Primal Impulse (Xtreme Edition) (31 page)

“T
urn here, baby.” Jena pointed to a small clearing.

Steven pulled the car into the narrow space. It was just large enough to park one car. Actually it wasn’t even that big. The backend stretched precariously onto the roadway. Jena was reading his mind.

“Don’t worry about the car,” said Jena. “The odds of anyone driving up here are slim to none. If they are they’re doing about five miles an hour. We’re okay.”

They stepped outside the car. The quiet was the first thing Steven noticed. They were inside San Bernardino National Forest. It was one of Jena’s favorite places.

Jena breathed in the fresh air. “It’s beautiful up here, isn’t it?”

“I can’t believe it,” said Steven as he took in the surroundings. “And this is only an hour or so drive from your place. That’s amazing.”

“I thought you’d like it,” said Jena. “This isn’t the southern California most people hear about. You won’t be seeing many cars or people up here.”

“That’s for sure,” said Steven. “Especially today—everyone’s at home watching the Super Bowl. Hey, it’s chilly up here.”

Jena laughed. “I guess I forgot to tell you we’d be over 7000 feet in elevation. I should have told you to bring a jacket.”

“That’s all right,” said Steven. “I’ll be okay.”

“This place gets loads of snow in the heart of winter. They actually ski right over there.”

Jena pointed to a narrow clearing in the trees. Beyond it was a view of a nearby mountain range. Steven took in the stunning scenery.

“Damn, baby. That’s an incredible view. I still can’t believe that all this is so close to Los Angeles. I never would have believed it.”

“You just wait,” said Jena. “It gets much better than this. There’s a special spot I want you to see. Follow me.”

Jena walked across the dirt road. She lowered herself to the ground and disappeared behind the dense brush area.

“Be careful sliding through there,” Steven heard her call from the other side. “There are thorns in the bushes.”

Steven laughed. “What the hell are you trying to do, baby—shred me to pieces?”

Steven squatted down and peeked through a tiny opening. Sure enough there were spiked thorns guarding nature’s gateway. He carefully parted the branches and slipped underneath them.

“Are you okay, baby?” asked Jena.

“Yeah,” laughed Steven. “You won’t find many people sliding through that booby-trapped entrance.”

“That’s the point,” said Jena. “I’ve been coming here for years. I’ve never seen a person over on this side. That’s what I love about it. Follow me, baby.”

Steven followed her through a heavily wooded area. He watched as his sexy baby zig-zagged her way around the thick brush. It was fun to see this side of her. She never failed to amaze him. What a very special girl she was. Suddenly she stopped.

“Ssshh,” she whispered. Then she pointed to a branch directly over their head. Steven looked up to see a large owl perched upon it. It couldn’t have been more than five feet from them. Its huge eyes stared down upon them. They seemed to lock into Jena’s. It was truly an amazing sight.

“Don’t move, baby,” whispered Jena. “She’s my friend. I see her every time I come here. As long as you stand still she won’t fly away.”

Steven took it in. He had never been so close to an owl before. They really were beautiful creatures. He could sense the connection with Jena. It was if they were communicating. Jena nudged him with her elbow and whispered.

“I know it’s a female because I saw her with her baby once. Her name is Truth. She told me that the first time I met her.”

She told her!
Steven remained silent. He wasn’t about to disrupt whatever was going on. Jena and her owl friend talking to each other—wow!

Truth blended perfectly into the forest. Her red and brown feathers were striking. You could sense the strength that lay tucked under her wings. You could feel the power of her presence. And yes—there really was truth behind those eyes. They bore a hole into your soul.

Steven gazed in wonderment. The owl exuded an air of nobility and pride. No wonder owls were ancient symbols of wisdom. There was an element of mystery about them. There was an all-knowing about them. Truth exuded truth.

Steven turned his attention to Jena. He had no idea she was so tuned into nature. It shouldn’t have surprised him though. As sensual as she was it seemed natural that animals would pick up on it. She appreciated beauty in all things. An animal would have no reason to fear. Jena was one of their own.

