by Ali Spooner
“I don’t know yet,” Nat said as she turned the wood in her hands looking curiously at the block of wood.
Marissa walked to the wash pot and resumed stirring the clothing as she looked up to watch Nat, who had taken the knife from the sheath. She sat the block of wood on the floor and picked up a honing stone and began sharpening her knife. Marissa watched as Nat stroked the blade softly across the stone until she was satisfied with the sharpness of the blade.
Nat placed the stone back on the floor and looked up to see a flock of geese heading north to Canada, honking loudly to one another as they exchanged places in the characteristic V formation they flew. Their calls pulled at Nat’s heart. She missed the sounds of the wild, especially at night, when owls would call to their mates and wolves would howl in the distance, the cry long and lonely.
She watched until the geese disappeared from sight and then picked up the block of wood. The wood was ash, not too hard or too soft for carving and would have a very nice grain to work with. Nat began by rounding off the edges of the block, while she concentrated on what creature was hidden inside the wood.
Marissa used the stirring stick to pluck each item of clothing from the wash pot and carry it to the porch railing where she would hang them to dry. When she finished with the wash, she carried an armload of wood into the house, before returning to sit beside Nat.
“I was thinking I would cook some venison chops, green beans, squash and corn bread for dinner,” Marissa said.
“That sounds delicious.”
“I am going to walk into town for corn meal, if you will be all right by yourself.”
“I will be just fine and I promise not to move from this spot unless I need to answer the call of nature,” Nat said.
“Very well, I will be back soon. Is there anything you need?”
“Yes, as a matter of fact there is,” Nat said.
“What can I get you?” Marissa asked.
“A kiss before you leave,” Nat said as she looked up at Marissa.
“That’s an easy request to fill,” Marissa said. She leaned down and her lips softly brushed across Nat’s. “I love you.”
“I love you too,” Nat said. “You know what else?”
“What?”
“You don’t have to worry about me, my other babysitter is about to arrive.”
Marissa stood to see Gyp and Maggie enter the yard. She watched as Gyp ran onto the porch and went directly to Nat.
“Welcome home, my friend,” Nat said as she patted Gyp’s head. “Hello, Maggie.”
“Good afternoon, my friends,” Maggie said. “How are you feeling?”
“Much better thank you.”
“It is good to see you up and about.”
“It is good to be outside for a while,” Nat said as she smiled sweetly at Marissa.
“I need to walk into town,” Marissa said. “Will you join us for dinner tonight and help me keep an eye on these two?” she asked Maggie.
“That would be fine,” Maggie said. “If you will pick up some apples, I will make us a pie for dinner.”
“Now we are talking,” Nat said.
“I will be back shortly then,” Marissa said, as she left the porch aimed for town.
“I’m sorry I forgot to start the chowder for dinner,” Maggie said.
“That’s not a problem, we can have that tomorrow,” Nat said.
Maggie sat down beside her and watched the knife as Nat’s resumed her whittling. “Do you know what it is yet?” she asked.
“Not yet, but I am sure it will come to me,” Nat said.
“I finished tanning the buck and bear hides and they are in the process of drying out.”
“I am sorry, I wasn’t there to help you,” Nat said.
“Smithy helped me tack them up and the rest is just time consuming,” Maggie said. “Do you have any plans for the bear hide?”
“I am sure Smithy would love to have it to sell, but I think I may use it differently.”
“He was thrilled with the heads and claws,” Maggie said.
“I am sure. He can be like a kid at Christmas sometimes,” she said with a warm smile.
“He said he stopped by earlier, but you were taking a bath.”
“Yes, he caught me soaking.”
“I am sure that felt good to your muscles.”
“I was so relaxed, I almost fell asleep.”
“A day or two of rest won’t hurt you one bit you know,” Maggie said.
“I know, Maggie, but I am beginning to feel so restless,” Nat said.
“Is it your heart pulling you back toward the woods?” Maggie asked.
“It probably is. I saw a flock of geese headed north this morning which means I am already late and my feet are itching terribly. ”
“You know you will have to go, don’t you?”
“Yes, I don’t think I can handle much more of this sedentary life.”
