Back When the Lights Shined

Chapter Ten

The next morning is surprisingly warm. It’s funny, really. Mother Nature is so unpredictable. One day, it’s snowing. The very next, it feels like an actual spring day. The clouds are nonexistent, letting the sun’s light shine down freely. In the shade, it’s cooler. Without the cover of the leafy trees, the Earth is hot and unbearable. Anyone doing any type of physical work outdoors would have quite a sweat.

             Ashton gathers all the women together by the big willow tree. He sends each group of women off in a different direction to search for food. Some small groups combine, forming slightly larger groups. The women are supposed to be out picking fruits and vegetables that they are lucky enough to find growing in the wild. We all agree to meet back by the willow by noon to share our findings. I’m sent to the east side of the mountain in the same group as Ashton. Jaydon heads west with three of the women. The rest split off up north and some to the west.

            On our search, we find plenty of fruit bearing trees. The girls use their dress skirts as baskets to gather the fruits we pick. I simply stuff the pockets of my purple cotton jacket. Ashton is forced to carry his picks by hand, limiting his carrying capacity. We decide not to go any farther than a mile before heading back.

            We’ve nearly finished our mile distance when we all stop and stare at something in the distance in awe. Ashton continues forward confidently. Everyone else, including myself, simply stare. Ahead of us lies a gorgeous stream, flowing down the steady mountain. It must be dammed at some point, because I don’t recall it running through the city. But here, the beautiful flow of water rushes past us, creating a wonderful, calming sound.

            Ashton sets his handful of fruits down by the riverside. Then, he quickly removes his shirt and shoes. He jumps into the water carelessly. His entire body submerges for just a few seconds. Ashton stands up, rising from the waves. He shakes his hair out and smiles brightly at us. He waves his hand encouragingly.

            “Come on,” he beckons.

            Then, all chaos breaks loose. The excited women strip off their shoes and drop their gatherings onto the ground. I tear off my jacket and throw off the tennis shoes I wear. Everyone runs to the stream and jumps in. I follow behind them, but I decide not to jump. Instead, I stop by the edge and sit down carefully on a rock. I slip out of my pants, saving myself from chafed thighs. After tossing them to the side, I dip my foot in the water, testing its temperature. Ashton laughs as I slowly lower myself into the water, not letting go of the rock for anything. I look around, surprised. How do all these people know how to swim?

            “What’s wrong?” he asks, standing in the current behind me. He rests his hand on my back.

            “Nothing,” I say. “I don’t know how to swim. I don’t want to be pulled under by the current.” Chuckling, he pulls me away from the rock and into the center of the stream. Almost in a panic, I wrap my arms around him, tightly. Slowly, we begin floating down stream, just like the others.

            “You’ll be fine.” Ashton slowly pushes me farther from his body, holding me out in front of him. Even though he still holds me by the waist, I feel insecure.

            “Ashton, no! I- I can’t do it,” I say, trying not to lose it completely. I struggle a little, wanting to return to the safety of the rock. I grip his arm even tighter, now.

            “Relax. I won’t let you go.”

            “We’re moving,” I point out, stating the obvious. He leans his head back and laughs.