"Hello Todd," the owner said, "and (firstname). Back into the woods today?"
"Yep," Todd responded. "Probably still some place left that we haven't found yet."
"I heard it was gonna rain," the man said.
"That's all right, we always take along the ponchos, just in case," Mark added.
"Smart kids," the man said, and bagged the items. "Well, be careful out there, and head back if it gets too stormy."
"We will," Todd assured him, and the pair of boys exited the store. They stopped outside, only long enough to put their new purchases into their backpacks, and then headed out into the woods. As they neared the edge of town, and prepared to head into the trees, (firstname)looked back, and shrugged under the light blue sky and bright sun shine.
"Don't look like it's gonna rain to me," I said.
"Sure doesn't," Todd added, and then led them into the trees.
The 18-year-old boys walked along, at first walking through so much familiar territory. Landmarks were plentiful, with big stones, and trees with initials carved into them played out like a map. They had walked most of the woods south of the river, but had not been to the other side. It had not rained for weeks, and the water level was low. As they emerged from the trees and looked at the river, the thought occurred to each of them at the same time.
"Let's cross," Todd said out loud first. |