Flavors of the Rockies

Julia was not very excited to go on a hiking trip on Thanksgiving. She preferred a more traditional holiday celebration but she has been with Will now for almost two years and he was very adamant that she comes. Maybe he was going to finally propose she thought. She could not have been more wrong. Will did not want to go alone with Chris and his girlfriend Anna. Will prefer to go on hiking trips alone actually but he would never say no to a chance to leave town. Unless it was with family of course because that is just appalling. Anna did not understand why Chris invited Will and Julia. She knew he was trying to get her to like his friends and be more comfortable around them but why Will? He did not like her and avoided her like the plague. Chris denied it of course but he was blind as a bat to those things. 

Chris was not blind. He knew something was slightly off with Will when it came to his girlfriend Anna. Chris thought that maybe Will was not comfortable with Chris, a white man, dating Anna, a Mexican girl, was a great idea. Not that Will was a racist, but he thought those relationships were always more complicated. Chris thought that maybe hiking together would bring everyone together. He was half correct. 

As soon as they landed in Denver, the guys went to take care of the car rental while the ladies went to freshen up. They did not speak a lot as they were both tired. Will drove while everyone relaxed in the car. The drive to Estes Park was quiet mostly aside from the two jokes Chris made about Big Foot. The first day of hiking was not as productive as Will wanted it to be but this is usually what happens when you are traveling in a group. It started with a large breakfast that lasted entirely too long for Will’s comfort. Julia however was enjoying it. After, that they embarked on their journey of driving within the park and doing short hikes here and there. Before they knew it, twilight painted the sky with hues of orange and pink, casting a warm glow on the mountains. They managed to see a herd of elk however as they exited the park and headed back to their hotel. Even on the day before Thanksgiving, Estes Park was lively with people, lights, and shops open as if it were a regular day. The two couples decided to go for pizza but quickly realized that was a mistake as the pizza was a true disappointment so to remedy that mistake they went for drinks at the bar next door which was way too loud for Anna’s comfort. Once at the hotel, the guys agreed to hit the outdoor jacuzzi while the ladies decided to just go back to their rooms and take a hot shower. As Will walks in a hurry toward the jacuzzi he hears Anna’s voice as she protests the cold while Chris laughs. He shakes his head, turns around, and walks back to the room. As soon as he gets back, he gets a text from Chris wondering if he is coming but he responds that he is too tired. Chris responds with one word: pussy.  

On the second day, they decided to explore more challenging trails to see some of the famous Rocky Mountain lakes. The air was crisp and filled with the earthy fragrance of pine, heightened by the cool temperatures of a cloudy day. They soon realized that all the lakes were frozen. They were hoping for at least one but unfortunately, it was too cold by this time of year. They did enjoy sliding across the frozen lakes and even laying on them. 

As dusk descended on Beaver Meadows trailhead, a tranquil and enchanting scene unfolded. The majestic peaks, bathed in the soft hues of toiling, created a silhouette against a darkening sky. The towering evergreen trees stood tall while their branches cast long shadows on the trailhead. One of those branches, however, tripped Will and twisted his ankle badly. Anna, a nurse, hurried to his side to carefully examine his injury. With concern etched across her face, she told them that he was going to need help walking back. As they were running out of daylight, they decided to split after much protest from Will. Anna was going to stay with him while Chris and Julia were going to walk back and wait by the car. 

In the fading light, the meadows nearby begin to blend into shades of deep green and muted browns, while patches of snow glisten in the fading sunlight. The sounds of rustling leaves and distant wildlife create a soothing symphony, welcoming the transition from day to night. Anna took on a caring role, giving her shoulder as support for Will’s every step. The path they once navigated peacefully now seemed treacherous and endless. The shadows grew long, casting an eerie silence over the vast landscape. At first, Will did not say a lot and tried to limp along as fast as he could.  Finally, Anna yelled at him to stop and slow down or she was going to leave him there. She was trying to protect him from making his injury worse but, for some reason, he was adamant about hurting himself. 

