Dale Thacker Aurthor

Tag: romance

  • The Healing

    The Healing

                As I lay there in the mud wallow and I’m wallowing around all the bleeding stops. I feel no pain, my head is spinning, I don’t have a clue, what was in that marijuana, that Lucifer had given me, it wasn’t Ceasar’s marijuana for sure. I’m having flashbacks, don’t get me wrong! I am glad that bastard farmer Brown is dead. He had to die, for what he did to Ceasar. I’m not sure if I had it in me, without this marijuana, it had purple smoke. But I’m so ashamed of killing the farmer’s wife. I had never wanted to hurt her. If wasn’t for the marijuana, that I have to assume was laced. But with what, PCP, Cocaine, Heroin, Fentanyl, Ketamine, or LSD are some of the things that comes to mind. Speaking of mind, mine is just spinning. I hate this feeling. I need it to stop, but how?

                I remember I have some of the marijuana, I had gotten from the farmer’s wife. Will smoking this help? I smoked the whole bag and my head is not spinning as bad. I was able to crawl from the mud wallow, to the bank of the pond. I have no idea, how long I laid there, I must have passed out. I think I was having dreams, I’m uncertain it seems real. I was with Luna; we were to raise a beautiful family. Right now, I don’t know what real, and what is not.

                When I woke, it was the most beautiful bear standing there. My head is so groggy, was this Luna here with me, I don’t know reality right now. Could it be? are we are together now? What about Maverick, I don’t want to do anything to harm that beautiful family. I told her, she was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. I couldn’t help myself, the marijuana had me out of my mind. I smacked her on her ass, and gave her one hell of a bear hug, and nose rub. Then I introduced myself as Benjiman, and asked her name. She said you crazy thing, you know who I am, I’m Luna. I was shocked, and apologized of what all, I had said and done. I tell her, that I don’t know what all had happened to me. I think I may have had some laced marijuana, but with what. I told her that due to my mind being altered by drugs, I had killed the farmer’s wife by accident. I just shoved her; I didn’t mean to kill her. I then turned to farmer Brown, I think he shot me 5 times with his shotgun, it felt like fly’s. After that I went towards him, as he shattered his gun on my head. I then made 1 swipe with my paw, ripping his body apart blood went everywhere, I flung him into the wall, so hard that the whole house shook, it felt like an earthquake. I then ripped his heart out of his lifeless body, and I ate it. Luna said did it taste good. I said YES. She said OMG you have been to hell and back. She gave me a big hug, and said she will always be his friend. I thought after telling her these details, she would be so applaud at me. I felt like she would never talk to me again. I was applaud at myself, for killing the farmer’s wife. But I’m glad that fucking bastard farm Brown is dead.

                She asked if I was able to make it back to her den, that she would help to nurse him back to health. I said it might take him a little longer than normal, but he would make it there. She helped me all the way back to her den. Once in the den, she told Maverick to go tell Sophia, she must know. I’m worried for Bud, he is my younger brother, but seems like my son.

                Luna said we need to get you all cleaned up and showered, to prevent infection. The mud wallow stopped the bleeding as it was supposed to. Washing will probably get you to bleeding again. So, I’m going outside to my herb garden, I’ll get some yarrow to stop any bleeding, also some goldenseal to prevent infection. After your shower I will put the herbs, over all your wound sites, I will bandage these herbs in place, to help you heal. After getting him all cleaned and bandaged, I went outside to get a basket of spinach to cook, I’ll place 5 pounds of bacon in it. The spinach will help to raise your iron level, since you lost so much blood. You need to drink plenty of water also, to help rehydrate yourself. We are so lucky you didn’t die.

                I’m now in so much pain, all over my body, it feels like I’ve been hit with multiple loads, of bird shot close range. I’m damn lucky that I’m am still alive. I will need marijuana for pain control, what I have left is probably not enough to get me out of pain. Luna has taken such good care of me. She is the very best friend a bear could have. I will get Maverick to go over to farmer Brown’s home, to get him to get all the marijuana, out of the large drawer. I’m not going to let him know of the small evil drawer. I have no idea if what Lucifer gave me, came from the small drawer, or somewhere else. I’m very depressed also, now knowing what I did to the farmer’s wife. That purple smoke is so mind altering. I need to know from Lucifer, what was in that marijuana. It might be a week or 2 before I go and talk to him about that. I need time to heal!

                I have smoked a couple of cigars now, the pain is easing up, I tell Luna to have one. She said, no she doesn’t have any pain, she don’t need one. I tell her I was glad she is keeping up with the promises, we all made to Ceasar. Sophia comes running in saying OMG, I thought I had lost you, as she gave me a big bear hug. I screamed in pain; she was horrified, that she hurt me. I said you didn’t know you was going to hurt me. Here comes my Bud, I tell him that we no longer need to worry, while we are fishing at farmer Browns pond. I didn’t want him to know any details. Susie and Dottie were just glad to see me. I tell Luna, to roll me another cigar, she said we was out, but that Maverick would be back soon.

                All the cubs were so good and concerned about me, they wanted to do anything they could to help me out, especially Bud. Sophia and Luna are now fixing supper, they tell me to just rest. Luna said the herbs will help with the healing process. Luna said everything she fixing for supper, will help raise his blood levels, as they are rich in iron. I was thinking, I couldn’t have a better friend than Luna. I may be dead now, if she didn’t find me at the pond. My head isn’t so groggy now, from Lucifer’s purple smoke marijuana. But oh, the pain is getting worse.

                Maverick is back now, and he has a very large bag of marijuana. I have never seen so much, but all of us will be supplied, for quite some time. I asked if that all came from the big drawer, he said yes. I’m pretty sure the small drawer, is PCP laced marijuana. I plan to go get it, when I feel better. I will put it in a safe spot. I don’t want anyone, to get hold of the evil marijuana. I tell Maverick to roll me a large cigar, which he did and lit it for me. I smoked the whole cigar and was in less pain. Sophia said that supper was ready. I started to go into the kitchen and the pain made me fall to the floor. Luna and Sophia helped me back on the bed. Luna said you silly goose, you are staying in that bed, for the next several days, until you are healed and able to get up. I said yes Ma’am.

                Luna brought in for me, another large bowl of spinach with bacon, also a whole deer backstrap, and a 2 loafs of sourdough bread. She said everything is high in iron, and I be healed in no time. A bear could get used to this pampering, from such a beautiful bear.

                For the next week, we all stayed with Luna and Maverick. The cubs and Sophia, would go to the pond fishing, to past time. We decided we were to manage the pond now, that there would be no more restocking’s now, with the evil farmer Brown dead. No more than 1 fish daily, per bear would be kept, with a 22-inch size limit. Everyone agreed. Fishing the pond is much more fun than the stream, and we can’t fish it out. It would take several years, for fish spawning to get to keeper size.

                Every day they would bring 1 or 2 fish back 22 to 25 inches was the largest. Bud said, don’t worry the world record size trout, is still there and he will catch it. We didn’t laugh at his optimism this time, we saw how his pole was doubled and pulled him in last time. We also now believe the pond may have a world record rainbow trout lurking in it.

                Everyday my pain is getting a little less, I began to get up and walk into the living room and kitchen. I’m still weak, Luna insists that I lean on her, while I move around the den. I must say, I didn’t mind, but I know we are just friends. I’m not feeling as strange being around her, and having her rub against me. I have accepted again, that we are just friends, and oh what a friend I have.

