Southern Stars

by Melissa Good

  “Nice enough woman, but that wasn’t good judgment,” Don said. “Don’t care for being treated as a mindless mark.”

  “Let’s wait to see what she says,” Sally responded. “C’mon.”

  She fell silent as Janet arrived at their group and paused, waiting for everyone’s attention.

  “First off, my apologies, Ms. Roberts.” Janet said. “You were spot on. We thought we measured, but the water pushed the raft aside enough that we were wrong.” She glanced behind her. “Not really sure—

  “I’m an engineer,” Dar gently interrupted her. “Let’s just move on. No point in talking about it.”

  Janet took a breath. “Folks, we have a real problem here. As you can see, we’ve got the raft right way round. My team is going to get things sorted to make you all as comfortable as we can. We lost a lot of gear.”

  Todd came back over and stood behind Amy. He folded his arms. “You’re idiots.”

  “Thanks, that’s so helpful,” Janet shot back. “We’re going to make camp here, and Doug is going to take the kayak downstream to an outpost and get us some backup. They can lift us down another engine, and we’ll be on our way. In the meantime, we’ve got some hikes planned from here.”

  “They going to lift all the gear you lost?” Don asked. “Might as well just lift us out of here if not. I’m not sleeping on the ground for the rest of this trip. I’m too old for that.”

  Janet hesitated. “Well, not all...but we’ll get enough to make everyone comfortable. We’re going to see what we have left to make for dinner, and get camp set up. Okay?”

  The group remained mostly silent, and that went on until it became awkward and uncomfortable. “Sure,” Kerry finally said. “We’ll make the best of it.”

  Janet turned and went back to the crew, shaking her head a little in silence.

  “Well, we’ll see how that works out,” Don said. “Let’s play some cards in the meantime.” He went back to the flat rock with Rich and Sally, where PJ was waiting for them.

  Todd removed a small bag from the waterproof sack he’d been carrying and dusted his hands with the contents of it. He went over to the wall and studied it, while Amy went back to join the card game.

  Dar and Kerry settled back on their ledge. “Well, it could be worse,” Kerry said, after they’d sat in silence for a few minutes.

  “Shh.” Dar reached around her shoulders and covered her mouth with her hand.

  “MPfof.”

  “Shh.”

  KERRY CHEWED ON a stick of jerky, hoping it was the beef it was claimed to be and not anything more esoteric.

  They were clustered around a driftwood fire. The crew had put up a tarp that partially blocked the wind between them and the raft, and the small collection of food they’d recovered was portioned out to all of them.

  Probably the only in the group who was happy was Dar. She had on her lap three peaches, two pieces of beef jerky, a peanut butter sandwich and a bag of potato sticks.

  All they had to do, Janet had told them, was make it through to the morning because by then the re supply would be here and it would be all right again.

  Kerry hoped so.

  They had another assortment for the morning, but it seemed heavy on granola bars, so Kerry determined she would enjoy her jerky and peaches, and hope for an early helicopter tomorrow.

  There was no real shelter. Most of the tents and pallets had been lost. All they had to drink was water that had been boiled over the fire to remove the impurities of the river. They had gone from a relatively luxe experience to rock under the butt bare bones.

  At least some of the duffels had been salvaged and theirs were some of them, so after they finished their scraps they were able to unroll the sleeping bags and get as comfortable as they were going to.

  “Should we use one and share?” Kerry whispered into Dar’s ear. “Don and Marcia lost their stuff.” She watched Dar’s profile, outlined in the light from the fire, as she pondered the question.

  Finally, she nodded and they both got up. Kerry took her bedroll and moved toward the older couple, while Dar unzipped the sleeping bag and spread it out fully to take the place of two of them.

  The crew had lost most of their gear and they were huddled near the fire, with their backs to the tarp, passing a large mug around that showed faintly steaming.

  Dar sat back down on the sleeping bag, which, spread over a patch of sand wasn’t horribly uncomfortable. The college kids had also lost a duffel, but they were sharing what they had along with the contents of a bottle PJ had taken out.

