Ch 1
Close Quarters
Jake drove down yet another side road. He was now very glad for the advent of GPS as he had never even heard of the past three towns he had driven through and the brown bear was quite certain that he would never have found his way down here otherwise. The tan car passed a sign that read Welcome to Westlake. The truth was that despite having traveled to multiple countries in his nineteen years of life his own state was mostly a mystery to him. Westlake was in the south west of Massachusetts and since neither the north-south high way nor the east-west passed anywhere close the only option was to take a set of roads crisscrossing every small town along the way, but it was gonna be worth it. His stomach tightened a bit in excitement as he was directed off the main road and closer to his destination.
He had just completed his first year of college and had been eminently relieved to find that it was completely different from high school. For years he had been the quiet, likeable, and constantly picked on tall kid. In middle school he had had friends but going into highschool he had chosen to attend the trade school. After that the small group he had managed to piece together went away. It was lonely. Hell it was miserable but he thought I want to be a chef and the trade school had a culinary program. He made a couple friends and even dated but they too separated when highschool ended. Then came college. For most of the year the bear boy had gotten to live away from home and finally found a place where people didn’t just pick on him. It was like all their new found freedom gave them something to focus on other than taking their frustrations out on him and to top it off they were all at the school to study something they all loved, cooking so they had at least something in common.
The GPS told him to turn again this time he was leaving the poorly paved side road for well... he didn’t know what to call this. A dirt path perhaps? Though it did have a name on the map view, Maple drive. The foliage was thick on both sides and it was apparent that two cars would be unable to pass each other with out one stepping aside. It was peaceful. One would be hard pressed to expect it to be so close to the Main Street. Almost there he thought as the tightness became a flutter in his chest.
College had been good to Jacob, or Jake as he introduced himself in each new class, for the most part. Four roommates in one room had been a shock to the only cub. Additionally living in a city was at times unpleasant. Sure you were close to so many things but people were every where. His classmates tried to get him out to parties but he declined, some friends tried to get him to a club but the loud music from the street had been a good enough reason for him not to get any closer. Then however, there was Oliver. The buck was a whitetail who had been in the same classes as Jake since the start of the first cooking lab. He had come to the one window of brown bear’s dorm room looking for Joe his lion roommate. It was then that the both of them had realized they were in the same class and started chatting. Over the months they became good friends but for the bear the moment that had solidified his belief that Oliver was a decent and proper sentient worth his time had come when the pair had been out walking in the city one night. Ahead some sort of something had drawn a large and tightly packed crowd. They had been walking that way and now Jake assumed they would be going in to see what was to be seen. His chest tightened at the thought of all them people in one place. He was tall and didn’t mind tight spaces but crowds made his insides squirm. They drew closer. He looked to the deer not wanting to let his discomfort show. The bear had braced himself, he wouldn’t like this but most other furs enjoyed these sort of activities and to not be lonely he could put up with discomfort. The crowd was a mere block away when it happened, the buck had stopped. Jake noticed immediately and followed suit. There in the middle of the last street to turn away from the gathered mass his friend asked “hey uh you wanna go to this? Im not a big fan of crowds”
The tan vehicle passed one last house and then the GPS told him in a mechanical voice “your destination is on the left.” The bear squinted and realized a dirt path of worn tire trails lead suddenly into the trees. If he had not been stopped by the computer he doubted he would have ever found it. The car backed up a little and slowly turned down the road. The path seemed to lead away from the last shreds of civilization and straight into the woods but he gasped as the path gave way to a large grassy field. This was it his summer home.
The field seemed to go on quite a ways, it was clear that Oliver had not been exaggerating when he said his whole family gathered here for parties and reunions. Three camper trailers stood at certain points on the edges of the grounds. The buck had explained to him that a couple of family members, his parents included had been allowed to keep permanent camps on the land. In the back right corner various seats surrounded a stone ringed fire pit, to the left a slight opening in the tree line was visible a red escort sat parked by it. From the opening the white tail emerged grinning with his arms wide in welcome. Jake pulled in next to the other car and parked. Outside he was greeted by the buck with nub antlers sprouting.
“Hey boyo! How was the drive?” Oliver asked clasping his paw into that of the bear and pulling him into a very masculine embrace. The two were similar in height and even in the color of their pelts, but while Oliver was thin and gangly Jake was thick. His weight was another thing that had always nagged at the young cub. Of course for a bear he was just about on point but growing up in a town filled with foxes and wolves had done nothing for his confidence.
“Long man, looong. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of most of the towns I had to go through.” The bear reached around with one arm and pulled the other male into another tight half bear hug before the two parted. Jake turned back to the car and pulled a backpack from the passenger seat.
