Only 30 minutes later Helene gasped and let out an excited squeal; she’d found it, her perfect lunch spot.
“Oh my goodness! This is so perfect, it’s like it was set here just for me!” She cried aloud taking in the view before her.
The trail had led into a tiny grass clearing only a few meters wide that butted against the rocky mountain walls. It was obviously the end of the trail as far as she could tell, with the small river running past the clearing fed by a gentle waterfall flowing over the side of the mountain above. The only noise was the rushing water and occasional bird song.
“My very own paradise!” Helene sighed as she dropped her pack by a fallen tree at the far end of the clearing closest to the waterfall. Approaching she found the river had created a small pool below the cascading water that then spilled over shallow rocks through the clearing and disappearing down the mountain through the thick trees.
Throwing her cap on top of her pack she splashed cold water over her face and head and smiled again at the instant cooling effect of perfectly clear mountain water. Food first then some fun! She thought to herself, kicking off her runners and socks while she unpacked her lunch. Ogling the pink frosted cupcake she’d packed, Helene rolled her eyes and reached for the salad sandwich. “After last night’s blow out better go with the salad first, then I can justify a treat if I’m still hungry.” She chuckled feeling very responsible and mature.
# # # # #
Greg paused, lifting his camera to focus on the small flowers decorating the moss growing up the tree trunk. He’d gotten a later start than planned this morning but his favourite trail up the mountain was as deserted as ever, offering him privacy and amazing scenery to photograph so he didn’t really mind. The time he spent at the end of the trail would be shorter than usual but since he’d never come across another hiker in all the years he’d been taking this trail and was sure he’d still get some time to relax and hopefully get a few good pictures too. The trail was so small and almost overgrown, he was pretty sure his own feet were the only ones keeping the forest at bay, this was Greg’s very own special place. Tucking his camera back into the pocket in his pack he took in the shadowed forest surrounding him. He almost wished he could share the beauty of the forest with some of the kids at the shelter, get them out into fresh air, and show them the trees, the trail and the occasional animal. Show them that there are great things out in the world waiting for them to find. But he knew it would never happen. It had never had in the past when he offered. It never had in the past when an offer was made for him. In a way he was glad, this was his place and he was equally adamant about keeping it to himself as he was about sharing with the kids.
Keeping a steady pace up the trail Greg’s mind ran through the past week at work and his plans for the upcoming week. It had been an unremarkable week policing wise; the only real moment of note in his mind was receiving the cake picnic the previous day. It was the first time he’d ever been given cakes; he’d never even had one on his birthday. Of course, the woman in the strange camper had no way of knowing that, she had no way of knowing how he sat just looking at the cake the previous night – dying to eat one but reluctant to not have them to look at anymore. He eventually gave in and the coffee flavoured frosting had been the best he’d tasted. Was that because he hadn’t bought it himself or just because it was made especially well? His mouth watered now at the memory.
He’d made good progress on the desks he’d been building for the shelter; all five were complete just awaiting stain over the next few days. He had planned to get a coat on each today but the unexpected heat would make his workshop an oven during the day, so he saw no harm in getting in some quality quiet hiking during the day and he’d still have time to apply the stain when the evening cooled. If he made time to stain each desk between shifts all week they’d all be done and ready for delivery on his next day off. It meant some late nights lay ahead but it would absolutely be worth it.