  Todd and Amy were near the wall, just at the edge of the light.

  Rich and the rest of that gang were also sharing. Rich got out his deck of cards, as the light faded completely out and the sky went inky dark.

  Kerry came back and smiled as she sat down. “I’m glad we did that.” She settled on the bedroll next to Dar and leaned back against the rock wall. “They’d spread out their jackets on the ground because they didn’t want to bitch.”

  “No real point,” Dar said.

  “No, but some people would anyway.” Kerry laid her hand casually on Dar’s thigh, a little hyper aware of how close the rest of the people were, and a little uncomfortable knowing some were watching her.

  Watching them.

  Dar draped one arm over her shoulders and bit into a peach, offering her a bite, with slightly raised eyebrows. Kerry smiled a little and leaned over, feeling Dar’s head rest against hers.

  The crew had pretty much lost their spunk and they looked exhausted. Long hours of moving things in and out of the water had worn them out. Two of them were already curled up under some towels fast asleep.

  In the distance they heard a howl and then the fire popped a little. Kerry felt a little chill come over her skin as the breeze blew through the narrow canyon.

  The passengers all nudged a little closer to the fire and Janet leaned over and said something to one of the male crew, who got up reluctantly and skirted the encampment, heading back into the narrow area beyond. They had piled up a stack of wood, but had whittled it down since dark had fallen and it got cooler. It was obvious they were going to need it.

  How cozy their tents had seemed. Kerry pressed against Dar’s long body, missing the camp chairs and the mugs of mulled wine, feeling more than a little disappointed at how it had turned out.

  Bummer.

  “Dogs will be glad to see us,” Dar commented. “Want to drive over to Zion and spend a few nights there in our jazzy camper?”

  Kerry allowed herself to be distracted. “That sounds fun. Do we still want to stay over in that cabin, or just take off?”

  Dar’s eyes took on a wry twinkle. “My guess is, better we get out of there. Because I’m sure the end of this trip isn’t going to be pretty.”

  “Mm.” Kerry rocked her head from side to side a little. “Do we want to press them for a refund?”

  “Nah,” Dar predictably said. “I got my money’s worth. The rapids were fun, and the pools were cool.” She crossed her ankles and wiggled one foot. “But they’ll probably offer. They know they got skunked.” She moved her chin a little toward where Janet was seated a little apart from the rest of the crew.

  She looked worried. Dar wasn’t sure if it was about the financial aspects, or about Doug, or something she had no knowledge of. It was an almost painful expression to see, and as though Janet realized it, she scrubbed her face with both hands and then got up and wandered over to where they were lying.

  “Hey,” Kerry greeted her. “Sorry things went a little south.”

  Encouraged, Janet sat down on the rock near their joined bedroll and leaned her elbows on her knees. “I should be saying sorry to you,” she admitted. “But hey, when the chopper gets here we can get going again. We can make up the time.”

  Dar eyed her. “You really think they can bring in enough supplies?” She held up a bit of jerky. “I don’t mind this, but I don’t think you can serve that the rest of the ride.”


  Janet sighed. “They’ll have to make a few runs. It’s going to cost us more than we made on this trip, but we’ll make it right for you guys. I promise that.” She got up and started over to the next clump of passengers.

  Dar’s eyebrow was still hiked up. “Hmph.”

  Kerry rested her head on Dar’s shoulder. “Maybe we could make this into a foraging trip. You know, we could fish, and find berries and stuff.”

  Dar’s other eyebrow lifted.

  “Wouldn’t you like to do that?”

  “No,” Dar responded readily. “I forage in Publix.”

  Kerry snickered, her body shaking a little with it. “C’mon, I know you know how to fish, Dar. You bring home the hog snapper at the cabin all the time.”

  “Not the same.” But Dar smiled and laughed a little herself, tipping her head back to admire the canopy of stars overhead. With that, and the crackle of the fire, she relaxed and allowed herself to enjoy the moment.

