Previous Chapters
1.)https://charactercognition.substack.com/p/the-listening-spot
2.)https://charactercognition.substack.com/p/the-listening-spot-eb2
3.)https://charactercognition.substack.com/p/the-listening-spot-4eb
4.)https://charactercognition.substack.com/p/the-listening-spot-3ca
Chapter 5
The Departure
The truck door screamed. C.J. winced, and Grandpa bolted out of the garage carrying a machete and a hatchet. C.J. could just barely make out what he was carrying, the garage port’s overhead lights didn’t do much to illuminate the driveway. “Grandpa, is that a machete? What do I need a machete for?”
“I have no idea, just take it in case you do.”
“Are there bears around T.L.S.?”
“No bears, but there are some abnormally large raccoons. Which reminds me, I have a make-shift ‘food haven’ up there, I recommend you use it. You’re going to have to take a minimum of two round trips to get your essential gear to the site; you’ll have four miles of hiking done before you even set up. That’s why you’re up so early. Remember, you’re parking at the state park and hiking to T.L.S.''
“I remember Grandpa, it’s supposed to be a beautiful day, I’m looking forward to it.”
“Well, you better get going. Remember, I wrote you some notes, follow them to the letter.”
Grandpa paused and stared, “I love you C.J.”
“I love you too Grandpa.”
The truck sat much higher than the car C.J. was accustomed to driving, he felt like a giant as he stepped up and into the truck’s cabin. He smiled at Grandpa, took his seat, shut the door, buckled his belt, started the ignition, and reversed out of the driveway.
Every person must live their own adventure, Grandpa lived his, and now it was C.J.’s turn. Grandpa waved; thinking, I have no idea what awaits you C.J., but I hope it’s a new beginning.
The Drive
The first hour of the drive was dark and the vehicle's windows brimmed with views of shadows and shapes. The hills looked like black waves in the night sky. The first ray of sunlight turned the black waves green and revealed the beauty hidden in the opaque. Autumn colors spotted the landscape, each remained distinct, yet they blended together in a way that enriched their vibrancy. No master painter could have replicated this sight, not with a lifetime of practice.
The dreamy setting relaxed C.J. The road was clear and as his truck navigated the worn asphalt his subconscious pulled on threads in search of meaning. C.J. daydreamed about the railroad track dream. Dreaming while awake afforded C.J. more volition in his dreams. He imagined not struggling against the call of the railroad, but not walking either. In his thoughts, C.J. simply sat there at the beginning of the tracks staring down the never ending sight of parallel lines. Amusement spread across C.J.’s face in the shape of a full teeth smile. For the first time C.J. saw more than tracks, a path split off the tracks, then that path forked, then those paths divided. C.J. was mesmerized. He stared into eternity and a personal revelation came to him, the tracks are a way, not the way.
A faint signal from his bladder snapped him from his reverie. His eyes scanned the skyline and his vision bumped up against a sign for a convenience store. Perfect.
The Stop
C.J. hopped out of the truck and wobbled off a tiny cramp in his hamstring. When he walked through the door he spotted the restroom sign to the left. The clerk looked up from the cash register and offered C.J. a friendly smile. C.J. raised a hand in greeting and then practically jogged to the restroom.
“Excuse me. The restroom is only for paying customers.”
C.J. slowed to a walk and shouted, “I’ll buy something as soon as I’m finished, I promise.”
The clerk twisted his mouth into a shape that shouted, “prove it!”, but gave no audible retort.
So, off C.J. jogged.
Once he was finished, C.J. washed up and perused the shop’s 4 aisles. On his second trip down aisle three he settled for a giant bag of honey roasted peanuts. Something he’d be able to easily enjoy even in the tent.
The clerk gave C.J. a nod, “ah you kept your promise, good man.”
C.J. smiled and handed over a $20 bill.
The cash register chimed and the change slammed up against the edge of the drawer, the cacophony of commerce sounds the same everywhere, C.J. thought.
“Hold on, I need to take this”, the clerk’s phone was vibrating violently on the service counter. He slammed the register shut trapping C.J.’s change, picked up his phone and walked behind a curtain.
“Listen! You show up on Tuesday like we agreed. Or, we’re going to have problems. I don’t care, a deal is a deal.”
The clerk strolled back to the register, opened it up, and handed C.J. his change, “have a great day.”
C.J. thought about asking if everything was okay. But, one look at the clerk made C.J. think the clerk was pretty pleased with life at the moment.
“Thank you.”, C.J. said and walked out to his truck.
