Page 4 of Durango

When I first saw Willow again in Ozzie’s apartment, I admit I got excited, thinking I might have my second chance. But then, when she told me why she had a friends-with-benefitsrelationship with Ozzie, to make me jealous, I was angry. Yes, we were younger, but I don’t like games.

I didn’t stay angry for long. My cousin, Piper, helped me see things from a different perspective. I have to appreciate the fact that Willow is here now, willing to be honest. She has changed. She’s more serious now. And I’ve changed, too. I’m not the same boy I used to be.

“We’ve been spending a lot of time together, but whenever I suggest we go on a formal date, she gets weird. Finally, I came out and asked her if she just wanted to be friends. She said no, she wants to date but isn’t ready yet.”

The car drifts to the left, and CT’s knuckles are white as he grips the steering wheel. “Hydroplaning,” CT says. “There’s too much damn water on the roadway.” He clears his throat. “Why isn’t she ready? Did something happen to her?”

I sigh. “I think so. All she has told me so far is that she was in a bad relationship and is taking her time to deal with it.”

“Well, it sounds like she needs to be in therapy if she isn’t. Whenever she is ready to date, it sounds like she might still have issues to deal with.”

We turn off the highway, following the signs to Pine Valley.

“Who our age isn’t dealing with issues?” I ask.

It’s hard to get into your mid-thirties and not have some hang-up or baggage. I certainly come with my own. Leaving the service early was hard, and if I’m honest, part of me is still angry about it. I take a deep breath and then slowly blow it out.

As we drive down a two-lane country road, the rain picks up. CT turns the windshield wipers on full blast. It’s almost impossible to see at this point.

“We should pull over for a while,” I suggest.

“If we can find a place.”

He drives slowly for another mile as we look for a turnout, any turnout, but don’t find one. But we do find a sign that says, “Road Closed,” and it diverts us to the left.

“Wow, that road was open this morning,” CT says as he turns onto the new road.

He slams on the brakes. In front of us is a woman holding on to a walker, flagging us down. I roll down my window as CT moves forward slowly.

“Oh, please help me! I need to get my horse into the trailer. My son was going to help me, but he’s trapped in his development by flooded roads.”

CT pulls into the driveway. “Let’s help her. We have time before we need to be at the office.”

He parks, and I step out of his car into mud.

The woman sloshes her walker through it and points to the barn. “My horse is in there, and I’ve got the trailer ready to go. We need to get him inside.”

CT pats her on the shoulder. “We’ll take care of it. What’s your horse’s name?”

“Buttons.”

“Come on,” CT says to me.

At this point, we’ve been standing outside for two minutes, and we are soaked. I follow him to the barn, where we find Buttons. Fortunately, the horse isn’t afraid of strangers, and we’re able to get him loaded into the trailer without any issues.

“Thank you so much!” the woman says. But instead of moving toward the truck, she goes toward her house.

I glance at the house, and that’s when I spot the river on the backside. CT looks at me and frowns. He runs up to the woman. I follow.

“Hey, shouldn’t you be driving out of here while you can?”

“I will as soon as I get my dogs. The water has never been this close to the house before,” she says. “I’m scared it’s going to keepcoming. I can’t leave them here.” She continues to move toward the front door.

“Let us help you. How many are there?” CT asks.

“Two!” she shouts.

It’s harder to hear anything as we keep moving closer to the house and to the river.

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