My backpack weighed heavily on my shoulders as I shrugged it off and eased it to the ground. I removed my bottle of water and took a big long drink. I started swinging my arms in large circles, stretching the shoulder muscles, loosening them back up after my two mile hike. I gazed around at my surroundings, taking in the views of the majestic mountains rising to my left, the west.
The mountains were rugged, with rocky snow capped peaks, jutting up towards the sky, at their feet ran a stream filled with crystal clear water meandering through a meadow of green. Ah, summer in the Canadian Rockies, there was no equal in all of the world.
Groaning to myself as I shouldered my pack, and trying to reason that I only had about a mile to go I started back down the trail. I couldn't wait to get to camp and the man who awaited me there. I was laughing to myself as I thought, do I have some stories for him.
It took me about twenty more minutes of brisk walking with my weighty pack to finally reach camp. My friend had set up camp close to the stream, by an outcropping of evergreens. I could see a small trail of smoke wafting up through the trees, next to some big boulders. I glanced at my watch and told myself I was right on time as I marched into camp and practically threw my pack off. Sighing, feeling around twenty pounds lighter, I glanced around for Steve. He was nowhere to be seen so I decided to set up my tent. He was probably just out hiking I reasoned.
It took me a couple of minutes to get set up. I then decided it was time to relax. I walked down to the creek and sat on a boulder, thinking about the upcoming conversation with Steve. I had some juicy tails to tell him and I was bursting with anticipation over the wait.
I was picking up small stones and tossing them into the stream, when I saw Steve walking up the creek below me. He saw me and waved, heading in my direction. I studied him as he approached, wearing a blue shirt over his wide shoulders, his brown hair just touching the collar. He had long legs tucked inside of tan khaki pants and a pair of hikers on his feet.
I stood as he came near, brushing off the seat of my pants, and smiled warmly at him. His handsome face smiled back at me and taking my hands, he held them tightly and beamed at me.
"How are you doing, Kathrynn?" He asked.
I smiled at him and giggled, saying, "I'm just great, Steve."
Putting an arm casually around me, we walked back up to camp in companionable silence.
Steve and I had been meeting like this for a couple of years and we both found it as an enlightening and therapeutic experience.
I could see by look of anticipation on Steve's face that he was waiting for me to begin, but feeling a little ornery, I decided I'd make him wait.
"How was your trip up here, Steve?" I asked somewhat nonchalantly, stifling a giggle as I sat on the ground, leaning back against a big rock.
"Good" He said offhandedly, his way of telling me,'It's OK, I can wait'
I started laughing loud and infectiously, and it didn't take him long to join in.
"Man" I said, wiping the tears from my eyes, "Have I got some stories to tell you."
I knew this is what Steve was waiting for, and was the main purpose of our outings, so I gave in and decided to lead him down that road once again and tell him what he was waiting so patiently to hear.
"Well I was in Seattle, down at Pikes Place Market......" I proceeded to tell Steve the whole story as I remembered it......
I had went to the candy store at Pikes Place, looking for something different. I looked over all of the chocolates and nuts....not quite finding the right thing. There was a big display of mixed nuts in the middle of the store and I found myself drawn there by an unseen force. There were tins of various nuts, and as I reached for one to take a closer look, a man grabbed the same exact one that I had wanted. I turned to look at him and was met by the most beautiful green eyes I had ever seen. I smiled being the flirt that I am, and looked away. I reached up and grabbed another, and holding it in my hands, pretended to study it. I could see the green eyed man out of the corner of my eye and he looked as if he were going to say something, then he walked off. I decided on buying the tin so I proceeded to the checkout.
As I got into line I realizes that I was standing directly behind the nut stealer. I looked him over closely, admiring the way he fit into his faded and worn 501's and I thought to myself that not enough men wore them these days. He looked to be about six three or so and his hair was almost black and cut fairly short. Sensing someone behind him he turned and looked at me. This time he smiled then turned back to the cashier. I watched as he paid and walked out the door, his ass looking like the jeans were made to fit. Sighing, I paid for my nuts and left.
