Book Excerpts discussion

Sara and I were walking through a forest. Sunlight dappled wild flowers, ferns, and moss that grew around the base of fir, hemlock, and cedar. The day was warm and bright and we stopped to pick blueberries and raspberries. We also ate a substance that grew on rocks that had a consistency like bread. Everything was delicious, and we were very satisfied with our meal.

We strolled along a stream and glanced at cascades of emerald water bubbling into transparent pools filled with feeding trout. Birds were everywhere, singing from branches and flying from tree to tree. Rabbits, squirrels, raccoons, and other animals went quietly about their normal activities, and our presence did not seem to disturb them.

We came to a gorgeous pool below a waterfall and sat there, enjoying the beauty and tranquility of the surrounding landscape. A doe came to drink at the pool on the opposite bank and looked at us with serenity in her eyes. She walked a short distance and was joined by a buck, and together they disappeared into the forest.

Sara dove into the pool and swam to the waterfall. She climbed onto a rock where tiny drops of spray caught the sunlight and formed a rainbow around her naked body. She waved to me, and I waved back to her. Slipping into the pool, she swam to the other side of the stream, where she climbed onto another rock to let herself dry in the warm sun. She looked beautiful, and I felt an intense love for her.

I dove into the pool and swam to the rock she was sitting on. She giggled, stood up, and ran into the dense vegetation. I pulled myself out of the water and ran after her, but I couldn’t find her. I anxiously searched the area, calling her name several times. There was no answer. Sara was gone.

I woke up shouting, "Sara."

Strong Bear was looking at me from his bed. "You were having a dream, it’s okay now."

I looked at him and said, "It’ll never be okay because Sara is never coming back."

"You’ll see her on the other side."

********************

Dick stood up and pushed the man down. Another man tried to grab me. I shoved him away. The gym exploded with yells and shrieks. Several people ran over to the environmentalists’ side of the gym and began fighting with them.

Another man stood up and took a swing at me. I ducked and Dick gave him a Karate shot to his shoulder. I grabbed Susan's hand and yelled, “We’re getting out of here!"

I looked for Matt as we made our way down the bleachers. He was nowhere to be seen. People gave us hateful looks and shouted obscenities as we passed them. Nearing the floor, I saw Matt with two policemen standing in front of us.

Someone shoved me from behind. I whirled around to face him. He hit me in the face with his fist. The blow caught me off guard. I fell backwards between two people and my head hit the wooden floor of the gym.

***************************

Fresh snow came to the high mountains in early September. A week later, Susan and I went for a drive in the foothills. We stopped for a drink at a restaurant and sat on a deck enjoying a view of the peaks. The golden leaves of a nearby aspen tree fluttered in a breeze.

Susan stared at her drink for a while. Then she looked at me and said, “I think I’m falling in love with you."

I looked at the distant range of mountains and felt my stomach tighten. I said, "This is happening too fast. I’m not over the loss of Sara. I haven’t fulfilled my obligations to her. I need time.”

I thought for a few seconds and added, “I think it would be good for me to get away for a while. I want to keep my job, but I can’t make the kind of commitment you want, at least not now. You’ve been good to me. I hope you understand what I’m trying to say."

**************************

I gained altitude quickly, knowing my next concern would be the other chopper. Looking to my right, I saw the poacher's helicopter coming after me. The chopper's side door opened, and a man appeared with an assault rifle in his hands. Pointing his rifle at my chopper, he opened fire. Several rounds ripped through my helicopter.

Smoke poured into the cockpit as I looked for a place to land. More bullets tore into my chopper. I brought my helicopter down and made a rough landing. I pushed the door open and jumped to the ground. Blades whirled overhead and flames burst from my helicopter as I dashed in the direction of nearby trees. There was more gunfire. I kept running as fast as I could in the slippery snow.

A loud explosion filled the air behind me. I hit the ground and covered my head. Burning debris flew over me. Looking back, I saw a ball of fire consuming my helicopter. I got to my feet and ran. Above the roar of the flames, I heard the other helicopter pursuing me. I strained every muscle in my body to reach the timber. Bullets sprayed around me.