                It’s now been over a week, I have begun to go outside some, with Luna staying close to my side, making sure I’m ok. Everyone is fishing at the pond and I tell Luna, I would like to venture down to the pond. She said that’s a lot, are you sure you up to this. I said yes if I get tired, I’d just lay down and rest. It was a tiring trip to get there, but we made it non-stopped. Susie shows me a 23-inch trout she had caught; it was the only keeper they had so far. I see Buds pole looking like it had a nibble. Bud said relax, that’s just the extremely large minnow, he is now using, trying to catch the record rainbow trout. Dottie screams I have a big one. Its jumping out of the water and doing acrobatics. It’s a nice rainbow but it doesn’t look to be the record setter. It’s all she can do to pull it in. It is a large rainbow but not the record setter. It was 28 inches and weighed 10 pounds.

                Seems like the action had slowed down, no bites in over an hour. I was taking a bear nap, when I hear Bud yell. I got the world record on my line; this time he is braced up against a tree to keep from being pulled in. That rainbow trout was out of the water, more than in the water. It was a huge trout, if he was to get it in, it will be the world record. He battled it for over a half hour. He reels in line, then the fish would pull line off, as the drag would be screaming, as the line is being pulled back off the reel. Bud has finally tired the trout out; he gets it up on bank. It’s a remarkable 44 inches long and weighs 38 pounds. I tell him that will taste good tonight. Bud said no, no it will not, he had so much fun with that rainbow trout, he was going to release it, so someone else could do battle with this monster fish. That was a proud big brother moment. This trip to farmers Brown pond was what I needed.

                We all headed back to Luna’s den, during the walk back, I know I have recovered enough, that tomorrow, we would be headed back to our den. We had one last feast that night. I tell everyone we would be returning to our den. It will feel good getting back to our den. I knew I had an appointment; I need to follow through with. But I may need a short period of time, prior to talking to Lucifer.

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  • Kill Season Ends

    Kill Season Ends

                After hearing the hounds running on top of the mountains, we have tried to be careful. We know that we down to less than 2 weeks, until the end of kill season. The weather has been warm and pretty. We can hear large equipment that’s been working on the road below us. I decided to walk toward that equipment, to see the progress. It’s a 2-mile hike, the road below the heavy equipment looks good. But from the where the equipment is, up to where our den is, is destroyed. I feel that unless a hunting group comes in from other side of the mountain, we are safe for the rest of the season.

                We all decided we were going to be hunting and fishing some since the cupboard is running low. We had such a good supply of food, prior to Sophia’s den being destroyed. We decide not to go higher than half way up the mountain, incase the hunters and hounds come in from the other side of the mountain.

                Lucy and Sophia are fishing in the deep holes and has much luck fishing. James said he will be hunting the mountain towards Sophia’s old den. Myself, I’m seeing deer as I chase the deer, but I am having to stop the chase, at half way up the mountain, I am having no luck at all. I’m just burning fat, rather than layering more fat on. I decided it was worth the chance, to continue the chase high on the mountain, and into the steep rocks. We need the added protein for the added fat. I see 3 yearlings, I begin to chase, as I am chasing them, they do as expected traps themselves in the steep rocks. I go in for the kill, I have killed one, and when getting ready to kill the second one, my worst fear, I hear hounds, they are close to me, and closing quickly. I don’t want to go towards the den, so I head towards Toms old den. These hounds are fast and they catch me. What can I do; fight or go up a tree. I know going up a tree is certain death. I stood my ground, I had my ass end protected, back in the notch of where a blown down tree, meets with the root ball. I had my ass right where the tree meets the root ball. There are only four dogs; can I fight them all off. I hope I can, the first dog makes a mistake, comes in close to me, with one powerful swipe, the dog goes flying in the air. I never knew my strength before now, the dog flew a good 30 feet and crashed to the ground. I believe I killed him he is not moving. The 3 dogs are now trying to figure out how to get to me, they are staying 10 feet away from me now. I believe they are scared now, to come any closer. I decided to charge them and hopefully I can kill one more, during that charge, I take off full charge, the dogs turn to try to run away, I was barely able to smack the last dog as hard I could. It to flew maybe 25 feet. It wasn’t moving either. I decided now is my chance to try to escape. As I ran, they are following me, as I’m  now passing Toms old den, they are 500 yards behind me. I’m getting tired, but I knew I couldn’t go up a tree, or I would be dead. I have concocted a plan; I need to continue all the way to the county that Tom lives in now. Then I can go up a tree and the dogs can have me treed. I can rest until the hunters get there, and they will have to pull their dogs off of me. Can I run all that distance. I must if I want to live. Sophia and Lucy need me. The dogs are also tired and not closing on me as fast, so, my pace doesn’t have to be as fast. I have now crossed the road, I go about 200 yards off of the road, and go up a tree. The dogs come in and is jumping up on the tree, trying to get to me, and are barking full cry. I know I will have to stay where I’m at, until the dogs are put on lead and pulled away from the tree. I will live until another day. The hunters came in, one hunter said to the other, it’s almost like he knew when he was safe. The other hunter said, he killed 2 of my dogs he must die. The first hunter speaks up, no we are ethical hunters, we not changing now. We know every time a dog is released, we taking a chance of a dog dying. Yes, you are right and pull the dogs off the tree. I was so scared I was going to die.

                I’m only a couple hours from Tom’s, I’m hungry and tired, so I’ll go see Tom and Sue, and stay until dark tomorrow night. They were so excited to see me, and they gave me great hospitality, and wanted me to stay, at least until the end of the season. I told them no, my home is with Sophia, Lucy, and James now, that Oliver is dead. The following night I’m fat and happy and have 8 strawberry rhubarb pies to take back to the den, 2 a piece or should I camp out at Toms old den, until they are gone, that would be a lot of deliciousness.

                I’m at the county line a hour after dark, and continue the trip back to our den. That’s when it hits me, I know everyone is probably thinking I am dead, no I’m not but 2 dogs are. I make the trip as fast as possible; I want to be in the den well before daybreak. Upon entering the den everyone is asleep. I put the pies in the refrigerator and go to bed myself, that I see everyone is safe, I turned in for the night.

                I had a very short night because as soon Lucy was awake, she was screaming, oh my god brother you are alive. We thought you were dead. They were amazed when I told the whole story, of how I survived. We decided not to go high on the mountain, until after last day of the season. I said I have a deer, I must go up and get. James said he had found it, and it’s in the freezer. We will hunt low if possible, and kill some game. Maybe some possums are our best bet now. Also, the stream is still full of native trout. This went well for the next week and it is now the last day of the season.

                On the last day of the season Lucy was up before anyone, and has made her way down to the stream, and has 2 baskets to filled with trout. As she was fishing, she hears dogs coming, they are coming straight up the road, straight at her. She knows she can’t go to the den, as though it put all our lives in danger. She doesn’t want to go high on the mountain, where other dogs may be. She runs low following the road and stream. I’m now awake, and I can hear 6 different dogs and they putting on the steam. I’m so afraid I will lose my sister today. She always wears her blaze orange ribbon, with the marijuana bud on it. I hope and pray this will protect her today. Myself and James, have no protection, so we just stayed near the den, and prayed for her. Sophia says she can go help; she has her protection with her. We said no, you also with young cubs and the cubs is Olivers cubs, I will not let you go. Lucy is Olivers daughter, she is smart and powerful.

                We hear the hunters walking up the road, and I hear a couple of familiar voices its Rob and Dale and 2 others. We hear them say, it’s the last day and hoping for a good day. I know they will honor the ribbon. I feel a lot better now. Rob says looks like the bear is staying low it will be easier walking, except this road sucks after the great flood.

                Lucy runs as fast she could but Robs hounds, has caught up with her, after a 3-mile chase. She then fights and kill one dog, but the other dogs close in on her, she had no option but to go up a tree. Lucy has never been treed before; she was scared to death. She sees her Blaze orange ribbon, and says I just hope this will protect me. She doesn’t know its Rob’s dogs. She has never actually met Rob.

