by Nikki Lewen
“Thank you…for your sacrifice,” she says, before removing the arrow.
With hunting done, Sadie changes course and heads straight to her hidden belongings. She finds the area relatively quickly and checks both stone traps, finding both knocked over. The stone behind the stump reveals nothing, but to her surprise, a squirrel lies dead beneath the other. She can’t believe her luck.
Never before has she caught a squirrel with a deadfall trap. Usually, it’s a mouse or a rat, and occasionally a useless banana slug, which is an odd creature, huge and bright yellow, living only in the redwoods. Smashing one of them leaves a slimy mess that’s nearly impossible to clean off. She heard ages ago their slime could be licked and eaten as a source of protein, but she’s never needed to try it and she hopes to never have to.
Sadie removes her pack, checks it over, and heads out, carrying two animals. She can’t remember smiling so much and finds herself getting more and more excited as Clara’s cabin nears. She’s grateful for the food shared with her and is looking forward to being able to repay the favor. Still unsure of what to tell Clara about all the changes she’s learned of, Sadie doesn’t worry, knowing instinctively it’ll work itself out as her gut feeling is nothing but reassuring while approaching Clara’s place.
The old woman, busy working in the garden, looks up as she hears Sadie return, “That was fast. I see you didn’t come back empty-handed.”
Sadie holds up the squirrel. “Lunch,” raising the other arm with the raccoon, “and dinner.” She sets the animals down and helps Clara. “I got the raccoon by the creek bed. The squirrel…a complete surprise...it was in one of the traps I set near my pack. I don’t normally set many traps…I worry the animals could suffer…especially if it doesn’t work perfectly. But something chewed on my pack recently, and…I didn’t want to risk it. I found a couple nice, flat stones…and thought they were large enough to kill any size rodent, but…I guess they were big enough to also handle a squirrel.”
Clara sets her basket down and picks up the raccoon. “It’s perfect. I’m almost out of oil for the lanterns, and there’s plenty of fat to render from this guy.” She checks the fur pelt and turns to Sadie. “Well…I guess your tour will start with this.”
Clara walks over to the garden’s shed and Sadie follows. A small lean-to, attached to one of the shed’s sides, serves as a separate workstation. The area’s large enough to house a giant counter top and several cabinets. The space contains all the tools, apparatuses, and supplies that Clara, or anyone else, could need to butcher animals, carve bones, dry and stretch skins, and do leather work.
She hands Sadie a small metal basin, “There’s a hand pump just below the kitchen window. Would you please fill this, ’bout…half-way?”
Sadie takes the container and returns quickly. Every item Clara needs has been laid out and is ready. The old woman disappears into the shed and returns carrying a small sage bundle.
“I grow it in the garden,” she says, lighting one end and setting it in a stone bowl.
A dance of smoke drifts away as the patterns gently entwine before disappearing entirely.
“First…we cleanse,” Clara says, as she moves her hands through the smoke in a washing motion, and then, brings handfuls of it to her face.
When she stops, Clara gestures to Sadie, who follows without hesitation. When Sadie’s done, Clara takes the smudge bundle and lifts each animal to encircle it in smoke. Each tool is cleansed, in the same fashion, then, the smoking bundle is returned to its bowl. Before the first cut is made, Clara finishes the last preparation, with closed eyes.
“Thank you for the life you give us,” she says, and after a pause, the old timer goes to work.
Sadie watches and listens feeling connected to Clara at so many levels. The old woman starts by expertly removing the pelts. Her hands are swift and sure of their movements, with a precision that comes from years of experience. She continues working, explaining the various steps, as well as how she’ll use all the different parts so nothing will be wasted. When both animals are soaking, separately, in their own brine solutions, Clara washes her tools. She finishes by cleaning the area with water from the shed’s rain barrels. As the last of the sage turns to ashes, she purposefully pours the dirty water between a couple of plants.
