Call of the Canyon

by Nancy Pennick

  “Well, Mrs. Martin, you distracted me long enough.” Drew slid off the sofa and walked toward the stove. “You’re lucky I’m good in the kitchen and knew the turkey still had some cooking time left.”

  “You are the master chef,” she teased.

  “Why thank you very much.” Drew peered into the oven as he said it.

  “You’re welcome.” Kate wished she had learned the Swedish version. Carl Sr. tried to teach the girls at the boardinghouse some of the language, but like all young girls, they didn’t have the time to really listen or study. Now, she wished she had. Carl Jr. knew a few phrases but hadn’t practiced them in the years since his father died. Then it dawned on her that Carl Jr. was thrilled to see his father again just like she was to be there at the cabin. He hadn’t seen his father for ten years and those were difficult times for him. Now he could live and work with him side by side.

  “Drew?” Kate got up and walked to the kitchen. “Let’s not be so hard on Carl. Let him have this weekend. I’m sure he’s celebrating the holiday with his dad right now.”

  “Won’t Maya be here?” Drew turned away from the stove.

  “Well, if she is, I hope she feels the same way as I do. Let Carl have his moment.”

  “Then that’s what we shall do. Dinner’s ready.” Drew pulled the turkey from the oven.

  Kate made idle chit chat over dinner, but there was one question she really wanted answered. Now was the time to ask. “Won’t Thomas be coming home tonight? Will it be the three of us?”

  Drew let out a hearty laugh. “No, my love, he won’t be here till very late. I forgot to tell you. Last year he came home in the early morning hours. He won’t even know you’re here, but if he does, so what? He knows you’re my wife. I think he rested for a few hours and had an early shift at the restaurant. I have to be here to talk to him because last year we had our fight before he left for work. It was the last time we saw each other. We were told Thomas carried around guilt for the rest of his life. So this year, I’ll make it right.”

  “I’m okay with that,” Kate smiled. She’d forgotten Thomas worked that Friday at the restaurant. They could wake up, have breakfast and she’d have Drew all to herself for the whole day. Then they’d head back to Ohio even though she felt badly she’d cut the weekend short. She had to do this for her sake....for Drew’s sake. “Then after we eat, let’s clean up and enjoy the rest of our time together, just the two of us.”

  The day turned to evening too quickly for Kate. They headed back to the bedroom and Kate couldn’t help yawning. “I could sleep forever. It must be the turkey.”

  Drew swept her into his arms. “Don’t you know that’s a falsehood? Turkey does not make you sleepy, eating too much does.” He lightly kissed her on the mouth.

  They landed on the bed together, pulled up the comforter and promptly fell asleep.

  * * * *

  Kate awoke to voices but was so drowsy she could hardly move. Drew was speaking with Thomas. She knew they needed time to talk so she decided to stay put. Anyway, Drew would come back to bed soon. She rolled over and went back to sleep.

  “Drew!” Kate sat up with a start. Feeling like she slept too long, she stretched her arm out and over to Drew’s side of the bed. He was missing. She bolted out of bed and quickly got dressed. “Drew?”

  Kate entered the great room to nothing but silence. She glanced around the other areas–kitchen, dining room—and even ran down to the wine cellar. “Drew!” She called his name more frantically. “Where are you?”

  She ran back to the bedroom and saw a note on the nightstand she hadn’t noticed before. Hands trembling, she picked it up and began to read:

  My dear Kate,

  There’s something I need to do. Last night I had the dream again, the one where I’m in the boat fighting the rapids. I feel the canyon is calling to me, beckoning me back to its core where the river runs. I am going down to base camp today and face it head on. I want to let the river know it didn’t win. I am still here, a year older and wiser. It’s a challenge I must face and maybe I will stop having those nightmares. Please don’t follow me, I’ll be alright. See you tomorrow.

  I love you with all my heart.

  Your husband,

  Drew

  “No!” Kate screamed out to no one. “This can’t be happening!” She quickly dressed and ran out the door, heading for El Tovar.

