Living Forest (3 page)

“Don’t just stand there, start it up or go pump gas.”

I have a feeling she can out run me in a race. Raspy I reply,

“I’ll go pump the gas. That I know how to do.”

Running towards the gas pump, yeah… I’m out of breath. She’d definitely kick my ass in a race. I quickly find the gas cap, remove it, and squeeze the trigger to pump the fuel. Thinking,

“Hmm… no gas is coming out of the other end.”

I question myself,

“Did I do it right?”

Not long after, Amanda parks the other quad beside the one I’m attempting to fill up. Without saying anything, Amanda nearly falls to the ground laughing. Slowly she changes her tone from cackling, to wanting to teach me.

“Okay, I should’ve told you that you have to pump up the handle in back to get the gas to flow out of the nozzle. The nozzle must also be opened up so that air and fuel can flow to the end. Here let me show you.”

Amanda carefully takes my hand. Showing me the locking latch on the handle to keep it open, she continues to pull me around by my hand. She teaches me about the back of the pump where you literally pump the fuel out of the tanks that are buried in the ground. After the quads are filled, Amanda instructs me on how to drive these things.

It’s really easy to learn, and way fun. One of the hardest parts to for me learn right now is my turning. Amanda acts like she has done this a time or twenty. She’s ramping hills like a pro. Okay, this girl is wicked cool right now. I’m not too sure, but I think she can even take me down in a fight. I have to say, this country girl is hard core fun.

Racing from trail to trail, laughter and smiles become a common appearance as the evening passes along. Amanda stops her quad by a tree house that’s massive. It looks like a luxurious home all by itself. Amanda speaks collectively,

“Your grandfather use to tell me that he built this for you and me. He’d always tell my parents about how sorry he was for his actions. My dad said that after that night, your grandfather never drank a drop of alcohol again once he realized what he’d done. He hated never being able to see his family again.”

I didn’t know what to say, all I ever remember is the bad things. I guess my parents never cared to know anything about him after that night. It’s hard to forgive somebody for actions like that. From the tone of her voice, all she wants to do is let loose, have fun, and play.

“What are you waiting for Hollister, you going to climb this thing with me or what?”

Looking up, I speak with my voice slightly quivering, like I have a small piece of food stuck in the back of my throat.

“I’d race you there, but I know that you’ll beat me at climbing too. I’m afraid of heights.”

Amanda bursts out laughing. Falling to the ground, she grabs her side saying,

“I can’t take any more. You’re killing me Hollister.”

After she calms down a little she asks me in a serious manner,

“Have you been sheltered all of your life?”

As if gaining knowledge all your life is a bad thing. Replying, you can hear the tone of dullness that has transformed my life.

“You could say that. I’ve gone to some form of school or another all my life. I barely remember the days that I lived here when I was younger. Those are the times which I try to remember the most because I actually knew what it felt like to be a child and have fun.”

The tone in her voice quickly changes to guilt.

“Oh no, I’m sorry for laughing at you. I had no idea.”

I try to reassure her that I’m not mad or upset.

“How could you know? I was taken away from here when I was just five years old.”

She’s giving me some excitement, also more of a reason to release my fear of heights. Enticingly she speaks,

“Well, I did teach you how to drive a quad. So why don’t you let me teach you how to climb this tree to that door. There may be a surprise waiting at the top for you.”

You know the stories of knights in shining armor that saves the princess from a terrible beast, well this girl reminds me of Joan of Ark. Joan was a true heroine that took France from the bowels of defeat, and through her many victories she transformed France into a top contending country until she was betrayed in the end by the King she physically crowned for doing nothing of her capture. She may have been burned at the stake, but she gave hope to her country men that still suffered from the bubonic plague.

I’m not saying Amanda is Joan, I’m merely stating that I see that type of strength in her. The strength women show too little of even in the world today. Amanda’s minute victories are transforming me. With each step I take, and each grasp that pulls me closer to her, she cheers me on more. She repeatedly says,

“Go Hollister go. Go Hollister go.”

I know she’s saying this to try and keep me from looking down. Well, I’m not sure if that’s her reasoning, but it sounds good to me. Grasping the last board, I feel Amanda grab my hand. She helps pull me up the rest of the way.

While panting and nearly out of breath I say,

“Phew, you’ve done this a time or two haven’t you?”

Amanda starts to sound like my mother saying,

“Wow, are you okay. For as fit as you look, you should really run some.”

She’s right though, I’m badly out of shape. Sarcastically I say,

“How about that surprise now Amanda?”

I expect to hear her say,

“Surprise… you climbed a tree.”

That’s not what she says. Smirkishly Amanda replies,

“We’re not at the top yet. You still have a little ways to go before we get there Hollister.”

Hearing her speak those words, my gut hits the floor as if it’s weighted with lead. Physically I find myself being able to handle this, but it’s the mental aspect that places my fears in power. Looking up at Amanda, I witness the carefree feeling that she’s shown since I’ve met her. That feeling is what I now begin to feel. It feels like she’s giving me strength by watching her, helping me to overcome my fear. With each step up the winding tower in the tree, I begin to follow Amanda much closer.

A thought sorely blisters my mind.

“I haven’t had a panic attack yet.”

My chest clutches, I begin to grasp for air as now my stasis is hyperventilation. My equilibrium flutters. I lose grip on the spiral stairs that leads up this tree. Vision begins blurring, and my knees tremble as I fall backwards. In this moment no thoughts dare pierce my mind. It’s as if nothing exists for a few milliseconds during freefall. Somehow, Amanda reaches back and grabs the collar to my shirt. Holding us both against the tree, she gives me enough time to get a grip on the wooden boards used for steps.

