"Come on Trish we have to hurry," I whispered, "If we're late Maurice won't let us in."
My friend Maurice was one of the trustees for the Proctor and Gamble National Forest. As a special favor for me, he was going to let us in the back door so Trish would be able to see a real tree up close. Everyone knew this place was now off limits and only heads of state and dignitaries were allowed inside the bubble that circulated the 'real' air that kept the forest alive. My mom packed us a picnic lunch, I had a large blanket to lie down, and I imagined it being just like the old movies we watched on our screens at home.
Trish was excited; as was I but whereas she wanted to see a tree up close and personal, I was hoping to see her boobs up close and personal. The sound of the whoosh as Maurice opened the air lock sent a chill down my spine and Trish grabbed my hand in excitement.
"I'll be locking the door as I leave so when you're ready just ping me on my unit and I'll come let you out. The forest is yours for the day, there's no one scheduled to visit until tomorrow, so have fun."
With that, I heard the air lock engage again and then we were left alone. Trish screamed with glee and jumped into my arms where I swung her around and around. We began a hike up a winding trail, but not a trail made out of cement, it was nothing but dirt and fir needles. It felt as if we were walking on air. Each tree we passed I held my unit by it to identify the name.
At the end of the trail there was a glen with a stream running though it and at the head of the stream was a waterfall flowing down a small cliff into a deep pool. I put our blanket down in the tall grass close to the waterfall. After our lunch, Trish put her head in my lap as she gazed up the trees,
"Oh Roger can you just imagine our whole country once looked just like this; blue skies, green fields and tall trees as far as the eye could wander. Then we just let it all slip through our fingers to where there is nothing left. How could the people not realize what they were doing to our natural resources? I remember my grandpa talking about something he called Earth Day where everyone would stop and think about the environment and what they could do to improve it."
"mmm," "Roger are you even listening to me?"
"What, oh sure, Earth Day environment, yeah I heard you."
I wasn't listening; I was looking down her blouse to see the edge of an areola peeking over the top of her bra. I changed the subject to ward off any more questions,
"Out here in the sunlight it has gotten really warm."