Heart of the Woods

by Grant C. Holland

  It was a small figure shaped like a baby with a blank head and tiny hands with rudimentary thumbs pointing upward. Brandon placed it in Elle’s hand.

  “Oh! It’s a fumsup. I’ve seen one before. My mom has it. She said she found it in great-grandma’s jewelry box after she passed. An appraiser told her what it was. This one is cute. Did you see the tiny shamrock on its belly?”

  “I did. Do they work?”

  Elle held the fumsup out and placed it back in Brandon’s hand. “Are you superstitious?”

  Brandon shrugged. “Maybe a little. I don’t walk under ladders, and I shiver any time I see a black cat walking in front of me.”

  Elle said, “I think things like this work if people believe they work. My theory is you’ll avoid crazy stuff if you think you have something that helps you do that. It doesn’t have any power on its own. It all comes from what’s in your head.”

  “So you think I should take it with me in the canoe.”

  “It can’t hurt. Make sure you’ve got him tucked somewhere secure. You don’t want to lose him in the bottom of a lake. I don’t think he can swim, and he’s too heavy to float. It would be like tossing into the water one of those lead weights the fishermen use.”

  Brandon laughed. “Now tell me about those new bookings.” He stepped around behind Elle to look over her shoulder.

  The office didn’t officially open for another twenty minutes or so, but while they both stared at the computer screen, someone pounded on the front door.

  They both looked up to see a young man with a full backpack slung over his shoulders. Elle asked, “Why don’t you let him in? It’s not that early. Maybe it’s another booking.”

  “Okay, but we’ve got to get those new ones scheduled. Start looking at where we can slot them in.”

  Brandon opened the door and found himself face to face with a handsome man who appeared to be in his late 30s or early 40s. He had a deep tan on his face and, judging by his dress, he looked experienced at exploring the woods. Brandon asked, “Can I help you with something.”

  The man stepped inside and said, “I hope so, but I know this is last minute, and it’s asking a lot. I’m here with my wife, and our flight out of Duluth today got bumped to tomorrow. We’ve got one day left up here before we fly back to D.C. This trip is the perfect escape so far. We got all suited up to go for a hike, and then a guy at the coffee shop said we should look you up. He says you have the best canoe guides in the area. We went on one trip two days ago, and, between you and me, the guides sucked.”

  Brandon rubbed his chin. “The guy at the coffee shop. He didn’t have wiry black hair and stood about so high, did he.” Brandon held his hand up to his nose.

  The stranger grinned. “That sounds like him. He said he’s an EMT up here. He told us some hilarious story about a guy who got tangled up in his fold-out couch and ended up calling 911. The poor sap was able to reach his phone, but he couldn’t get up.”

  Elle and Brandon simultaneously said, “Gabe!”

  Brandon continued, “Well, since we’ve come so highly recommended, I bet we can do something for you.” He turned back toward Elle. “Is Kyle in this afternoon?”

  Elle nodded. “Yep, he had a cancellation. He was bummed about it, too. They were going to find a place for swimming. He said it would be a leisurely trip, and he was looking forward to it.”

  “That sounds perfect!” said the man. “Do you think you can slot us in as a replacement?”

  Brandon said, “I’ll have to give Kyle a call. If he had a trip on his schedule, he wouldn’t plan to spend the afternoon in the office. My best guess is that he’ll be free. You’ll like Kyle. Everybody likes him. He’s very mellow and relaxing as a guide. Do you have our phone number? I would say give us about an hour and call us back. Does that work?”

  “It sounds perfect. There’s still plenty of time for a hike if it doesn’t work out.” The man reached his hand out to shake with Brandon. “I’m Tim. Thanks so much for your time and understanding. Gabe thinks very highly of you.”

  Elle said, “It’s mutual. Gabe’s a good guy. He takes care of all of us, and he makes us laugh, too.”

  Tim left the office with a smile on his face and a jingle of the bell. Brandon grabbed a chair to pull up next to Elle’s desk. “Do you have those new ones on the schedule?”