I’m not sure right now how I’m even holding on as I still can’t quit hyperventilating. A soft voice begins to sync in rhythm with my breathing speaking as if she truly cares about me,

“It’s okay. Hollister we’re both alive. Calm down and take slow deep breaths.”

I think to myself,

“Who is this wonderful woman?”

I’ve never met a person besides my mother that instantly shows this type of care for me. She doesn’t even really know who I am, but it feels like we’ve never spent a day without each other.

With just her voice alone my panic attack begins to subside as now I’m breathing slowly and deeply rather than the short, rapid, and pulsating breaths that left me gasping for life. Nearly in tears, not from fear though, from joy and shock I say,

“Amanda, you’re the most amazing person I’ve ever met. Thank you for saving my life.”

She begins with a humorous tone, but quickly changes to concern,

“Quit being a baby Hollister, you would’ve only just broken something from here. Now can you finish this climb with me?”

Stating with confidence because Amanda’s driving me to do things I’ve never been let to do before I say,

“I can do it. Well, at least I think I can, but I want to do it. I’ve already made it this far, for me Amanda, there’s no turning back.”

Amanda doesn’t speak rather she smiles. I think she knows that I really like her. How could you not, she’s amazing. With no more incidents we reach the very top of the wooden stairs. A floor with a hatch door is directly above us. Releasing the hatch lock, a hole opens up where we can walk to the upper level. Carefully climbing up, Amanda quickly moves me out of the way so she can lock the hatch from the top.

Fully stretching up and glad to be on solid footing without the fear of falling, I become immersed in the most breath taking sight to behold. Dusk is here sending a reddish orange glow through the horizon, toppling over the tops of millions of trees. The land here is so full and lush, thick forest and brush encumber every open spot of land around the lake. Feathery clouds lightly blanket a few spots in the sky giving a purplish tint with the blending variety of colors. Looking through the trees, I can see colors of the changing season from fall to winter. Everything described, glistens like crystals off of the lake. The view alone relaxes your mind and body.

The air is fresh and clean, though now is becoming mildly cool, even considerably cold. As dusk begins to settle, I catch the glimpse of a light shimmer in the center of a large tree. The shimmer looks like a small LED flashlight. With my eye lids squinting, I can barely see a fence surrounding the tree.

A hand grabs my shoulder. Sounding as if her mission’s complete she says,

“It’s quite the breath taking view huh Hollister?”

Amanda can now sense an intense emotion kindling within me. Looking deeply in her eyes I say,

“Breath taking isn’t even the word to describe this. That’s just something that happens when you see what I see now.”

Amanda goes to speak, but only slight sounds come out as I’m is quick to interrupt,

“Amanda, there are no words to describe how amazing and beautiful you are. This breath taking view only takes my breath because you’re the one I see painted in this picture.”

Before she tries to speak again I softly utter the sound,

“Shh”

This is only to grasp her full attention for what I have to say next. Romantically saying,

“Amanda, I’ve never met anyone like you. In fact, I never wanted to even become serious about anyone until now. I like you. I have a feeling you like me too. I guess what I’m trying to say is, will you go out with me?”

Through my actions of jittery hands and twitching feet, she knows that I’m nervous. Who wouldn’t be with someone like her and being someone like me who needs a bunch more practice talking with women. Rather than speaking to me right away, Amanda now gazes deeply into my eyes. Grabbing my broad muscular shoulders, she pulls me closely into her. Seductively she presses her body up against mine, while looking at me innocently. Slowly and carefully working her way over to my lips she speaks with her voice sounding like sex,

“What do you think my answer is?”

An intensity of hormones collides with one another creating a battlefield of lust and wonder. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve never had sex before. The passion I feel right now has never beleaguered me like this. It feels like an army of love soldiers surrounding me with no options of escape. What do I do? Do I make a move on her? She’s already brought me this far.

Our bodies are still pressed up against one another. Slowly I close the other ten percent gap that lingers between our lips. The entire time I pray she doesn’t turn away. Tenderly caressing the crevice between her closed lips with my tongue, we begin to softly touch the tips of our tongues together. Slowly I circle Amanda’s tongue with mine, massaging it back and forth. Softly I place my hands on her hips. Pressing inward and rubbing upward, my hands firmly flows up Amanda’s sides. Mental fireworks begin exploding into reality. Feeling the softness and warmth of her body causes my blood to flow deep in my pants like a river. Amanda speaks surprisingly to me,

“Hollister!”

Hoping I’m not doing anything wrong I say,

“Yes Amanda, what is it?”

Speaking as if not wanting to ask,

“It’s nothing. Just… can we go sit over there on the bench?”

Looking intently into her now grey eyes, few words become softly spoken from my lips,

“I’d like that.”

Sitting on the bench, a bright glimmer catches my eye in the distance. Saying to Amanda,

“Do you see that light over there?”

That’s it, the light glows to a blinding glare. What was it about those words? Time stops, all life pauses on the planet. At least that’s what it feels like. Not even blackness can encumber me, no thoughts think through my mind. Is this even real? Wait, am I dreaming? Am I dead?

Chapter Three

I awake still on top of the tree tower. I think to myself getting extremely excited,

“This is real. Wait! Did I have sex with Amanda?”

Amanda’s gone. Dawn’s rising over the horizon glistening off of the lake. The water shimmers brightly, like diamonds in the morning sun. The almost full moon still lingers in a light feathery cloud painted sky. Nearly giving the same appearance at dawn, as what I viewed at dusk, though the sky is painted red. In the distance, what looks to be a black wall is present in the sky. There’s a saying I vaguely remember,