  She leaned her head against Kerry’s and focused on the moment they were in. It was warm and cool combined, and she spotted a shooting star overhead and lifted her hand to point it out to Kerry.

  “Did you make a wish?” Kerry asked.

  Dar pondered that. “What in the hell would I wish for that I don’t already have?” she asked after a moment. “Chocolate ice cream?”

  “Aw.” Kerry circled Dar’s arm with one hand and gave it a little squeeze.

  A soft hooting sound came from a nearby, gnarled tree and it sounded loud as the talking petered out, the river’s rushing and burbling covering even the snap of the fire.

  Dar closed her eyes and relaxed, the hoodie she was wearing and the warmth of Kerry’s body providing as much comfort as she figured she was going to get, until the helicopter showed up.

  Chapter Six

  BUT THE NEXT morning, there was no helicopter.

  They all consumed whatever was left, and drank some herbal tea from the river water, boiled in the one battered pot that had been salvaged.

  Their remaining gear was packed up, and everyone was standing around as the sun rose over the canyon wall, bringing no sound of the chopper in the distance.

  Janet stood at the riverside on two of the rocks they’d pulled the raft off. She folded her arms, and watched the horizon. The rest of the crew also stood around, occasionally glancing uneasily at the passengers, and the battered raft.

  “How long are we gonna stand around here like a bunch of idiots?” Todd finally said in a loud tone.

  Josh took his hands from his pockets and cleared his throat. “Should be here any minute.”

  “Should have been here an hour ago,” Todd replied. “What if he ain’t coming?”

  “Of course, he is. They’re probably picking up the engine parts,” Josh said. “Place maybe doesn’t open until nine. I don’t know if they had spare at the shop, so early in the season.”

  “Should we take a walk down the canyon?” Sally suggested. “If he’s right, it could be hours.”

  “We could do that,” Josh said hesitantly. “Let me just let Janet know.” He trotted toward the river, as five or six of the crew got ready to join them.

  “Better than nothing,” Todd said. He had on cargo pants, hiking boots, and a tank top, and he picked up a hat and put it on his cropped hair.

  Dar leaned on the rock wall, hands in her pockets, sunglasses on. She regarded the group then glanced at Kerry. “You want to go?”

  “Sure.” Kerry fastened her little day bag over her shoulder. “Probably give Janet a break from all of us staring at her like a pack of vultures.”

  In fact, Janet seemed quite relieved, and a good percentage of the crew started off with them, making their way down the narrow slot of the canyon away from the water.

  Dar filled a water bottle with some of the boiled river water and put it in her day bag, along with its dwindling store of peanut butter crackers and a pocketknife. She ambled along at Kerry’s heels, near the back of the crowd as they were forced to go single file.

  It was sunny, and there was a nice breeze. She stretched her legs out and flexed her hands as Josh pointed out markings on the walls. Small lizards scampered out of their way and as they passed a cleft in the rock, Dar spotted a snake inside.

  She briefly considered calling attention to it, then decided not to, and passed on, walking in Kerry’s footsteps as they moved from the narrow section into a wider one.

  The group paused and looked around. The canyon walls were curved and shaped by the flow of the waters, full of striated layers in a range of colors. Kerry had her camera out, and as the sun poured in behind them it turned the space into something beautiful.

  Dar saw a small stream ahead. The stone arched over it, as it trickled through past them into a small cave that ultimately would lead to the river. “Wow.”

  She went over to the arch and put her hand on it next to small yellow flower growing out of a crack. Kerry came up behind her, camera in hand. “Look at that.” She pointed at the flower.

  “I am.” Kerry took a close up of it, framed by Dar’s long fingers. “This is beautiful.”

  Dar watched her, then tipped her sunglasses down and smiled, as Kerry poked her tongue out at her in silent response.

  They walked under the arch and past it, and Kerry turned to get a shot in the other direction outlined by the sun. Then they joined the rest of the group in moving on, walking up the narrow waterway farther into the canyon.

  The walls grew over them, allowing strips and squares of light to come down splashing over the light green of the stream and the ochre of the walls, causing sparkles of sun to make patterns over their skin.