Steven watched as the two beautiful creatures bonded. Both were stunning creations, one human and the other an inhabitant of the forest. They were sharing the same wavelength, one of compassion and understanding. They were taking in the big picture. It was quite incredible.

Steven continued watching. It was not his call to interrupt such magic. For over a minute no one moved. Finally the owl rotated its head and looked directly at Steven. It seemed to acknowledge him and thank him. Then something strange occurred.

Truth’s eyes relayed a message of sorts. They seemed to talk to him. The message was to treat Jena right. Never hurt her, for doing so also hurts me. Take care of my friend forever and she’ll take care of you. In her love you’ll find joy and true happiness.

Truth then turned back to Jena. They stared at each other for a long moment. Truth blinked three times to say goodbye. Then she lifted off the branch and flew away. Hers was a silent flight as she disappeared amongst the dense forest. She left her friend until the next time.

“God, baby,” said Steven. “That was unbelievable. I think she was communicating with me too.”

“Yes, she was,” said Jena matter-of-factly. “I heard what she said—take care of me and never hurt me. I told you her name was Truth. That’s what she speaks.”

Steven was stunned. How could he not want to spend the rest of his life with Jena? What an incredibly special girl she was. There were so many aspects to her personality. Jena was so interesting, so captivating, so soulful—so in tune with the universe. She could talk to wild animals for God’s sake. And make them talk to him! What would she do next?

Steven stepped to her and took her into his arms. He kissed her lips.

“Baby, I don’t know how you do the things you do, but I know one thing. I love you more than anything in the world. You are my special baby. Thanks for coming back into my life.”

Jena smiled. “No—thank you, baby. You’re the one that sets me free. You’re the one that allows me to be me. For once in my life I can be myself and not worry about what people think. It’s you, baby. It’s you who makes me a better person.”

They held each other tight. They listened to the precious silence. There was only the sound of the wind echoing through the trees. It was whistling a rhythm for their dancing hearts. It serenaded them with the essence of love. There was only now. Tomorrow seemed so far away.

They could have stayed there forever. There was no place they would rather be than in each other’s arms. They could melt into each other and become a puddle on the forest floor. It would be okay as long as they were together. Nothing else mattered.

“Hey, do you hear that?” said Jena softly. “Listen to that sound out in the distance.”

Steven stood still and held his breath. Sure enough he heard it too—hoo-hoo-hoo. It was the unmistakable call of an owl.

“That’s Truth telling us to be on our way,” said Jena.

They both laughed. How did it come to be that an owl was dictating their schedule?

“Well,” said Steven. “I guess we’d better listen to her and get going.”

“Yes,” said Jena. “She wants you to see my special place. That’s where she’s at now. Come on, let’s go.”

“Okay, baby. Lead the way.”

For ten minutes they trekked through the forest. Parts of it were quite rugged. They crossed over a creek on a makeshift log. They navigated their way through a section of thick brush. At one point Jena seemed to be confused as to where they were.

Steven was beginning to wonder if they would ever find it. Maybe Jena was lost. It was easy to lose your sense of direction in the wilderness. Then they arrived.

“We made it,” said Jena excitedly. “It’s right around the bend. Take my hand and close your eyes.”

Steven latched onto her hand as they rounded the bend.

“Okay, you can open your eyes now,” said Jena.

Steven opened his eyes. “Oh, baby, that’s beautiful. It’s magnificent.”

They were standing in a tiny clearing. It opened up into a 360 degree view. On one side they looked down into a canyon. On the other was a gorgeous view of a nearby mountain range.

“This is it, baby,” said Jena. “This is my special place. I’ve never brought anyone here.”

Steven could feel her energy permeate the entire area. Yes, for sure this was Jena’s place. This was his baby’s little private haven. This is where she came to recharge her soul.