  “You are in a rush, aren’t you? Why didn’t you take that trip for this afternoon? Kyle is great like you said, but you’re still the best. No one is such a sponge about the history around here, and you see the tiniest things that the rest of us miss.”

  “Kyle can use the experience, and if he missed out on a trip this afternoon, that means he possibly missed out on a big tip. Something tells me Tim and his wife will be generous.”

  Elle said, “And this is why you’re a great boss. Can I ask a personal question?”

  “Has anything ever stopped you before?”

  “I guess that’s a fair point. I’m curious how things are going with that guy from Lone Cedar Lake. Levi’s his name?”

  “Yep, it’s Levi, and they’re going great. Is there something specific you wanted to know?”

  “Is he planning to move to Arrowhead Falls?”

  Brandon shook his head. Elle had a way of getting straight to the point. Brandon wished that he could honestly answer the question differently, but he knew that he had to be patient. Levi’s grandmother was Levi’s first concern, at least for now.

  “So how does your relationship work? Are you planning to ski for miles up there in the winter? I don’t want to be a wet blanket or anything, but you know that I’ve had my heart broken more than once.”

  “We’re only dating. He came down here to visit, and I’ve been up there a couple of times. I think you’re getting way ahead of things. I like him, and we’ve had a lot of fun so far.” Brandon leaned forward. “Plus, he’s really good looking, don’t you think? Don’t ever tell Gabe, but to me, Levi is the most handsome guy I’ve ever dated, and he’s so sweet.”

  Elle reached a hand out onto the desk and placed it over Brandon’s. “Be careful, okay? You’re not just my boss. You’re a friend, too, and I never like to see friends hurt. I know Gabe feels the same way, too.”

  Brandon sighed. “You’ve been talking about me behind my back, haven’t you? My best friends are trying to decide whether or not the relationship is the right one for me.”

  “We always do. It’s a weekly event. We call it the Brandon Session, or, like Gabe likes to call it, Tales of the Blonde God.” Elle smirked. “Of course we talk about you, and I’m sure you talk about us. At least I hope you do. That’s what friends are for.”

  “You are too funny sometimes, Elle. I’m no God, that’s for sure. I’m not even like a God. A God would have ten million dollars and a mansion on Lake Tahoe.”

  “You never know. You’re a seriously talented businessman.”

  Brandon stood up. “Okay, I’ve got my big ego boost for the day. Now it’s time to get some work done. You get those bookings confirmed with the customers and enter them on the schedule. I’ll give Kyle a call.” He started to turn away and stopped himself. “Oh, I had one more question. Are you free for dinner on Friday?”

  Elle blushed. “For once, I’m not.”

  “Wow, what’s going on? Not that I’m nosy about your personal life or anything.”

  A warm smile spread across Elle’s face. “I’ve got a date.”

  14

  Levi

  As June faded into July, Grandma Daley’s health appeared to be on the upswing. She claimed that the warm weather was good for her bones. On the hottest days, usually in the 80s with high humidity, Levi wished they had an air conditioner. At least the lake was nearby for a refreshing swim if the heat was too much. Grandma usually napped with a refreshing cross breeze blowing through the windows when the weather was hot and humid.

  As she dished out the daily oatmeal and finished up frying three eggs, two for Levi and one for herself, Grandma asked,
“Is your friend coming back for a visit soon?”

  “Do you mean Brandon?”

  “Yes, the handsome blonde young man. Has it been about a week since his last visit? I sometimes lose track of time. Everything happens so fast. You’ll notice that as you get older.”

  Levi seated himself at the table. “Yes, he’s coming up tomorrow and spending the night. Is that okay, Grandma? I know I didn’t ask if he could spend the night before I invited him.”

  Grandma Daley carried the bowls of oatmeal to the table. Levi noted that her grip was steady. It made him smile. Her legs didn’t wobble as she walked either. She said, “This is your home, too. I don’t make all of the rules. Friends are a good thing for a young man. You will need them in the future.”

  Levi swallowed hard. He knew that the subtext of Grandma’s comment was that he would need people in his life when she was gone. She slipped the fried eggs onto plates and carried them to the table. Levi quickly stood up and pulled the chair out for her to sit.

