Chapter 16
CHAPTER
SIXTEEN
SILAS
I wasn’t totally sure that hiking in the winter would be a good idea, but I think it’s turning out to be a great fucking day.
Chelsea let us borrow her car for the weekend, and we left early this morning. We grabbed some food on the way here and then got checked into our cabin—which I have to say is pretty amazing—and dropped off our stuff.
It’s a little chilly out, but hiking up some of these trails is keeping the blood flowing, and I can hardly feel it now. Brooke is a little more bundled than I am though. She’s got on a cute little beanie and one of those puffer coats. I can’t wait to take it all off her later.
“You know, I bet there is some kind of connection to your family. I mean, these are the Arbuckle Mountains. And your family is close enough that it could be a possibility.”
“I’m not really sure. I mean, aren’t these, like, one of the most ancient ranges in the United States?”
“I’m glad you asked.” She smiles. “Yes, it is. Obviously, it’s changed over time with land shifts and climate change.
It’s still changing today. Our weather patterns have shifted, creating drier air in Oklahoma, causing more drought conditions, making this area in particular more susceptible to flash floods.
It’s kinda sad when you think about it. Can you imagine what this must have looked like millions of years ago? ” She looks up and around.
“I bet it was incredible. I think it still is. I can’t wait to see the waterfalls. I didn’t know there were caves behind them. We’ll have to come back when it warms up and go explore them.”
“Yeah, that would be fun. It’s too cold and icy right now. The water might even be frozen. We went once when we were fairly young—maybe before Beck went into middle school. I loved it, but Beck didn’t. He felt claustrophobic. The stalactites and stalagmites are really cool, from what I remember.”
“I definitely want to see that. That’s really cool. Do you want to go see the castle or just keep following the trails to the falls?”
There are castle remains here on the park grounds.
“Let’s go to the falls first. I think we’re almost there anyway.” She pulls out the map we got when we came into the park. “Yeah, looks like we’re maybe twenty minutes away.”
“Lead the way.”
She already is, and I’m enjoying watching the view from behind.
“So, Silas, tell me more about your life growing up.” She looks over her shoulder and smiles.
“Well, you know I’m the youngest in the family. I love my parents, but I won’t lie and say I’m not a mama’s boy because I love my mama something fierce. My siblings and I are close, but not like you and Beck are.”
“Are you the only athlete in the family?”
“Two of my brothers played in high school, but they never went any further. They both stayed close to home so they could help on the farm.”
“So why didn’t you stay close to home? Although we’re not too far from where you’re from, right?”
I shake my head even though she can’t see me.
“Not too far. It’s maybe a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Walker.
And I didn’t stay close to home because my parents didn’t want to hold me back from the offers I got to play at elite programs. I think, too, by the time I was on my way out, they had the farm taken care of between my brothers and didn’t really need me anyway. ”
“That’s good. You’ve definitely had a great college career. Did you always want to play at this level, or did it just kind of happen?”
“A little bit of both maybe. I was fast and strong, but I had some issues in school that no one seemed to recognize until I was in, like, middle school.”
“Like behavioral or learning?”
“Cupcake, I’m an angel.”
I laugh, and she turns her head, smiling.
“Right.”
“Most of the time, I am. And I was a good kid too. Might be hard to believe, but I was kind of shy when I was little. I think it was because I struggled, and instead of getting made fun of, I became the funny guy.”
“I can see that. So, what did you struggle with? Anything in particular or just in general?”
She stops and pulls out her map again, and we take a turn on the trail, where a sign also points to the falls.
The path widens enough that I can walk beside her instead of behind, so I reach for her gloved hand.
I love that she doesn’t pull back. Like it’s as natural for her as it is for me to touch her and hold her.
“Well, everything really because I’m dyslexic. And it wasn’t until my coach figured it out that I had a breakthrough and realized that I was actually smart.”
“That’s pretty incredible, Silas. You’re lucky you had a coach who was invested in your growth and was able to recognize that it was something that you could learn to manage. Do you have to use particular tools for studying?”
“I do. I wear my glasses, which help me see the letters clearly, but also help eye strain. I also have reading rulers, audiobooks and there are apps I can use, but I don’t like to rely on those.
I prefer to do it on my own, and between my glasses and ruler, I’m usually fine.
Plus, I order books that have special fonts for people with dyslexia. ”
“I don’t know that I’ve ever seen that. Can you show me when we get home?”
“Yeah, of course.” I lift her hand and kiss it over her glove.
She gives me a soft smile, and she’s so damn cute with the pink in her cheeks from the cold.
“And your major is something smart, right?” She laughs.
I chuckle. “Yeah, I guess it is. Biomedical engineering.”