Entering the small clearing at the end of the trail he shrugged his pack from his shoulders. A splash, a squeal and a happy laugh echoed off the rocky walls surrounding the small waterfall ahead. Greg frowned, it seemed someone had found his special place and was noisily enjoying the cool water. Dropping his pack in the undergrowth by the trail's end, he moved through the trees towards the waterfall. Keeping out of sight in the forest, not wanting to have to socialise or engage in polite conversation with the stranger disturbing his place. Once he had a clear view of the small pool under the falls he paused, watching the woman play under the small wall of water. She wasn’t one of the locals he knew that much, he’d absolutely recognise her if she was. She was as close to 5 foot in height as he was to 6, a good head and shoulders shorter than him at a guess. Her long dark hair streamed down her back, glossy and straight under the water. Glancing around he could see a pink scrap of fabric draped over a fallen tree, her t-shirt? She played in the water in just a bra top and knee-length workout leggings, the outfit soaked through, skin tight and hugging each and every curve. Boy did she have curves! Large breasts filled her bra top and the leggings clung to her ample butt and thighs, the smooth skin of her waist sported a black tattoo arcing around her ribs from back to front. Her waist wasn’t as flat as he knew most women desired but it sure looked good to him, Greg had always found a woman with curves and padding much more attractive than a skinny model-thin body. Unfortunately, he’d found that women that owned their curves and believed themselves to be sexy were few and far between. This woman was obviously an exception! He stood watching her preen and pose in the water, holding her own imaginary photoshoot and pulling out all the corny waterfall poses you saw in magazines, as she laughed and splashed around.
After a short period of Greg lurking in the trees quietly watching the woman play around, she climbed onto the bank and made her way to the fallen tree that held her belongings. Greg watched as she squeezed the excess water from her hair and tucked it through the back of a cap in a ponytail before setting onto the log to munch an apple and drain a bottle of water. She didn’t seem to be in any hurry to leave but also didn’t really seem to be settling in for a long stay either, Greg decided. He’d wait a bit longer to see if she left and allow him to enjoy his place in peace. Sitting in the sun she made no moves to dry herself off, he doubted she’d brought a towel, there was no way she’d have known about the waterfall here. She’d obviously just stumbled across it by pure dumb luck. Good luck for her but not so much for Greg.
Moments later she stored her rubbish in her small pack, donned her t-shirt again and was heading across the clearing towards the trail. Greg stayed in the trees watching her leave. He frowned as she paused a few steps up the path.
“Just keep going!” he grumbled softly.
“I hope you’re not a serial killer stalking me to chop me into little pieces and use them for black magic or something! If you are, could you let me have a head start? I guarantee there is no way I could outrun a snail but give me a chance ok?” Her voice clear and slightly amused.“Anyway if you’re not, have a nice day and enjoy the water, it’s wonderful!” And with that, she disappeared down the trail.
Greg stood quietly hidden in the trees until he could be sure that she wouldn’t return, unsure what to make of her speech. Then made his way back to the trail to collect his hidden pack. Bending over to grab his belongings he was greeted by a small plastic container holding a pink frosted cupcake. Confused, he gazed down the trail in the direction of the now-departed woman. A small smile played across his mouth, 2 cake gifts in 2 days! He’d waited over 40 years for a cake and now they were popping up everywhere.
# # # # #
Helene smiled happily to herself as she headed down the small trail through the forest. The waterfall and pool have been wonderfully refreshing and she’d played around longer than planned. Sitting eating her apple as she dried in the sun she’d been overcome by the feeling of being watched and though she couldn’t find see anyone when she glanced around the forest surrounding he
r and the birds continued their song uninterrupted she just couldn’t shake the feeling. She’d spotted a pack abandoned in the undergrowth at the entry to the trail, it hadn’t been there when she’d arrived, she was sure of that. And so she’d called out to the unknown visitor and left her cupcake as a sweet treat to be enjoyed by someone other than herself.
“I’m glad I didn’t eat it instead of lunch.” She told the trees as she made her way down the mountain.
CHAPTER 4
Helene smiled to herself and sighed contentedly. Today was just a good day she thought. She’d woken early, earlier than the birds even with the sun barely peeking over the horizon. The conversation playing in her head when she woke had nagged her awake, insisting on being put to paper. By lunch she had the first chapter written and a scattering of post-it’s detailing people, places and the happy ending she always provided. Having done a “good days work” early afternoon found her scooter zipping along the twisting roads, an afternoon of delicate coloured butterflies and brilliant coral and sea life at the aquarium called to her.
