Page 77 of Sass in the Grass

“I know. He’s so worried about people that get lost. He said a lot, don’t make it out alive. Isn’t that terrible, and it’s not from bears or snakes! It’s from weather and being thirsty!”

“Yeah. I like the outdoors. I’ve been worried about it before. I don’t think I’ll ever go hiking again without a backpack filled with a compass, blanket, water, protein bars, you know.”

“Not that I ever aspired to hike up more than an escalator. I agree with you. Anywhere not on the main street, I’ll beware.”

“True. What if you got stuck in a bad part of town?” he asked as he gasped playfully.

That night, he walked to the cabin with Cherokee and actually took in more of the scenery. It was beautiful in the dark. He’d been terrified of it, but he was learning, with Cherokee’s help. The dark wasn’t much scarier than the day.

“You and Alan are getting tight,” Cherokee mentioned.

“He’s a good friend.”

“You sure that’s all?”

Jovian was about to have a hissy fit, but then it hit him. Cherokee was jealous. He was jealous! Jovian had been the one that wanted to hate Alan. “Oh, sure, because, you see, I am massively crushing on this big guy that teaches really boring things like knots and how to start fires with sticks.”

“Can you possibly add necessary to the boring? Like, boring, but necessary.”

“Yes, Cherokee. Boring, but necessary.”

“Thank you.”

Holding his hand, strolling more than walking, Jovian felt like a teenager. Better, actually, because he didn’t hold hands with anyone back then.

“You know, Cherokee, I thought I would hate it here, and now it scares me to leave.”

They walked more before Cherokee said anything. When he did, Jovian’s heart nearly broke into a million pieces. “Scares me to see you leave.”

He didn’t want to hurt Cherokee, not ever. “What if…I, you know…what if I come back, though?”

“Well, I’d like that just fine.”

“You’d like it just fine?”

“Yes, Jovian. I would. I would like it. I’m going to miss you, but we still have over three weeks, so maybe let’s not worry about that tonight.”

“It’s been three weeks already. It’s gone by so fast.” The time flew, but it also felt, in a lot of ways, that it had lengthened. He couldn’t imagine a time before Cherokee was in his life.

“I think I’ll make you fresh bread for breakfast this time, and fruit. My friend’s cherry tree has a great yield, so I’m trading him a bushel of peaches when they’re ripe.”

“Cherries. Yum. And fresh bread? How early are you getting up, and do I have to get up then too?”

Laughing, Cherokee said, “No. I already have the dough made. Maybe I’ll make the bread, then make French Toast with it, add some syrup and cherries.”

His belly growled. “Daddy makes his boy good food.”

“My boy eats like a pig when Daddy makes him good food.”

“I do?”

“Yes. I’m glad. For once, you’re not counting every calorie, and have you gained an ounce?”

“Not that I’ve noticed, but you also work me half to death. You know that Alan and Mike are making me hike the Diamond Line with the others tomorrow? To make sure I’m prepared for the survival trip?”

“Good for them.”

“I’m getting in good shape,” he said, leaving it hanging a little, hoping Cherokee would confirm it.

---