twenty-four
Sam
Chopping Wood and Walls
Gravel crunches under the tires of my truck as I pull into the clearing on my property. I haven’t been out here since the last time I brought Olive—well, only to pick up the movie screen anyway. I was thinking of something that she and I could do to get her mind off all of this curse business and it occurred to me that maybe the best way to do that is to get away from the world. It’s an escape, even if it’s only for a night. I enlisted some reinforcements to help me get the place ready for an overnight stay; the cabin was not really ready the last time she went in. I want it to shine.
Hopping out and walking over to the edge of the drop-off, I can’t stop thinking about how much it bothers me that she is so determined to get rid of the tattoo. Not because I need it to see how she’s feeling or because I need to be with someone who shares my love of tattoos, but because she seems to believe that it’s just another way in which she isn’t absolutely perfect. She’s mentioned a few times that I’m going to wake up one day and realize she’s not the one for me. I’ve known from the minute I laid eyes on her that she was special, and the more time we spend together, the more I know I’m right.
I can see my future with her so clearly. It hurts to even think she might not feel the same, or at least not as strongly, as I do. I’m putting my fears aside, though, because I meant it when I said I would convince her. She needs time to sort it out, more than the few weeks we’ve been doing this, and I plan to be here while she does.
My sister’s beat-up red Honda pulls into the clearing, bringing me back to reality.
“Hey, I got the stuff you asked for,” Bridget shouts across the clearing after slamming her car door.
I walk from the edge of the drop-off toward her vehicle. “You good? You didn’t have to come if you didn’t want to.” I can tell from her body language she’s keyed up today. Something has her upset, and I don’t need her stomping around here all day.
“I just, shit—I didn’t want to talk about it. I promised myself I was coming to help and I wasn’t going to bring it up,” Bridget rambles, fiddling with the hem of her shirt and staring at the ground.
“What happened, Bridg?”
“I saw Jessa with her new girlfriend. They were picking out bath towels when I was getting the comforter set. I tried to get out of there quickly, but I couldn’t help myself. I crept into theaisle next to theirs and I heard her say . . . she said she loves her.” My sister’s eyes are watery.
“Hey, none of that.” I wipe under her eyes and pull her into a hug. “It’s her loss. She will wake up one day and realize what she’s missing. I know it doesn’t feel like it right now, but the love of your life is out there waiting for you. I promise.”
“Thanks, Sammy. I know it’s stupid. I don’t even know why I care,” she says, shaking the tension from her shoulders and pushing out of my embrace.
“You care because you have a big heart and you loved her. Sometimes things aren’t meant to last forever, but it doesn’t mean the love you shared was any less real. It just means that you will carry the lessons you learned with you into your next relationship. You’ll be more prepared for the one.”
“Don’t tell anyone I said this, but you’re pretty smart, Sammy.” My sister slugs me in the arm, then pops the trunk of her car and begins unloading the new bedding and decor she picked up for me.
Bridget and I carry the bags to the cabin and place everything inside.
“What are we going for here?” she asks, looking at the freshly cleaned interior.
“Well, I did a deep clean already, but I want it to feel homey. And I’m trying to eradicate Mom and Dad from the vibe,” I respond, bristling a little at the thought of this once being their love shack.
“Okay, I think I have everything I need to manage that. If not, you’ll be going to the store this time.” It’s not like her ex will be there all day long, but I understand the sentiment.
“I’m going to head back out there. Max and Howard should be here shortly to help with the outdoor stuff,” I say, pulling the door handle to leave.
“Sounds good.”
I mosey back to the open space, taking time to pick up sticks on the pathway to ensure it’s clear. I have big plans for this walkway, and it’s going to take all day to get it done. Approaching the end, where the trees kiss the open grass, I stop to look back. I hope my plan works. If it does, it will be magical. And not in the Irina kind of way.
“Where do you want this thing?” Max yells from the driver’s side window of his truck. He’s pulling in a trailer with a backhoe and enough flagstones to cover the path. When I see the size of the machinery and rocks, I’m actually impressed he made it into the property with all the bumps. I had sand delivered earlier today, so we should have everything we need to get this done.
“Just back it up as close as you can,” I yell back as Howie pulls into the clearing and jumps out of his Bronco.
“This is remote. How long have you had this place?” Howie asks, rounding his truck and coming up to stand beside me as we watch Max struggle to turn the truck and trailer around.
“A couple of years. Been coming here my whole life though. We’ve never given it the face lift it needs.” I walk to the truck, holding my hand up, and Max brakes. “Max, just leave it here. We can drive what we need over with the backhoe.”
“Yeah, bro. Have you ever tried to back one of these up? It’s fucking impossible.” He puts the truck in park and hops out. “Hey, Howie, good to see ya,” Max says.
“So, what’s the plan, Sam?” Howie asks, looking around.
“I want to make this an actual walking path. If we use the backhoe to level the ground, we can lay sand, then place the stones. Or at least that’s what YouTube told me.” I lead them to the pathway and point at the cleared area.