  When Kate got to the restaurant door, she felt like it was vaguely familiar, like she had done it before. She raced into the kitchen calling Thomas’ name and Miss Betsy appeared. It all came back to her. It happened last year and now she felt like she was in some bizarre play acting out a part.

  “Why, Miss Kathryn, are you doing all this yelling?” Miss Betsy asked.

  Kate swallowed hard. She knew what she would say next and how Miss Betsy would answer. “I’m looking for Thomas, Miss Betsy, is he here yet?”

  “He should be here shortly.”

  Kate turned and ran out the door, heading back to the cabin. She knew Thomas would be coming down the path and finally spotted him. She tried to figure out why he didn’t hear her yelling if he was in the cabin. He must be a really sound sleeper. Waving her arms she called out his name.

  “Kate, what’s the matter?” Thomas looked concerned.

  She quickly told him how she had to find Drew. His reply was the same as last year, it wasn’t a good idea. Kate brought up that Drew’s life could be in danger and Thomas immediately headed back to the cabin. Kate knew they wouldn’t find him there but had to let this play out. Entering the cabin, Thomas rushed through the rooms and then they both sank down into chairs in the living area.

  “Darn, that boy!” Thomas looked frustrated. “He said he would wait until I could go with him and he took off anyway. You know, this morning was kind of strange. He told me I was his best friend and that he loved me. I felt like he was almost saying good-bye, like it would be the last time I’d ever see him.”

  “He does love you and wants the best for you, Thomas. Never feel guilty that he went without you. There was nothing you could have done to stop my husband.”

  “You sound pretty sure about that, Kate.”

  “I am. You go to work and I’ll keep looking for him. Don’t worry, I’ll find him if it’s the last thing I do.”

  Thomas laughed. “Knowing how headstrong you are, I believe it.”

  They both headed out the door and parted ways at El Tovar. Kate knew she changed history in that cabin as promised, hopefully for the better. Last year she was a sobbing mess, but now she knew she needed to stay in control if she was to find Drew. Realizing what she had to do, Kate returned to the boardinghouse to find Carl. He would help her.

  She found him behind the barn by the bunkhouse. He was chopping wood, which seemed a little strange to her. “Carl! What are you doing?”

  As soon as he put down the ax, Kate knew something was terribly wrong.

  “Destroying something...my life maybe.” He put his hand over his face. “I broke it off with Rachel today. I told her to marry Thomas. He asked her last night.”

  Kate was not surprised about the marriage proposal, but knew Carl needed her. She took a few steps forward, but he put up both hands to stop her. “Don’t. I’m too crazed right now. I need to be left alone.”

  “Carl, please listen to me. I need you. I need your help. Drew decided to go down to the river today. I don’t know what came over him. I think he feels he has something to prove.”

  She saw his brotherly instincts kick in. “Drew will not die today. I’m sure of that. Come on.” He grabbed her hand and headed for the barn. They saddled up both horses and rode to Kaibab trail.

  “We have to put the horses in a barn or tie them up somewhere.” Kate said when they got there. It was a practical thing to do and she needed something ordinary in her life right now to calm herself. After they got the horses settled, they ran to the trail.

  “Kate, do you think you can make it?” Carl looked concerned. �
��It’s going to take a while to get to the bottom.” He threw a canteen over her head and started down the path.

  Kate barely remembered the trip into the canyon. When she spotted the bunkhouse and saw a lot of people standing around it, she had hope. “Drew!” she screamed out. A dark-headed man seemed to look up at the path. “Drew!” she screamed again.

  Please, she prayed, don’t make me go through this again. Suddenly, that person ran to the bottom of the path and began climbing.

  “Kate! Carl! What are you doing?” Drew was out of breath.

  “Stopping you!” Kate was so happy to see Drew, but angry he was down there.

  “I’m not going anywhere. I was going to try again but thoughts of you overwhelmed me. I couldn’t do it.”

  “Thank goodness.” Kate fell into his arms. “Carl, did you hear that?” Kate looked around. He was nowhere to be found. She looked toward the river and saw he was already standing at the edge, staring at the water.

