Page 79 of Grown-Up Second Chance

They halted.

Calling them idiots wasn’t likely to get their cooperation, much as I wanted to do just that.

“Did you read the rules?”

“Rules?” the mom asked.

I pointed to a nearby sign.

“Oh,” she said with a laugh. “Don’t feed them. We have no food.” She smiled brightly.

“Twenty-five yards,” I said. “The rule says you can’t get within twenty-five yards of an elk. Or a bison,” I added for good measure.

She turned to her husband, and there was a rapid exchange in a language I didn’t understand.

“Yards, like meters.”

“Yeah, sort of. Twenty-five. No closer.”

She looked at the elk. “We’re too close. No petting?”

I expelled a sigh of relief.

“No, no petting.”

“Okay.” Beyond her a ranger was walking toward us.

Then one of the kids yelled and pointed behind me.

I turned around.

The elk was on the move. Not with an ambling gait, but more deliberate steps.

“Let’s get out of here. Now,” I said, and started them moving away from the beast.

They moved rapidly, but when I glanced over my shoulder, the animal had picked up speed.

“You go that way; I’ll go this way,” I said. “Maybe he’ll follow me.” I pushed them in the direction of the ranger who was on his walkie talkie.

I headed toward the restaurant.

The small family started to run and for a moment the elk hesitated. Then he made his choice.

I started to run.

People pointed and screamed and dashed away from me. I kept hoping they’d divert the animal’s attention, but apparently once he made up his mind, he was fixated.

Typical male.

I started to pant. I was getting used to walking, but I hadn’t run since who knew when.

Hooves thumped behind me.

A pain pierced my side.

I wasn’t going to make it.

I veered toward a tree. Maybe if I got behind it, he’d go right past.

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