“It sure does,” Melissa agreed.
“The book has a section about visions and dreams that you might find fascinating,” she suggested. Matt quickly flipped to that part of the book and started reading it.
“It says here that ‘visions and dreams often foretold future events and were used as a tool to help guide the tribe’,” Matt remarked.
“I didn’t think you believed in destiny or fate?” Melissa questioned.
“I don’t, but the book makes some good points... what is your take on the whole destiny thing?” he asked.
“I believe everyone has a path to follow. If they stay true to that, their life will have meaning and purpose. If a person chooses to ignore their destiny, then they will always wonder why things didn’t turn out the way they expected them to. Their life will be filled with obstacles and disappointment, and they will struggle to find a sense of stability and happiness,” Melissa replied.
“How do even know what your destiny is when there are thousands of different paths leading in a thousand different directions?” Matt asked. Melissa sat quietly, pondering his question and searching for the words to explain what she felt.
“I think your destiny is defined each time you come to a crossroad and have to make a decision. When you know in your heart what you should do, even if it is not the easiest thing to do, that’s your destiny. It’s that little voice in the back of your head directing you, guiding you, and encouraging you to do the right thing,” she replied.
Matt thought about what she said for a moment, thinking back to the times he ignored that guiding voice she was talking about, and how it frequently lead to unforeseen consequences. He knew she had a brilliant mind, but this revelation seemed particularly impressive.
“I must admit, your argument is difficult to refute, but I’m reluctant to concede that my life is already planned out for me,” Matt remarked.
“I’m not suggesting that it’s set in stone or anything like that, I’m just saying there is a guiding voice encouraging you to make the best choices and get the most out of your life. Free will means you have the power to decide what path you take, but every choice has consequences, some good, and others not so good,” Melissa suggested.
“That makes sense,” Matt acknowledged.
“I have an idea,” Melissa interjected. “Let’s do something together this weekend, just the two of us.”
“What do you have in mind?” Matt asked as his eyes lit up in anticipation.
“I was thinking of driving over to Lake Shasta and renting a cabin. Then we could rent Wave runners, tour the Shasta Caverns, or whatever else we feel like doing,” Melissa suggested.
“That sounds like fun, and we could use a break from the recent events,” Matt acknowledged.
“What do you think about going there this weekend if I can get a cabin by then?” Melissa offered.
“Do you need any help making the arrangements?” Matt asked.
“Not if we finish deciphering the last petroglyph scene tonight, then I’ll have plenty of time to set everything up for the trip tomorrow,” Melissa remarked.
“Alright, which scene is next?” Matt asked.
“How about we use the picture of the horse petroglyphs,” Melissa recommended based on his reverence for them.
“Yeah, that’s a good idea,” Matt replied. Then he started looking through the reference book to see what information it had about them.
Once they finished with the outline of the presentation, Matt got up and stretched his legs. Then he held out his hand in front of Melissa and asked, “Do you want to take a break?” she nodded in agreement as he gently pulled her up from the couch.
“We should go out and get some fresh air,” Melissa suggested.
“Alright,” Matt replied as he followed her out, pausing to double check that the door locked behind them.
The night air was cool and refreshing. Melissa led the way over to the large greenbelt that served as an outdoor study area and park during the day. At night it was more of a hangout for couples or the occasional transient. Matt reached for Melissa’s hand and they strolled along enjoying the peaceful surroundings until they came upon a vacant bench modestly illuminated by a distant light pole. Matt reached into his pocket and pulled out the round stone and rolled it around his palm for a few moments before letting it fall to the ground under the bench. The stone bounced a couple of times before it came to rest amongst the similar looking river rocks that decorated the underside of the benches.
“You’re not keeping it?” Melissa asked in a puzzled tone.
“No, I think it’s time to let it go,” Matt sighed.
“What about the dream where you were told to keep it safe?” Melissa questioned.
“It’s just plain-Jane quartz, with all the same properties as any other quartz specimen,” Matt replied.
“I thought it was special because it was an erratic and had some special electrical properties?” she remarked.
“Mr. Swartz said lots of quartz samples are Piezoelectric, but I only picked it up because I couldn’t figure out what geological process brought it there, now that I know it was discarded by some passer-by, it’s lost its significance to me,” Matt announced.
“I thought it was neat memento from our trip,” Melissa remarked.
“Really, I thought you wanted me to turn it in to the military,” Matt questioned.
“I only said that because I thought it might be dangerous, but I would have kept it simply because it would have been a gift from you,” Melissa replied.
“Would you like me to look for it?” Matt offered as he leaned forward to look under the bench.
“No, the significance is gone,” Melissa joked.
“Why do you always have to be such a pill?” Matt smiled.
“Would you love me more if I were not?” Melissa replied.
“How could I love you more than I already do?” Matt exclaimed.
Melissa did not reply, instead, she leaned towards him and kissed his cheek. Then she sat quietly holding his hand as they watched the moonlight filter through the trees.
