‘Sure.’ Willow smiled. ‘That sounds like a great idea.’
Willow felt herself begin to totally unwind as they trekked along the the long, downward path towards the waterfall. The rain from the night before had made the ground underfoot soft and moist and there was still a taste of it in the air. A gentle breeze whipped around them, moving the fir trees that surrounded them like faithful protectors. The citrusy, woody scent they released was both comforting and familiar.
‘I swear just being out here wakes me up,’ Mia said. ‘I love the city, but I always felt a little sleepy, like a part of me was never fully there.’
‘I totally get that,’ Lucas replied. He was staring straight ahead, but there was a soft smile on his lips. It seemed that simply being here was helping him relax.
Willow remembered how they used to run down here as kids, fighting to be the first to reach the Falls. One time, she had tumbled to the ground in her haste to get there first and badly grazed her knee. Lucas had felt so bad, even though it hadn’t been his fault. He had found an old Spider-Man Band-Aid at the bottom of his backpack and spent ages rinsing out her cut with his water bottle, carefully picking out the tiny stones that had embedded in her skin and tenderly putting the Band-Aid on.
He had been so gentle.
Willow then started to recall a more recent event when she and Jake had had a vacation in Greece. Jake had wantedto drive up one of the mountains to get a photo of the view for his socials. However, when they had gotten out, Willow had slipped on some loose rocks and cut open her leg. Jake had been dismissive at the time, telling her it was ‘only a little graze’ and that he had seen much worse at work. Willow stared down at the scar now. It was still visible on her calf. A silver, moon-shaped reminder of the day when Jake would rather take pretty pictures of the views than help her.
He certainly wouldn’t have carefully picked the dirt from her cut or helped her up when she was still wobbly. But she and Lucas had been kids then; was it even a fair comparison?
‘Hey, are you OK?’
Willow realized Lucas was looking at her with that same gentle concern he had all those years ago. Something fluttered deep in her stomach, like a bird being released. She placed her hand against it to try and still the feeling.
‘Yeah. I’m fine,’ she replied.
But she really wasn’t. For the rest of the walk, all she could think about was that scar and how deep it had actually cut into her.
The waterfall was as beautiful as Willow remembered, but she still had to take a moment to stand back and really appreciate it.
It took a moment to find the Falls off the main path as they were partially hidden by the towering Douglas firs, western hemlocks and moss-covered maples. The Falls themselves cascaded like a silver ribbon down a fern-draped cliff, framed by mist and green shadow. It was like something from a movie scene or a long-forgotten painting. Perhaps it was because she had been away for a while, but Willow hadto stand back and really take in this view. How had she left it behind so easily? It was so beautiful and breathtaking and better than any memory had allowed.
It was quiet except for birdsong and the occasional crunch of needles underfoot as one of them moved around to fully take in the scenery. The air was cooler here, damp and fragrant with fir and moss. It filled their lungs completely.
The waterfall dropped around eighty feet in a thin, elegant stream, veiling the dark rock face behind it. Willow remembered how the spray caught the light on sunnier days, creating fleeting rainbows in the mist. Beneath it, a small creek rippled over smooth stones, threading its way through roots and fallen logs before flowing towards the larger lake – the Honey Pot itself.
This waterfall was not thunderous; it was completely serene. A place that felt utterly untouched, like time had slowed down and all their memories were carefully contained here.
Willow drew out a breath, tasting the metallic tang in the air. ‘Is it possible this is more wonderful than I even remember?’
Lucas was standing close beside her. ‘I think there is something about this place. It shifts and changes every moment, so that you can never take it for granted.’
Mia was busy inspecting the water’s edge. ‘In summer, we should jump right in – have a swim. It looks safe enough.’
‘Don’t be crazy, Mia! The water is rapid; it’ll dash you against the rocks in seconds,’ Lucas growled, his dark expression returning. ‘There was a reason we never used to bring you.’
‘Yeah, because I’m too much fun,’ Mia trilled back. ‘It’sfine. The lake is good enough for swimming. I’ll make do with that.’
Willow suddenly ached to be in that water, even though she knew it would be freezing. Swimming in Honey Pot Lake used to be one of her favorite activities.
Thinking about it now, she realized she hadn’t swum for so long. Jake never particularly liked water-based activities. She couldn’t even recall him spending much time at the Falls or the lake. As a teen, he would do everything he could to stay away from them, often dragging Willow up to the Ridge with him.
‘I’m going to take a wander further upstream,’ Mia said. ‘I feel like I need to get my steps in. I can take some photos of the Honey Pot. Anyone coming?’
‘If it’s OK, I’d like to stop here for a bit,’ Willow said quietly. ‘It’s just so nice being back at the Falls. I think I’d forgotten how much I’ve missed it.’
Mia nodded and turned to her brother. ‘What about you, dumbass? What do you feel like doing?’
To Willow’s surprise, Lucas moved next to her.
‘I think I’d quite like to stay here too,’ he said. ‘I’m tired from yesterday, and you know me – I love the Falls. I’ve forgotten how much too.’
He turned to Willow. ‘As long as you don’t mind being stuck with me?’
