Snow begins to fall.
Maybeunloadis a better word for what’s happening right now.
I jump back on the ATV and turn on the engine.I return my attention to my phone because even if I don’t have a signal, my GPS will still work.That I’m sure of.
So I pull up my app with the overlay that details unincorporated ranch land, including the Travis property.
I see where I am, and I’m relieved.It looks like I’ve got another 1.5 miles until I reach the drop-off shack where I’m supposed to leave the supplies.At least it will be a shelter from the wind.
I pack away the phone.I pull my goggles over my eyes once more, turn on the ATV headlights, and I keep going.I’ve got a plan.I’ve made my decision, which is sometimes the hardest part, right?Now all I need to do is stick with it.
All is well.I feel determined and confident.
Right up until I don’t.
Suddenly, I can’t see.It’s a whiteout.I can’t see the trail right in front of me or what fatal rock face might be lurking on either or both sides.The headlights don’t help.All they do is scatter light that’s picked up by the snow, creating a sparkling, otherworldly soup to travel through.
I turn off the headlights.That’s even worse, and I turn them on again.
I stop and check my phone once more.The GPS is no longer functioning.This storm system must be so fierce that it’s created a shield between my location and the satellites orbiting the Earth.
All right.Now, I’m scared.
I should have turned around and headed back when I had the opportunity.Now, it’s too late.The light is fading, and I know it’s not because the sun is setting—it’s barely noon!It’s because the sky has gone dark with storm clouds.I’m in a heap of trouble.
Snow is piling up at a rapid rate.There must be six inches on the ground already and it’s been snowing for less than a half hour.I’m not worried about the ATV making it through snow and severe cold—that’s what it’s designed to do.
But the human body?Not so much.Not with temperatures this cold.It’s well below zero with the wind chill.
I’ve long been amazed at how resilient and miraculous our human physiology can be, but our bodies can’t function outside of a narrow window of environmental conditions.I won’t last long out here unless I do something.
Now.
I have to find shelter and stay warm while I wait out the storm.Then, I can continue on my way.That’s my only option.Because I certainly have no intention of letting myself freeze to death out here because I can’t see through heavy snow.
And I’m sure as heck not going to allow myself to go missing in a bad storm.
Because if I don’t make it back, my parents will be crushed.I worry how it will affect my father’s already delicate condition.
Oh, no.I can’t think like that.
But now that I’ve told myself not to think like that, I can’t stop thinking like that.
My brothers will be devastated.Jake will blame himself for not forcing me to stay home, and it breaks my heart to think he’ll carry that burden for the rest of his life.
The hospital will make a big deal out of my death.They’ll search for a way to explain to my patients—especially the kids on the pediatric floor—that Nurse Fee-bee won’t be coming back.
Rick may never find out that I’ve died.My family doesn’t know that he exists, let alone that I was in a relationship with him or how to contact him about my fate.
Oh, crap!I forgot to text Rick to verify that he’s not expected for Christmas!
Oh, great.My family will think I’ve died a virgin.
I’ll never get to wear my dress.I’ll never get to see the look on Evander’s face when he realizes that little Phoebe has itgoingon.
That’s the saddest part of all, I decide.That I’ll die without ever feeling Evander’s kiss.
I could kick myself for not responding to Evander the night the pain meds took hold.When he grabbed my wrist and told me he was in love with me…and the other bit.