                Rob is looking at his GPS unit, says they have treed, and we will kill us a bear today, if it is legal. He said they are treed low on the mountain, not far off the road. The young 18-year-old shooter was excited, he has only been hunting with Rob, this kill season. He wants to kill a bear, and have to have a bear skin rug made. Rob says well let’s get to it, we will have a long drag out due to this road.

                I could hear all this from the den but I have faith in Rob. He is a man true to his words. Sophia and James doesn’t feel as sure as I do, that no harm will come to Lucy. All we can do is sit there and wait, with some marijuana, to help keep us be a little calmer. It’s going to be a long last day of the season for us.

                Rob and his crew are now 200 yards from the tree, and see it’s a nice-sized bear. Rob said Well looks like it’s a shooter, he hasn’t seen the blaze orange ribbon yet. The 18-year-old is ecstatic, he going to have a chance to kill his first bear. They were now only 75 yards from the bear, when Rob says that is not a legal bear. The 18-year-old says, what you mean that bear is easily over 200 pounds. Rob says you are not wrong on that, but this must be Lucy. What you mean Lucy, well you remember I told you of the large bear that I killed, opening day of the season, his name was Oliver. He had a family, Benjiman was with me that night, and was so upset, I ended up giving him 3 Blaze orange ribbons with a marijuana bud’s on each one. He had one for himself, his sister Lucy and his mom Sophia. This bear is too small to be Sophia, so it must be Lucy. It’s not Ben due to this is a sow bear. The 18-year-old was very upset but said OK, since you made that promise I will honor that. They get up close to the tree, and the 18-year-old job is to get all the dogs tied up on leads. He gets 2 dogs tied up and is getting the 3rd one, that’s when Lucy takes a big shit, yes it went all over the 18-year-old. He reaches for his gun, and Rob yells NO. The 18-year-old has his gun pointing at Lucy, and is pulling the trigger, as Rob gets to him, and tackles him, the gun fired. Rob had gotten to him just in time, the bullet missed Lucy. Rob tells him you disregarded my direct order; you will never hunt with me again. He then reaches for his gun, making sure its unloaded, and then wrapped it around a tree. The 18-year-old was mad as hell. Wait until I tell my dad, you are in trouble Rob. Rob said you don’t have to tell him, that I will. I will tell you, you damn hot-headed punk, you lucky your dad wasn’t here, you would have probably been the tree, that your gun was wrapped around. I have hunted with your dad for 20 years; we have much respect for each other. You just showed me no respect. Now get rest of those dogs tied up, and let’s get the hell out of here.

                Ben and James, being outside of the den, heard the gunshot and is very depressed. They know that they just lost their sister and mate. When they go in the den, they were at a loss of words, they go over and roll a large cigar, and one for Sophia. Sophia knew without any words, that she had loss Lucy. I said, I can’t believe this; I knew Rob would be true to his words. I decided I don’t want my cigar, as I angerly go to the road, Sophia begged me not to. James seeing this, also head down to the road with myself. Sophia knows she must stay, due to her babies. She set there mourning Lucy, and know she will probably lose Ben and James also. When they confront the hunters, they will be dead.

                Back at the tree the 18-year-old has all the dogs tied up, the 1st half of trip to the truck, was complete silence, and then he apologized to Rob. Rob said, that’s words mean nothing, you must prove you are sorry. 1st thing I want to know from you is what you learned today. The 18-year-old said, that a man’s word means nothing if you break your word. I also learned bears do shit in the woods, and even on you. But getting shit on is nothing, compared to letting everyone down by going against your words, even if you were to get shit on. Rob said OK, I will accept your apology, next year you can hunt with us, but you will be on probation period for the entire season, before you can become a full fledge member of the hunt club. The 18-year-old agrees to these terms, you have my word that I will never go against your orders. I’m very sorry, I was not going against your words, until I got shit on, then I wasn’t true to myself mostly, and also to everyone else here with me today. You know shit happens and that’s when you find your real integrity as a man. You must work through what hand you are dealt, today has made me a better person.

                Lucy, being faster than humans made it back to the den, Sophia was so happy she was alive. Sophia was sad but chilled, she had smoked 4 large cigars. She then thinking about Ben and James, she tells Lucy she must get to the road, that they going to confront, Rob and the hunting party. She made it to them, had just finished telling them the story, before Rob appeared over the hill, headed towards them.

                The 18-year-old said he was so sorry, that he had disregarded Rob. He tells them he has learned his lesson, that even when a bear shits on you. You still have nothing, if you have lost respect of yourself, and of all your fellow friends, and hunters, if you end up doing something, that you said you would not do. Lucy kind of giggled a little and said, I did not mean to shit on you, but the dogs had scared the shit out of me, and I couldn’t hold it in any more.

                Back at the den everyone was happy they had made it safely though kill season. I tell Lucy I thought it was funny that she had shit on him. We have about a week or two left now, before we will go into hibernation. I was thinking to myself ok our den has 4 bears in it, when we go into hibernation. How many bear lives will it be, when we wake up in the spring?

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  • The Great Flood

    The Great Flood

                Well, looks like we will be shut in for a while, the only way to go through this snow is to tunnel through it. The good news is the storm has stopped, and it’s a beautiful sunny day. It’s morning time, and the temperature is already 40 degrees out. With days like this, maybe in a few days, we will be able to get out of our den again. We have plenty of food to eat, good protein of deer, possums several turkeys and possums, also a lot of native trout and a few rainbow trout. Plenty of greens with bacon to go in the greens, and porridge. Best of all we have a lot of flour, and sourdough starter to make sourdough bread. A plenty of honey from the 7 buckets of honey, we had collected, and berries for Sophia’s famous berry cobbler. Our den couldn’t be doing better, except we all still miss Oliver.

                Being couped up, we will have to play many board games, to keep energized, and not wanting to go into early hibernation. If we were to go into hibernation too early, we would have an extended hibernation, which means we would lose more fat, and be skinnier come spring. Food is no problem so we can continue to fatten ourselves, for several more weeks, prior to go into hibernation. Speaking of hibernation, I can’t wait until we come out of hibernation, to see my brothers and sisters, and nieces and nephews bear cubs.

                We have now spent 4 days couped up inside and gouging ourselves putting on weight. I decided that I would venture outside. Over half of the snow has melted very quickly. I can hear the stream below it sounds like a huge river since the snow has melted so fast. I wanted to get out and venture a little, and walk down to the stream, oh I mean river. I have seen the stream flooded before but nothing like this.

                I wonder back to the den, and everyone is now awake and Sophia is fixing sourdough bread. She has already made porridge, fried turkey eggs and bacon. We have a feast, and everyone wanted to take a little bear nap. I woke up to a loud creaking sound, at first, I had no idea what I was hearing, then I saw a small stream of water and it is getting larger, coming from the back of the den. There was so much melting snow, that the water, it is breaking our den apart. I get everyone awake, and we all ran outside, just prior to the den being ripped apart. All our belongings, and food is being washed down the mountain, and into the raging river below.

                We are grateful for escaping with our lives. I grabbed the deer bag of marijuana, prior to escaping. We will need this now, while we try to relax, and figure out, what we could do. Everything is gone, I mean everything. Our whole lives washed away in a moment of time. We all roll us a cigar and are grateful of escaping the den, prior to it being ripped apart. As we are beginning to chill out. I think about Samuel and Angel, maybe we can share their den for a short period of time, until we can make it across the road, then we can use Lucy’s and James’s den, until next spring, then I can find a new den for Sophia and myself. Everyone is on board with this. But will Samuel and Angel, let us share their den?