Leaving the shed, they head to the outdoor fire pit where a small fire is already burning, and the coals are ready for cooking. Clara rubs a mixture of fresh herbs into the squirrel meat and stuffs the carcass with more. She uses a piece of sinew to secure it before slow roasting it on a spit. She skewers the organ meat and fresh vegetables and also places them over the fire.
As the two ladies sit on the porch eating another meal together, Sadie lets the morning’s wisdom soak in. The woman next to her is a master of resourcefulness and is skilled in a myriad of ways. Her garden is spectacular, well-tended, and a model of sustainability. It’s perfectly designed and obviously the result of years of trial and error.
Clara possesses a true passion for the art, and the simple—yet utterly brilliant—watering system and the homespun version of aquaponics, complete with tiny steelhead swimming about, is incredible. The descendants of spawning trout that Clara rescued decades ago from the nearby stream produce waste, which supplies nutrients to the plants, while they, in turn, purify the water. It’s still a battle keeping the fish safe from hungry raccoons, but—Clara’s right—her husband was genius. The old woman beamed with pride explaining its design, capabilities, and natural flow while picking ingredients for their meal. Sadie could see the love Clara still feels all these years later, and without a doubt, in that way, her husband’s still here, in the canyon with her.
They continue nibbling away at a truly delicious lunch while washing it down with fresh squeezed lemonade, sweetened with honey—Clara’s honey, since she also keeps bees and produces a few products from them. It’ll take Sadie years to gain Clara’s skills and to learn all she has to teach and the young woman looks forward to it. Sadie can’t help but wonder how different things could have been if they’d met sooner. Sadie doesn’t always understand why things happen, but she’s beginning to sense there’s indeed a higher purpose and for whatever the reason, now’s the time their paths were meant to cross.
With lunch finished, Clara speaks first. “I’ve been adding to my list of questions for you. But first, I thought I’d finish giving you the tour…then, over dinner, we’d get back to your story.”
Sadie swallows the last of her drink. “Sounds wonderful.”
For the next few hours, Clara bounces with excitement, getting the opportunity to share more with Sadie, who’s just as excited. The old woman has the energy of a little girl, moving from location to location, explaining how things were developed, built, and used. Everything has a story and she shares most of them.
Clara estimates that her homestead is currently seventy-percent operational, as compared with its height of efficiency and production. Losing her husband, and his helping hands, made it difficult, and not just emotionally, but physically, as well. What efforts used to be split by two were left only to her. And then, the earthquakes took their toll. They destroyed quite a bit, requiring several years worth of work by Clara, and a few things never recovered.
As the day continues, Sadie’s impression of Clara only strengthens. Sadie’s so engaged in absorbing everything that Clara says, she doesn’t get the chance to put a lot of thought into what she should tell her tonight. It’s nearing dinnertime, and soon it will be her turn to share and answer questions. Sadie has no hesitations in regards to telling Clara the most intimate details of her personal life. In fact, she looks forward to sharing them. What she struggles with is whether or not to share the news of the changed world with Clara, knowing it could disrupt the woman’s entire outlook on life.
The two women work side-by-side throughout the kitchen and pantry preparing dinner, and one would think they’d been at it for years. The table is set and they’re enjoying homemade persimmon wi
ne while putting the finishing touches on their meal. It looks like a holiday and for Sadie and Clara, it is one—they’re celebrating life and the discovery of each other.
They start with fresh greens and sprouted seeds, topped with sundried tomatoes and a light herb dressing, accompanied with hot bread and honey. The main course is slow roasted raccoon with carrots, potatoes, onions, and lots of garlic. The meat falls from the bone and is seasoned to perfection. Clara jokes that it’s extra tasty because, more than likely, it’s the same coon that’s recently eaten a few of the larger steelhead from her fishponds, leaving behind only the little ones.
Throughout the entire meal, Sadie catches herself making sounds of pure delight while enjoying the gourmet meal. Clara, finding it both amusing and charming, only smiles and nods in agreement. They decide, with their first bite, to save talking for afterwards. The meal is too spectacular and deserves their full attention and gratitude. For dessert, they enjoy persimmons that drip juice down their chins. When they finish, and everything’s cleaned, they settle into their rocking chairs, holding tea and silently contemplating the day.
