The Edge of the River

 

        I was first to arrive at the river.  The plan was, Tommy would be here by 10 after 3, and if not here, it meant something had happened and I was to go on without him.

        I couldn’t bring myself to believe he wasn’t going to make it, so I stayed longer.  The thing was, the mosquitoes were eating me alive, and it was getting darker, yet I just knew the moment I walked away, he’d come clomping through the jungle expecting me to be there.

        I seemed to be taking turns swatting at the pesky mosquitoes and glancing at my cell phone for the time.  That’s the other thing I found odd, why was I still getting a signal.  By all calculations I shouldn’t be. 

        I’m not sure why, but I suddenly remembered I had tucked a can of bug spray in my backpack.  As I was taking my pack off to go through it, I heard someone coming.  I stopped and just stood there listening.  With all my being I was hoping it was Tommy, but I had an uneasy feeling that wasn’t going to be my luck.

        Remaining still and quiet paid off, as it wasn't Tommy but an animal I wasn't familiar with.  It passed within 20 yards of me and just kept going.  I was surprised it didn't smell me standing there.  Now I didn't feel all that comfortable hanging around waiting.  Tommy would have to fend for himself.  As soon as that animal puts a little more distance between it and myself, I'm heading out.

        On the third day of following the edge of the river, I came to what looked like a good spot to stop for the night.  The river here seemed to slow somewhat and the bank, although still thick with brush, was not at all murky.  The earth beneath my feet was dry and solid and the mosquito population was tolerable. At least, so far.

        I would build a small fire and then have my lunch.  As I gathered twigs and sections of bark for the fire, I began to wonder what had happened to Tommy.  Was he also having lunch about now?  Did he even make it as far as our meeting place?  I wondered if I should have been leaving clues behind for him to follow.  It was too late to worry about that now.  I was on my own and now so was he.

To be continued