“Will Marissa join you?”
“No, Maggie she is as uncomfortable in the woods as I am under a roof,” Nat said. “I cannot ask her to give up her life here.”
“You know there may be a compromise for all of this?”
“I am listening.”
“I know that Smithy has a job waiting for you, and we could make trips to the ocean for lobster and clams to supplement your income. It would be a lot less stressful on you, but would still allow you time in the wild. ”
“That is something to consider,” Nat said. “I think I will have to go and make a huge decision. I will have to decide whether my love for the wild is stronger than my love for Marissa. ”
“I do not envy you that decision,” Maggie said.
“I do not look forward to it either, but I don’t see that I have any choice. If I don’t at least make an attempt to return, I think I will regret it forever. ”
“Yes, you are right about that,” Maggie agreed.
Nat had continued to whittle as they talked, her hands moving with a will of their own. She was surprised when she looked carefully at the chunk of wood in her hands and saw the form of a rearing bear taking shape.
“I think that is only fitting, given the recent circumstances,” Maggie said when she saw the bear taking shape.
Nat chuckled. “You are probably right about that too.”
Gyp jumped to her feet and ran to the edge of the yard to meet Marissa as she returned from town.
“That was a quick trip,” Nat said. “Welcome back.”
“Thanks.”
“Would you like to peel these for Maggie?” Marissa said handing Nat the bag of apples.
“I will get those, if you will loan me a knife,” Maggie said.
“I will bring a knife and a bowl for the apples,” Marissa said as she walked inside.
She returned and handed Maggie a knife and a bowl. “Do you want me to make a crust for you?” she asked.
“No, I will roll one out once I put the apples on to cook,” Maggie said.
“So, you can pull up a seat and join us,” Nat said.
Marissa pulled up a crate and sat down as she watched Maggie and Nat busy with their knives.
“Those apples smell so sweet,” she said as she watched Maggie’s hands expertly core and slice the peeled apples.
“Before much longer, we can begin scouring the woods for wild berries,” Maggie said. “The blackberries and raspberries in this area make great pies and jellies.”
“A blackberry pie sounds good,” Nat said. “It has been years since I have had any.”
“I will be sure to remedy that,” Marissa said.
Silence hung in the air as neither of them wanted to ask the obvious question. Maggie finished with the apples and said, “There.” She looked at Marissa. “If you have a small pot, I will put these on to cook over the wash pot fire.”
“Yes, I will be right back.”
When Marissa returned with a pot, Maggie took it from her and dropped the apples inside. Then she walked to the pump and covered the
apples with water and then hung the pot over the open fire. “If you will show me where your supplies are, I will prepare the crust.”
Maggie and Marissa went inside, leaving Nat and Gyp alone on the porch. Gyp looked at toward the woods, following the sound of a small creature, probably a rabbit.
“You miss it too, don’t you?” she asked her companion.
Gyp looked at Nat, her eyes sparkling with the love she held for her owner.
“Soon, my friend, very soon,” she promised.
PART SIXTEEN
For the next week, Nat worked around Marissa’s cabin, cutting wood and making sure Marissa had enough meat to last for several months. She returned to town to have the stitches removed by the doctor.
“You are going to have a minimal scar, but as time passes it should reduce in size,” he said.
“Thanks Doc,” Nat said and paid him for his services.
When she left the doctor’s office, Nat went to see Smithy. He paid her handsomely for the bear and buck heads. “I still have the bear claws up on auction and I think you will be pleased with the final price,” he said.
“Thanks for all that you have done for me Smithy.”
“I should thank you for bringing me such good business,” he said. “Have you given consideration to my offer of a job?” he asked.
“I have indeed, my friend. I feel I must go back into the woods, at least for now and see how things go without Nathan,” Nat said.
“I can understand that,” he said with a warm smile. “The position will be yours whenever you are ready.”
“Thanks Smithy.”
“Do you know yet when you will be heading out?”
“In two days, I think. I am already so far behind. ”
“Does Marissa know yet?”
“No, and it is not a conversation I am looking forward to,” Nat said.
“That is one I don’t envy you my friend.”
