Beacon, Yellow, Arthritis, Coffee, Grizzly

“Aheeeee! Stop!”, Janet screamed, panting and running through the trees. She stumbled and bent over holding her ribs to catch her breath. The arthritis in her knees wouldn’t cooperate with running anymore and those three cups of coffee just made her jittery. Far ahead in a field of yellow sunflowers and a dazzling sunset, she could barely see Jack’s silhouette. She could tell that he had stopped in a row of flowers, but nothing more. Janet started to run and catch up one more time, suddenly bursting out of the forest path into the blinding sunlight.

Jack was standing perfectly still like a beacon. His breath coming in short quiet pants. The Mama Grizzly and cubs were nestled into a berm next to the sunflower row. She hadn’t seen Jack yet. He knew to back away quietly, or prepare for the worst and roll into a tight ball. Somehow he had to alert Janet to stay put without rousing the Mama Bear. Gently, softly, he stepped back and walked backwards for several steps. He prayed that Janet would see his strange behavior, come no closer and certainly not yell! When it seemed the Bear may not have noticed him, he fell into a sprint toward Janet, grabbing her arm as he flew by. “Come on! Run!” Jack said hoarsely. The two ran for a mile until they were too exhausted to continue.

Jack started to explain what had almost happened and he fainted. Janet thought this was the worst second date ever!