                We decided on our way to Angel’s, we need to do a hunting expedition, to help pay our way, if they were to let us stay. There is only a foot of snow now, we probably won’t get any small game, but hopefully we can get some deer and turkeys. We see the biggest buck I have ever seen, the rack was thick and very wide over 24 inches wide and had 18 points best I could tell. I wanted to kill this deer, but I told Lucy it was hers to kill. She said she wouldn’t let me down. It will not be as easy as, the 5 deer I killed, in the heavy snow. Lucy stalks and gets below this huge buck, and then she sprints towards it. The deer did what she wanted it to do. It ran to the steepest part of the mountain, and into the rock bluffs. With a few swipes of her paw the deer was dead.

                We would get 2 more yearlings, and we ran into a flock of turkeys and harvested 6 turkeys. This should keep us in good graces with Angel, for a few days. We take all the game to Angel’s den; she was happy to see us. We didn’t see Samuel, I was were almost afraid to ask, but I did. Where is Samuel at, oh he went fishing down by the pond, said he was so bored, staying in their den all this time. We tell Angel about our den, and she immediately said y’all must stay with us, until you can get across the river and road to Lucy’s den. We also let her know about Oliver being killed. She was so sad for us, and gave all us a big bear hug.  She said looks like y’all brought some food, I said it is the least we could do, for the hospitality. Angel said that’s a hell of a buck you have there. I told her Lucy had killed it; the meat was theirs but for some odd reason that I don’t understand, Lucy wants the antlers to hang in her den. I have never been able to eat antlers, so I don’t understand why, she has a strange addiction to wanting them.

                Everyone decided to go to the pond, knowing with the weather, the likelihood that farmer Brown, would be out was very low. We grabbed the last 2 fishing poles, and all go to the pond. Samuel was happy to see us, and we let him know Angel had said we could stay, until we can get across the road to Lucy’s den. Samuel said yeah, this has been a crazy storm. He said we were welcome to stay as long as we wanted to. Samuel said with all us staying in the den, we needed to have a ton of fish. We love sitting here on the banks with fishing pole in hand. But let’s all get in the pond, and do fishing the old-fashioned bear way. Farmer Brown will restock in the spring. Let’s just catch every fish we can. The rich in protein will fatten us up well, and we will be ready for hibernation, here in a couple weeks. We were very happy getting in, and catching as many fish we could. We had to go back and get 10 more baskets. Oh, we going to be happy fat bears.

                We take all the fish back to the den, and we decided to give Angel the night off cooking. Sophia, Lucy, James and myself fried up 2 baskets full of rainbow trout, and made 50 pounds of French fries. Sophia saw where the freezer was full of strawberries and rhubarb. She decided to try Angel’s recipe for her famous strawberry rhubarb pie. Angel had shared this recipe also with Sue. Smelling this had me missing Tom and Sue, and hoping they were doing ok. I just feel at ease they in a county where there is no hunting. Maybe later in my life I will move out closer to them, but Sophia and Lucy and James need me now though.

                We hear snoring coming from the living room, boy could Samuel snore. Angel said yeah you should try sleeping with him. If I didn’t love him so much, I would move out. We tell Angel everything is ready, and to wake Samuel up and come have a feast. She wakes Samuel and they come in. I tell Samuel I heard him snoring, he denied being asleep and said he doesn’t snore. Angel just gives him that look, you know the look. After supper everyone was stuffed, and said it’s so nice of farmer Brown providing us with all the rainbow trout. We decide it was night time, and we all laid down for the night.

                The next morning, I wanted to go visit Luna and Maverick, I was the first one awake and I headed down to their den. She was so happy seeing me, she gave me a little nose rub. I’m not sure that was good thing, I mean it felt sooo goooodddd, but it gives me false hopes. We are friends that all that was, I must believe that. I know she loves Maverick, and I would never do anything to hurt Luna. Maverick said it’s so great seeing you Ben, it’s been a while. I first tell of the loss of Oliver, Then I tell how I helped Tom and Sue, to a different county, where no bear hunting is allowed. I then tell him about our den getting ripped apart, so we will be staying with Samuel and Angel, until the river goes down. I then said Well farmer Brown’s Pond is all but fished out. They invited me to stay the rest of the day, and have super with them this evening. After dinner Maverick said its late, so I might as well spend the night. The next morning Luna was up early, and I had breakfast before heading back to Angels.

                As I walked out the den, I noticed the sound down below. It didn’t sound like a raging river any more. I,m thinking we probably could make it across the creek now. Angel has breakfast fixed when I got back, and I said no, Luna had a good filling breakfast, before I left her den. There was sourdough bread so I said yes, he would partake in a loaf of sourdough bread. That when it hits me of the 6 buckets of honey that was left, was washed away from our den. I was very saddened. There is no honey to be found this time of the year.

                After breakfast we headed on towards Lucy’s Den. The road is washed out badly, I don’t know if it would get fixed, before the end of kill season. We may be safe from hunters’ for rest of this season. Is that a blue bucket that I see, that was caught by some brush, could it be some of our honey. I walked down to it; it was still sealed, and we now have 5 gallons of honey. That made all of us happy.

                We headed on up to Lucy den we are hoping it is still in good shape, and not ripped apart. It is in very good shape. Sophia said she would clean some, while Lucy and myself try to get some food. We are starting all over, kind of like Tom, except we have each other. Lucy said she noticed that the stream had washed several deep pools, and we could try to get some native trout. I was all in for that. We dive in the first pool; it was loaded with trout, 2 baskets full. We go down to the next pool, as we walking, I see something blue, several hundred yards down the stream, could it be more honey. I tell Lucy for her to fish, while I walk down to see what the blue was. It was another 5-gallon bucket of honey. We are now in good shape on honey. By the time I’m back to Lucy, she had filled the last 2 baskets with trout. We take them back to the den. Sophia was happy get the trout and honey. James and Sophia fixed supper for us, and we all had a big day. We now have a den that Lucy and Sophia can have their cubs in, later this winter.

                The next morning, we hear something we wasn’t happy to hear. There were dogs running a bear, on top of the mountain. They must have come in, from the other side of the mountain. Now with less than 2 weeks of the season, would we be safe until the end of the season. My anxiety was beginning to get to me. I rolled me a Cigar to calm down, it’s stressful being the boar of the den. How did Oliver do it, and he never seemed to be stressed at all, after all those years? Will I ever be the boar bear that Oliver was? Will we survive rest of this Season?

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  • Marijuana Bear

    Marijuana Bear

                I hear the sound I heard earlier, of some kind of tool. I move from the door to the window so I can see what’s happening. It’s the hoist lifting Olivers lifeless body up in the air. I hear someone counting numbers as he is lifted further up off the ground, I hear 200, 275, 360, 390, 400, 415, and the final number was 420. Dale tells Rob, it looks like he has killed a marijuana bear. The place broke out in laughter, I could stand it no more. I broke the door down angerly and said, y’all all think it’s damn funny, that you killed my dad. I want y’all to meet my dad, his name was Oliver. My mom Sophia is waiting for him to return to our den. My sister Lucy, also lost her dad. Now y’all sick sense of humor, laughing and calling him the marijuana bear. He has never touched Marijuana, in his long life. But because his empty body with no entrails and his heart ripped from him, and his weight is equal to, what marijuana slang term is. I tell them, I could kill each one of y’all right now. Rob goes over to his counter, and gets out a drawer, some wrapping paper, and a small bag of green material. He rolls a large cigar and a small cigarette. He says Benjamin I’m so sorry, I have taken your dad’s life. Please come over here, and smoke a little marijuana with me. He hands me the cigar, and he lights his lighter, and lights mine up and then his. After smoking I felt slightly calmer, but was still very sad, and I was still mad at the entire hunting group, for killing my dad.

