Page 45 of Capture the Moment

“Hey, Coop! Wait up!” Frankie’s voice echoed through the quiet parking lot.

Coop quickened his pace, hoping to outdistance him. He wasn’t in the mood for company, especially not Frankie’s. He wanted this day to think through a few things, like how to ask Kate Cunningham out on a date.

Frankie caught up with surprising ease. “Mind if I tag along?”

Coop shot him a glance, annoyed. “Yes, I do mind. This is my day off. I was hoping for some time to myself.”

Frankie grinned, undeterred, and opened the passenger side of the truck. “I saw what you put in your pack. I know you’re going hiking. And that probably means the backcountry. You know the park rules—use the buddy system.”

Coop sighed, knowing better than to argue that point. The kid was right. “You better not expect me to share my food with you.”

“Not to worry. I can handle my own sustainment.”

Turning onto the main road, Coop scoffed. “Your pack looks way too light. Did you even bring a can of bear spray?”

“No worries. Bears are just as afraid of me as I am of them.”

“What about a warm coat? There’s a lot of snow up there.”

“My body has a low thermostat setting.”

Fine. Coop was well familiar with a teen’s know-it-all attitude. The only way to break through it was by experience. He slowed down as he drove the truck past a line of Boy Scouts, all in uniform. “They’re working on their hiking merit badge. I spoke to their leader yesterday.”

“Yeah. That badge is a piece of cake.”

“Yeah?” Coop glanced at Frankie. “How do you know?” This kid didn’t strike Coop as the Boy Scout type.

He shrugged. “I know things.”

They didn’t chat much until Coop pulled into the parking area off Pilgrim Creek Road. After parking the truck, they hit the trail. The Middle Pilgrim Creek Trail started off easy, with a wide, flat stretch alongside the creek. As they delved deeper into the wilderness, he and Frankie encountered more snow, not just in the shaded areas. They also had to navigate several creek crossings, which could be quite tricky at this time of year,if not downright impossible. Coop couldn’t help but wonder if the hike might be too challenging for Kate. He glanced back at Frankie to check on his progress. With a sigh of relief, Coop realized he had nothing to worry about with that kid. Frankie moved like a gazelle, effortlessly conquering the ascent.

An hour or so into the hike, Frankie slipped away to water the bushes, he said, and Coop found a sunny spot to rest for a bit. He drank a few sips from his water bottle, closed his eyes, and soaked up the sun. Frankie returned with a surprise—berries, carried in his shirt like a hammock. He held one hand out to Coop. “Try these. They’re underripe, but still provide nourishment.”

Coop raised an eyebrow. “Huckleberries.”

“Yep. They thrive in montane forests.” After polishing off the huckleberries, Frankie pulled out a pocketknife and walked over to some plants. Bending over, he dug the plant out of the ground. He walked back to where Coop sat and held out the plant. “I recommend the leaves, though the tuber can be prepared like a potato.”

Coop shook his head, cringing. “Isn’t that a spring beauty?”

“More correctly known as Claytonia virginica.” He chewed a few leaves, then swallowed. “Vitamin rich, full of nutrition.”

As they nibbled on the sour berries, Coop said, “So, I’m guessing you might have had more experience with the great outdoors than you let on.”

“Maybe.”

“Boy Scouts?”

“Possibly.”

“How far’d you get?”

“Far enough.”

Coop watched him for a while. “You’re an Eagle Scout, aren’t you?” He slapped his knee when he saw the embarrassment in Frankie’s eyes. “You are! Man, that’s impressive. I sure didn’t get that far. I think only a small number ever reach Eagle.”

“Four out of every one hundred.”

Coop had to swallow a smile. There was more to this kid than met the eye. “How old were you when you made it?”

---