and said, “We still miss your father’s presence here on the mountain. He worked to preserve the resources of this mountain. He was well respected and very active in his church.”

  As Rebecca watched the girls cook, Monique said, “I guess I will set the table.” Rebecca asked, “May I help set the table? I feel as if I should be helping prepare this meal.” Ginger giggled and said, “You sit still. You are company. Besides, Monique likes setting the table for guests. It gives her a chance to show off.”

  Rebecca did not understand Ginger’s words, but as she reached down to rub Blacky’s ears, she heard the dishes rattle in the cupboard and then saw them begin moving through the air towards the table. As the plates moved into the proper position on the table, she saw the silverware rise up out of the drawer and move into proper position beside the plates. Rebecca put her fingers over her mouth, trying to insure no words came gushing out that might offend her hosts. She had never seen anyone use magic of any kind, let alone use it to set the table while everyone watched.

  As Rebecca quietly set watching the girls put the final touches on the meal they were preparing, Charles stepped into the kitchen. He smiled at Rebecca and said, “After supper, I will show you the new baby rabbits and lambs if you would like to see them.” As he finished his sentence, a woman opened the door and stepped into the kitchen. Charles turned to her and said, “You made it, I see. Did you have any trouble finding the bear?” Sally explained that the bear that had spent the night in the mine had two cubs and was simply trying to defend them from a lone wolf. Charles walked over to the table and sat down beside Blacky. As he reached out to rub the cat’s ears, Blacky hissed at him. Charles laughed and said, “Seems Rebecca has a new friend. Blacky seems unwilling to allow anyone other than Rebecca to touch him.” Blacky moved over closer to Rebecca in a show of friendship.

  Sally walked over next to Rebecca and introduced herself, and then sat down at the table across from Rebecca. She tried not to stare at Rebecca’s scars, but Rebecca realized Sally was watching her. She looked Sally in the eyes and asked, “Did Monique tell all of you how I was burned so badly?” Sally looked down at her plate, hoping she had not hurt her guest’s feelings. Finally, she looked up into Rebecca’s eyes and said, “I have not heard the story and I am sorry that you caught me looking at your scars. I am truly sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable.”

  Rebecca reached across the table and put her hand on top of Sally’s hand. Then she began telling the story of how the burning natural gas and oil on the Gulf of Mexico had burned her while she tried to escape in her fishing boat. As she told the story, she realized that the girls had all sat down at the table to listen. When Rebecca looked at Ginger, she could see tears beginning to run down her cheeks. Rebecca spoke to Ginger and said, “Please don’t cry for me. No one can undo what happened to me in that fire, nor can anyone comprehend the pain I felt as the doctors scraped away the dead tissue from my body. That part of my life is over and I am now here in the Seine Mountains to make a new life. Today, I have met new friends, and for that, I am very thankful. I thank Monique for inviting me here tonight; I also thank Charles for delivering the message, and for his transportation to his wonderful home.”

  Rebecca looked back down at her plate and took a bite of the steaming hot venison stew. When she looked back up, she realized that her friends were all looking at her. Monique spoke and said, “Rebecca. I hope that you love your new home here in the Seine Mountains and I hope you come visit us often. You do not need an invitation to come spend a few days with us, nor do you need to have a reason. If you are lonely and need a friend to talk to, or ever find yourself in a situation where you need instant help, simply kneel down and put the palm of both hands on the earth. Speak my name and one of us will be at your side within seconds. This mountain knows of your presence and will help keep you safe.” Rebecca looked up from her plate and into Monique’s eyes. She considered Monique’s words for a moment, wondering how they could be true. As she thought about Charles visit to her home and the ride here to this cabin, she realized that anything was possible. This mountain, and those who lived here, possessed magic that she did not understand.

  When everyone finished eating, Ginger asked Rebecca if she could spend a few days with them. Ginger explained that the cabin had a spare bedroom and she could go fishing with them tomorrow if she liked long hikes. Rebecca considered the offer a few moments and then said, “I would love to spend a couple of days here with my new friends. I planned to hike back down the mountain to
my cabin after visiting with you here in your home, so I carefully packed my backpack. The forests are lush with wild edibles this time of year and a rabbit roasting over an open fire would be quite a treat. My body has healed after the accident but my confidence level still needs some work. Spending some time in the forest will do me good.”

  As darkness settled in and the nightly sounds of the forest surrounded the cabin, Monique opened the windows in the kitchen to let in the cool night air. Rebecca’s senses seemed overpowered by the fresh air, the sounds of the forest and the gentle breeze blowing in the windows. She opened the kitchen door and walked out onto the wooden porch to hide her tears. She had seen a rocking chair in the corner of the porch earlier and decided to drink the last of her coffee there before going to bed. As she sat and rocked, sipping the coffee, she thought about the events of the day and her newly found friends. She sensed the mountain’s magic that surrounded her and felt her body tremble as if a small earthquake had passed under her chair. She sat upright on the edge of the chair, contemplating what had just occurred. She felt a presence behind her and realized that Blacky was now sitting on the porch railing beside her. She took a deep breath to clear her mind of some perceived fear and then let it out slowly. She turned her head towards Blacky and said, “Blacky, please don’t sneak up on me like that. I am still very unsure of this magical mountain paradise that surrounds me.” Blacky spoke to her and said, “The trembling under your chair was the mountain’s way of speaking to you. As you sat here on this porch, you made a connection with its magic. The mountain has accepted your presence here and joined forces with your humanity. You and the mountain are now one.”