Nephi's Courage

by Rory McFarlan

  Nephi stood up from his place on the sofa and took the grocery bags from Alex, setting them on the kitchen counter. He gave Alex a hug and welcomed him.

  “Okay,” said Alex, “For the next hour, the kitchen belongs to me. I have a little surprise for you and I will need you to stay out of my way so I can get everything done right.”

  “Don’t worry, we’ll stay on the couch,” replied Nephi. “I can’t wait to see what you cook up.”

  Alex pulled ingredients out of the bags followed by some circular ceramic dishes, which he rested on the counter. Nephi could see meat, spinach, eggs, rice, cheese, and seasonings. There were several other ingredients that he couldn’t quite make out. He wanted to help in the kitchen but Alex made it clear that he owned the place, so Nephi thought better of it and continued his binge-fest with on the couch with Bradley.

  Pots and pans clanged in the kitchen while Alex worked away. Before they knew it, Alex joined them in the living room.

  “Dinner’s in the oven,” he said, “In about 30 minutes, we eat.”

  Nephi scooted over to make room next to him on the couch for Alex.

  “Gilmore Girls, huh?”

  “I never get tired of it,” Nephi commented, “but our conversation has been on the back burner for far too long.”

  He turned off the TV and turned to face Alex. “Ok, now tell me what’s so offensive about my truck.”

  “For starters, the carbon dioxide in the earth’s atmosphere is the highest it has been in three million years and the average temperature of the earth is trending upward at an alarming rate. Almost fifteen percent of global greenhouse emissions come from cars and trucks and that little gas hog of yours spits out more than its share of carbon. What’s offends me is that it isn’t good for the future of the planet. If we each do our part to reduce our carbon footprint, it can make a huge difference.”

  “My dad says that climate change is a hoax invented by the left wing libtards to scare people into investing in their clean energy companies,” said Bradley.

  “Well, your dad is a moron. The facts are based on science. Glaciers in the Antarctic have broken apart, wildfire seasons are longer, coral reefs are bleached, mosquito territory is expanding, and humans are the cause. We burn fossil fuels and destroy rain forests in the name of progress and technology.”

  “You could have stopped at ‘my dad is a moron’. On that point, there’s no argument from me.”

  “I’m not going to argue with you about climate change,” replied Nephi. “I understand that it’s a problem. I have read the science and believe that humans are contributing to the problem and I do things to help, but my truck can do things that your Prius can’t. It serves many purposes.”

  “Please explain exactly why you think you need such a big gas guzzling truck as a manager at a call center,” said Alex.

  “I am often asked to help family and friends move things like furniture that wouldn’t fit in a smaller vehicle.”

  “And if you didn’t have a truck, they wouldn’t ask you. They would have to find another solution like a short term truck rental, which would leave fewer trucks on the road overall.”

  “True, but it also has four wheel drive which is useful when we get heavy snow in the winter.”

  “There are smaller vehicles with four wheel drive that are more fuel efficient.

  “Also true, but I spend a lot of time in the mountains and the smaller four-wheel-drive vehicles don’t have high enough tire clearance for much of the terrain.”

  “What do you do in the mountains?”

  “A bit of everything. Hiking, fishing, hunting. I need the truck to get to off-road recreation areas that aren’t accessible to a car. I’ll concede that I really only need a truck during those times, but I can’t afford to purchase or insure a second vehicle, so a truck is practical for me. Technology is changing quickly and trucks that are more fuel efficient, even electric trucks are on the way, but they are not affordable and my truck fits all of my needs.”

  “Wait, what? I didn’t figure you for the outdoorsy type. I mean, you don’t look like you would enjoy that at all, and hunting? Like, with guns?”

  “Guns, bows, muzzleloaders… I have done it all. Growing up, my dad took us all hunting every year. I love target shooting and I’m good at it. I’m more accurate than anyone I know, especially with a rifle.”

  “Wow, I don’t know what to say. I’m genuinely horrified. What do you hunt and how many animals have you killed?”