                Rob and myself, sat there with a cigar and cigarette in hand for several hours. Most everyone else was drinking beer and some hard liquor. Both Rob and Dale felt so bad, Rob comes up with a plan, to protect myself and my immediate family. Rob said that I’ve had enough heartache this season, and this is only 1st day of the season. He goes over and picks up 3 blaze orange ribbons, that could be worn over our neck. He said there is one for my mom, my sister, and myself. Each ribbon had a marijuana bud attached to it. He says he tell other hunters, not to shoot any bear wearing the blaze orange ribbons. Rob said, he can’t guarantee our safety, from the other hunters, but his group would honor the blaze orange ribbons.

    The door of the hunt club opened and it is old cripple, he is back from the hospital, and tells Rob to roll him one for the pain in his leg. He was shocked seeing a live bear with a marijuana cigar sitting smoking with rob. So, I stayed long enough to have 1 more cigar, I’m feeling very chill but sad, and I have a huge hole in my heart. I don’t know if James stopped by to tell Sophia. I hope he didn’t, she needs to hear this from me. We still have some marijuana at the den, but we are running low. Rob says, here take what have, it’s not much but you need it worse than I do. Old cripple said, can I just have 1 more cigar before you go, I rolled him a cigar, and thanked Rob for rest of it. God knows we going to need it.

    I head towards Sophia’s, when I was leaving Rob’s it’s a bright moon out tonight and the air is very crisp. I’m just a strolling along in my drug induced mind, where I’m not ready to kill everything, I see. I’m sad, I’m angry but the marijuana has me chilled. I feel as I just exist now; I have no purpose now. Oliver has been my world; Tom has his new mate, Sue; so, he doesn’t need me. As I get to Sophia’s den she said, “where have you been at.” Her next words were, that she is afraid that Oliver, may be in big trouble. He left out of here to protect Lucy and James. I heard those dreadful hounds chasing him. She then says she was afraid he may be dead. I tell her that I had seen his lifeless body, and that he was dead. I tell her of all the horrible events of that evening. I told of smoking marijuana with Rob, she has been in shock until now, once she heard I was smoking with the murderer, she went into a full outrage and anger. She orders me to get the fuck out of her den. If you can set and smoke with that murderous bastard, I don’t need you here, get the fuck out. I had 2 rolled cigars, I laid them on the counter, as I went outside. I hope she will pick them up, and smoke them, while I sleep beside a rock outside. I’m not going to be far away. Sophia needs me, she is just hurting so badly and want’s blame it on me, since I’m closest.

    I’m outside and can’t sleep, I would say I was cold but us bears, don’t really get cold. I can hear Sophia all night long crying. I finally decided to go back in, and Sophia said, I thought I had loss you also, I was horrible to you last night son. I was in so much pain; I had to take it out on someone. You are the most loving and caring bear I know. I hate the way I unloaded on you. I then tell Sophia I was literally just outside the den, and tried to sleep but couldn’t. I could hear you bawling your eyes out. I wanted to come in earlier, but I was afraid of your reaction. Sophia says thanks, yes, I needed some time, and thanks for the marijuana, it has helped to take the edge off. I tell her that Rob has given us all, a blaze orange safety ribbon, that his group would honor, and he going try to get other groups to honor it as well. She says, well that’s actually nice of Rob, trying to protect us. I tell her, I have one and one for you and Lucy. How about James, she said. I tell her Rob only was able to give them to the immediate family.

    I tell Sophia, I rolled the last cigar for her, and I’ll have to go get a couple deer bags from Ceasar. I know Rob wasn’t hunting today. I hope he has gotten the word out, to other hunting groups. My ears and eyes will be on alert for any hunters or hounds. I will not be spending any extra time outside than what I need to. No fishing from the pond, my favorite thing to do, on way to Oliver’s. When I arrive at Ceasar’s, he can see I’m not the happy go lucky, Benjiman, that I have been lately. He asked what’s wrong. I tell him, and he is shocked that Oliver is gone. I looked up so much to him, he was so strong and smart, he has helped me out a time or two said Ceasar.

    I tell him Sophia is in bad shape and knew that Lucy would be also. I asked for 2 deer bags he said, with that much sadness and depression, he was giving me 4 deer bags, at no charge. I’ll miss that old son of a gun Oliver. I believe he let something slip that he hadn’t intended to let slip. He said, he almost out, and he will have to go visit farmer Brown. I think farmer Brown is his big dealer. I thought back to the time when Ceasar stated that farmer Brown wasn’t all that bad. Now I know why he said that statement. I didn’t let on to Ceasar, that I now believe farmer Brown is the big dealer. I thanked Ceasar for all the marijuana, and then I was on my way back to the den.

    I decided that Luna’s life to me, was more important than mine, so I took my ribbon to her, and let her know what had taken place. Both her and Maverick were heartbroken. She tried to get me to keep it. I said no, you have baby cubs, that will be here in a couple months. I tell her I have a big day yet in front of me, I must take 3 bags to Sophia to leave with her, and myself. After that I must cross Stone Coal Gap Road, and take Lucy her ribbon, and her bag of marijuana. I know James has told her, and I know she is devastated. I get back to Sophia before dark, and gave her the marijuana. I’m in need of a cigar, so we both smoked one to calm down. I decided to wait until a couple hours after dusk, before I headed over to Lucy’s, to let the traffic on the road to slow down. I also remember Oliver once telling me, this time of the year to go a different route, when crossing the road go right when leaving the den, and then angle down to the road, so, I would run into the creek that’s on my side of the road. Then walk the creek up to the culvert, and go under the road through the culvert to get to other side of the road. Then follow the creek a way before leaving it. Oliver said the creek will hide your scent and the hounds can’t follow you as easily. Oliver was a brilliant old bear. When getting to Lucy’s, James was holding her, and said she has been like this ever since I told her of her dad. She is crying unconsolable in James paws. I have tried to console her but nothing I do helps. I tell Lucy that I will roll all 3 of us a big cigar to smoke. The first words out of her mouth were, she doesn’t want to be like Samuel and Maverick. I would rather die than to live that life. I agreed with her, and tells her it’s Ceasar’s marijuana, and it will only help, not any bad effects. She finally agreed to smoke one. She felt better, but she was still angry at the world, I rolled her another cigar and myself and James a cigarette.

    It’s getting late I asked James if they would be ok together, he had to get back to Sophia since he is the man of the house now. James then came up with the ultimate plan. How about Lucy and myself go back to Sophia den with you. We all can be there for each other. I agree that is an amazing plan. I tell them the route we must take back to the den. We must stay in the creek as long as we can to kill our scent.

                Once back at the den Sophia, was overjoyed to see that everyone was OK and had come back to her den. I tell her that James had come up with the plan, and I hope she is ok with it. I’m overjoyed, if that is even possible right now. I begin to think of everyone else. I know Samuel and Angel are ok, or Luna would have told him. I then think about Tom and Sue and if they are ok, I also remember the young couple that lives near Tom. Sophia is worried, of what I may want to do next!

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  • Sue

    Sue

                Both Tom and myself are just thrilled, to have Sue staying with us, I guess the competition to win her over, is on. Not so fast, Tom needs her more than I do. I have my whole family and their mates. Tom has his blood brother, that is all he has in life, I must make sure Sue is his. Without me in Tom’s life, he would dead by now. With Ceasar help we have nursed him back to a joyful life. Yes, I’d love a mate but right now, but I want Tom to have Sue, if she is even interested. I’ll do whatever to get her interested in Tom. We all laid down for a good night’s sleep.

                I was the first to wake up, then Tom did, as Sue is sleeping in this morning. I tell Tom, he needs to fix breakfast for Sue. He said, “what are you planning on doing, while he does all the work. Are you planning on making a move on Sue.” I told Tom, “No I plan to go out and do a little hunting.” Tom said, “oh ok” and he is then thinking, well maybe I can make a move on Sue, while Ben is gone hunting.