“Maggie brought up another solution,” Nat said.
“What would that be?” Smithy asked.
“That I work here with you and then she and I travel down to the ocean and harvest lobsters and other sea life,” Nat said.
“That isn’t a bad idea at all. There is also quite a bit of hunting and trapping that could be done in that area. ”
“It is definitely something to think about,” Nat said. “I need to go meet Marissa for lunch, but I will stop in before I leave for the woods,” she promised.
“Good, I will see you then,” he said.
Nat left the store and walked to the hotel to meet Marissa. They had agreed to meet for a fried chicken lunch and Nat ate a good portion of the meal.
“I am glad to see your appetite picking up again,” Marissa said.
“Did it ever slack off?” Nat asked with a grin.
“Yes, you haven’t eaten heartily until today since our trip,” Marissa said.
“This fried chicken is just too good to stop eating,” Nat said with a grin.
“I will cook extra and bring it home tomorrow for your trip,” Marissa said.
“What trip?”
“I can see it in your eyes, Nat I know you are going to the woods soon.”
“I need to go and see if that is what I need to do?” Nat said.
“I know,” Marissa said with tears in her eyes. “That won’t mean I will miss you any less.”
“I will go in two days then,” Nat said. “I can’t afford to wait much longer.”
“What can I do to help you prepare?” Marissa asked.
“Cook chicken and biscuits for me to take,” Nat said with a smile. “I will stop by the general store to buy supplies when I leave here.”
Nat left the hotel and walked to Maggie’s house. “Hello, Nat,” Maggie said from her familiar spot on the front porch. “How are you feeling today?”
Nat smiled as Gyp walked up and placed her head in Maggie’s lap to be petted.
“Very well, thank you. I got the stitches out today, so maybe my face will stop itching. ”
Maggie grinned at Nat’s comment.
“You are leaving aren’t you?”
“Yes, I will leave in two days,” Nat said. “Are you set for wood and supplies?” she asked.
“I am in good shape thanks to you,” Maggie said. “I even have some money built up in case I fall upon hard times.”
“That is very good news,” Nat said. “You might want to keep an eye on those pickle barrels at the store and pick a few more up for us,” Nat said.
Maggie smiled. “That sounds promising.”
“Regardless of if I stay in the woods, we will still go to the ocean after the fall to make a few harvests,” Nat said, not wanting to plant any false hope with Maggie.
“I will be glad to see you return,” Maggie said. “Would it be all right to drop by tomorrow to say goodbye?”
“Of course, you are welcome to visit anytime, Maggie.”
“I will see you sometime after lunch tomorrow then,” Maggie said.
“I look forward to it, my friend,” Nat said as she moved from the porch to walk to the general store.
Nat ordered her supplies and requested they be delivered later that day. When she finished, she and Gyp made the slow walk home. She stopped off at her cabin. Next time, she would not bother renting the cabin. She had spent very few nights here and if she and Marissa were to continue there was no need to rent the cabin. She began packing up her belongings in preparation for her trip and carried her packs to the front room. Gyp followed behind her closely as she moved through the house and watched her pack.
When the wagon from the general store arrived later that afternoon, Nat took the supplies into the cabin and prepared the last of the packs. She would bundle up her clothing later that evening, leaving all of the next day to spend with Marissa and Maggie when she visited. She walked out to the barn to check on the animals.
Hardy rushed to her and nuzzled into Nat. “Are you ready to travel?” she asked the large horse. Quincy and Buck also came trotting into the barn to greet her. “Hello boys,” she said as she patted each of them on the head. “It is almost that time.” Nat had thought briefly of leaving Buck behind with Marissa, and then changed her mind. Marissa always walked to town and Buck could lessen Quincy’s load, making it easier on her smaller pack mule.
She fed the animals a hearty portion of grain and tossed the last of the winter hay into the bin. “Eat well boys,” she said and left the barn.
Nat made a stop at the smoke house to survey the supplies. There were several pounds of jerky she would take with her, leaving plenty of the smoked meat for Marissa. She walked to the house to find Marissa in the kitchen, warming dinner for them by the fireplace.