Yeah, I know.
28
CATELINE
The next days involve a lot of hiking and foraging. Connor shows me the difference between poisonous and medicinal plants, edible berries, and ones to stay away from.
To “survive” the Enduro event, participants have a passport, which brings to mind my predicament. But instead of it allowing participants into a country—like the one where they live and work, but I can’t think about that while trying not to die in the wilderness—we have to get a stamp after completing various challenges supervised by the organizers. There is rope and rock climbing, obstacle courses, and other events. One night, we have to stay up on watch because word is that a mountain lion is on the prowl. Connor assures me it’s all part of the fun and games.
On the third day, a storm drives us toward a cave for shelter. Hailstones rock from the sky. While we wait it out, Connor sneaks glances at me and bites the edge of his lip.
Yeah, I’d like to kiss again, too, but see, I don’t have access to my usual hygienic products like toothpaste.
He has chewable toothpaste tablets, but they don’t exactly provide kissable fresh breath.
Connor startles me when he says, “Hey, check it out.” At last, the sky clears and a rainbow appears, arching the sky in a blend of colors rarely seen together in nature.
His eyes land on me. “Just like you.”
“What do you mean?”
“A contradiction. A storm and a rainbow,” he drawls, his accent coming in thicker since returning to North Carolina.
“You think so? Well, you’re a bull and a China shop.”
“The expression is a bull in a China shop,” he corrects.
“I know that. You’re alternately like a bull and then surprise me with something more gentle, more?—”
“I’m not fragile.”
“Definitely not physically.”
“Emotionally?” he asks, aghast.
“I’m just saying your heart was shattered and you’ve been working hard to protect the pieces ever since.”
“I’ll prove to you that I’m strong.”
“You don’t have to prove anything.”
“That I have unmatched endurance,” he adds as if I didn’t comment about not having to prove anything.
I sigh. “That’s not what I meant.” But he doesn’t let me explain myself, which lights my inner fuse. The one that kept me on the dancefloor long after everyone went home. That got me up before dawn the next day. That pushed me in much the same way Conner’s adversity pushed him.
Nonetheless, as we continue the hike, everything becomes a competition. A battle of egos. Connor even sings a famous little song about how anything I can do, he can do better. Well, I’ll show him. We tease each other with it back and forth, propelling us through the challenge and causing me to forget the challenges I face in real life.
On the fourth day, while on a hike, we get into a tight spot where we have to cross river rapids.
I stop and shake my head.
“What’s the matter?” he asks.
“I can’t swim,” I confess.
“Well, you don’t want to swim in that, anyway. Though I suppose we could both use a bath.” He waves his hand in front of his armpit. “Not there, though. We’d get swept away, but I suppose you not knowing how to swim presents us with a problem. Also, I know who not to have on my team next time I do a triathlon.” He winks.
Well past adhering to etiquette, I roll my eyes. Then smooth my ponytail while wondering how much dirt and sweat are on my face.