                Sue is now awake, and smells the food a cooking, and tells me “It smells so delicious.” Then she says, “where is Ben at;” I said “he out hunting.” She says “WOW” Ben is so strong and brave to go out hunting alone.” Tom isn’t really happy with the way things are going right now, he is thinking well maybe I can win her over, and fix her plate of food for her. I gave her some tenderloin and eggs, also some porridge. After the main course, I tell her, “Here is some delicious berry cobbler.” She complements me she said, “that everything is so delicious, especially the berry cobbler.” I didn’t even make it, Sophia had. I wasn’t going to tell her that though. Sue says “We should have waited on Ben to come back, before they ate.” I’m thinking by now Ben, Ben, Ben, always Ben why not Tom.

                Ben come walking in dragging a 12-point buck. Sue says “WOW what an amazing hunter you are, so strong, so brave, so handsome,” as she brushes up against Ben. I am just helping Tom out; he the gourmet cook, I’m trying to get her interested in Tom. Sue said “yes I had breakfast and it was good, he does make a great berry cobbler.” I wasn’t mad at all, that he took the credit for the cobbler, I’ll do whatever it takes, to get her interested in Tom. Tom says “he has plans for a good lunch.” Sue said “well that’s good Tom:” she then “ask what I’ll be doing” I said “I will be going fishing.” “I love fishing” said Sue “I’ll go with you.” I tell her “Wouldn’t she rather stay to help Tom; with lunch, and learn some of his gourmet recipes.” “I’ll go with you Ben I love to fish.” So, they go off fishing.

                Tom stays back and he is feeling depressed again, Ben is outsmarting me by telling me, to fix breakfast. Then Ben goes off, and don’t even come back with a small yearling, that’s good to eat, no he brings back a big 12-point buck. Then snows her, to the point she goes fishing him. I get out my marijuana and roll a double cigar and smoke it, before I do my job, of being a cook, yeah, I’m just Ben’s slave. Everybody wants a brave hunter and fisherbear not a damn cook. Ben is my blood brother, I don’t know why he is doing this to me. Having smoked a cigar, I am feeling only slightly better I rolled another to smoke. Ok I’m calm now; I can concentrate on being a gourmet chef now. I’ll fix up a fancy dish of trout not just plain old fried trout. That will have to help in winning sue over. My scallop potatoes are 2nd to none, and some greens with bacon in them, she will recognize what a prize she has in me.

                While down at the stream, Tom was fishing in the deep ponds, it was so relaxing watching him fishing. Sue says “you are so strong and brave Ben.” I then tell her that “Tom is stronger than I am, he is a much better cook, also he a master hunter, and fisherbear.” Sue says “well that’s nice but I kind of like you.” I’m lost for words at this point, as much as I want a mate, I want Tom to have a mate, before I get one. I must come up with another plan. We take the fish back to Tom’s. He said “lunch is ready it smells delicious in here” I tell Tom. Sue says “it does smell good.” Tom says, just wait until you taste it, it is better than it smells. Tom fixes Sue’s plate, and the plate looks so good, the way a Gourmet chef would place food on a plate. Sue says it looks good then bites in, and says it ok, but she prefers plain fried fish. She continues the plate looks good the way you prepared it, but I’m a bear, you need to fill my plate up, instead of making it look like a beautiful canvas. Tom says “ok I will keep my cooking simpler, and not cooking like an extreme gourmet chef, and I will always fill your plate.” Sue said “thanks.”

                Tom after lunch decides, well Sue loves the big hunter, so he tells Ben “he was going hunting and for him to fix supper.” I tell Tom “Ok I would fix supper.” I decided I would make the worse possible tasting supper, that I could make, maybe deer brains and tripe. I tell Sue “She should go with Tom to see how a master hunter hunts.” “No, I think I’ll stay here, I may take a little bear nap.” As I’m fixing supper, the room is permeated in a stench. Sue is still napping when Tom shows up, with a small yearling doe, he said “what’s the hell is that stench that he smells.” I hollered to Sue to tell her supper is ready. She says it “smells really good.” I placed small proportions on Sue plate and hand it to her. “That’s the best-looking plate I have ever seen; I can’t wait to dig into it.” I fix Tom a plate and he said “no he doesn’t think he is hungry.” Sue upon eating the food said “that was absolutely delicious.” Tom can’t believe this is happening, as I can’t either. I must do something; I must do something extreme. But what? What can I do! I’m remembering Angel placing herself where Samuel was, and they nose rubbed, maybe I can figure a way to make this happen.

                Tom is very depressed now, and decides to smoke a double cigar. He is feeling a little calmer now, and I tell him to have another one, and then I rolled him 1 more. Tom says he is going to bed. I walk with him to the bedroom; I then helped him into bed. I then get into bed and tell Sue “To come on in and climb in bed with him.” Sue is so excited that Ben is wanting to sleep together tonight. She is thinking he has showed her, no interest at all in her, but she is glad he is now. I make sure the room is dark before she comes in, and I tell “her not to turn on the light, it would wake Tom up.” I hear her come in, and crawls into my bed.  Sue said, WOW you have more muscles than I really realized you have. I was in Toms bed, and I had helped him into my bed. I hear Tom say “Sue I’m so glad you are here in bed with me. This will be a hot steamy night we will never forget.” Sue says “awe you big boy you just wait darling, I will rock your world.” Tom is in total disbelief; he had just woken up, with Sue’s paws all over him, but he was thinking I love this. Tom didn’t know I had set this all up, but I don’t believe it will matter after tonight. After the 3rd time of them having sex, I very quietly got up, I went into the other room, where I’ll spend rest of the night. I could hear the bed squeaking most of the night.

                The next morning when there was enough light to see, Sue saw that Tom was in my bed, but she didn’t let him know, she had come in to be in bed with me. She said “damn you are one hell of a good lover.” Tom said “that you not bad either Sue, looks like that we may be having a family this winter.” They were getting the aroma, of bacon cooking; I had started breakfast, after I heard them stirring around. They come into the kitchen, I said to them, “I think Y’all had a good night.” Both Sue and Tom agreed, that they had an awesome night. Sue told me “Thank you.” I tell the new love birds “to come on over and have breakfast.” After breakfast Sue tells me “Damn son, you can cook, that last meal you cooked, I have had a week old road kill, that tasted better than that damn shit, you fed me. Tom says, “brother I am so sorry, I had thought that I was trying to hone in on Sue, I wasn’t happy about that. I now know you had my back.” I told Tom “He has been alone so long, he never even thought of this being a competition, I was going to do whatever possible to make Sue yours. They both agreed they were blood brothers, and that nothing could ever separate them.

                I tell both Tom and Sue “I was going back over to Lucy and James for the next week to give y’all a honeymoon. I then tell them after last night I don’t think they need any more love making.” Sue with a big grin said, if the den is a rocking don’t come a knocking. I’m really just kidding as far as we are considered, you are part of this family.

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  • New Friend

    New Friend

    As I wake up to the smell of breakfast, that Oliver and Sophia had prepared. We had breakfast together, and I let them know I was going out, and it might be a day or two before I return. I tell them, that I am going out to find me, a sow friend and mate. I’m very happy this morning, I’ve decided since Luna wasn’t available, I would need to find myself a sow, that would make me happy, and I could spend my life with. I not feeling depressed at all, I’m taking an approach, that will keep me happy, and not just a temporary fix. 