About halfway through their first cup, Sadie begins. She explains her growing up in the woods with her family and the childhood she spent learning all about the forest and how to live in the mountains. She shares stories about her father and all the lessons and skills he passed on. When she talks about the accident that took her brothers and mom, Clara’s eyes water. Sadie shares the struggles faced in coming back home to help, and then returning years later, to live on the family’s property with her husband.
When Sadie gets to the earthquakes and how Markus died, both women shed tears. Clara sensed Sadie’s strength from the start, but now she’s learning how strong Sadie truly is, and can’t believe the amount of grief, and sorrow, the young woman has suffered. Clara understands the struggles Sadie faced after losing a husband and feels bonded by their suffering. When Sadie finally reaches the part of finding Clara, the old woman asks her first question.
“I’ve felt your joy…sorrow…and pain, in everything you’ve shared, and I thank you for that. It’s very special for me to have you come into my life. I want you to know that you’ve got a home with me anytime you need…or want, and that…I already consider you family.” She pauses. “So…with that said, there’s something I’d like to know. Last night, and a couple times today, you seemed...preoccupied. You said you were hiking to explore, yet...you’re prepared for much more and using extreme caution. Yesterday…some of the questions you asked, seemed to lead me…down a particular path…somethin’ you’re interested in, but don’t want to ask.” Clara turns to face Sadie, clasps her hand, and finally comes to her point. “What I want to know…is…what you haven’t told me.”
Sadie looks into Clara’s eyes and sees the woman for who she is, kind-hearted and honest. A seeker of knowledge, wisdom, and—above all—truth, and Sadie isn’t going to be the one to keep it from her.
EIGHTEEN
Sadie contemplates how to begin the daunting task that lies ahead. In order to update Clara, she’ll need to know the extent of the old woman’s knowledge. So, Sadie starts by asking more questions.
“Before, I tell you…everything…can I ask…a few more things? It’ll help me figure out where to start.”
Clara nods, giving Sadie the go ahead.
“Have you left your canyon since losing your husband…or had any visitors?” Sadie asks.
“I haven’t gone anywhere, besides around here, but…about…three…or four years after my husband passed…I did meet…a couple out hiking. They were young…and in love. We enjoyed a day together…then camped. We had so much fun…I invited ’em here…and…it became a regular thing. Usually, around summertime, they’d return, bringing small gifts and fillin’ me in on current events, but…as time passed, I saw them less. Eventually…they stopped.”
“How long has it been since you’ve seen them?” Sadie asks, intrigued.
“O’ jeeze, at least…sixteen, maybe seventeen years, but…could be longer.”
Just as Sadie thought, Clara’s lived isolated for almost two decades, without any knowledge of the outside world. Sadie takes a depth breath, organizing an outline of events, and starts by briefly explaining global warming: it’s effect on climate, the melting ice caps, and ocean acidification. She accounts for years of extreme weather patterns, using terms such as super storms, arctic blasts, killer cells, polar vortexes, and weather whiplash. Sadie speaks of record-breaking hurricanes, tsunamis, fires, and droughts, while Clara sits silently, absorbing everything, until Sadie pauses.
Clara, barely audible, speaks while gazing upward. “You knew.” She turns back to Sadie, who’s confused by the comment. “All those years ago, my husband worried about the planet. He was convinced we were ruining things…what upset him even more…no one seemed to care, and obvious abuses went ignored. Living here was…his solution. He thought people could live simply, work with nature and…escape the cycle of destruction humanity seemed set upon. Our canyon home was an ever-evolving experiment…and, eventually, his proof…of…a better way.” Clara fades into a long silence.
Out of respect, Sadie waits until Clara looks ready, and then she continues with her personal account. “I’d just finished my graduate degree when the ocean’s started rising. At first, it was gradual, measured in inches and feet…at beaches around the globe. The levels were reported and charted weekly. You could check ’em like the weather…or tides…but…from the start, it didn’t feel right. Somethin’ was wrong…it nagged at me and filled my dreams. A sense of…urgency just…kept gettin’ stronger, until…I knew…I needed to go home and return to our mountains.”