The Arrival
The final leg of the drive was just as beautiful as the first part of the trip. C.J. started to fidget with the radio when he saw a sign, ‘State park 7 miles’ away. The thought of finally reaching T.L.S. made him forget about the radio. He didn’t want to miss any signs. He blinked his eyes shut, tightened his grip on the steering wheel and took a deep breath. In a blink, he’d found the parking lot, parked the truck, and started unloading his supplies.
According to Grandpa’s notes, it was a mile hike, C.J. didn’t want to make more than two trips. On the first trip he’d take everything he needed for sleeping, on his second trip he’d load up his food pack with as much as he could carry, being sure to reserve ample room for water. Anything left would stay in the truck until the next day.
C.J. locked up his phone in the glove compartment, checked his map and compass, got his bearings and started his hike. The first part of the hike followed a trail in the state park, C.J. continuously referenced his compass and at one point the path to his destination diverged from the trail. The rest of the way was off road. The brush was fairly thick, but not thick enough to necessitate use of his machete, which he decided to leave in the truck. The quarter mile hike was tough, but thanks to Grandpa’s training it was manageable.
Once C.J. cleared the brush there was a steep incline. At the top of the incline stood a massive elm tree and a neighboring oak of equal size. C.J. admired the dance of the two goliaths. At some point he’d been enamored with tree symbolism; he couldn’t remember the exact significance of these tree species. Still, he felt a deep sense of comfort as he stared at them. The trees were all he could see; the incline hid the land behind it. His bearing told him to hike toward the trees once he reached the incline he saw a makeshift sign of wood standing 7 feet; T.L.S.
The backside of the incline looked much like a wave barrel of land. As C.J. descended into T.L.S. he realized this was more of an outpost, than a campground. Grandpa had done so much work. T.L.S. was equipped with makeshift furniture of wood, a massive tree stump that served as both a chair and a prepping station for more firewood; within a foot of the tree stump stood a massive fire pit. C.J. took a seat on the stump and unfolded Grandpa’s note. As he unwrapped the paper, a smaller folded sheet of paper dropped out, it said, ‘Read once your in the tent’, C.J. placed that note in his pocket.
***
C.J.
Welcome to T.L.S. you made it! In just a short time you’ll realize how special this haven is, I hope you come back many times in your life. I wish I had the strength to go back.
The tree stump and fire pit are the center of the property, everything else is oriented around them. If you’re sitting down looking at the oak and elm trees, to your left is my outback latrine. You’ll need to walk through the bushes to find it, but once you pass through you’ll find a shovel and a plot of land filled with what look like massive gopher holes. You know what a latrine is right? *wink*.
To the right of the fire pit, about 12 feet from the fire pit you’ll see a giant ‘X’ made by tiny stones planted into holes I dug into the ground. The stones are deep enough not to make your sleeping uncomfortable, but it’s very important you pitch your tent on that mark. You’ll see why later.
Directly ahead are the two trees you must have seen as you approached T.L.S. I left two solar shower bags there. I suggest you fill them up at the same time, one trip to the lake, two full shower bags; that’ll give you enough water for two showers, at whatever frequency you choose. There’s a wheelbarrow behind the oak tree.
Directly behind you is the ‘kitchen’ all it has is a wooden box to put your food supplies in, nothing more. But, be sure to use it, the raccoons will rob you blind if you don’t, trust me. There SHOULD be some firewood there, enough for a week if my memory serves.
If you walk to the right past the spot for the tent, and to the top of the incline, you’ll have a spectacular view of the lake. It was to your right when you descended into the T.L.S. The lake is large, but small enough to see in its entirety from this vantage point. It’s a beautiful sight, isn’t it? This is where you’ll get your shower water, and take a swim if you like. Or, just skip the solar heated water and bath in the cold lake, your call.
Have a blast grandson, see you soon.
-Grandpa-
***
C.J. checked everything out, it was still the way Grandpa said it would be, “I guess no one has been up here in some time. You’d only find it, if you knew it was here.” C.J. murmured. What a gem.
C.J. pitched his tent and headed back to grab the other supplies, by the time his final trip of the day was over, he was exhausted. The sun was still high in the sky but the temperature was pleasant. He decided to build a fire and drink some water. He sat there for a while staring into the flames, grabbed some honey roasted peanuts and beef jerky, and spent his afternoon alone and free.
As the sun set, C.J. was ready to sleep, he slid into his tent, changed into some shorts and opened up Grandpa’s last letter. To C.J.’s relief it was a short message, he didn’t have the energy for a long one.
***
C.J. just listen, don’t panic…
Grandpa
***
As sleep tugged at C.J.’s eyelids, his thoughts wrestled with Grandpa’s last note. He fell asleep confused about what in the world it could mean.
I am rooting for CJ......
I like how this is progressing. Good luck, CJ!