by C. J. Corbin
A blanket of pine needles covered the forest floor, and they usually crackled when I walked through the trees. Today it was a soggy mess and I questioned the wisdom of coming. Finally, I reached the clearing. The sky was so blue it reminded me of Michael's eyes. The lake below was sparkling from the sun's reflection and a breeze blew softly through the trees. It was simply beautiful.
Although the eagle's nest was visible from the ground, the interior could only be seen from the tree stand. I threw the binocular case strap over my shoulder and grabbed onto the rope ladder. With my fear of heights, this was never easy for me, but I took a deep breath and scrambled up the rungs. Reaching the top, I threw my legs over the railing. After securing myself on the platform, I pulled out the binoculars and trained them on the nest.
Ethel was caring for the chicks in the nest. They’d grown a lot in the two weeks since I'd been gone. They were hopping all over the large nest, but staying away from the edges. I grinned while I watched. Looking at these beautiful birds made me feel happy and contented.
I was so engrossed that at first I didn't hear the approaching voices. They sounded like teenagers, and through my vantage point, I could see them clearly, two girls and one boy. Guessing they were all in their early twenties, the boy's voice was loudest while the girls were giggling.
"I'm telling you, I can get five-thousand dollars for the tail feathers," he said boasting. "The guy told me they use them for their pow-wow costumes."
"Really?" The blonde girl asked. "Is that what we're going to do, get the tail feathers?"
He nodded, "The newspaper article said they're nesting in the trees up here. I figure they should be easy to spot."
That's when I saw the rifle.
I didn't think. Every movement I made was pure reaction.
I screamed, "Noooooo!!!!" while throwing my legs over the banister. How my feet found the rungs, I'll never know but they did.
The three on the ground looked up at me with surprise and shock on their faces.
All my movements felt like slow motion, I couldn't climb down the ladder fast enough. The binoculars strap tangled in my hands and they slipped out of my grasp. I reached for them as I watched them tumbled to the ground.
And then it happened. I don't know what came first. Did I lose my footing on the rung? Or did my hand slip?
I felt myself falling.
From so high. So high.
I fell. My thoughts were no longer on the eagles. No. My baby. My baby. My baby.
I knew I was screaming, but I couldn't hear anything. My brain centered on one thing only.
My baby. Protect my little muffin.
Somehow, I twisted around. Protect my baby. The ground felt like concrete when I hit. But, I had twisted around and landed on my shoulder. My bad shoulder. Immediately the pain radiated through me like hot pokers. I couldn't breathe.
High pitch screams from the girls hurt my ears.
And, before everything went black, I heard one of the girls shriek, "Oh my god! Is she dead?"
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
"Shit, let's get out of here!"
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
(Michael)
"Damn it, Elizabeth." The call went straight to voice mail. Sometimes she drove me nuts, always forgetting to charge her phone. I stepped back inside the bar and looked around. One of the only bars open in town, locals and the teams working at the lodge filled the place. Marcus and Tommy waved at me from the table they’d procured. They already had beers in front of them and one was waiting for me.
"Did you reach her?" Tommy asked as I took off my parka and threw it on top of the rest of the coats on the empty chair.
I shook my head, "No, as usual it went right to voice mail." Sitting down I took a long drink of the darkly colored beer. Richly flavored and exactly the right temperature, I drank with relish. "Damn, that's good."
Marcus laughed, "That drives you crazy doesn't it?" He grinned, "The guy who always has to be in charge of everything, can't pin down his girl."
"I don't do that." I frowned.
Marcus pointed at me, "Yes you do. Admit it, you're Mr. Control."
"Come on. I'm not as bad as you," I countered.
Taking a drink of his beer, Tommy said dryly, "No, you’re worse."
"At least I manage to have everything organized, unlike you," I pointed to Marcus, "whose mother and girl are about ready to tear each other's throats out. And you," I pointed at Tommy, "Marie regularly keeps your nuts in her possession. Neither of you have any room to talk. At least I keep Elizabeth in check."