“Come on over I’ll show you home sweet home” the buck gestured to the opening in the trees. Jake followed taking in the beauty of the trees about them green with leaves. As the pair entered into the space the narrow opening suddenly widened to a small camp. On the back edge was a small camper trailer. This was to be home to both bear and deer for the next few months. At the center of the clearing was a stone lined fire pit complete with an iron cooking spit that seemed to be out of the middle ages. Around this were placed lounge chairs enough to seat four and off to the other edge a picnic table. Oliver moved about showing the work his dad had put into the place over the years he was proud and the bear couldn’t blame him this was amazing. It was like a private retreat in a private retreat. Finally the deer directed him to the stares on the front end of the camper.
“Here we have the most important piece, the big house. Hey its bigger than either of our dorms.” he turned back to the bear and opened the outer door before continuing to explain the trailer. “Granted there’s only one bed so I figured we could switch off who sleeps on the floor every other week.” Jake’s grin faded a bit at the sudden realization that this style camper would only have one bed. He had thought at first it might have one of the tables that could convert but Olly’s description seemed to be killing that dream. Curtly the skinny male stepped aside to let the bear in first. With two small steps he was in and shocked. To the right where on might expect the table was a love seat couch and to the left where a closet usually placed was two support posts with a small flat screen tv. Beyond the posts was a twin bed leading to the far back where another bed ran the back wall. In the middle was a standard camper kitchenette complete with tiny sink, tiny burner, and tiny counter top which was mostly taken up by a regular coffee maker.
“My dad took out the bathroom slash closet and figured a second bed would be a better use. He was also kind enough to replace the toilet with this” with a smug grin he pulled a small black metal trowel from a hook on the door. “So the path out back” he pointed out the front window that displayed a narrow cleared trail previously over looked by the bear “go that way or if you just gotta take a leak....well we’re guys so take your pick” Jake chuckled and shook his head
“Well I guess its still some what like roughing it plus we finally have an answer to ‘does a bear shit in the woods’.” Both boys laughed at the joke, similar humor was another thing they shared “At least it ain’t a tent” reasoned the bear but the white tail still had an ace up his sleeve and stepped over to the sink.
“Ah yes much better than a tent considering we have running water” he twisted the tap and water flowed. This truly confused the bear how was it even possible with out a tank or something obvious on the out side.
“Whoa dude that’s awesome but where’s the water comin from?” In response Oliver walked back out the door and gestured for the bear to follow. The crossed the small sight to a spigot with three taps. Two were closed and the third had a hose running the perimeter to the trailer.
“This land has its own aquifer. My jaju had the land surveyed years back and they discover the natural spring.” he grabbed a near by empty bottle of poland springs and opened a tap. “Go a head try it” Jake took the bottle and collected some of the water. He was honestly a bit picky and loved his poland spings water not that he wouldn’t drink water if it wasn’t bottled. He tipped the bottle back and drank. It was not just cool but cold, sweet, crisp and refreshing. He had to admit it was actually better the poland springs.
“God damn that is good!” he exclaimed
“I told ya. The only down side is no hot water so for showering... well I got this camping shower we can try out.” he pointed to a slight path leading behind the camper that was just off the bathroom trail. “I figured we could hang it out back so the water warms up in the sun light. Plus you know privacy.”
“Well I don’t start my job till Monday so I think I’ll hold off testing the shower for a couple days.” the bear scratched his head blushing at the thought of having to shower out side.
“Haha yeah I’m starting tomorrow, you said you have Thursdays off though right?” the bear nodded “Cool looks like we go on adventures on Thursdays and by that I mean we can drink ourselves stupid since that is how cooks are supposed to live” the two high fived in a manner most exaggerated since neither one of them were heavy drinkers.
“That should be fun especially since I’m under age and your younger than me...and Bill is now in New York. Hmmm we may need to find some one older to hang out with.” he mock lectured waging forefinger at his friend.
“Ah but my mom was willing to leave us this” he held up a bottle of blush pink wine with a tag attached which he read “to my manly man son because you’re a man love mother” the bear stifled his laughs but both nearly doubled over at the quip.
“Indeed she’s a kind mother and gracious host” the bear set his pack down on the picnic table “Guess I better move in a little”
“I took the back bed already and have some instant food under the cabinets. Your welcomed to it. There’s a mini fridge and I have coffee.” he clapped the bear on the shoulder and grinned “I’ll help you grab your petty coats and frock on the way back but there’s more to see out here.”
“Oh good didn’t know if I’d have room for clothes what with you needing all those antler growth supplements” the deer playfully landed a punch to the bear’s arm as he headed back into the main field. It was brighter and lush with grass feeling so very separate from their little space. The afternoon sun was warm on the bear’s fur as they crossed the wide space. The main fire pit showed signs of the various parties and late nights spent around it. By the tree line a pile of wooden pallets awaited their fate as fuel and a large number of chairs surrounded the stone ring of the pit. More impressive to Jake was the small pond with a short wood dock leading out over the water. It was inviting. “Dude this place is amazing I wish I had something like this in my family” Jake really was quite envious, his family wasn’t even on speaking terms most of the time.
