My name is Jessie. Jason and I have been together for two years now. We've just moved into a manufactured home that looks like a log cabin on two acres in the woods near Minden. I'm 24, work as an admin assistant during the week and, until about a year ago, was a stripper on the weekends. I miss all the attention, being told how beautiful I am and the extra money. Jason wants to get married and have kids. I'm not ready.
Today, Jason is at spring orientation for park contract services again. He has worked so hard to become a Park or Forest Ranger but there are no openings. Sure he gets to wear the military green uniform and work like a slave for eight month but his biology degree, his high score on the ranger tests, his two years as a "Ninety day wonder" and now his forth year as a contract field biologist still hasn't been enough to land a permanent position. The government would save money if they hired him; he makes more in eight months as an independent contractor but it is not what he wants.
While sorting through all my old stuff, I ran across my old diary. That's why I'm reminiscing. See, see this page, this is where we began:
Dear Diary - April 2, 2005 I finally got up the nerve to talk to Jason, woman to man. We have known each other for a while but he was with my best friend. When I first saw him, I felt he should be with me, not with Anne. We are both blond, tall, thin, athletic and the same age. Even our names fit together, Jason and Jessie. When Anne abruptly decided to move back to Michigan, Jason was really hurt, said nothing but was more sad and quiet than usual.
For our first date, we met for a late breakfast. I definitely felt the sexual tension between us. There is no mistaking the strength of his well-tanned 185 pound, six foot tall, ripped body. He is gentle and soft spoken yet you just feel his power and presence when he is in the same room.
"Jason, I have to admit I don't really know what you do. Please tell me."
"Generally, I get paid to wander around the mountains, streams and little lakes and look for plants and animals that should not be there. Anything that might threaten the ecology of Lake Tahoe. I have to write reports about everything I find or don't find. And like any job the bosses always have a lot of little stuff they add on."
"You go out by yourself a couple of weeks at a time?"
"Yea. Like in late May I'll go up around the Mosquito Lakes before the snow is all gone and before the tourist season starts. Besides checking the lakes and animals, I'll be checking facilities and making sure they are ready for visitors. If I find facility problems, I call them in."
I could not believe how forward I was. "Can I go wander around with you sometimes?"
"Jessie, I had no idea you would be interested in such things. Wouldn't you be bored silly?"
"Why would you think that? I was a real tomboy as a kid. I used to camp and fish with my Dad a lot."
"You are the most beautiful woman I know. You dress to kill and you are used to getting lots of attention from all kinds of adoring guys. Guys with money. Fun guys that know how to party. Out in the field, it would not be like that. I would love your company, but I'm often serious and quiet. Didn't Anne tell you how boring I am?"
"She said you were a gentle caring man and a great lover."
Big, strong, beautiful Jason blushed but recovered quickly.
"No, I'm talking about how she felt about all the hours in the day when she was bored and disappointed that I wasn't a party animal and more fun. Disappointed that she wasn't with someone else."
"Sounds like she had some problems, I didn't know about."
"She was a great girl. She wasn't good alone and I could not give her enough attention to make her happy. Knowing she was disappointed with me was very hard. I don't want to ever feel that again."
"Jason, I was just looking for an adventure. I would carry my weight, help with the work and not expect you to entertain me. Hiking around the lakes, camping in the cold, fishing out of season for breakfast and sharing the mountains with a friend sounded like fun."
"God, Jessie, if you really mean that, you are definitely invited and I would be delighted to have your company."
Over the next week, I got time off for a ten-day trek into the woods with Jason. We talked a lot on the phone. Anything I was missing, or we needed, he borrowed or bought – a cold weather mummy bag for me, cleats for my hiking boots, a two-person tent, more freeze dried provisions, etc. His Park Service provided vehicle had tons of stuff, but we would be on foot. He was a pro at this and I felt safe putting myself in his hands. We even spent an evening with him telling me how the first few days would be. He was so excited. I wanted him to shut up and kiss me but he didn't.
