Flight Risk

32 - Thompson

Trigger warnings: The second section discusses drunk driving collisions. 

The third section of this chapter discusses residential schools and child abuse. It's not detailed or graphic. 

***

The tent walls lit up with the glow of the morning sun as I peeled my eyes open. Beside me, Caleb lay in a black sleeping bag, staring at the ceiling.

"Hey, you're still here," I teased.

He laughed. "Where else would I be?"

"On a beach? Exploring the campsite? Fishing for breakfast?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Have I disappointed you then? You were expecting breakfast in bed?" His smile told me he was only joking.

"Nah, I'm perfectly happy with Caleb in bed." I grinned until I realized how that sounded. "I didn't mean that like a..." My cheeks burned.

He chuckled as he studied me with those green eyes, blooming with curiosity and affection. "Don't worry. I get it. There is something special about waking up next to the person who cares about you. It's why I didn't leave. I can explore the campsite or the park anytime, but these are the moments you don't get back. The first morning waking up beside your girlfriend after you find out how much she likes you."

My heart filled with warmth. "The amount of cheese on your potatoes last night must not have satisfied you."

He laughed again, which after yesterday was a relief to see. "Say what you want, but I do it for that adorable smile you get seconds before the sarcasm."

I swallowed, that was my go-to for downplaying how I felt. I'd never liked to be the one who jumped in first emotionally, even though I'd already done it with him. "I do quite like it, and you."

He propped himself up on an elbow, his upper body poking out of the sleeping bag. He reached out to stroke my hair and the side of my face, his fingertips soft like flower peteals. "Can I kiss you?"

"Not worried about morning breath?" I teased again.

"It doesn't bother me if it doesn't bother you."

"Me neither just seems like one of those things you're supposed to say."

He chuckled again, brightening up his smile. I loved that cute way he stared at me. 

"Since when do you say or do the things you're expected to?"

He leaned in for a tender, lingering kiss that warmed me more than the sleeping bag cocooning me.

***

It took us a while to get moving as we savoured each cuddle, laugh, and smile between us in the tent. With Caleb pointing out it was our first morning waking up together as a genuine couple, it felt like it needed to be appreciated. Our train wasn't leaving until 5 pm and our total drive today was under an hour, so we had the time.

Within the park, we strolled around Coffee Cove, near a couple of beaches close to the marina, and enjoyed the beautiful greenery and vistas of Paint Lake. I was sure Caleb was a large part of it, but this was becoming one of my favourite parks in the province. Though I wouldn't want to come back without him.

We walked through a section with thin-trunked white spruce and balsam fir, allowing us to see further into the forest and sections of the dark lake. I cherished each breath of fresh piny air and the relative quietness of the area aside from the far-off boat motors. Soon we'd be back in the car for the final stretch to Thompson and stuck on a train full of people for hours.

Caleb was so content right now, his attention divided between sharing smiles with me and examining the flora he'd missed yesterday at the falls. His hand kept returning to mine after he'd stray to kneel down to inspect a flower or stem. I was glad to have him back to his regular self, though we hadn't returned to the highway yet.