Fledgling (10 page)

Ana was excited and curious, eager for an adventure with Chance and pointed her bright eyes at him in encouragement. As long as
she
wasn’t paddling, this would be great.

At the boat Chance gestured for her to get in at one end. A soft cushion sat on the seat and she settled in, thankful for his thoughtfulness. He pushed the boat onto the dark glassy water and jumped in at the opposite end, grabbed the oars and began rowing fluidly. He paddled out for a couple of minutes then paused, allowing them to glide in silence.

“Look up Ana,” he murmured.

She tilted her head back and her breath caught in her throat. The inspiring stretch of skyline spanning above was so large her eyes widened just to absorb it all. A brilliant band encircled the moon in a silvery glow, like a halo. The stars, attempting to out-glimmer the moon in jealousy, twinkled so bright she almost had to squint gazing at them. The heavens had found an empty canvas to rest upon-the dark glassy water below appeared twice as grand. Blood coursed through her animated body.

Ana lowered her gaze, meeting his face. He waited for a response while she grasped at stringing some words together, or anything remotely intelligent.

“It’s…it’s the nicest thing…anyone’s ever done for me,” she whispered. No one outside her family had ever been so thoughtful. And true enough, she normally didn’t allow anyone to get close enough to give her anything. Until now.

Ana saw Chance staring at her and he gripped the oars even tighter, beginning to row the boat forward. She watched him paddle with ease, like a knife cutting through soft butter. It was a calming rhythm and it made a soothing sound, the oars dipping into the lake and dripping as they were lifted up. Chance seemed deep in thought, his jaw was clenched and his brows furrowed.

“What are you thinking about?”

Chance’s tension eased as he looked up and answered, “I was wondering if…if you had a boyfriend…back in Colorado?”

“Oh.” Wishing she had a different answer, she shared her lack of history, “I’ve never really dated.” Chance seemed surprised and her embarrassment deepened. “No, really. The last person I went out with was in my freshman year. We just went to the movies a couple of times-that was it.”

She grew serious as she thought about the year she needed surgery. It had proven to be a bit more than the boy could handle and that effectively cured Ana of ever wanting to date again. The sore subject sat heavy on her shoulders and she looked up at Chance and fired back, “How about you? I hear you don’t date?”

“Me? My life’s been…well, I hadn’t found anyone I wanted to spend time with.”

Ana blushed and studied the dark mirrored water beside her and wondered what was hidden beneath.

Chance caught the end of her question. “Wait a minute-you asked about me?” Raising an eyebrow and smiling he waited.

Ana flushed again, and hoped he couldn’t see in the darkness. “Caught me-I asked Laura about you.”

“What’d she say?” his voice came out gruff.

“Why? Do you have a shady past?” Ana teased, “Don’t worry, she didn’t have much to say, just that you didn’t seem interested in dating anyone around town.”

“Sorry. You never know what people will say about you in a small town. Everyone’s so bored with their own lives, they start talking about everyone else’s-making things up to make it interesting.”

“Oh, I’m sorry too. I’m really not a gossiper but-I was curious. I know what you mean anyways, about people talking about you-it’s not just in small towns.” Ana remembered people talking about her behind her back saying she was going to die, or that she had some rare disease they made up. Maybe some things were true, but that only made her feel worse.

Quietly floating adrift in the boat, they lingered without speaking, each within their own conflicted thoughts. Ana couldn’t work out the feelings she had when she was with Chance. Until now she had been content without bringing anyone into her life. Without her permission, the picture she had painted for herself was changing, melding into an entirely different vision. In unfamiliar territory, she tested the waters carefully, cautiously.

“So, what are you doing tomorrow?” Chance inquired staring at the inky black water. “I actually promised my sister I’d help paint her room. But you could come over after.” She flushed again.

“Great. Call me when you finish-let me know.”

He reluctantly pointed the boat back toward the tiny peninsula, “It’s getting late.”