Damn it was cold when Jason picked me up at six a.m. on Sunday morning. He wasn't supposed to go to work until Monday morning but he wanted to search a small lake early on the first day for some alien species of a Brim like fish that had been reported last year. His excitement was infectious and cute. Still he wanted to check all my safety items before we drove an inch – Cell phone and gps locator, whistle, compass, knife, survival blanket, flash light, fishing line, hooks, matches, flare and on-and-on. Lots of stuff but amazingly it took up very little room.
Finally, I stood directly in front of him and said, "I have everything, Jason. It's ok. Let's get going."
He towered over me as our eyes locked in the dim light, "I just want you to be safe."
"I know."
We were both surprised when he bent down and kissed me. It just happened and we both stiffened when our lips touched. He pushed me away, not making eye contact and said, "Sorry" as he turned to open the passenger side door on the Suburban for me. I really wanted to say it was all right and that I liked it, but I stayed quiet.
It was an hour and a half drive to where we would leave the car. During the drive we talked about what the weather forecast was for the next ten days and lots of small talk. Jason was clearly uneasy. The conversation turned more serious as we parked and started to get out.
"Jessie, I want to tell you some things before we start our hike. On the work side, you are welcomed to get involved in any aspect of the survey; I'll show you what I'm looking for and welcome the help. We will be a team on this trip and have to count on each other. I often get so involved that you will think I have forgotten about you. That is something I do and I'm trying to overcome. I'll apologize now. The truth is, I really care about you. I'm hoping to learn all about you during our days together. And in turn, you can ask me anything you want to and I will try to answer you completely.
Lastly, I really want you to feel safe around me. I would never hurt you. I am very concerned that I scared you or messed up our trip. I appreciate the trust you have placed in me. That kiss was out of line. I definitely know what "No" means and never want you to feel uncomfortable around me. If you are already uncomfortable, I can take you back and start my work tomorrow."
"I'm ready and anxious for our trip. I wasn't offended by the kiss. I liked it. Now let's go so you can earn your paycheck from the Park Service."
Jason smiled from ear to ear and bounded out of the car and started unloading our packs.
Right before our eleven a.m. break for lunch I was wondering what I had gotten myself into. I thought I was in shape. Without getting winded or breaking a sweat, Jason got both himself and me, up a ten-foot high rock face, over slippery logs and through very dense stands of trees. It was cloudy. I had no idea where we were, how to get back, which way was North. It was dawning on me just how dependent I was on him and what he had been trying to tell me. He seemed to sense my growing discomfort.
"How about chili and rice for lunch?"
Jason helped me off with my pack, settled me down by a seasonal stream that was cutting its path through snow patches and soggy evergreen debris. He continued trying to make me feel safe, "I was a little surprised when my boss said I could have a friend hike with me this week. He just had me fill our a sheet accepting responsibility and had me register your locator in your name and address."
The little break was great. The afternoon brought warmer weather, beautiful waterfalls, a few deer and a few coyotes. At four we came upon a small beautiful lake that necked down and then connected to a second lake just like the first. "Welcome to the first Mosquito Lake. It will be dark soon. Let's set up camp and work from here for a couple of days."
We talked in the dark by the flickering fire from about five-thirty until a little after seven p.m. Then I, the dancer, the party girl, the well-conditioned girl, the let's party till dawn girl was nodding off. I heard Jason laugh and joke with me, "I warned you. My conversation has that affect on beautiful women. They go to sleep on me mid-sentence."
He guided me to the tent and lit the lantern inside for me to get settled. All the time I was telling him I was sorry for falling asleep.
"It's ok. It's ok. You've done wonderfully today. Everyone goes to bed early in the mountains. Its dark, its cold and sleeping bags are inviting. Have you ever camped in the cold before?"
"Not really"
"You will be very cold in the morning, if you sleep in your clothes."
I was waking up some and mocked him, "Jason, are you trying to get me out of my clothes way up here lost in the wilderness?"