  “I hope he appreciates what a gentleman you are.”

  Levi laughed as he sat back down to eat breakfast. “I don’t know if I’m that much of a gentleman. I follow what mom and dad taught me. They were scornful when I screwed up. It helped stop me from getting forgetful” Levi swallowed a bite of the eggs. “These are delicious. Mr. Walker said that the eggs are from a chicken farm here in the Northwoods.”

  “They are the best eggs I’ve seen in a long time. The yolks are almost orange like the morning sun.”

  They ate in silence for a few minutes. Levi said, “I think it’s going to be another hot day. I might go for a swim this afternoon. Are you doing okay with the heat?”

  “If I lie down when I get hot, I’m fine. Your grandfather built the bedroom at the perfect angle to catch the breeze. It’s much better than the winter cold.” Grandma ate one more bite and asked, “What will you do when the young man visits tomorrow?”

  Levi shrugged. “I don’t know. We’ll hang out together. He promised to help me fix the window frame on the shed. Maybe we’ll go for a swim. Time goes by quickly when I’m around Brandon.”

  Grandma Daley put her fork down and gazed across the table at her grandson. “He’s more than a friend, isn’t he?”

  Levi swallowed hard. He wasn’t surprised that Grandma Daley figured it out, but he was startled by hearing her bring it up over the breakfast table. He said, “Yeah, I think I have a boyfriend. Is that okay? I’m not asking for your permission, but I want to know what you think.”

  She reached a weathered hand across the table. Levi reached out to weave their fingers together. She said, “I don’t get to decide issues like that for you. I couldn’t even if I tried. The heart picks its own path. It certainly did when I met Walter. I’ve had a long life, and I’ve learned not to question the heart.”

  Levi inclined his head slightly to the right. “Grandma, what was it like to date Grandpa? I don’t think I’ve heard much of anything about it. Of course, Dad wasn’t there to know.”

  “It was a whirlwind. He worked in a factory near St. Cloud. Most of my friends were all artsy people in Minneapolis and St. Paul. They didn’t fit well with Walter’s friends, but, in the end, it didn’t matter. Walter and I were a perfect fit. Life is strange that way.”

  “How did you know that you fit so well together?”

  “Everything that Walter talked about was exciting. He made factory work sound interesting. Then he went home and worked with gadgets. He had all sorts of electronic things that he designed and built specifically for his house. I don’t know if you knew that your grandfather’s parents died young. He inherited their house, and he made it his own.”

  “Is that where you lived before you moved up here?”

  “It is. My artsy friends thought I was moving into the middle of nowhere when I went to St. Cloud. I can’t imagine what some of them would think of this cabin.” Grandma Daley laughed softly. “They didn’t understand that I was in love. Some of my friends were so skeptical. It was the 1950s, and all of the intellectuals were starting to question everything. The skepticism took over in the 1960s.”

  Levi leaned back in his chair. “Wow, sometimes I wish I grew up then instead of now. It sounds like such an exciting time. People acted on their beliefs. That’s what it looks like in all of the news films from back then.”

  Grandma Daley squeezed his hand. “Don’t ever wish so hard for something other than where you are or what you have, Levi. You will never be happy that way. I lost so many of my friends when we moved up here. They insisted that I couldn’t be happy here. They insisted that I couldn’t be happy with what Walter and I built here.”

  “But you were?”

  “I had everything I wanted and needed. I didn’t think about what I didn’t have. I loved Walter, and I painted. I had a beautiful flower garden. What more did I need?”

  Levi stared into Grandma Daley’s eyes. They were sparkling. It was a good day. He marveled at the wisdom she shared when they talked.

  Levi said, “I feel a little like that when I’m with Brandon. I don’t think there’s anything else I need or want.”

  Grandma Daley smiled. “It’s a wonderful thing when you have someone so close. Fortunately, I know that Walter never did go away for good. As you know, he often returns in my dreams.”

  “That’s so wonderful, Grandma.”

  She squeezed his hand again. “I have a question for you. Are you happy here? Do you want to leave the woods?”