The rowboat scraped up onto the shore forcing Ana to grab the edge for support. Chance jumped out and offered his hand to help her out. When Ana stood up she became unsteady and blood pounded in her ears.
Oh no! Not now
, she thought to herself,
Please don’t pass out!
Chance’s arm wrapped around her waist, securing her. Focusing on her breathing, the head rush passed slowly.

“Thanks-I can get a little…unsteady sometimes,” she said shaking her head, relieved she composed herself in time.

“I don’t mind,” Chance said smiling, then let go when she was stable. He remained close on their walk back to his truck. He started the engine and turned on the heater then went to load up the boat, giving her time to scold herself in private for coming so close to fainting.

The ride home went too quick for the both of them. The lights were on in the living room when they pulled up, casting strange shadows on the lawn and driveway.

“Thanks, Chance. This was an unforgettable night.” Ana blinked back her emotions that had risen in a rush. All the pent-up exhaustion from her long week swelled, ready to spill out. She watched the shadows out her window, allowing her hair to shield her.

Chance was speechless, unsure what to say. He wanted to reach out and touch her soft face or trace her delicate fingers, but he settled for saying, “Sleep well. Talk to you tomorrow.”

Chance watched her while she walked up the path to her front door. As she entered the house she gave him a small wave goodbye before disappearing inside.

On his drive, time slowed as he moved further away from his source of solace. Like a hermit crab without his shell, he scurried home biding time until finding his way back to her.

Chapter 13.

“Cactus Flower,” Eva read off the paint can sitting on her desk, giving a twirl of excitement.

The girls had taped off the entire bedroom and with Melissa’s help had moved the furniture into the center of the room.

“I can’t wait to see it on the walls-it’ll be like living in a flower!” Eva’s eyes twinkled in delight.

Ana poured the paint into the trays being careful not to drip any. She was wearing some ratty old black sweats and a holey white t-shirt. She pulled her hair into a ponytail to protect it, but expected to get pink spotty hair despite the effort.

She handed a roller to her sister, picking up another for herself. Eva’s saucer eyes filled with enthusiasm as she clutched her roller and jumped in place. Ana looked over to her ecstatic sister and nodded, “Go ahead.”

“Yay!”

They began rolling ‘Cactus Flower’ paint onto the sterile white walls. The color was reminiscent of Pepto-Bismol, and Ana’s stomach growled as it acknowledged the resemblance.

After a long two hours of painting, the girls went downstairs to get lunch. Sunlight slanted in through the kitchen windows while Melissa wiped them vigorously with a cloth. “Well? How’s it look?”

“Good, we’re done with the first coat-now for lunch.” Ana opened the fridge and pulled out the makings for turkey and cheese sandwiches.

Melissa pointed to a pile of mail on the kitchen table. “Hey, Ana-a brochure came from North Idaho College.”

Ana shrugged her shoulders and ignored her mother’s statement while she finished up the sandwiches. Melissa sighed and continued cleaning the window.

“I think I’m going to go eat my lunch at the rock,” she announced as she placed Eva’s food on the kitchen table. Eva raised her eyebrows at Ana. “Oh, relax. The paint needs to dry before we add another coat. I’ll be back after a little break.”

In a snap decision she grabbed her camera and threw it around her neck. She wanted to be prepared if she saw some wildlife while eating her lunch.

It was cool outdoors, the sun slipped behind passing clouds and a gentle breeze tousled Ana’s hair. She walked through the bower of vegetation and approached her gazing stone. She sat down, crossing her legs and making room for her plate on her lap. She removed the camera from around her neck, setting it gingerly upon the rock beside her.

Ana’s stomach gurgled and she picked up her sandwich to begin eating, gazing at the grassy fields below her and the distant snow capped peaks. Butterflies trembled among the flowers in the long grasses and small sparrows darted between trees. It was a relaxing way to spend her break from painting.