    I know everyone on my mountain range, North Mountain, and there are no available sows on this mountain. I have decided I will cross over Stone Coal Gap Road, and see if I can find me a beautiful sow, on that mountain range. I’ll stop by and say hi to Lucy and James, it’s been over a week since I was there. Lucy was excited to see me, and we decided we would fish for a few minutes. Lucy said James has gone out in search of game to fill the freezer. She not sure if he will have any luck. He assured me he would, that Oliver had taught him well. I didn’t bring my pole so we decided to fish the bear way. The bear way actually fills the basket much faster, and that would be good, so I can get on my way, my goal of hunting for a sow. It only took us 45 minutes, to catch 2 baskets full of native trout. Lucy said thanks. She tells me to be on the outlook for James. I told her that I would.

    I am now up in the steep part of the mountain, close to the rocks and to my right I see James. He has 2 deer that he had killed. I guess that Oliver did teach him well. I went over and congratulated him on his deer. He said that down below he had left 2 rabbits and a turkey in the little cave, they had left the turkeys in while hunting with Oliver. I tell him I was going looking for a sow, but I’d help him get the deer to the den. He said he has all day to get them to the den, go find yourself a sow. He said I know how good a sow makes him feels. James says he has never been happier than now, that himself and Lucy are together.

    I cut back to my left and head to find a good sow. It was a couple of miles to the 1st den that I came to. There was a young boar and sow couple there, I tell them I am just out meeting all the neighbors. I didn’t want to sound that he was desperately looking to find a sow. The young couple invites him in for supper and tells him he might as well spend the night, and head out in the morning. He accepted the offer. We had possum and greens for main dish and then she brought out a blueberry pie. I think I could of eating the whole pie, it was sooo delicious. We sat around and talked some, and I asked where the closest neighbor was. Well Tom’s den is just a holler away, but it is down low. I said OK I’ll visit them in the morning. He slept well that night, and woke the next morning, to a great a great sausage and turkey eggs breakfast. I tell them I have never had sausage, what is sausage. Its ground hog meat with sage, red pepper, and other seasoning in it. It was very delicious. I’ve heard of wild hogs but I didn’t think there was any around here so, I asked where the hog meat came from. He said there is farm over the top of the mountain that has hogs. So about twice a year, I’ll slip over and get one. I don’t go often; I have to be careful, I got a 12-gauge slug in my hip. 1st time being shot with a slug, it penetrates deep, it’s a good thing I didn’t get shot in the shoulder, or I be on their plates. I’m learning a bear’s life, can be difficult and painful. The next morning I tell them thanks for the hospitality, and tell them I’m headed to Tom’s. I hope Tom has a daughter and she will like me.

    I go over into the next holler then drop down low, I find Tom’s den, and he invites me in. I see no one else there. I introduce myself as Benjamin and he says he is Tom. I noticed that Tom is looking like he had just come out of hibernation, he is so thin and lanky. I asked if he was ok, he said no but thanks for asking. I asked if anything I could do to help him. He said give me my Lula back. I said I don’t have your Lula, I don’t even know who your Lula is. He said I know that you don’t have my Lula, but last winter Lula was killed, and she was carrying his soon to be family. This has devastated me. I hardly ever leave this den I occasional will go out and kill something, when the hunger gets so bad. I just sit here waiting to die. I said it sounds as though you are very lonely and depressed. Tom says, “yes I am.” I begin to tell Tom of Ceasar, and how he has helped him. I tell him I have almost a turkey bag left, I rolled him a large cigar, to let him smoke. Tom says, “he has never done anything like that before, I don’t know if I should.” I continue telling him about Ceasar and how he made him promise, that he would only use it if I am very depressed, and that doing other activities doesn’t help. Ceasar makes sure I wasn’t using marijuana for recreational smoking. I can tell we are way past where other activities may help. Let me light this marijuana cigar for you. But first you must tell me, you agree to all the above rules. He agrees and said, “yes if it can help, he will give it a try. I don’t really want to die, but I have nothing to live for. If this will help, I’ll give it a try.” I lit it for him and told him I would get him a bite to eat. Tom says the pantry is bare, that he might kill a possum a week to help with his hunger. Ok I’ll go and get you something to eat. I know the creek is just a short way below, so I’ll take a basket and go fishing. The creek was loaded with native trout, due to no fishing in it this year, by Tom, it took only took 10 minutes to fill the basket. Several were 15 to 18 in native trout. I guess that no fishing for a year has let the fish grow big. I head back up to the den, and Tom says, hey Ben did you get me anything to eat, I have the munchies now. I said, yeah smoking can give you the munches, plus you been starving yourself. Hopefully you are not as depressed now, which also will help make you to want to eat. Tom says that’s enough talk now give me that basket of fish. He ate every one of the fish in that 10-gallon basket. I have never seen a bear eat so much, not even when first coming out of hibernation. Tom then burped, excuse me, that was good.

    I asked how he was feeling now. He said that for the 1st time this year he is full, but I still miss my Lula, and the family she was giving me. I rolled him a double cigar and gave him. Tom said for me to have one with him. I can’t I promised Ceasar I wouldn’t use marijuana as a recreational drug, right now I’m not depressed.  Tom says yes, I remember you telling me that. I don’t know if I can ever get to where I’m not depressed. I begin to tell him about Luna, and how I had missed out on a relationship and having a family with her. She is very happy with my blood brother Maverick. By now Tom says he still depressed, but less than he has been since that dreadful day, when he lost his Lula. He then asked what is a blood brother and I tell him. I then tell him I was glad he was doing better, and that I would be right by his side, until he is no longer depressed. Ben is thinking to himself that this is good therapy for him, giving him a purpose in life, to make sure Tom is taking care of. I rolled him a regular size cigar and told him, I would be back shortly, I am going fishing again, and maybe do a little hunting to help fill the pantry.

    I was able to harvest a deer, I also brought back another basket of fish. Tom was in bed and snoring; I had a few fish for supper and cleaned rest of fish and deer and placed them in the freezer. I left the back straps of deer out for our morning breakfast. I knew after breakfast we will have to make a trip to see Ceasar, the marijuana supply is running very low. I’m hoping that Tom will go with me. Today has been good for me. I feel as though I have a purpose. I’m happy to have met Tom, and to have Tom as a new friend.

    I’m up early and waiting on Tom to wake up, before I start breakfast. Its 11 am, he is still snoozing. Well, a little after noon he is now awake and said, that was the best night’s sleep he has had in a long time. He thanked me for everything and wonder what time it was. He thought it was like 8 am. I said Well I guess I’ll fix lunch, since you had slept through breakfast. Tom recognized the smell of deer frying, he said is that some backstraps. We each had a backstrap with some greens. I tell Tom that I needed to get him more marijuana, I would love for you to come and meet Ceasar. Tom said he would love to; he needed to get out of his den for a while. I told him I was going to roll him a cigar before we head out. As depressed you have been, you will need the marijuana to remain in your system for a while.  

    We cross over Stone Coal Gap Road and go over past Samuels and Angels den, we didn’t see them so they may be visiting Luna and Maverick. Samuel had his poles sitting outside, so I left him a note that I was borrowing them, that I would have them back in a couple hours. I wanted to show Tom, some pleasure of fishing, the way a human would fish. Tom’s line no more than hits the water and he had one on his line. I showed him how to reel it in, it was a nice Rainbow trout. No ruler to measure with but it looked to be around 20 inches. That’s a large and strange, but beautiful native trout Tom said. I told him that farmer Brown had stocked them in his pond, and it’s a rainbow trout. We catch a couple more and then take the rods back to Samuel. I didn’t want to stay long and have another run in with that damn farmer Brown.

    We are now headed to Ceasars again and Tom said, “yesterday I was just sitting and waiting to die. I can’t thank you enough for everything you have helped me with, having you as a friend, I now have hope. I miss Lula so bad, but I now know with your help, and a little added help from Ceasar’s marijuana, I can get some joy back in my life. I have not had so much fun catching those fish, since I lost Lula.

