Page 28 of Dangerous Kiss
Chapter Twelve
Nicco stood at the junction of the trail. “Which way?”
Cosimo, only a little way behind his son, nodded towards the Emmons Moraine Trail. “If we go that way, we’ll get to see the Emmons Glacier. Largest in the contiguous States.”
“Cool.”
Cosimo didn’t mind this one-word appraisal now. He’d learned as they hiked alongside the White River for the last hour or so, that Nicco was merely economical with his words. When Cosimo asked him about something he cared about, however, his son was erudite and knowledgeable and passionate.
As they walked now, he looked at his son. “So, I guess movie making and bathymetry don’t have a lot of crossover that we can bond about.”
Nicco shrugged. “I don’t know… documentaries are cool.”
“Who’s your favorite?”
“Werner Herzog or the Maysles. Did you ever seeGrizzly Man?”
Cosimo nodded. “That one kept me up at night.”
“I know, right? The part where he tells the mother never to let anyone else hear Timothy Treadwell’s screams? Holy cow.” Nicco shook his head. “But I kind of loved Treadwell for his optimism. His love for the bears outweighed his sense of risk. Backfired, of course, but it was there.”
“Nic… are you really only sixteen?” Cosimo shook his head, grinning, and Nicco laughed.
“Guess I’m just passionate about what I love, too…like my old man.”
Cosimo smiled at him. “Maybe one day, we could make a documentary together.”
Nicco nodded. “I’d like that.”
They walked on a little further until they reached the glacier. “Woah.” Nicco said, blowing out his cheeks.
“It’s something, alright.” Cosimo gazed out over the vista, and the two men enjoyed the view in silence for a few minutes.
“Want to double back, do the rest of the Great Basin?”
“Sure thing.”
They went back down the spur and onto the main pathway. “So,” Nicco said, and Cosimo detected a note of curiosity in his tone. “Biba…”
“Yes?”
Nicco grinned at his father. “You like her.”
“Didn’t you?”
“Dude, have you seen her? Of course I liked her, but not in that way. She’s so cool. I mean, youlikelike her.”
Cosimo didn’t know where this was heading, so he didn’t answer. Nicco play-punched his shoulder. “Dad, seriously…you should go for it. I could see you two were into each other. Reggie thinks so, too.”
“It’s that obvious?”
“Yup.” Nicco bent down to study a plant at the side of the path. “Huh. Anyway, yes. You and Biba.”
Cosimo considered. “You know there’s nineteen years age difference?”
“So? Who gives a shit? You were, what, seven years older than Mom? It’s just numbers. What counts is the chemistry.”
“Jesus, youarean old man inside.”