Now in the steamy jungle of the butterfly house, she sat motionless, her eyes following the colours dancing and flitting around her. A particularly curious royal purple butterfly landing on her forearm and wandering up to her shoulder where it settled in lazily beating its wings.
“Hello my little friend, do you like the view from there?” Helene conversed quietly with her new friend. “Do you like it here? I sure do, it’s so warm and quiet here. I mean I’m sure that it gets very noisy and a bit dangerous for you when the school kids come through, but this afternoon seems pretty calm. Do you have friends or family here? I don’t know about butterfly families and stuff.”
Relaxing back on the bench Helene let her mind wander back to her hike the previous weekend. She’d quite enjoyed playing in the waterfall, ‘being a supermodel’ and posing just for amusement. Heck! She’d even enjoyed the hot hike there and back; and had managed not to get chopped into pieces by a serial killer. Giggling to herself at the thought leaving her cupcake for the mystery voyeur, hoping it tasted as good as it looked. As much as she enjoyed her quiet life it did get lonely at times with no family and friends to spend time with; though she could smile and chat superficially with the people she met, even share a box of goodies to break the ice, she found that very few people her age were open to making new friends, especially fairly transient friends who lived in a camper van.
Watching the butterfly rise and quickly become lost in the multitude of colourful wings Helene smiled and stood, heading towards the entrance to the aquarium tunnel. Time to immerse herself in yet another world of colour.
“I’m sorry ma’am but it’s almost closing time and so access to the tunnel won’t be available again until tomorrow morning.” The smiling woman at the turnstile brought Helene’s plans for more colour and wonder to a screeching halt.
“Oh no! I didn’t realize it was so late!” Helene’s face fell as she glanced at her watch.
“It’s not late really, it’s just that we close early on Saturday and we close entry to the tunnel 30 minutes before closing to allow time to get everyone inside through” the woman explained, her brow wrinkling as she studied Helene with interest. “Um, this is going to sound weird but I just have to ask……are you by any chance an author?”
Helene’s cheeks pinked as a shy smile played the corners of her mouth. “Actually I am, how did you know?”
“Oh My GOD! You’re Helene Doe aren’t you?” The woman gushed. “I thought I recognized you from your book picture but I wasn’t 100% sure. I had to ask despite the big chance of looking like a complete idiot if you weren’t you, but you are! I absolutely love your books, all my favourite book boyfriends come from you, I only wish the men I dated in real life lived up to the standard that you give me. You’ve totally spoiled me for real guys!”
Helene laughed, “I hear that a lot. I’m really glad you enjoy my writing if you want to give me your name I can drop by with a copy of my new book when it’s released in a few weeks. I’ll have to come back to see the fish anyway and I think you’ll like the new boyfriend.”
“Wow really? That would be so wonderful! Thank you so much. I feel like such a fangirl! Look you really don’t want to go wandering through the tank at the moment anyway, there’s a group of kids on a day trip from a local youth group in there. They’re great kids, but they’re kind young, noisy and crazy today; it wouldn’t make it much fun for you.” The woman paused a moment obviously turning something over in her mind. “I tell you what though, I’ll trade you. If you sign me a copy of your new book, I’ll let you have the tank tunnel to yourself from closing until I have to lock up…..it’s only about an hour but you won’t have to deal with groups of squealing kids like you would if you come back during opening hours. Just don’t tell anyone and make sure you’re back here by 6 pm.”
“Wow really? That’s so great!” Helene bounced on the balls of her feet. “I can’t believe you’d do that for me, thank you so much. I promise I’ll be back 5 minutes early even.”
As Helene headed down the dim tunnel into the tank the noise level in the foyer noticeably rose, indicating the imminent departure of the excited children. Smiling happily to herself Helene continued forwards slowly taking in the abundance of marine life drifting alongside and overhead.