    We are at Ceasar’s now, and I introduce Tom to Ceasar. I tell Ceasar all about Tom and how he loss Lula and his unborn cubs. How he has been depressed since this happened last winter, it’s been almost a year now. I told him, that he has smoked most of what I had left, of his marijuana. Ceasar’s tells Tom, “You have really had a tough time, I’m going to help you with a deer bag. He starts telling him of all the rules and stipulations.” I tell Ceasar I have told him everything, and he is willing to abide by all the rules. Tom was in tears that anyone would help him, the way myself and Ceasar have. He tells us both he will get his life back.

    Ok Tom, I said, we are now going to go to my mom’s [Sophia] and my dad’s [Oliver] now, if he didn’t mind. Tom said he would be honored to meet my parents. He said he was feeling just slightly nervous, so I rolled him a cigarette to smoke. I felt he didn’t need a big fat cigar now. We had a nice walk to my den.

    When we get to the den Sophia and Oliver says who your friend, he doesn’t look like a sow friend. This is my new friend Tom; I met him while looking for a sow. I’m glad I did, he was sitting in his den and just waiting to die. I have helped him with food, I introduced him to Ceasar, he was given a deer bag of marijuana. I have showed him how to fish, with a fishing pole and catch rainbow trout. Sophia said you didn,t go back to farmers Brown pond did you. Yes, but I kept a sharp eye out for farmer Brown. I tell her that meeting Tom, has been so good for me, by having a friend and having a purpose is helping me. Sophia said you are a good bear.

    Sophia goes in to fix supper for everyone and Tom says they are nice. Tom then says you are a great friend; I know I havn’t known you that long, but I would love to be your blood brother, I mean if you would like to. I tell Tom that I would be honored to be his blood brother. So, we became blood brothers and now I have 2 blood brothers. With a new blood brother. I’m wondering could things get any better. Or what may tomorrow bring?

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  • Chapter 7 / Late Summer Time

          Late Summer Time

    Late summer is here, it is hot and sticky, and it has a feeling of love in the air. Whatever that means, the love bug hasn’t hit me yet. But lucy on the other hand is just glowing all the time. Her, and James finds every excuse they can to be together. If she not going over there, James is coming over here. I love my blood brother coming over, but he has no time for me. The problem is he wants to spend all his time with Lucy. I’m glad he has Lucy to spend time with, but it gets a little lonely here.

          I decided to go over to Samuel’s and Maverick’s to see how they are doing. It’s so nice seeing them not angry and mean now. Samuel says he is so thankful, that I had the idea, of getting the marijuana from Cesear, and for Maverick to make the switch. Samuel still misses Charlotte and Emma, but it is getting easier for them to deal with daily. Myself and Maverick have become close friends and blood brother’s now. We love to go forging for food, hunting, and fishing together. It’s nice having him as a friend, since James is in love, he doesn’t have time for his blood brother.

         Samel says hey let’s go over to Angels, so I can thank her for her Cesear’s marijuana. So, we all head over to Angel’s. I said I’m going to stop by and tell Oliver and Sophia, where they were going. As he enters the den, he hears the bed creaking, and Sophia was breathing hard and making some very strange and loud noises. I decided best not to interrupt them. I’m old enough to know, they are making myself and Lucy some brothers and sisters. I find this to be exciting news.

         So, we head on over to Angel’s, Samuel says there is still some fruit in the meadows and forest, we can pick to take to Angel and Luna. We also can get her a deer, and maybe some small game. I want to repay her for all the bad deeds I’ve done. We gathered a basket full of fruit, then it’s time to go find a deer, we go down into the holler, 2 deer are standing there. The 3 of us run them into the steep rocks, we able to harvest both. Myself and Maverick stay back to drag the 2 deer to Angel’s den. Samuel is carrying the basket of fruit, well in front of us, he happens upon a turkey which he harvested. Samuel is thinking that is a pretty good start on repaying Angel and her family.

         Samuel gets to the den first, only Angel is there. Samuel gives Angel the basket of fruit, and the turkey and says that was for her family. Angel says that Luna was down at Ceasar’s, and spending some time with Cesear. Samuel is now in tears and starts apologizing to Angel, he said I know my behavior was totally inexcusable, she agrees with him, but then she says, I understand why you were so horrible. Losing your mate and young daughter, all at the same time, is more than any bear should endure. I know how hurt I was losing George; it was almost unbearable. I was able to get through my lose without turning to marijuana. I know you turned to Caesars marijuana, you were doing better, but you were still hurting. Then you happened to run in to another dealer, that was a very bad and evil dealer. You started using his laced marijuana, as did Maverick. The PCP laced marijuana changed your brain, and the way you were thinking. With all this said, I’m not holding you responsible for your actions. All this started because a bear hunter took your young daughter cub illegally, I believe if you had only lost your mate, as I did, you could have gotten through this, without turning to the laced marijuana. I can tell you are very sorry, for what you have put our great forest though. With all this said, I totally forgive you for everything you did. Samuel gave Angel a big bear hug. This took Angel by surprise, and she had a little fuzzy feeling when he hugged her.

         Maverick and Ben are now at the den, Angel says what do you have here. We were able to get you, 2 deer this should help feed your family for a while. She said yes, and she thanks them for the food. Maverick says where is Luna at. Angel says she is over at Cesear’s. He then said great Ben and myself will go over there. I want to thank him for the deer and possum bags of marijuana he had given us. I also want him to know, just how much this has changed our life. I also want him to know that we are weaned off of it now. But most of all I want to thank him, for giving me my dad Samuel back.

         They headed on over to Cesear’s, when they get there Luna said, hi Maverick, and then she said oh you to Ben. For the first time in my life, I felt a little jealously towards Maverick. She has always acknowledged me first, could she be having feelings towards Maverick. I’ve never had any feelings other than friends towards her. Why do I feel so hurt now? Could I now be beginning to have more serious feelings towards her? I’m confused with this, I don’t want to say anything about the way I’m feeling now. I will just pretend nothing is bothering me. I don’t want to do anything, that will cause any contempt with Luna and also Maverick. They are my friends, so I never told either one of them, the way I was feeling.

         Back at the den Samuel and Angel, has just been sitting and talking. Angels tells him, she was so glad they all came over, and I’m even more glad we have had this talk, it means so much to her. Samuel says I’m so glad we had this talk also. This helps even more, with my healing of losing Charlotte and Emma. Meanwhile Angel is thinking to herself damn, he is a very sexy bear. This is the first time since losing George, she has had these warm and fuzzy feelings. She wasn’t ready to let Samuel know yet, how she was feeling.

          All the cubs are now back at the den, I can tell for sure that Luna and Maverick are beginning to have feelings about each other. Coming back from Cesear’s they were having that same giggly giggle and laugh that James and Lucy have had for a while now. I do feel left out but they are my friends, I’ll support them if they decide to be a couple. I know Mrs. Right will come to me, when I lease expect it. I guess I’m growing up a little, I feel a little silly that I’m having these thoughts now. 

          Angel tells us all that we can spend the night. Maverick and Luna tried to down play their feelings; they did not want to let anyone know, they are having feelings towards each other. The cubs all decided to play some cards. Angel and Samuel stayed in the kitchen and talked until time for bed.

         We all went to bed or at least I thought we had, until the next morning when I woke up, Luna and Maverick were nowhere to be found. I go outside and walked around, I found them rolling in the leaves, with Maverick on top of Luna. I felt hurt but I can’t blame anyone but myself. I had never had feelings for Lucy until now. Looks like they will be starting their own family. I didn’t let them see me so, I went back to the den and sat there until Samuel and Angel were awake. They asked where Luna and Maverick were. I said I havn’t seen them, I guess they are outside somewhere. They were gone when I woke up. Why do I feel so alone now?

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