Marcus roared with laughter, "Oh yeah? How's that working for you? Did you leave Elizabeth a voice mail or was it full as usual?"
I grinned and pulled another long drink. Shaking my head, "She drives me crazy. All I ask of her is to keep her cell phone charged. She gets so intense while she's working she forgets everything."
"I should be so fortunate," Marcus said. "Ma Petite has to send me texts on everything. Since we've arrived here this afternoon, Nancy has sent me ten texts." Marcus waved his phone around, "Listen to this. 'Honey, don't you think this would look great in the entryway?' And, she includes a picture of a vase." Marcus scrubbed his face with his hands, "Who the hell cares? I could give a shit. All I know for certain is that Ma Mére will hate it."
Tommy leaned back in his chair and chuckled. "Guys, welcome to the club. Yeah, Michael, you're right, Marie took my balls a long time ago." He laughed, "She keeps them in a little box, and I haven't seen them in years! But, the trade off? Shit, I have a hot body next to me every night giving me the best sugar I’ve ever had."
"Even better than the chick you were so gone for in school?" I asked with a smirk.
"Shit, Michael, she never even came close to Marie. Marie made me wait, but damn, it was worth it and it's been worth it every day since. I know she'll be there for me no matter what. That, my friends, is what a marriage can be." Tommy said with finality.
The waitress made her way to the table delivering two large pizzas, and a large platter of barbecue ribs. We ordered more beers and dug into the food.
I drew a deep breath, "I didn't have that with Margaret."
"No, you didn't," Tommy poked out a finger covered in barbecue sauce toward me and then licked his finger off. "That's because you married the wrong bitch. Dude, we warned you, but did you listen?" He shook his head and finished a rib. "No, you didn't, and we, your friends, suffered for it. I couldn't stand her. When she came onto Marcus while you were away doing the South Africa photo documentary, was when I said 'enough' to Marie."
Marcus threw his head back, laughed, and then almost swallowed an entire slice of pizza. "As if that skank would have ever had a chance with me." He almost shuddered and then reached for another piece of pizza. "Sorry Michael, but you know I've never had a thing for blondes."
"Okay, okay. I know Margaret was a mistake. Are you guys telling me Elizabeth is a mistake too?"
They both stopped eating and simultaneously said, "Hell no!"
Tommy finished the sentence by saying, "Shit Dude, we like Elizabeth more than we like you. We just hang with you in the hopes we'll get to see her again."
Marcus drank from his beer, "I don't know what she sees in you, man. How you ever managed to capture her. I'm sure glad you did though, because without her, I would have never met Ma Petite."
"I didn't think it was possible to find someone like her." I said. "Even before the baby, I knew she was the one. She makes me want to be a better man. I want to protect her, even though she says she doesn't need it."
"And she's totally fucking hot." Marcus added.
I laughed and looked at him, "Yeah, and she's totally fucking hot." I looked at the two of them, "How did the three of us losers get such hot women?"
"And you," Marcus looked at me squarely, "with another baby? Man, I don't know how you do that shit. Fuck, I'm tired just thinking about it."
"What?" I asked. "You and Nancy aren't going to have kids?"
r /> Marcus shook his head, "That would be a no and a hell no!"
Tommy looked up and rolled his eyes, "Just wait, Marcus."
"No way... Nancy and I discussed it on our first date. We both agreed, no kids."
I shared a look with Tommy. "Whatever you say, Marcus. Being a dad again is great. I love that Elizabeth is pregnant. Watching all the changes she’s going through is amazing. I wasn't able to do that with Margaret because I was working so much. This time around is different."
Both Tommy and Marcus looked at me.
I grinned, "Okay, I know, too much. I'm being a pussy."
Marcus raised his glass, "Here's to love, my friends, and being captured by it. We're fucked."