Clara shifts in her chair as Sadie continues. “Markus and I decided to move back to my family’s property. He had a huntin’ trip with my dad planned and…we figured he’d share the news then, and…when he got back…we’d start the move. While he was away…and in the middle of the night, my…trepidations…intensified…I couldn’t ignore them, or sleep, and it forced me out of bed.”
Sadie swallows, and then continues. “At first, I tried to placate my fears. I rationalized that…my feelings…were just gettin’ the better of me, ’cause I was alone. But I knew I had to go…so…I packed a few bags, grabbed what I could, and started the drive home. I had a long night ahead of me, and all I kept thinkin’…was how they’d react with me suddenly showing up. I made great time and…just before sunrise an emergency announcement interrupted the radio. It warned of an eminent tsunami hitting the entire Pacific coast. The broadcast looped continuously, repeating the same information over and over…warning of the danger.”
Sadie stops for a moment, letting the information settle before getting to the worst of it. “No one in the scientific community expected the severity of the phenomenon, especially on such a global scale. It wasn’t just the Pacific that sent killer waves…but…mega-tsunamis, of unprecedented magnitudes, also traveled across the Indian, and the Atlantic. Three oceans, three tsunamis, and monstrous wave trains…accompanied by already higher water levels, made for something…the world…had never seen. They called it the Tri-nami…and the intensity of the catastrophe caught the world’s population off guard and unprepared.”
Clara, in near slow motion, shakes her head dumbfounded by the information, unable to visualize the extent of what she’s hearing.
Sadie, returning to her testimony, tells about the events she experienced on that catastrophic day. “When a live news bulletin began, I got off the road…pulled into a parking lot and found video coverage on my phone.”
“What? Phones with...videos?” Clara asks, confused.
Sadie shakes her head, realizing Clara has no idea about the technological advances the world had seen by that time. “They were called smart phones. Pocket-sized…everyone had one. They could send instant messages, to anyone…all over the planet…take pictures, keep notes, organize a calendar, and of course…access the Internet.”
T
he more Clara hears, the more confused she grows. “Inter…net?”
“The internet was…a global communication system…linking the world. Everything you can imagine was on it...all at the push of a few buttons.” Sadie realizes there’s just too much Clara’s missed and it’s impossible to update the old woman in one night. “But…we’ll catch you up on that another time.”
Sadie gazes at the woman rocking across from her. Earlier, Clara filled the role of teacher sharing her knowledge and now it’s Sadie’s turn—it’s just too bad her subject is the world’s destruction.
Getting back to her story, Sadie continues. “I knew I needed to act, and fast. There was a grocery store where I parked so…I jumped out…ran inside…and grabbed a bunch of carts. I loaded ’em with obscene amounts of stuff…moving armloads at a time…non-perishables, bottled water…whatever I thought we could use. By the time I lined up at the register, all kinds of people started runnin’ into the store. News spread quickly…people panicked. It was eerie…shelves were cleaned out by the second. By the time I got back to my van, more cars were pullin’ in.”
Sadie feels a spike in her heart rate. It’s not as intense as it was during the actual ordeal, but still, it reminds her of how scary and surreal it was. “Everywhere I looked, people were scramblin’ to get their hands on goods or…driving to higher ground. I saw desperation…and panic…like I’d never seen before. That’s when I realized…it was happening...the world was changin’ and…the only thing I could do…was…go home.”
Clara places a blanket over her legs, chilled to the bone by what’s she’s hearing.
Sadie takes a deep breath, steadies her nerves, and goes on. “The images from that day…I could never have prepared for. If I hadn’t left when I did…I would have died. When it hit our coast…San Diego, LA…San Francisco…all…disappeared...destroyed by the ocean…and our tsunami...although, a record-setting monster…was the weakest of the three.”