THE PASSAGE

DISAPPOINTMENT FOR TOBY

"Here, Solstice," I say, tossing her a towel, "at least drape a towel over your breasts."

She reluctantly drapes the towel around her neck as I pick up the backpack and rifle. As we are walking up the trail, she seems to spot something of interest in the woods.

"Jamie, look at that branch over there. I could fashion that into a walking stick for Toby. Let me have the hatchet and knife. I will work on that for him if you check on the stew and our men."

I dig out the hatchet and knife for Solstice, then proceed to walk back to the cabin, still stunned by the recent conversation I just had with her and even more stunned that I didn't object to her way of thinking. As I head for the cabin, the image of little kids running around naked creep back into my mind. Things are changing much too quickly for me.

"Toby, it's me."

I walk into the cabin to find Toby sitting on the bench holding Cain in one arm and stirring the stew with the other.

"Hey, guys, what are you two doing up? Toby, you should be in bed."

"We woke up and smelled something cooking. We had to check and see what it was."

"What do you think about it?"

"I think you two girls did great. Congratulations on bagging the deer for us. Is this my black pot from the boat?"

"Yes, it is. I also found a grocery bag with these plates and forks and this oil."

"Oh, so that's where I left that bag. I remember now."

"Well, I'm happy you forgot it in there. These items are beneficial right now. How are you feeling?"

"Much better. I still feel weak and unbalanced, though, but I can walk a short distance. Where's Solstice? Did she tell you about what we found in that little room behind the cabin?"

"Yes, that's awesome. It seems as though we now have everything that we need to survive here. Solstice thinks we will be here indefinitely. I don't. What do you think?"

"I don't know what to think at this point. I'm still having a hard time digesting everything you have told me so far."

I stare at Toby, sitting on the bench, cradling Cain in his arms. It makes my heart flutter.

"Um, Toby, there's something that I've wanted to tell you."

"What is it?"

I stand in front of him, then stoop down and kiss him on the forehead and then look him in the eyes. "I love you."

He stares at me for a few moments, then slowly stands, still holding Cain. He wraps his free arm around me and keeps me in an embrace that tells me he feels the same. After some time passes, he looks into my eyes,

"Jamie, I've dated a lot of women, but I've never loved any of them. That's why I always let them go. I didn't know what it meant to be in love. But somehow, the first time that I saw your face, things started changing. It's strange how others also saw it. Pop, Grace, Abby, they all picked up on it as well. And just so you know, I wasn't planning on letting you go back to New York without trying my hardest to convince you otherwise. I know it sounds crazy, but I think I fell in love with you the first time I saw your pretty face show up on my phone." He kisses my forehead. "I love you, Jamie."

We share another embrace and then a soft, lingering kiss.

"Um, Toby, I need to talk to you about something."

He smiles. "Of course. What is it?"

For now, we are here, along with Solstice and Cain. Because of the things we have been through, I now think of Solstice as my dearest friend and feel that we share a strong bond." I lay my hand on his shoulder and look into his eyes. "Toby, what I am trying to say is that I think we should avoid sex, for now, just short term. I feel that it's unfair to Solstice, plus I don't want to risk getting pregnant yet."