  Drew and Kate ran down the rest of the path with Kate pushing past Drew to reach him. “Carl! Carl!”

  He looked at Kate. “Someone has to die today. The river knows it takes a life and it’s going to be me.”

  “No one has to die.” Kate screamed at him. “You’re just emotional, so much has happened.”

  “That’s right, it has. I’m finally alive. I found my life here. Back in California I was just a shell of myself. I didn’t have a life. I was doing a job. When Thomas the third told me about Rachel’s three kids–Josie, Thomas and Deborah– I knew instantly Josie was mine. It all made sense, especially when I found out she was born premature—seven months after their wedding. She wasn’t premature at all. She was mine. Joseph...Josie, it was Rachel’s way of remembering me.”

  “What? You figured out Josie was yours just by her name?”

  “It’s like I said before, Kate, I was supposed to be here. I am a part of this world. I did some digging and found more about Josie. She lives in Texas so I went there to find her. She’s an old woman now but was open to what I had to say. Rachel told her if a man named Carl Joseph Johnson ever came looking for her, she was to believe everything he said. The first thing I asked her to do was a DNA test, which she took willingly. It came back a 99.9% match. I was her father. So I sat her down and told her my story...Rachel’s and my story. I give Josie credit, she believed every word. I have a daughter, Kate. Can you believe that? I want you to stay in contact with her, she knows about you and Drew. That’s why I can let Rachel go. I know there’s a piece of our love living on.” Carl sat on a large rock and gazed out at the river.

  “Carl, how did this all happen? You promised to stay away from the canyon. I thought you did.”

  “I stayed away as you asked, but did come back again. Think, Kate, for your wedding. Remember? You wanted me to come.”

  She gasped. So Josie was conceived on her wedding day. Thinking back to that day, Lindsey was frantic because Carl disappeared with Rachel. “You already knew...before it ever happened.”

  Carl nodded. “Strange, isn’t it?”

  “What about Maya? Your mother?” Kate knew Maya would never forgive her for taking Carl to the canyon, especially without her knowledge.

  “I wrote her a letter.” He dug in his pocket. “Please give it to her and tell her she also has a great-grandson.” Carl handed her the letter, then covered his face and broke down in tears. “Rachel asked Josie to name her son Carl and she did. Now she knows why. Carl’s a good man. He’s about the same age as your dad, Kate. You’ll like him.”

  “I’m so glad you got to meet your family. Think of all the time you can spend with them. I’m sure there are more relations than just Josie and Carl, right?” Kate searched her mind to find a way to stop Carl from his death wish.

  He ignored what she was saying and continued on. “I heard the story with my own ears, from Thomas, just like you wanted. Rachel will soon find out she’s pregnant, move up her wedding to Thomas and go on to have a life with him. That’s the way it’s supposed to be. She knew what she was getting into with me. I told her the truth early on. I loved her that much, to be totally truthful. Rachel didn’t tell me she was pregnant today because she doesn’t know yet. I’m the only one armed with that information and could’ve told her. I could change history, but my head ruled over my heart. I told her she belonged with Thomas, to accept his proposal and that she’d never see me again. I accept that. I didn’t know how this was going to end until today. It all became clear when you found me at the barn. Drew will not die today, I will. The river needs a soul.”

  Kate was close to hysteria. She looked around for Drew. He was a few yards away with some of the men from the camp and she ran to him screaming. “Drew, come quickly! You have to stop Carl from doing something really stupid!”

  He turned as soon as he heard Kate’s voice. “Carl! What are you doing?” he shouted.

  Kate turned back and saw everything like it was in slow motion. Carl was in the boat pushing off into the river. She ran to the water’s edge, yelling for him to come back. Drew and some of the men grabbed long poles and ran down the side of the river trying to get him to grab on. One man even tried to lasso the boat. Kate couldn’t believe her eyes. She knew she only had one chance to say good-bye and this was it.