# # # # #
Greg chuckled at the antics of the overexcited children as they gathered in the aquarium carpark. It had been a long but unexpectedly enjoyable day. What had started as an early morning delivery to the family shelter on his day off had ended with an impromptu trip to the aquarium. Having put the finishing touches on the desks he’d been building earlier in the week Greg loaded them into the back of his truck first thing, with the weekend off it was the perfect opportunity to deliver them to the shelter ready for after school use on Monday. The staff and parents had been thrilled to help unload them, rearranging the shelter “library” in order to accommodate the new desks and the small bookcase Greg had fashioned from some leftover wood.
He’d planned to spend a few hours at the shelter with his tools, working his way down the ever-growing list of things that needed fixing; however the younger children were all hyped up with talk of a “special treat” for those who had favourable reports from school or were recognized as “contributing” through completing chores and good behaviour. Greg knew that this would include all the children who wished to participate, no one was ever left behind but the incentive was offered for good behaviour – it was too easy for children with unstable living situations to fall behind in school, misbehave and go down a bad path.
With the large group of children gathered Greg stowed his tools and volunteered to tag along on their excursion to help supervise. Trying to keep a group of excitable youngsters together was like trying to herd cats and the more eyes available to keep watch the better. It had actually been fun watching the children’s reactions to the butterflies and sea life. The girls were all fans of the butterfly house, moving slowly and quietly in attempts to encourage the colourful creatures to settle on extended limbs. The boys not so much, running and yelling and threatening to squish butterfly guts into many a ponytail. Luckily no butterflies died for the children’s amusement…….as far as he knew. But keeping the rambunctious boys from carrying out their threats was a feat in itself. The threats of butterfly death and dismemberment had settled upon entering the tunnel leading through the giant aquarium tank. The children had all initially moved through the muted light of the water quietly, just taking in the huge variety of colourful sea creatures surrounding them. But it didn’t take long for the hush to break and then all hell seemed to break loose. There didn’t seem to be a child not running screeching through the tunnel and large dark open space in the centre of the tank. Boys and girls scattered in all directions in the dull light, calling to each other and banging on the glass walls in an attempt to attract a certain creature they wanted closer or just to make empty threats to each other of
smashing the glass and being eaten by sharks. Greg shook his head; the “Don’t tap on glass” signs hadn’t stood a chance. He only hoped the creatures were used to the children’s behaviour and wouldn’t suffer any adverse reactions to the constant high pitched squeals and glass banging.
As the children loaded into the bus full of high spirits and ice cream Greg shook his head, he didn’t know how the shelter staff and parents did it. How anyone did it really, he had a headache from just an afternoon out with the children, who could ever cope with dealing with them day in day out. All the questions, the running in every direction, the arguing over what fish would eat you quicker. He’d never been like that as a child; he’d been quiet, fading into the background, watching and unnoticed.
Heading for his truck as the bus pulled away he was glad he’d opted to drive himself rather than ride the bus. He was free to head straight home in peace and quiet, resting his head back for a moment he smiled at the silence that filled his truck. He’d enjoyed the day, even the noise and chaos. Pulling out of the car park he had just started down the block as his phone rang.
“Hey Greg, Joey Ballen says he left his backpack somewhere in the tank tunnel. Any chance you’re still nearby and can grab it? If we have to bring all the kids back we’ll never get them back to the shelter in time for dinner.”
“Sure thing Steve, I’m only a block away so I can swing back, grab it and then drop it by on the way home. No probs.”
Greg did a quick U-turn and headed back towards the aquarium, his promised peace and quiet would have to wait a while longer. As he drove his mind buzzed with ideas for wooden fish and butterfly toys he could carve from some of his smaller scrap wood. While he grabbed the abandoned pack he might also be able to get a few brochures for inspiration.
It's Complicated (Bigelow Bay Book 2) Page 2