When the fog rolled in, Melissa shivered and Matt wrapped his coat around her.
“Thanks,” she whispered.
“We should head back before it gets too late,” Matt suggested.
“Okay,” Melissa replied, reluctant to see the peaceful evening come to an end. “Are you getting tired?” she asked after a brief pause.
“Yeah, I haven’t slept very well for several days,” Matt replied.
“Then we better get you back and tucked into bed,” Melissa joked.
“You never run out of material do you?” Matt chuckled.
“Nope, and there’s plenty more where that came from,” she stated as they started heading back.
The next morning Matt woke to find Melissa already up and working on their project.
“How did you sleep?” she asked when he came over next to her.
“The best I have in days,” he replied.
“Did you have any more of those strange dreams?” she asked hesitantly.
“No, I didn’t,” Matt remarked with an expression that seemed to be a mixture of relief and disappointment.
Melissa smiled, “Would you like to leave for Lake Shasta tonight or Saturday morning?”
“Today my class ends early, so I’m free this afternoon,” Matt remarked.
“My schedule is light today as well. How about I meet you back here around three?” Melissa suggested.
“Sounds good. I’ll try and get the final draft for our presentation completed before you get here,” Matt announced.
“That would be great, then we’ll be able to give it to Greg early enough for him to practice the presentation before it’s due next Thursday,” Melissa replied.
“It’s all coming together,” Matt remarked as they began getting ready to start their day.
Chapter 8
The afternoon came quickly and Matt was busy packing his th
ings for the trip when he heard a soft knocking at the door. When he reached for the knob, it turned and Melissa came walking in.
“You surprised me,” Matt announced as he gave her a welcoming smile.
“I finished getting ready a little faster than I thought,” she replied.
“Where’s your stuff for the trip?” he questioned when he noticed she wasn’t carrying any luggage. Melissa quickly turned to expose her back, and Matt saw a small pack nestled against her toned shoulders. “It’s all in there… wow! You really know how to pack light,” he exclaimed. Then he pointed over to his bed where an overloaded suitcase was creasing the mattress.
“I hope you didn’t forget anything,” Melissa joked “It looks like you have enough in there for a three week vacation.”
“I like to be prepared for anything.” Matt replied as he walked over to the suitcase and then forced the zipper to close against its will.
Melissa shook her head, thinking it was cute how he always over-planned for stuff.
“Are you ready to go?” she asked after she saw his struggle with the luggage had ended.
“Yep”, he replied and they headed out. Once they reached the edge of the parking lot Matt stopped and looked over at Melissa. “Did you want to take my car or your jeep?”
“The jeep, since we took yours on the last trip.” Then she tossed her keys at him.
“What’s this?” he questioned.
“I want you to chauffeur me, that way I can enjoy the scenery along the way,” Melissa said with a smile.
“Or nap?” Matt smirked.
“I thought you preferred to drive?” she remarked.
“I do... otherwise I get bored,” he admitted.
“Simple pleasures for simple minds,” Melissa joked as she nudged him in the side with her elbow. Matt stuck out his tongue in retaliation and she grabbed it.
“Let go!” he mumbled. Melissa released his tongue and then wiped her hand on his pant leg.
“Damn you’re fast,” he remarked.
“Lightning fast,” Melissa added, referring back to the race in the desert where she had beaten him and Greg to the canyons.
“So, did you make reservations for the cabin?” he asked, subtlety changing the subject. Melissa pulled a piece of paper from her pocket and waved it at him proudly.
“What about the Wave runners and the cave tour?” Matt asked.
“Relax, I took care of everything. I reserved a Wave runner for us and the rental place is within walking distance of the cabins. For the cave tour, we just pay when we get there, reservations aren’t required.”
“Thanks again for making all the arrangements,” he remarked as he handed her his wallet. Melissa reluctantly took out some cash and then put his wallet back into his pocket.
“You didn’t take very much,” Matt remarked.
“I took exactly half of what it cost,” she replied. Matt didn’t bother arguing with her. He knew she was honest, and if she had taken less than half, it wasn’t polite to complain if she wanted to be generous.
Matt drove along route 299 until they reached I-5. Then he headed north towards Lake Shasta.
“Keep an eye out for the town of Lakehead,” Melissa commented. “That’s where the cabins are located.”
“How far is it to the turn off?” Matt asked.
“About 30 miles,” she replied.
Matt turned on the radio and a classic rock station started playing.
“You like this station too?” he remarked.
“I listen to it once in a while,” she replied. Matt smiled as he thought how well matched they seemed to be for each other. Then he turned up the volume a little when a song came on that they both liked. Melissa started singing the words and then nudged Matt to join in as they continued down the road.
“It looks like we’ll get there just before sunset,” Melissa remarked when they passed a road sign indicating Lakehead was only two more miles. “It would be nice to go for a swim if there’s time,” she added.
“Okay,” Matt responded with a nod.
“I can’t remember the last time I saw you wear shorts,” Melissa remarked.
“That’s because I have neon white legs, and I burn in seconds,” Matt replied.