  “I love you, Carl. You’re my brother and always will be. You’re in my heart forever! I will find your family and love them like you would have.” She ran along the shoreline, trying to keep up with him. Finally, she gave up, stopped and watched helplessly as he sailed farther away. She clutched the letter to her chest. Feeling the paper in her hands, it suddenly dawned on her. “You didn’t just decide, Carl, you had this planned. You wrote a letter.”

  She stood with Drew until Carl was out of sight. Men from the camp jumped in a second boat and headed down the river after him.

  “I’m staying here until they bring him back.” She stared at Drew with a look of defiance.

  “I’ll be with you every step of the way.” Drew took her in his arms and she collapsed.

  Chapter Twenty

  Kate woke to find herself in Drew’s arms and sat up slowly. Everything came back to her in waves of sadness and terror. She began to weep. Drew stirred and pulled her back down to him. “They’ll find him. They’re the best.”

  “I’m going out to watch for them. You rest.” Kate got up and ran out of the bunkhouse. It was turning out to be the longest day of her life. She swept her hair back into a ponytail and smoothed her pants the best she could, not caring how she looked. All she cared about was seeing a boat come back to camp. Swearing she heard voices, Kate rushed inside to tell Drew. He bolted up and the couple ran out to the edge of the river, waiting impatiently for the boat to round the bend.

  “There it is!” She couldn’t believe it. One of the men signaled Drew. “What is it?” Kate looked into his eyes and knew it wasn’t good.

  “Why don’t you go inside? I’ll come for you when they’re here.”

  “No, something’s wrong and I want to know.”

  “Carl’s in the boat. I’m not sure if he made it.” He took her by the arms expecting another fainting spell.

  “No, that can’t be right. This isn’t right.” Kate walked along the water. Standing stoically as the boat came ashore, she saw Carl’s body covered with a heavy tarp as Drew went over to talk to the men. Kate saw him nod and she screamed.

  “I’m sorry, Kate, I don’t know if he’s going to make it or not. Carl’s unconscious. They said he hit his head pretty hard on a rock when he fell out of the boat. One man was lost trying to rescue him. We need to get him to the top of the canyon as soon as possible.”

  Drew turned to the men again, directing them to find the sling to attach to the back of one of the mules.

  “Kate.” Drew said softly to her. “This isn’t how it was supposed to be, but you’re going to get your first mule ride to the top of the canyon. Do you think you can do that?” She nodded her head.

  “Come wi
th me.” He gently took her hand and guided her over to the stables where the mules were kept. Kate followed Drew’s instructions feeling as if she was in a fog. She barely remembered the ride to the top or how long it took. All she heard was the clopping of the mules’ feet and the sound of a bird overhead. Everything looked gray to her. The day was colorless and cold. It was one of the worst days of her life and the sad part was it wasn’t over. She still had to tell Maya that her son, her only child, might die or was already dead.

  * * * *

  Kate didn’t recall arriving at the boardinghouse or how she ended up in her room. She didn’t know if she slept or was in a daze. She looked down at her hands and saw she was still holding Carl’s letter for Maya. Slowly she opened it and read:

  Dear Mom,

  If you’re reading this then you know I’m no longer here and have passed on to a better life. Please do not grieve because I will see my Rachel in heaven and that’s a glorious thing. You have a granddaughter, Josie, and a great-grandson named after me. Kate promised me she will help you find them or hopefully they will find you. Most of all, I ask you to not blame her. She’s my li’l sis and I am her big bro. She’s not supposed to protect me. I am her protector and I failed her.

  Mom, she couldn’t have stopped me from coming to the canyon. I was unhappy with my life and needed a change. I would have ended up here one day looking for both you and Dad, anyway. It was so great to see the boardinghouse and meet everyone. It was a joyful time for me. So please know I got my happily ever after just like in the fairytales Katie so loved as a child. In time, I know you and she will accept this was my wish, my choice and no one could have stopped me. Drew is now safe. The river is satisfied. I would do it over again in a heartbeat. I love you, Mom, forever. Please love my daughter as I would have done.