  “My favorite thing to hunt is elk but I also go deer hunting on occasion. I don’t suppose you could call me a good hunter, though. Honestly, in all my years of hunting, I have never killed an animal. Not to say that I wouldn’t if I had the right opportunity. I’m not after a trophy, mind you, just good meat. An elk can feed an average family for half a year. I see animals every time I go, but the permits are restrictive. In some areas, you can only take a spike elk, for example. If you see a big bull or a cow, you just admire the majesty of it and take pictures but you can’t shoot. When I have a spike only permit, I only see bulls and when I have a bull permit, I only see cows. Shooting an animal isn’t the only reason I go. I love camping and hiking and enjoying the outdoors and it doesn’t get any better than Utah.”

  “Interesting. I never would have guessed. When do you hunt?”

  “You have to choose between archery and rifle hunting. You can’t do both in the same year. The archery hunt runs from mid-August to the beginning of September. The rifle hunt is the first two weeks in October and the muzzleloader hunt is going on right now. It wraps up in about a week. I haven’t gone hunting yet this year, but I drew a late season cow elk tag. That hunt begins later this month after muzzleloader season ends. You should come with me.”

  “Me? Hunting? I don’t think so. I’ve never even been camping, and it doesn’t sound like the type of thing I would enjoy. Besides, I’m terrified of guns and I could never kill anything.”

  “Guns are scary because you don’t know the rules or how to use them. I’ll take you to the range and teach you. It will be fun. Besides, you won’t be carrying a gun when we hunt anyway since you don’t have a permit. Bradley, you should come too. I know you’ve been hunting before.”

  “No thanks,” asserted Bradley. “Hunting is my dad’s thing and I want nothing to do with the things he likes. He and I are very different people. I always hated camping anyway. I can’t stand getting dirty and it’s no fun sleeping in the cold.”

  “Don’t worry, I have a nice canvas tent with a stove, you’ll keep plenty warm.”

  “Thanks, but I’m out,” replied Bradley. “Besides, I need to focus on finding a job.”

  “What about you, Alex? I promise we’ll have fun.”

  “When are you going?” asked Alex.

  “The weekend before Thanksgiving. I need to be back before church on Sunday, so I am planning to drive up to set up camp on Wednesday and hunt Thursday, Friday, and Saturday morning. I will break down camp in the afternoon and be back Saturday night.”

  “I’m both intrigued and terrified,” said Alex. “Let me think about it and see if I can get someone to cover for me at work for a couple of days.”

  “Sounds good. I would love for you to come with me.”

  “So you drive a truck, shoot guns, and go hunting,” observed Alex. “If I didn’t know any better, I would say you’re a redneck.”

  “The evidence certainly suggests it,” laughed Nephi. “I proudly come from a long line of rednecks, but I’m more cosmopolitan at heart. I guess you could call me a half breed. What about you, farm boy? You grew up in Jensen.”

  “I’m not anywhere near ready to get into that right now. Let’s save my upbringing for another time. I’m curious though, you’re gay and you’re Mormon, most would say that’s an oxymoron. Most Mormon’s I have met are die hard Republicans and most in the community are staunch Democrats. Where do your political views fall?”

  “We’re diving right into politics and rel
igion, are we?” asked Nephi. “Well okay then, let’s get into it. I’m not one to shy away from controversy. Despite the church insisting that it is politically neutral, most Mormons seem to think that one party is anointed by God.”

  “That’s true,” added Bradley. “My dad says that God founded the Republican Party and Satan leads the Democrats.”

  Alex laughed out loud, taken back by Bradley’s matter-of-factness.

  Nephi continued, “I don’t see things so black and white. Lately, politics has become so divisive and people have grown bitter. Society seems to believe that we can only be friends with people who share our political views. The founders built this country on freedom of thought and speech. If I pick any random person, I am confident that I can find many areas where we disagree but I am just as confident that there are things we agree on. Rather than tear each other down because of our differences, we should build on our similarities. I know people with views across the political spectrum and I respect their right to believe the way they do and I don’t hate them just because they disagree with me.”

  “Interesting,” said Alex. “Tell me more.”