Anna couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. She decided to break the ice. With a voice filled with vulnerability, she asked “Have I done something wrong? I feel like you've never been friendly to me.”

“What are you talking about?” Will retorts back.

“Admit it you don’t like me. You never look at me. Whenever you are with Chris and I show up, you just make up an excuse and leave. You never want to be with me in the same room. Even now you didn’t want me to stay with you to help. So answer me without lying.” 

Will paused his gaze fixed on the darkening horizon. 

“Can we please focus on getting out of here alive? We don’t know what’s hiding behind those trees. It’s getting darker every second and I cannot go any faster.” 

“You are not going to scare me like this. I grew up in Juarez my good sir.” 

A smile was drawn on Will’s face that he tried to hide quickly but Anna caught sight of it as she exclaimed “ What is this? A smile? Have I cracked the code? Did I make the statue move? My goodness! Someone call CNN 'cause this is breaking news!” 

Will smiled some more as he hushed her. 

“Dude, are you trying to get us killed? There are animals here that will kill us in seconds.” 

“Yeah yeah. . . stop stalling and deflecting and answer my question.” 

“I can’t I am sorry. I don’t have an answer for you. I am not a people person so I am just usually quiet and awkward around new people.”

“Will, I have been with Chris for almost 2 years now. That’s not new Will.” 

“Well, I guess I take my time.” He stopped for a second as he winced in pain. Anna stopped with him and tried to check her phone only to realize that its battery died. Chris was right. She needed to invest in one of those portable chargers. He already bought her one last Christmas but she lost it. He bought her another one for this Christmas but she did not know this yet. With sunlight gone, the first stars emerged in the darkening sky, and the solitude of Beaver Meadows became unmistakable. A crisp chill hung in the air, visible in the wisps of breath that escaped their mouths. Will checked his watch and figured they had about another 30 minutes of trail left. He was about to move before Anna stopped him and grabbed his arm. 

“Look in there.” she pointed with her finger to a clearing behind the trees to their right. A frozen expanse stretched before them, its surface gleamed under the soft radiance of moonlight. The ice beneath their boots creaked as they walked slowly echoing through the stillness of this sacred silence. In the center of the frozen lake, a solitary moose gracefully moved, its dark silhouette illuminated against the icy backdrop. The moose’s antlers reached towards the heavens, adding an enteric touch to the scene. Its movements were slow and deliberate creating a sense of serenity that permeated the frosty air. Will and Anna stood in awe captivated by the rare spectacle unfolding before them. The moose, seemingly aware of their presence, cast a curious glance their way, its eyes reflected the ambient glow of the night sky. A sense of interconnectedness with nature enveloped them both who shared a silent moment of appreciation for the majesty of the wild and the beauty of this unexpected encounter. 

A mile or so away, Julia asked if Chris could drive her to the hotel and then drive back as she needed to use the restroom and they were not sure how long until the other returned. Chris hesitated for a bit as he did not want to abandon his girlfriend and friend but he figured the hotel was a quick fifteen minutes drive and they probably had another 45 minutes to go. He wished Anna shared her location with him so he could track where she was but she never agreed to it. He messaged his friend that he was taking Julia back and coming back for them right away. Little did he know that Trail Ridge Road just closed for an accident and they had to drive around the entire city to get to their hotel. 

Anna and Will couldn’t help but smile as they walked the last mile in the dark woods. The moose just left them with an indelible memory in the heart of the winter night but now they were both getting really cold. 

“Chris better have a cup of hot chocolate waiting for me at the end of that trail,” Anna exclaimed 

“That does sound good. Well, if he does not. I will get you one as a thank you for sticking with me.” 

“What?! Did we just become best friends?! I got you Bestie.”

“Bestie? Eww, get away from me. I think I can manage the last few steps.” They both laughed at each other’s silliness and then their laughter turned into a grateful smile as they saw the light of a vehicle in the parking lot.  

Five minutes later they realized the car was not theirs. It was just a hiker who was busy reorganizing his trunk. Will checked his phone and saw a message from Will about taking Julia to the hotel before his phone also died. The hiker noticed the couple standing and offered them a ride back to town which they gladly accepted. 