  Amazing and it got all their minds off the wreck. Even the crew started smiling, glad of the rising spirits and eager to show the special parts of the slot canyon off to their guests. They found a little pool in the rocks that was speared by a bit of sunlight and called everyone over for a picture.

  Dar got in the back and let her arms drape over Kerry’s shoulders as she put her hand in the sunlight, sending a brilliant sparkling across the cave as it caught on her ring.

  Amy was on the other side of the pool with Todd. “That’s pretty.”

  “Thank you!” Kerry turned her hand up and cupped the light, as they separated and started around the corner into a darker overhang.

  The water was coming out of the overhang and they splashed through it into the cavern, ducking past a low shelf of rock, emerging into a larger, open space.

  “Wow,” Sally said, after a pause. “That’s cool.”

  It was a high ceiling split in two that went up to the top of the rock wall, and sunlight streamed into the cave giving them a good view. Everyone broke up and started to wander around, examining marks on the wall that looked like pictographs.

  “Someone used this for shelter,” Don said, indicating a fire pit. “Make a pretty good one.”

  Marcia sat down and removed a small pad and pencil from her day bag, where it had been rolled up and stashed. She started sketching the interior of the cave and Dar went to the back of the space where the water emerged from a tumble of rocks in a gush.

  Josh came over to where she was standing. “Later in the summer that goes away. It’s cold.”

  Dar stuck her hand in, and nodded. “It is.” She brought her hand up to her face and sniffed the water. It had a sharp, mineral tang and she resisted the urge to stick her tongue into it. “What was this place used for? Or is it now?”

  “Hunter’s camp,” Josh supplied promptly. “The natives sometimes stop by here, but I’ve only seen them maybe once or twice in the five years I’ve been on the river.” He tipped his head back to study the open crack emitting the sun. “I heard they did medicine stuff here.”

  Dar straightened and looked around. “What?”

  “You know,” Josh said. “Spirit ceremonies. Way I heard it, those guys were sharp. They’d come here winter, and make a big yow yow.” He turned and waved his arms, stamping his boots
on the ground. “And the spring would start flowing.”

  Dar’s brow lifted.

  Josh smiled. “They knew the rain patterns. Cistern fills up about a half mile away, and ends up here.” He pointed at the spring. “Made a good show though.” He glanced around, but the rest of the group were examining the back wall. He winked at her. “I’m part native. My mam’s an elder with the Havasupai.”

  He had dusty brown hair, and hazel eyes, but strong planes to his face and a thin, angular build. “They wanted me to go study and be an engineer. Wasn’t my gig. I’d rather ride the rapids and be outside.”

  Dar folded her arms and leaned against the rock wall. “Bet this ride’s not one of your better ones.”

  He shrugged a little. “Happens. Though I never had something crack the raft up like that before. I hope Doug’s got that chopper headed our way with gear. Wouldn’t like to have to hike out. Not enough stock.”

  “How long would that take?”

  Josh also leaned against the wall, his head nearly even with hers. “Week maybe,” he said, after a pause. “Hard to say with all you, and the gal with the hurt foot.” He shrugged again. “And no provisions. I grew up round here but I ain’t no forager.”

  “Hm.”

  “Hey there’s some paths back here,” Amy called out, from the other side of the cave.

  Josh pushed off the wall and started in that direction. After a moment Dar followed, catching up with Kerry, who was coming out of another curve in the rock with Sally and Rich.

  They followed the group as one of the crew produced a flashlight. Its beam reflected off the sandstone walls, showing lines and patterns and old carvings. Todd and Amy, at the front, showed their first real signs of enthusiasm of the trip.

  Dar hooked one finger into Kerry’s belt loop and allowed herself to be towed along into the narrowing tunnel. “We probably shouldn’t go too far into this,” she said. “I don’t have any breadcrumbs and I’m not going to waste any of my peanut butter crackers.”

  Kerry reached back and patted her hip. “Only one way in or out, Dardar.”