Achy from rolling paint, her sore arms resisted every time she lifted her sandwich to take a bite and her drooping eyes began to blur from fatigue. The night before, she lay awake thinking about her evening with Chance. His face seemed imprinted under her lids. Every time she turned over and struggled with sleep, his smiling face greeted her. She didn’t mind gazing at him but at a certain point, sometime close to one o’clock, it began getting frustrating. Dizzy with sleep, she was finally able to fall into a deep slumber. Her mind filled with visions of stars and a rocking sensation lulled her to sleep.

After finishing lunch she picked up her camera. Using the zoom lens like a pair of binoculars, she swept it across the grassy valley as a blur of red fur made her stop. She centered on it, adjusted her focus and zoom, and discovered a beautiful red fox sunning itself in the field. She immediately snapped a picture, assuming it would run off. Then she took a few more when it was clear it wasn’t moving. She wondered if it was the same fox she saw when they had pulled into town. The memory gave her a chill down her spine.

She lowered her camera trying to see it without the aid of the lens and spotted a puff of fur in the field. It seemed to turn its gaze on her. They remained unmoving, both staring at each other until Eva called. Startled, Ana turned her head, forgetting where she was for a moment. She was surprised to see the fox remain still as she stood up to return to the house and felt its eyes track her as she left the outcropping, stepping onto the forest trail.

Inside the kitchen, Eva stood at the bottom of the stairs tapping her foot.

“It’s time for a second coat-c’mon,” she waved Ana toward her, stepping onto the first stair.

“Okay, hold on a minute. I need to call Chance first.”

Ana forgot Aunt Tera and Uncle Jace were coming over for dinner but Melissa had suggested including Chance. Uncle Jace planned a fishing trip for that day and was counting on catching fresh trout to grill and Aunt Tera was going to make her delicious potato salad the girls loved so much.

Ana called Chance and left a message after his voice mail picked up, wondering what he was up to.

She joined her sister upstairs. They painted until she could barely lift her speckled fuchsia arms and Eva’s walls were thoroughly coated in Pepto Pink, Ana’s private name for the color.

She began the cleanup process while her sister mysteriously disappeared. Ringing came from her pocket. She answered her phone, careful not to get paint on it.

“Hello?”

“It’s me. Sorry I missed your call-I was out on a walk. So…what’s up tonight?”

It was good hearing his voice again she chuckled at herself, missing him after just a day’s absence.

“Well, if you don’t mind meeting my aunt and uncle, eating trout and getting assaulted with never-ending fishing stories…then you’re welcome to come over. I forgot they were going to be here tonight.”

“Um, sounds great-when do you want me?”

“The sooner the better. I’m headed to the shower now so I don’t look like cotton candy when you get here.” Ana pulled her hair out of the ponytail and picked at pink spots that looked like girly lice.

“Hmmm, hold on…let me picture it. Nope,…wait ten minutes so I can see for myself.” Chance laughed into the phone, “Don’t like pink?”

“Ha, ha. I have enough paint for you too,” Ana threatened.

“Okay-be right there.”

“Bye.” Ana shut her phone dropping it back into her pocket.

After sealing the paint can Ana grabbed the rollers, brushes, and trays, carrying them all downstairs. On her way outside she passed her mom, who was breaking down boxes to make room for their guests. She called over her shoulder, “Chance is on his way-he’ll be here soon.”

Melissa ran to open the front door so Ana wouldn’t have to use her ‘cactus flower’ hands.

“Great! Can I put him to work? That light bulb needs changing on the back porch…” Melissa winked at her.

Ana snorted in response and hurried with the paint supplies to the shed at the end of the driveway. She cleaned the brushes, tossed the used rollers into the trash and began walking back to the house. Approaching the driveway, she saw a dust trail rise behind the glint of black paint.

Chance pulled up and got out of his truck appraising Ana with a grin. He stood back and made a show of checking her out from head to foot. Ana curtsied and flipped her hair playing along.