Gabriel Brown: Collection of Short Alaskan Bush People Fan Fics

The Trip

Gabe sat on the ground with his legs crossed and his eyes closed. He wasn't sure what to do with his hands so he just let them rest on his knees.

"Are you sure this is right? My legs really hurt sitting like this" Gabe groaned as he shifted uncomfortably in the rigid Tai Chi position.

"Yes." Noah spoke softly. "You are doing it right but it will take a while for your body to adjust to this position."

"I feel like a pretzel." Gabe opened his eyes and stretched out his cramping legs. "Forget it. This isn't calming me down."

"Maybe you need to go sit in a room with some incense." Bam grumbled from a few feet away. He had been frowning as he watched Gabe try to contort his thick legs into the tight Tai Chi position.

"Nah." Gabe flopped down onto his back on the soft grass and covered his eyes with his arm. "I'm just gonna lay here for a while and think."

"What if she doesn't come back?" Gabe spoke so softly that Bam moved closer to be able to hear him.

"She'll be back." Noah kept his eyes closed and his mind open. He had been hoping the meditation time would help Gabe to stop worrying about this girl he had just met. It was impossible not to care about his brother. Gabe had never been so anxious over a woman before. She had accepted his invitation for a date in Brown Town and after the date, it wasn't clear where she stood.

"She didn't say she'd be back. She just said 'See ya', and sailed away. Does that sound like a woman who plans to come back soon? No. I don't think so." Gabe asked and answered his own question.

"Look, man." Bam twirled a small stick between his fingers as he talked. "If this woman is half as great as you say she is, she'll be smart enough to figure out that you are the best thing that could ever happen to her.

Noah's eyes snapped open and he lifted one eyebrow as he stared silently at Bam. Gabe pulled his arm off of his eyes and rolled over onto his side. His grin was huge and his eyes were surprised as he peered over at Bam.

"Whaaaat?" Gabe couldn't think of anything else to say as his blue eyes scanned Bam up and down. Gabe was used to getting sarcasm and teasing from his older brother. This gentler and kinder Bam made Gabe, frankly, a little suspicious. "Come on," Gabe urged. "What's the punch line?"

Bam's forehead creased and he pointed the stick in his hands at his brother as he spoke. "Here's how I see this. You should reach for the stars, aim high, hold on to your dreams even when you fall, dare to be brave, be the best of who you are."

Noah and Gabe exchanged a glance. "You have the soul of a poet, Bam." Noah intoned.

Bam dipped his head and shrugged. "I'm just saying that if you want to make sure she comes back, you shouldn't just sit here whining like a puppy. You should get off your butt and go get her."

"Yeah." Gabe grinned. "There's the Bam I know and love." But Gabe did start to get up and began brushing the dirt off his clothes. "I'm going to town. Anyone want to ride with me?"

Noah unfolded his legs and stretched his arms over his head. "I think this is a trip you need to make alone. We'll let Mom and Dad know where you went and if you're not back in twenty-four hours, we'll come looking for you."

Gabe looked from one brother to the next. This girl was really special and he had thought they truly hit it off when she visited Brown Town a few days ago. Gabe hesitated, not sure if he should chase after her or wait for her to return. It had already been a few days and he had been nervous and edgy since the day she left. Finally, he made his decision and pulling on his leather jacket, Gabe strode into the cold water toward the skiff.

The next morning was cloudy and cold. Bam and Noah stood at the edge of the clearing, watching for any sight of the red skiff and their brother. Their parents hadn't been happy that they had let Gabe make the hour long trip to town alone. And now, almost twenty-four hours later, the two brothers stood silently, waiting.

"There!" Bam practically shouted and pointed as he saw the silhouette of the skiff far out into the water.

"I see him." Noah replied with a slight smile.

The brothers walked slowly toward the beach as the small boat moved steadily closer. Gabe was alone, his curly hair windblown and wet from the spray. His face was set in a frown. He looked so tired. Bam and Noah stopped near the edge of the water and kept their eyes on him and on the skiff.

"What did she say?" Noah couldn't wait to ask as Gabe worked to set the anchor on the boat. He was concentrating on securing the anchor and didn't have his usual grin so they started to worry that things hadn't gone well in town. They knew she hadn't been expecting Gabe and it would have been a surprise for her to find him standing on her doorstep. But as Gabe turned to face his two brothers, their eyes expectant, Gabe's face lit up in the happiest grin they had ever seen.

"What did she say?" Gabe repeated Noah's question as he smiled and held his curled fist up for a bump. "She said, 'What took you so long!'"