Page 4 of Emerald Moon
They weighed their options.The trail only went one direction.If they went ahead, Cass could catch up and they could enjoy more time at the waterfall.But that would probably be rude.
Jo felt an itch spreading throughout their body.Whatever.It was worth it to at least ask.“Hey Cass?”
“Yeah?”
“Mind if I go on ahead?”Jo motioned to the trail ahead of them.“I can meet you at the waterfall.”
“I don’t mind.I want you to enjoy yourself, too.See you there.”Cass smiled in a way that made guilt pinch at Jo’s stomach, but the moment they turned and walked away, the taste of freedom won.
By the time Jo reached the waterfall, they were sweaty, panting, and grinning from ear to ear.They dipped their feet into the cold water.This was it.This is why it was worth it to rush to the destination.The view was stunning.Here Jo wanted to take their time and soak it all in.The trail was a means to an end — a challenge with a built-in reward.
When Cass finally caught up, Jo was half asleep on a rock with their feet dangling in the water.She sat down beside Jo and tucked her notebook into her backpack and the pencil behind her ear.
“Spot some good birds?”
“All birds are good.”
Jo puffed out a laugh.The way she said it with such an honest expression was adorable.“You’re right.”
“Do you want to know my favorite bird?”
“Absolutely, yes.”
”Carolina Chickadee.”
“Why are they your favorite?”Jo asked.
“They’re the cutest.”
“Oh, I thought you’d have some fact that made them the most interesting, but I’m all for loving things because they’re cute.”
Cass smiled.“Did you have a nice hike?”
“It was great, but this —“ Jo gestured to the view in front of them.“This is what it’s all about.”
“It is spectacular.I haven’t been here before.”
“Me neither!Always meant to, but never made it out here.That’s how a lot of things go, though, isn’t it?You have all these intentions, but then other stuff gets in the way.”
Moment passed before Cass spoke, the sound of the rushing water filling the air between them.“I find that all those little detours are just as important as the other things I thought I wanted to do.At least that’s how I try to look at things.”
Jo turned to look at her, a warm feeling in her chest from the sentiment.“I like that.I’d probably feel a lot less like a failure if I thought that way, too.”They laughed.
Cass’ smile faded.“A failure?”
“Well, yeah, I mean I’m thirty.I’ve never had a long-term relationship.I can’t seem to pick a degree and finish college.And I only work an hourly job at my pack bakery without any plans of getting a ‘real’ job.My life is, like, only detours.”
Cass nodded in a way that made Jo feel listened to, but not in a comfortable way.They were used to people laughing and piling on with their own failures, not actually listening.It was nice, but unsettling.
“None of those things sound like failures.”
“Tell that to my mom for me, will you?”Jo laughed again, kicking their feet in the water.
The sound of the rushing water filled Jo’s ears.
“Our lives have taken similar shapes, though I’ve had some long-term relationships and finished my degree.Those things don’t make me special, though.They were detours in their own right.I work at a butcher shop and a flower shop.There’s no use for my biology degree at either of those places.And while each relationship was significant in shaping my life in some way, they obviously didn’t work out.Everything is a detour.I think if you go through life in one direction, that’s fine if you’re happy, but I’m happiest when I chase whatever is best for right now.”
“I guess I’m just confused about what’s best for me.I don’t have enough of a backbone to decide for myself yet.”Jo waved a hand.“Don’t mind me.That’s part of my personality, too.I make things gloomy and weird for no reason sometimes.But thanks.You’ve given me some stuff to think about.”They smiled.“So, what’s better — butcher or florist?”
