Sweet Dandelion
“I’ve got water too.” Ansel points behind himself at his bag.
Sasha rolls her eyes behind her sunglasses. “Suck up.”
“How does bringing water make me a suck up?” he grumbles as the three of us start up the trail.
I haven’t tried anything like this since I was released from the rehabilitation clinic I was in after the hospital and I pray my leg holds up to the two mile trek up and back.
I gulp at the four-mile total distance, but decide to mentally tackle one portion at a time.
A year ago four miles would’ve been nothing. I could’ve run it without being winded. Now the idea of walking it threatens to give me a panic attack.
I do my best to silence my thoughts and focus on Ansel and Sasha’s bickering.
“You knew I was bringing lunch. It should be implied I would cover the drink portion.”
“You can never have too much water.”
“True, but now you’re carrying a backpack for no reason.”
Ansel tries not to laugh as I lag behind the two of them, my limp slowing me down. “Would you like me to turn around and put my backpack in the car?” He comes to a complete stop and I stumble, trying not to bump into him. “Whoa, sorry, Meadows.” His hand closes around my arm and he keeps me from falling on my face. “I should’ve looked behind me before I stopped.”
“S’okay,” I mutter, my cheeks heating. Not because he’s touching me, but because he shouldn’t have had to stop me from falling. When he came to a stop in front of me, I couldn’t move in time because of my stupid leg.
I look down at my leg, feeling the anger bubble inside me. I allow myself to feel that emotion for only a moment before I shut it down and focus on gratefulness instead, because I’m lucky to even walk. My leg and foot might cause me trouble, but being able to stand and take one single step is a blessing I’m thankful for.
The two of them cease their bickering and we follow the trail up.
I find my breath constantly lodged in my throat at the stunning views. It’s more beautiful than I expected. It’s becoming obvious to me why my brother fell in love with Salt Lake and never left.
Eventually we reach the waterfall. I try not to think about the fact that it takes us nearly an hour because of me, both of them slowing down until we all walked side by side, me in the middle.
The waterfall is larger than I expected, surrounded by trees beginning to turn shades of red, orange, and yellow. There’s a large
rocky outcropping and that’s where we set up our picnic, careful to avoid the slippery moss in some areas.
“This is peanut butter and jelly,” Ansel accuses, unwrapping his sandwich.
Sasha rolls her eyes, blowing a piece of loose hair from her eyes. “What did you expect? Steak and potatoes? You’re lucky you got that.”
She passes me a wrapped sandwich. “Ignore Ansel,” I tell her, glaring at him, “he eats peanut butter and jelly three times a week.”
Ansel grins at me. “Paying attention to what I eat, Meadows?”
“Only because you annoy me.”
He laughs, knowing he doesn’t annoy me, at least not anymore.
“You guys should date,” Sasha announces, chewing a bite of her sandwich. Ansel and I look at her stone-faced. “What?” She blinks innocently. “You two bicker like an old married couple already. Just make it official.”
I feel Ansel’s eyes drift to me, but I ignore his look. “We’re friends. I’m not interested in a relationship.”
Ansel clears his throat. “Why ruin a good thing?”
Sasha looks at us like we’re dumb. “Whatever you say.” I swear there’s relief in her eyes, though.
“This is beautiful.” I look around at all the trees and waterfall. I’m not sure our exact elevation, but it doesn’t matter because the views are incredible.
“There are a lot of places like this around here. I kind of get lost in my own world and forget they exist.” Ansel picks a piece of his crust off and Sasha glares at him.