Chapter 18: Jicarilla Flats – Home Sweet Home

It took a few days for Laura to get her bearings, find where everything was, and make the pronouncement, “I like it here. This is nice. Thank you, Charlie, and thank you, Sylvia, for bringing me here, for making me feel at home, and most of all, for loving me.”

That comment garnered a gigantic hug and a kiss from Sylvia.

I kissed her as well, and while they were still holding each other I told her, “Number one, sweetheart, you belong here. We just had to bring you. Number two, this is your home, so there is no other feeling we’d want you to have. Finally, number three, I do love you. Sylvia loves you. You are loved!” I spread my arms out then pulled them both in for a hug. “Speaking of love, does anyone want to have a picnic in the meadow down by the creek? I’ve been wanting to go down there and act like a hormone riddled teenager with a couple of understanding and likewise afflicted girls. Any takers?”

All smiles, they both nodded. “Tomorrow, young man. Laura and I will pack a picnic and we’ll go off into the wild green yonder. I’ll pack a couple of extra blankets. That grass is pretty thick down there.”

Laura broke out into a chorus of, “I want to check you for ticks!” Yes, that got the other two of us laughing and got us all wound up in a pile of horny, irresponsible, adults with no agenda besides happiness and frivolity. It wouldn’t last forever. We’d find purpose and definition for our lives someday, I was sure. Just not right then. Just getting to know each other, inside and out, was much more important for now.

The picnic was more than just lunch. It was another chance for us to share ourselves, our thoughts, our feelings, and our bodies with each other. After rinsing off in the creek and putting our clothes back on, Sylvia said she thought she saw something moving in the forest to the south of us, about halfway up the foothill that led to the mountain.

Keeping our eyes peeled, we all saw the movement. A young woman in a pink blouse and blue jeans was walking through the woods, apparently looking for something. As she came closer, Sylvia and I realized that it was Annalina. Sylvia whistled to get her attention.

Annalina looked over at the sound and waved. Naturally, we all waved back. About twenty minutes later, the young doctor was at our blanket, discussing her endeavor. She had been out all morning looking for antlers, and had only found a small half rack, a three point that she had staged to pick up on her way back.

Laura asked her if she’d like to join us for dinner, if she had time, to which she accepted readily. She asked what time to come over, but Laura talked her into coming home with us then we’d take her back over to her vehicle afterwards.

Between the salad and the main course, a chicken and rice oven baked marvel Sylvia loved to make, we got two phone calls. A major coincidence, considering we rarely got any at all.

Lana called to check in with Laura, the two of them exchanging pleasantries and Laura ending the call with a promise to call back after dinner. Lana was doing fine but was thinking about seeing some of the American Southwest and wondered about a possible vacation destination.