  “For example, I am a hunter. I enjoy using firearms and believe they are an effective tool that can be used for protection and other practical purposes. I don’t agree with those who believe guns should be banned, but, I respect their right to believe so. I believe that I am a reasonable person and that I can find common ground with them. For example, I support universal background checks and education requirements for gun purchases. I acknowledge that there are bad people out there who should not own firearms. Education, training, and background checks can be effective measures to curtail the mass shooting epidemic that has haunted our country for so many years.”

  “That makes sense. What other issues do you feel strongly about?”

  “Health care is an issue that is important to me. So many people in Utah decry Obamacare as an ugly socialist agenda, yet the United States has the highest infant mortality rate of any industrialized nation and we have people declaring bankruptcy every day because they are buried in medical debt.”

  “Our system is broken,” he continued, “yet people are not open to reasonable alternatives. If insurance companies had their way, they would deny all pre-existing conditions and leave people in need of medical care with no way to get it. I am in favor of universal healthcare and believe that there are ways we can find common ground there, too.”

  “Why do we not hear debate about a hybrid system where there is a base level of universal care, provided to everyone by the government, with optional health insurance for elective procedures? It could work. The government could pay medical school tuition for doctors in exchange for their work in government medical facilities for the first five or ten years of their career, after which they could go into private practice. I’m not saying I have all the answers, but I am tired of our political leaders constantly fighting and stonewalling when they could find common ground, compromising, and finding effective solutions that work for both sides.”

  “Wow,” replied Alex. “I didn’t expect a response with so much thought behind it.”

  “Hey, even us Rednecks can think. Imagine that,” chuckled Nephi. “Anyway, I could go on and on. I support environmental regulation and the preservation of our lands. I believe in common sense, compassionate immigration reform that views immigrants as people and not some enemy without human rights. I support conservation. In fact, I bet most people don’t realize how much hunting funds conservation. Money for hunting permits goes to restore habitat for animals. From the early 1900s to now, the elk population has grown from 41,000 to more than a million because of hunters.”

  He continued, “Because of wetland restoration efforts funded by hunting, there are over 40 million ducks. Deer, turkey, pronghorn, and more species have boomed because of hunting dollars. I’m proud of my contribution to that. I support women’s rights, gay rights, transgender rights, and equal treatment for all. On these and every other issue, I believe there is common ground and area for compromise. Sorry, I guess my answer was more long-winded than you were expecting. To sum it up, I guess you could say that I have views that fall on the right and views that fall on the left. Overall, I am left of center but I respect the right of everyone to hold their own views and I won’t decline to be someone’s friend only because we don’t agree on some political issue. People are more complicated than that.”

  “You are an interesting man, Nephi. Based on our prior interactions, I wouldn’t have pegged you for such a deep thinker. I respect that.”

  Ding! Ding! Ding! The oven timer alerted them that dinner was ready. Lost in discussion, they had almost forgotten about it. Alex excused himself to remove the food from the oven and finish preparing the meal.

  When he opened the oven, a distinct aroma filled the apartment. It invaded Nephi’s nostrils and brought a memory from the deep recesses of his mind to the surface.

  “Is that? No, it can’t be…”

  By now the smell permeated everything. There was no mistaking that smell. It was Tavë Kosi, an Albanian lamb and yogurt dish that Nephi hadn’t tasted since his mission. His mouth watered and his mind returned to the old world where he spent two years of early adulthood. He smiled from ear to ear as he walked over to the kitchen.

  “Tavë Kosi?” he asked. “But how?”

  “You mentioned that you were a missionary in Albania so I pulled out my book on dishes around the world from culinary school and learned how to make some Albanian food. I wanted to make something special. I made Tavë Kosi and Byrek me Djathë dhe Spinaq, a spinach and cheese pie.”

  “I could kiss you right now,” declared Nephi as he inhaled the memories.

  Pleased at Nephi’s reaction, a smug grin came to Alex’s face. He cut the spinach pie and placed a slice on each of three small plates while he waited for the round ceramic bowls that held the lamb and yogurt dish to cool enough so he could place them on the table. After bringing the food to the table, he opened the fridge and removed a pitcher of Bozë, an Albanian drink made with corn and wheat flour, sugar, and water.