  The question hit Levi suddenly like a blindsiding blow. He couldn’t remember Grandma ever asking a question like that. He struggled to wrap his mouth around words. “I…I don’t think so. I’ve been here for three years now. It’s home. I’m more relaxed here than I’ve ever been.”

  “Is that because you’ve escaped something that you didn’t like? Or is it because you truly love the woods?”

  Grandma’s question was like a missile seeking Levi’s heart as a target. He knew that he loved the escape from those who bullied and tormented him back home, and nobody asked embarrassing questions about what he was doing with his life. Understanding that part was easy, but he didn’t know the answer to the last part of her question. True love was something different.”

  “I guess I don’t know. How would I know how my heart feels about the woods?”

  Grandma’s face appeared thoughtful as she considered the question. Levi knew that she was thinking deeply about a response. She said, “Life is so strange sometimes. It’s often hard to know the depth of your love until something is gone. When it’s gone, you can no longer experience the joy you had when it was there. It is a breathtaking contradiction.”

  “Is that how you know how much you loved Grandpa?” Levi shivered when the question came out of his mouth. He couldn’t believe that he’d asked his grandmother such an intense question.

  She tittered slightly. “I suppose that is true. I knew that I loved him when he was here, of course. Sadly, I never appreciated that he was my breath of life itself.”

  Levi let the comment hang in the air. Grandma sipped her coffee, and Levi ate the last bite of his fried eggs. He said, “I’ll clean up the breakfast dishes. I want to work on the end of the dock today. Have you been out there recently, Grandma?”

  She smiled. “I don’t think I’ve seen the lake since March when it was still frozen over.”

  Levi stood up from the table. He collected his dishes and picked up Grandma Daley’s dishes after he asked if she was finished. “Will you come with me out to the dock today? Everything is so green. You would love taking a look at the lake.”

  Grandma Daley wiped her hands on her napkin and dabbed at the corners of her mouth. She folded her hands back in her lap and said, “I think I will. Let’s go as it’s getting dark. You can bring a flashlight, and I want to hear the loons. I can hear them from the cabin, but it’s not the same as when you’re looking out over the lake.

  “It’s not the same at all.”

  Grand
ma Daley was usually in bed for the night by the time the sun dipped below the pine trees in the summer. Having the opportunity to escort her to the end of the dock at dusk made it a special day for Levi. He worked in the afternoon to secure the last two loose boards at the end of the pier. He ended up entirely replacing the last board with scrap wood piled out behind the shed. He knew that the difference in color between the boards would be a highly visible sign that the dock was in use, but it also felt like a new day was dawning for Lone Cedar Lake.

  Levi held onto his grandmother’s elbow as she stepped out onto the dock. He said, “Please be careful as you walk along.”

  “I think I’ve walked on dozens of docks placed at the edges of lakes in my lifetime. My best guess is that I canoed on at least one hundred lakes in the Northwoods with Walter. Every single one is unique. A lake his its own personality.”

  “Can you hear the loons?”

  Grandma Daley smiled. “How can you miss them? So mournful and haunting.” As she stepped onto the two final boards, she pointed a finger out toward the water. She said, “Right about there.”

  “I don’t see anything. What’s there?”

  “That’s where I found Walter. He was floating.”

  Levi shivered. He didn’t want to bring up the tragedy by escorting his grandmother to the lake. He hoped that they would focus on the trees, or the rocks, or anything but Grandpa Daley’s death. He wanted to change the subject, but he knew better than to disrupt her train of thought when she was processing memories.

  Grandma Daley pointed toward the other end of the lake. “Do you see that low flat platform that extends out from the shore? It’s the huge slab of rock.”

  “Oh, definitely. I like to sunbathe there early in the spring. The rock gets so warm in the sun even when the air is still chilly. I’ve laid out there with my shirt off when there was snow on the ground.”

  She reached her arm out and wrapped it around Levi’s waist. “My grandson, the sun worshipper. It was a favorite spot while Walter was here, too. We dived off the end of the platform. I’ll tell you a secret, Levi. I don’t think I’ve ever told anyone about this.”