“You have nice muscular legs,” Melissa contended.
“You’re very kind... biased, but kind,” he said with a smile.
“There’s the turn off,” Melissa announced.
Matt turned down the dusty road and then slowed as the trees thinned out. In the distance Lake Shasta was illuminated a fiery red as the setting sun reflected off its rippling water. Matt continued down the road until he saw the cabins nestled along the lake’s edge. Then he parked next to the cabin that had a sign hanging from it with the word ‘office’ painted in bold white letters. Melissa jumped out of the jeep and went inside. A moment later an elderly lady peeked out, smiled and then waved at him before going back inside.
“What was that about?” Matt asked as Melissa returned a few minutes later.
“I told the owner it was our honeymoon, so she gave us the best cabin on the lake,” Melissa replied.
“You lied?” Matt questioned, still blushing a little as he thought about what she had said.
“It was a white lie,” Melissa admitted. Matt could not fault her for what she had said. If she was thinking about a honeymoon, then she must have also considered they might get married.
“Which cabin is it?” Matt asked as he was still reflecting on the honeymoon comment.
“The owner said it was at the end of the road, off by itself and close to the water.”
Matt headed down the road, looking at the cabins as he drove. They were spaced a respectable distance apart and each one was nestled in a group of tall ponderosas.
“That’s it!” Melissa announced as she pointed at a cabin outlined by the fading light. Matt parked and unloaded their belongings as Melissa ran over to the cabin and unlocked the door.
“Come see it... it’s so cute,” she exclaimed with excitement. Matt trotted over, trying not to drop his suitcase or her pack. Then he peeked in before setting the luggage down by the door.
“I like it,” he remarked. The cabin was small as he expected, but it seemed very clean and cozy which he liked. In the corner there was a little wood-burning stove, and the main room had a nice large window that looked out over the lake. “That’s cool,” he added after peering out the window. Then he went over to the bedroom and looked around.
“Let’s go down to the water and check it out,” Melissa suggested once Matt finished unpacking his things.
“Okay,” Matt replied as he followed her out. The night air was warm, and the gentle breeze was filled with the faint aroma of evergreens.
“What a beautiful evening,” Melissa commented as she knelt down and felt the water. “It’s perfect for swimming,” she noted.
“Oh, that does feel nice,” Matt remarked after testing it for himself.
“Want to go in?” Melissa said with smile.
“Sure. I’ll run back and change into my swim trunks.”
“You silly boy it’s dark out and there’s nobody around. We can skinny dip,” she suggested. Matt tried to think of some reason not to, but while he was making up a reason in his head, Melissa removed her clothes and then waded out into the water.
“Come on, the water’s great!” she insisted. Matt looked around nervously for a moment, then he quickly removed his clothes, and headed out into the water until his midsection was covered. Melissa swam gracefully near him as he continued further out. Then he stopped where he could still touch the bottom and watched as her slender silhouette glided effortlessly through the tranquil water. He always thought she was beautiful, but under the moonlight, swimming in the buff, she was irresistible. Matt pushed off with his feet and started to swim out in her direction. When she saw him approaching, she submerged out of sight. Matt slowed his pace, uncertain of her location, until he felt her brush against his leg. A mome
nt later she surfaced next to him and gazed into his eyes lovingly. As he looked at her, he couldn’t help but notice how the drops of water ran down from her long black hair and fell gently onto her breasts. Before he could look away, Melissa reached out and pulled him towards her. He felt her soft warm body pressing firmly against his and she gently kissed his neck. Then she wrapped her legs around his waist and reached down along his inner thigh. Matt felt his face flush as she started to move rhythmically back and forth in a slow rolling motion that matched the gentle waves of the lake. Matt felt his heart pounding as the muscles in his body tensed up, followed by an overwhelming euphoric sensation that made every other pleasure he had experienced seem insignificant. Melissa felt it too, responding with a few soft pleasurable sounds as they continued to share the passionate moment. Then she nestled her head against his chest when she was done and Matt whispered, “I love you” softly into her ear. Those three little words sent a warm shiver down her spine as she felt as if her soul had joined with the person she loved with all her heart.
Chapter 9
The next morning Melissa woke to the sound of a raven squawking in a tree just outside of the cabin window. When she turned to look at the bird, it squawked several more times as if it was trying to get her attention. Melissa ignored the bird and moved over next to Matt so she could snuggle up against him. A smile crossed her face each time she thought about the night before. She had never felt such a deep love for someone as she did with him. He made everything they did together seem natural and meaningful. She felt like the more time they spent together the more she wanted to be with him. Then she smirked as she thought about how he blushed over the little embarrassing things that she would do or say. It was as if that innocent little boy she had grown up with was still there, trying to hide underneath a hard protective exterior. But he could not fool her, she knew he was a loving, caring person. He was the kind of soul that only kept feelings buried deeply inside because he felt vulnerable. She believed it was time for his cocoon to pop-open and release the hidden potential inside of him.
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