Seafood

Sometime later I put the book down. The panic has passed and I notice the pain in my leg has lessened and I stretch my back. I start to think about what happened earlier. I replay memories of Nadya pulling me from the churning cold water. The heat of her athletic form as she carried me. Looking into her eyes for the first time after she rescued me. She’s not what I would have expected here, her outfit is not that of a modern woodswoman or a survivalist. It’s all out of place and as I look around I discover so is the interior of the hut.

The huts interior is rustic with a small stove set into the far wall. I also see the first articles of modernity; small bookshelf made of sliced bamboo with weathered paperbacks. There are also several mesh plastic storage crates for food and supplies, the type you’d see in a restaurant kitchen.

Finally I notice a dresser with a smattering of photos on top of it. Pictures of a younger Nadya in the city dressed in modern clothing. Her frame is slighter and the preppy clothes contrast jarringly with the woman I just met. There is also a newer polaroid photo taken of her and the hut mid construction. She’s smiling and moving a beam into place on the platform while another woman with similar rustic clothes and vibrant red hair is tying the beam down at the platform's far end.

I’m looking at the photo when Nadya enters the hut and says, “Dinner's about ready. Are you feeling better? You had quite the day.”

I sit up and stretch my arms, then respond, “Yeah, I can’t tell you how much I missed furniture.”

I see her look down and raise an eyebrow, "I see. I hope you’re hungry, I finished frying up some fish... though I suppose sausage would have also worked.”

I follow her eyes… and notice my impromptu shorts were cut too high after all. I quickly tug my garment further down.

“Don’t worry about your pre-dick-a-ment, it's fine. My fault for underestimating you.”

I blush as I try to rise to join her for dinner. I wince as the motion puts pressure on my splint.

Nadya grabs my arm and steadies me, "Take it easy, you're still hurt. I'll help you." She then helps me up and over to an outdoor firepit where we sit down. Nadya sits on a log, and I rest my back against another one laying out my leg on the ground. She then tends to an already boiling cast iron pot set over the flames and says, “We have a couple of minutes till it’s ready, so why were you drowning in the river?”

“I was doing the island loop, but I slipped off the trail on one of the valley cliffs. Where are we now?”

"We are about 8 miles off the trail. I tried to set up far enough from civilization when I got here that my home wouldn't be disturbed.” She gives me a look then continues, “I get into town occasionally to sell crafted items for supplies, but I spend most of my time out here in nature.”

“But you’re not from here?”

“No, I grew up in the city but always felt drawn to natural places. And things back there weren’t great. As soon as I was able to, I left home to find somewhere truly special. A place where I could connect with the earth"

"How about you Sam, what brings you here so far from home?"

"I felt like I was slowly fading back home. My career stalled and… I guess I always wanted to escape as well.”

“So, you were just running, huh. I mean I get it, but that’s not why I came here. I was meant to be here, needed to be here specifically and nowhere else.”

“How did you know?” I ask.

“It’s more of a feeling than a knowing, but there were signs.”

I see her look up at the sky; the stars are just starting to peek through the dark blue of early evening sky. We sit like that for a while then she gets up. I watch her scoop fish in a thick sauce into earthenware bowls over rice.

I take a bite and quickly take another. I didn’t realize how hungry I was. In between bites I ask, “This food is incredible, is this a form of curry?"

"Yup my own creation! I'm a bit of a botanist, bit of an herbalist and a bit of some other things. Some of the local flora is excellent at adding flavor to food."

“How did you learn all of that?”

“Books, friends, coworkers, people?”

“So, you’re not a hermit?”

“No, I’m not a hermetic, those guys are way too by the book.”

I laugh, “Not what I asked, but okay. Anyways, not that I’m not grateful you rescued me, but why have you put so much effort into taking care of me?"

"Well getting this place set up was a lot of work and it’s been fun showing it off. Plus, someone needs to show the cute newbie the ropes...." she responds as she slowly looks me over.

"Speaking of showing something, are you done with dinner Sam? I want you to see something."