As their hotel was not on his way he dropped them off Highway 34 in downtown Estes Park. The first place they saw was a cookie & ice cream place called “Flavors of the Rockies” where they both saw that they had hot chocolate on the menu. As the woman behind the counter asked what would they like, Anna was surprised that Will answered without a slight sense of hesitation: 

“Two hot chocolates with cinnamon and chili power if you have any and no marshmallows or whipped cream.” 

Then as she looked into his eyes she suddenly realized why he had been avoiding her. 

She sat down at a table as he went to pick up their drinks. She took off her jacket and hat and smiled as she looked at him. His eyes tried to avoid hers as he put the hot chocolate down and before he sat:

“ How did you know?”

“ Jesus I haven’t even sat down yet. Know what?” He continued to avoid her eyes as he fumbled in his jacket for his phone which he plugged into the outlet next to them. 

“ How do I like my hot chocolate?” 

“ Wow, that’s it? Chris told me, detective.” 

“ Bullshit”

“ How is it bullshit?!” 

“ Because I have to remind him every time about my order. So tell me how did you know?” 

“ Well, he does have a shit memory.”

“ He remembers every fucking player on all 32 football teams. His memory is just fine.”

“ Does he? Wow, that is impressive. That’s about 1700 names.”

“Yeah yeah… answer me.”

“ I think we should head back to the hotel. It’s getting late. I don’t know what happened to them.”

“ They are fucking fine Will. Why won’t you answer me?!”

“ It’s for my protection.”

“What?”

“The first time he invited me to meet you we went to that bakery after the Van Gogh museum in Lincoln Park and that’s what you ordered.” 

As she sipped her steaming cup her brown eyes widened as she replayed the times they encountered each other, searching for hidden clues of Will’s affection. Uncertainty washed over her, leaving her unsure of how to react or respond to this newfound realization. Her mind buzzed with questions, each one competing for attention. Should she address this revelation immediately? Did he avoid her so he wouldn’t reveal how he felt? How long did he feel that way? Does Chris know? As her thoughts danced in a tumultuous whirlwind, a kaleidoscope of emotions washed over Anna's features. Surprise, curiosity, and a hint of trepidation painted her expression. She fought to maintain composure, silently pondering the meaning behind Will's affectionate glances and the depths of her feelings.

Uncertain of her next move, Anna locked eyes with Will, hoping for answers without uttering a single word. The silence continued, neither daring to break it, as they grappled with their newfound reality. The minutes felt like an eternity, the weight of unspoken possibilities weighing heavily on their hearts. Finally, unable to bear the unspoken tension any longer, Anna conjured the courage to speak. Softly, her voice filled with vulnerability but tinged with fear, she uttered the most essential question lingering within her soul,  

- “Will, is there something you'd like to tell me?”

The atmosphere trembled, suspended in anticipation, as Will took a deep breath. As he opened his mouth to speak his phone that had been charging came to life with a consistent vibration. It was Chris. Will looked at her with a tear forming in his eyes and accepted the phone call. 

“He is going to be here in 5 minutes he said. 

“You never answered me?”

“Why does it matter?” 

“It matters to you so it does matter. Just answer me.” 

“Anna you are with Chris. He is my friend. . . .Do you want the truth? Fine, I love you. I have loved you ever since I saw you that very first time in your jeans, gray sweater, and cowboy jacket. I want to run into your arms, bury my face into your soft warm skin, and cry because of how much I missed you even if I never touched you. But I can’t do any of that. I have to hide. I have to hide every inkling of a feeling, smile, or desire. You are a love I have to deny and that’s why I hide from you.” 

With a voice laced with sincerity and longing, Will revealed the truth. They sat there, two friends brimming with emotions yet untethered by expectations. And amidst the delightful chaos of emotions and unspoken declarations, Anna realized that even if she didn't know how to react or what the future held, she was grateful for Will’s revelation. In this unassuming coffee shop, a simple realization had the power to change their lives forever, igniting a path of profound connection, shared dreams, and endless possibilities.