“I’ve probably been up here about fifty times,” said Jena. “When I was going through that bad time in my marriage I was up here every week. Somehow this place calms me down. It puts things back in perspective.”

Steven took off the small backpack he had been carrying. He opened it up.

“I’ve got a surprise for you,” he said. “Look at what I brought.”

Steven pulled out a bottle of Chateau Kiss and a corkscrew. He proceeded to open it.

“Oh, Steven, that’s such a good idea. We can share some wine at my favorite place. Thank you so much, baby.”

Jena walked over to a lone tree that stood in the clearing. Underneath it was a natural rock formation.

“Come sit over here,” she said. “These rocks actually make for some pretty comfortable chairs.

“Sure,” replied Steven as he poured the wine into two plastic cups. He handed one over to Jena.

“Cheers, baby. Here’s to me and you in your special spot. I hope we’re here together many more times.”

They each took a sip of the wine. A long moment passed. One thought flashed in both their minds. Neither of them spoke of it. It was a bummer intrusion that should just come and go. Today was Sunday. Tomorrow morning Steven would be leaving.

As quickly as it appeared they discarded it. They pushed it aside for the time being. It would slice them to pieces soon enough. There was no need to let it ruin their day—their
last
day. Right now was
their
time. Nobody or nothing would take it away.

They both took a seat. Steven leaned back. The rocks were surprisingly comfortable as the surface was flat and smooth. They were angled in the shape of a long sofa. It shouldn’t have surprised him that Jena’s special spot was furnished by nature. There was even a rock table reaching over the sofa to place their drinks.

Neither spoke for a moment as they let the wind do the talking. They could hear it in the canyon below. It whistled peace and love and truth. It was like a faraway train passing in the night. You could hear the rumble approaching as it got closer and closer. Then it waved as it passed you by and kept on going. It headed on down the tracks to who knows where. It was meant to be free.

Steven took another look around. This was his baby’s place, her hideaway from troubles, her escape from the madness. This was her little piece of runaway heaven, her shelter from the storm.

Then he looked at his baby, his Jena girl. She was gazing down into the canyon below. Her green-eyed gleam energized all that lay in its path. Jena was projecting her spirit across her terrain. She was marking her territory with a piece of her soul. She was opening her heart to all who dared walk into it. All were welcome in the castle of Jena’s love.

Jena was beautiful inside and out. She had become a piece of him. Every time she opened the door she let another side of her run free. She exposed another piece of her soul. There was nothing but goodness inside of her. Any anger and hate and jealousy had fled long ago. All the negative emotions that plagued every human had been purged.

Jena was shining in the golden light of pure love. She was basking in the sunshine of understanding. Hers was an open heart that bled truth. She was as real as real could be. What you saw was what you got. And that was the most beautiful girl in the world. That was his baby. That was his Jena girl.

Steven thought back to that time long ago. Twenty years ago Jena was his friend. Even then she had a hold on his heart. In a way they wasted those years they could have shared. But in his heart he knew this was the right path. They had both traveled the rocky road of love and life. They both had stumbled along the way. They both had lived and learned and now they were shiny and new. They were fresh and alive and ready for a new beginning. They were ready for a taste of the real thing.

Now they knew love when they saw it. They could see through the illusion of the pretenders. They could read the lies for they were as plain as day. They could also read the truth. And when truth hit you in the face you paid attention. You grabbed onto it and held it tight. It was precious and rare and something you dare not let pass you by.

Jena was his one and only. There was no doubt about it. She had stripped him down to his naked soul. She had shredded the armor that harbored his emotions. She had peeled back the layers of ambiguity that protected him so. Buried underneath was the raw truth.

They were free—free to be themselves. You could fly off into your dream and know the other would be there if it crashed. Your partner would understand and accept because she loved you—because that’s who you were. You shared your deepest, darkest fantasy because you could. That’s what he and Jena had. They made each other better.

Jena was his friend, his lover—and now his eternal soulmate. Life had been a lesson. Love was the reward.

Chapter 42