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
"Why am I so wet?" I asked aloud and as I rolled over, I found myself covered in pine needles, leaves, and muck. "Ohhhh" and pain was everywhere in my body, especially my shoulder. I laid there for a few moments and tried to collect my thoughts. What had happened? Then, it all came flooding back to me.
"Oh god," I whispered, "my muffin." What had I done? Lying there, I looked around. The sun would be setting very soon. I needed to get back to the car. I needed to get myself to the hospital. "Oh god, please." The tears in my eyes began to well and then they flowed down my cheeks.
The wind whipped up and the leaves around me rustled. I felt the first drops of rain hit my face and they mingled with my tears. "No," I cried, "it can't rain."
I rolled again on my good shoulder to push myself up to my knees. When I placed one foot on the ground to rise up, I grimaced in pain and fell back down on my knees. "Shit!" I whispered. "My ankle." I couldn't stand up. Reaching for the rope ladder, I struggled onto my feet and stood there for a moment with my left foot raised. As I tentatively put my foot down and tried to put weight on it, I very quickly decided that would be a bad idea. Hot pain coursed up my leg. A dead tree branch lay close to the ladder, and I slowly reached down to pick it up. It was sturdy enough and tall enough for me to lean on it like a cane. I stripped off the smaller branches quickly and tested it. I could hobble, but it would be a slow haul.
The rain came down faster as I started out along the path. The trees provided a good canopy from the rain, but it was cold and I wished I’d worn something warmer. Each step became agonizing. I winced and puffed with every step. The sun had set. The trees surrounding me were black now and made it difficult to see the trail. The way was long and the last thing I needed was to become lost. The rough bark on the branch I used began to scrape away at my hands and I could feel the blisters forming.
Although my face was wet, it was no longer from my tears. Those had stopped as I felt a steely determination go through me. Each tortuous movement my body made, my resolve became stronger. I would make it back to the car.
Being careful not to trip and make things even worse, I slowed my pace. The rain steadily fell now and made it difficult to see the trail which wasn't well worn in the first place. I reached into my pocket for my cell phone. Even though I didn't have cell coverage, I could at least use the phone's flashlight for as long as the battery would hold. Realizing as I padded my pockets with my hand that my cell phone must have dropped out somewhere, I slumped down on a nearby log and cried in earnest. Defeat came creeping into my mind.
"Now, Elizabeth, get yourself together!" I scolded loudly. "This is no time to fall apart. Hang in there."
I took a deep breath, stood again, and continued to pick along the trail. My foot and shoulder throbbed with each movement, the pain pounding through me. Actually, every part of my body ached. Wet hair plastered my face and in my eyes, making it difficult to see. The rain drenched my clothing, and I only wanted the security and dryness of my car. Knowing I had to make it back for my baby was the impetus which kept urging me on. Step by step.
After what seemed like hours, I grasped the hood of the car. I’d never been so happy to see my old Range Rover. My trusty old car. Chucking the crutch branch, I staggered over to the rear of the car to retrieve the blanket and water. Seeing the items made me smile because Michael had insisted I start carrying them.
The interior light of the car was a welcome sight too. Wouldn't you know it, the rain stopped? Wrapping the blanket around me, I climbed gingerly into the front seat. I was so cold my teeth began to chatter, but I knew I'd be warm soon with the car's heater going full blast.
Then click. Nothing. I stared at the key in the ignition and turned it again. Nothing.
"Okay, don't panic," I told myself.
Pulling the key from the ignition, and flipping on the interior light, I looked at it carefully. Yes. It was the correct key. Inserting it again and turning it slowly, hoping for a miracle. Nothing. Just a click.
"Noooooooo." I cried. "No. This cannot be happening right now."
This time the tears did not start up. I was angry and hit the steering wheel with my fist. "No!" I shouted.
I gripped the steering wheel tightly and laid my forehead on my hands. What was I going to do? I couldn't walk to the main road. It was too far and too cold. Even if I were able to get to there, what good would it do me? Without my cell phone, I wouldn't be able to call for help and certainly, there would be no traffic on the mountain road this late.