“What do you want to do with that?”
We’re getting closer to the falls, and the trail is getting a little more traffic than what we’ve met so far. An older couple is moving slower, but I’m still impressed that they’re out here at all. I pull Brooke over to the side to give them room to get by.
“Thank you, son,” the man says.
“You’re so sweet. Thank you.” The woman reaches out her hand and touches Brooke’s arm.
“No problem. Did you enjoy the falls?” she asks them.
“Oh, yes. We’ve been coming here since we were kids. Even before we got married. Seeing it in the winter is special, so we try to make it here at least once before the ice melts. Is this your first time here?”
“I came when I was younger, but this is my husband’s first time here.” Brooke says it so easily.
“Oh, that’s nice. You two don’t look old enough to be married.” The woman smiles.
I wrap my arm around Brooke’s waist. “Had to get this one locked down before she got away.” I kiss her head.
“Good man. I had to do the same thing with this one.” He points to the woman. “We’ve been married now for forty-five years.”
“Oh wow, that’s incredible. How did you make it work for all this time?” Brooke leans into me.
“A lot of patience and communication,” the woman says with a snicker. “And get earplugs when he gets to the age where he starts to snore.”
“I don’t snore. She’s full of bologna.” He wraps an arm around her, and she laughs. “My piece of advice would be for you, young man. Know when to admit you’re wrong, say you’re sorry, and above all, listen to what she’s telling you not only with words, but her actions.”
“I love that.” Brooke looks up at me.
“Those are some wise words there. I’ll keep them front and center up here.” I tap my head.
“We’ll let you two get on with your day. Good luck to you.” The woman smiles and nods as they walk by.
“Thank you. Be careful on the trail. Watch for the icy patches,” Brooke calls after them, then looks at me. “How cute are they?”
I turn her to face me. “You’re cute. And I’m so happy to be here with you. Thank you for coming with me.”
“Silas, I should be the one thanking you. Every step we’ve made since Vegas, you’ve just made it so easy. And you’re really fun to be around and hang out with, so I’m feeling pretty lucky.” She lifts her shoulder and tucks her chin.
“I won’t argue with you there. You have a great husband, but honestly, I think we’re just good together.”
She has a stray hair so I tuck it back under her hat.
A shy smile spreads across her face. “I do too.” She places her hand on my cheek. “So, back to your major. Tell me why you picked biomedical engineering.”
I turn and tuck her arm around mine. “Well, it’s simple really.
My dad had a heart attack, and he struggled with getting the right pacemaker.
Like, his body just kept rejecting it. Not only was it painful for my dad, but the cost was insane.
They had to leverage the farm, and it’s just now slowly recovering. ”
“Okay, but where do you come in?”
“So, I want to help develop a machine that is more natural in materials, but also cost-effective,” I explain.
“But how are you going to do all of that with your NFL career? You won’t have a ton of time as long as you’re playing.”
She’s not wrong, but I’m going to try to find ways to continue researching.
“I’m not really sure. I may look into companies to invest in until I can give my full attention to it, once my football career is over.”
“I like that. I think it’s important to have an after-football plan. You never know what can happen. You could have a long career or a short one.”
“Well, let’s hope, for the sake of our financial future, it’s a long one.”
We both laugh.
“Whatever happens and wherever life takes you, I know you’ll be incredible. You want to know a secret?” She looks up at me with a goofy smile.
“One thousand percent yes. I want to know all of your secrets.”
“I thought you might be smarter than you let on. I’ve watched you for the last few years. And I saw that mask come on when you felt like you needed to … perform maybe?”
“So, I didn’t fool you, is what you’re telling me?”
We get to a staircase that looks a little slick, so I take the steps in front of her so she doesn’t fall, but I don’t let go of her hand as I descend.
“Maybe it’s that I could see more because I was looking.” She squeezes my hand.
I don’t look back over my shoulder at her, but I tip my head down and smile.
When we reach the falls, we find a place to sit. The stone is cold enough that I can feel it through the jeans I’m wearing, so I lift her and put her in my lap.
“I don’t want that sweet ass of yours getting cold.” I kiss her neck behind her ear.
“So thoughtful of you.” She turns her head and kisses me quickly.
There are people roaming around the edges of the falls, taking pictures, and a few stopping for a snack or drink break. But I’m perfectly content, sitting here with my wife in my arms.
“Isn’t this beautiful?”
She’s looking out over the water cascading down the rocks. Some streams of water are frozen, making it almost look like something from a movie.
And it is beautiful, but when I look back at her face, nothing compares.
“Yeah, it’s breathtaking.” I pull her in tighter and breathe in her and this moment.