  “Everything is perfect,” declared Nephi as they sat at the table. “Let’s have a blessing on the food.”

  Bradley and Alex nodded and Nephi offered a prayer of thanks for the food. In his prayer, he also asked God to bless Bradley in his job search and to bless Alex that he would travel home safely.

  After blessing the food, Nephi raised his glass of Bozë. “Gezuar,” he said aloud, extending his glass toward Alex.

  “Gezuar,” Alex replied as their glasses clinked together.

  “Cheers,” added Bradley, touching glasses with his newfound friends.

  They lamb was so tender and the way it’s flavor blended with the yogurt, rice, and spices excited Nephi’s taste buds. Alex and Bradley also enjoyed the meal. The spinach pie crust was so light and flaky. Alex definitely had skills in the kitchen.

  “It’s incredible how authentic this is. How many times did you practice it?”

  “Practice?” replied Alex. “This is my first time making any of this, but the recipe in my book is very detailed and I had a great Mediterranean instructor in school. I can tell you right now, this won’t be the last time I make it. It’s delicious. Someone should open an Albanian restaurant around here.”

  “Maybe you should do it,” suggested Bradley.

  “I’m happy at La Bambolina now, but you never know what the future holds, I guess.”

  The three continued eating and talking for a couple of hours and then washed the dishes before Alex had to go. Nephi helped him out to the car with his ceramic dishes and utensils. After giving him a long, warm embrace, he reminded Alex to wear his seatbelt and to drive safe. Nephi then returned to the apartment where he slept on the sofa while Bradley snored away in the bed.

  Chapter 13

  The rest of the workweek was busy, but otherwise uneventful for Nephi. Bradley followed Nephi’s suggestion and visited severa
l businesses within walking distance to ask about job openings. He managed to line up an interview at the ice cream shop on the corner for Tuesday. An ice cream shop may not sound like a great place to work in the winter but Utah is funny about ice cream. It’s not just for summer. They eat it all year round. Winter flavors like eggnog, pumpkin, and peppermint keep the shop busy. It’s not uncommon to see someone walking down the street eating an ice cream cone in the snow.

  Bradly grinned when he broke the news of the interview to Nephi. It seems a little thing, but he hadn’t been excited about anything in a long time and it was a big deal to him. Nephi congratulated him and wished him luck.

  Saturday morning, Nephi spoke to Alex on the phone. The thought of hunting with Nephi intrigued Alex and he took off the Friday and Saturday before Thanksgiving. That gave them four days to hunt. If they returned home Saturday, Alex would be back for his Sunday evening shift.

  Nephi arranged a lane at the indoor shooting range for them on Thursday afternoon and a lane at the outdoor range on Saturday morning. He figured Alex better have some instruction and exposure to firearms before they get out in the field. It also gave him an excuse to spend more time with Alex.

  Between planning the range excursion and entertaining a house guest, he didn’t have any time for Snuzzle connections and he wasn’t sure dating apps were for him, anyway. After all, his track record wasn’t good with Snuzzle dates and Brent was still ghosting him.

  Church on Sunday morning brought more sideway glances and cold shoulders for Nephi. He shrugged it off and enjoyed Sacrament meeting and Elders Quorum. He reasoned that he didn’t attend church for the people, anyway. He attended for God and for himself and those are the only opinions that mattered. He skipped dinner with Mike and Darla that evening and made crockpot corn chowder at home for Bradley. They ate, chatted, and continued the Gilmore Girls DVD binge, finishing the fourth season.

  Bradley and Alex met the new week with excitement and hope of new beginnings. Sometimes the anticipation of change is just as good as change itself. Tuesday morning, Bradley went into his interview ready to start anew. His kind, soft spoken personality made a good impression on Gene, the owner of the ice cream shop and he hired Bradley on the spot. He would start the following Monday. Bradley thanked the gray-haired man and half walked, half skipped out of the shop with the prospect of income and independence on the horizon.