I took another deep breath. At least the car would protect me from the rain, and I had a blanket. My wet clothes were making me shiver more. I pulled the sweatshirt over my head and draped it over the passenger seat. My jeans were a little more difficult to pull off, but once they were off, my teeth chattering stopped. I found a sweater and a pair of pants in my suitcase and put those on with a dry pair of socks.
Digging further in my suitcase rewarded me with mysterious container. When I realized Lisa had snuck a box of cookies into my bag, I almost burst into tears. Wrapping the blanket around myself, I reclined the front seat back and hunkered down. Yes, it was still cold. The pain was making me nauseous and I tried to find a comfortable position with my injured shoulder and ankle, which was not easy to do.
I was exhausted, and somehow when I finally closed my eyes, sleep came.
CHAPTER THIRTY
(Michael)
After eating dinner and trying to reach Elizabeth again, we played billiards the rest of the night. The locals were interested in challenging us to a match. We didn't bother to tell them Tommy had been a champion player all through college. I don't think we felt bad taking their money.
I managed to get Marcus and Tommy up to their rooms. They were blitzed and would have bad hangovers in the morning. I was only mildly drunk. I had been thinking too much of Elizabeth to give myself over to the beers and, the tequila chasers, which had come later.
When I reached my own room, I tried calling her again. Still no answer. I'm sure she was up to no good with Nancy or her sister. We were going to have a long talk when I finally reached her.
I called again and listened to her cell phone once again go to voice mail. I shook my head and looked disbelievingly at the phone as if it was going to shrug its shoulders and say, "What are you going to do?" I left a new message this time, "Babe, it's Michael. Call me. No matter what time you pick up this message. I need to hear from you."
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Ethel landed on the hood of the Jeep and peered in at me.
"Oh hi," I said. "What are you doing here?"
"Just checking on you. Thank you for helping me this afternoon."
"No problem, Ethel." I said, never stopping to think how it was possible that Ethel was speaking to me.
"You know Ethel is not really my name."
"I know. It's just a name Michael gave to you. What is your name?" I asked.
"You'd never be able to pronounce it, my dear, but here it is anyway." She flapped her wings wildly and screeched out a sound.
"Oh! You're right. Is it okay if I just call you Ethel?"
If an eagle could smile, then she smiled. "Perfectly okay. You need to call Michael. It's too cold for you and your egg to be here. He'll come and p
rotect both you."
I started to cry. "Oh, my baby! I can't call him. I don't have my phone. I dropped it somewhere. Besides, he's too far away to help me like he did the last time. I caused this problem by myself and I need to figure out a way out of it."
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
I awoke with a start! What a strange dream. Stretching my arms out slowly, pushing myself upright, I groaned loudly. I could barely move without wincing. It was ice cold in the car, and the hunger, thirst, and pain I felt was making me nauseous.
I finished the remaining water in the bottle and wiped off the inside of the window with a spare sock. What I saw looking out dismayed me even further. There was just enough illumination from the moon peeking through the fir trees around me to show a light dusting of snow on the ground.
No one would ever think to look for me here. No one would even miss me yet. Everyone would assume I had forgotten to charge my cell phone. I could be here days before a search for me was contemplated.
Tears welled in my eyes and threatened to start splashing down my cheeks. Inhaling deeply, I took my sock and pressed it against my eyes, willing the tears away. I needed to think clearly and crying was not going to help the situation.
The worry about the baby grinded at me. Michael would never forgive me if something happened. Worse still, I would never forgive my own stupidity. Trying to get to the road in the dark would be futile. I had to try in the morning. I piled all the clothing left in the suitcase on top of myself. Moving around in the car was painful, but I was determined to stay as warm as possible. My ankle throbbed any time I put weight on it so I elevated it across the seat on top of my purse.