Page 18 of Factory Controller

“Look, just be more careful, all right?”

Aw, damn it all. I think I’m sweet on her. I don’t want to be sweet on her. Caring about people always ends the same way—tragedy.

“I will,” she says. Her eyes dart downward, then back up. I glance down and see I’m still holding her hand. I release it like a hot stove and thrust my offending hand into my pocket.

“Anyway, we should get going.”

I take us on a well-used trail blazed by the hip-high, graceful forest deer. Most of the deadly things in the rainforest have no interest in harming humans; it’s an incidental contact, often taking both parties by surprise. Keeping to the worn trail will help Heather remain safe.

We reach a spot in the path where erosion has led to an upheaval. I pause before the sudden five-foot-tall cliff and gesture for Heather to come closer.

“Here, I’ll help you up.” I cup my hands together and hold them low. Heather only hesitates for a moment before putting her foot in my hands. Her hand goes naturally to my bare shoulder as I heave her up onto the path above.

I can’t resist a glance at her glorious behind as she clambers up with those mile-long legs. How long has it been since I’ve spent so much time with an attractive woman? Maybe I should have accepted those marriage proposals from the local tribeswomen. Then I wouldn’t have to be lonely at night, not to mention sex crazed just because a woman’s wearing torn pants.

I struggle up the rise and get to my feet, taking the lead again.

No, I can’t be into her. She’s not looking to settle down in my jungle paradise with me. She wants to leave the rainforest behind and never look back.

“So,” I say as we resume our journey. “Is there a husband waiting for you back at home? Boyfriend?”

Heather darts an anxious look my way, as if measuring how much to tell me about her personal life.

“Nobody’s really waiting for me. My work keeps me traveling a lot.”

She cocks an eyebrow at me as we walk abreast on a wide portion of the trail. “What about you, Trent?”

“Me? You think I’d let some chick come in and ruin my bachelor mojo? As if.”

Figures I’d overcompensate. Guess some part of me does like her.

“Well, whatever makes you happy, I guess.”

I cast a scowl her way. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It’s not supposed to mean anything other than what I said. You should do you.”

“It wasn’t the words you said, it was the way you said them. Like you were judging me.”

Why do I care so much what she thinks?

“Well, maybe I was a little. Sorry.”

We continue on in silence for a time. The sun peeks in through breaks in the canopy, beaming down golden lances which set puddles aglitter and turned green leaves into shiny mirrors. This is the part of the rainforest most don’t get to see, where you’re deep into areas where even the natives don’t often roam.

After several hours of rough travel, I notice Heather’s sides heaving and realize we need a break. I’m not feeling that great, myself.

“See that clearing up ahead?”

“The one with the fallen log?”

“Looks like a great place for a picnic, doesn’t it?”

“Picnic?” Heather purses her lips and considers me with suspicion.

“No fried chicken or potato salad, but I’ve got some energy bars.”

She bites her lower lip. “Great, I could destroy some energy bars right about now.”

---