“It is pretty great we use to just have the stream but my uncle rented a bobcat and was able to dig this out, now we have a pond” the white tail crouched down on the dock and ran a paw through the water “its chilly but if the camp shower isn’t good enough you can always take a bath” The larger boy couldn’t help but think of how relaxing it would be to float in the middle of the pooled water and just soak up the sun.
He watched the water flowing down the stream farther away into the wooded land “Hey is that another trail there” the bear pointed to just past the wooden pallets where and opening in the tall grass seemed to be. In fact he just then realized that the back of the field wasn’t a tree line at all but tall grass and bushes that lead farther off to a tree line.
“Oh yeah it follows the water. Come on I’ll show you” the deer moved swiftly down the path and the bear found himself hurrying after. His heart raced this place seemed to hold endless wonders. A small wood platform acted as a bridge crossing a small trickle of water that lead into the grassy area. Then the path widened to a picnic area complete with table and a bench set by the water. From here you could see back to the main field but from the field it would be hard to see back. Oliver pointed out some things then continued long another trail that included a cleared patch in the trees for a tent camp. Farther down the path forked, on way lead into a dense part of the trees the other to a larger bridge. The whitetail stopped here and pointed down the trail deep into the trees. “That there would be the way you want to go to take a dump. Nothing and no one down there.”
“It’s a real shit hole down there is what your saying?” Jake grinned Oliver shook his head and continued over the bridge back to their camp.
As the pair emerged from the trail a truck pulled in along side their parked cars. An older stag stepped out his antlers already larger than Oliver’s. His muzzle was grey but his eye still held great youth. He greeted them both “Son I see you survived the first night, Jacob good to see you made it here safe. Welcome to The Field” he gripped the bear’s paw tightly and shook firmly. Once more Jake found himself nervous. Oliver’s family had been incredibly kind but he was still afraid he’d mess it up some how.
“Thanks its incredible out here” he smiled earnestly. The stag too smiled and nodded.
“Well we are pretty proud of it.” he turned to his son and continued “I’m not sticking around long just came to drop of two things. The first...” he opened the driver door and reached in pulling a thin squar box “is pizza.” he passed it to Oliver and returned to the door this time he produced a six pack of glass bottles filled with gold liquid. “The second is cider” this was passed to Jake “Now to be clear I don’t care if you drink out here just be safe. Don’t drive, don’t wander out to the road”
Oliver was the first to pipe up “thanks pops I think we can handle that much” the stag nodded once more.
“And if you want more you’re gonna have to cough up the money” Jake had stepped off to the cars and opened his trunk pulling out a box of food stuffs he lifted the heavy container and walked past the two bucks chatting as father and son.
“I have to say I wasn’t expecting a full apartment to be inside that tiny trailer” the elder smiled at the comment, he was rightly proud of the work.
“Well I’d been planning to change some things around in there for some time now. The bathroom didn’t seem worth it and a bed for you was a great excuse to get rid of it.” Jake glared at Oliver, who had now taken the suitcase from the trunk and was walking to meet the bear at the trailer.
“Glad to be of help then, plus I think this is better than sleeping on the floor. I mean sure this week wouldn’t be fun for me but with my luck next week I’d be tripping over you every morning and that’d just be inconvenient.” the buck chuckled but quickly shot back.
“And here I thought I’d be safe in the trailer. One week in and I end up crushed to death” the elder buck followed the pair back to the camp sight but was not to be left out of the conversation.
“Well as long as one of you makes it to the end of summer I’ll count it as a win.” They all stopped by the table appreciating Oliver’s father’s definition of acceptable loses but he crossed close to his son who had placed the suitcase down before giving him a hug.
“See you later Pops er tonight?” the younger deer asked.
“Nope taking your mom up to uncle Pete’s” he nodded toward the pizza “figured we’d let you both settle in, plus your mom can lose some dignity in poker and I can make fun of her for it”
“Oh good mom loves losing poker!” they shared a chuckle and it was quite clear that this was part of a larger joke in their family.
“Thanks again nice not to have to figure out cooking fire side on the first night.” Jake added.
“Good to have you out here Jake” the stag turned back to his truck “oh and don’t die” With that he was off. The boys finished moving boxes in before heading out to sit and eat pizza the sun was going down and it looked like it the start to a great summer. The bear belched, the sounded echoed off the trees “nice” Oliver declared as he stood from the lounge chair he casually walked to the edge of the camp turning to the space behind the camper itself.
“So when you in tomorrow?” questioned the bear. Jake had been confused at first as to where the deer boy was going but a sudden trickling sound gave him the answer to the unasked question. This was also new to the bear, as an only child and one with few friends this whole taking a leak in the great outdoors while still near other people was alien. He grabbed the bottle of wine and looked it over ‘best to break the ice on this liquored up’ he thought.
“Not till two. Why” the deer was still finishing up as he spoke back.
“Well we should probably christen the summer courtesy of you mom” the deer zipped up and came back around the corner to see the bear brandishing the bottle.
“I’ll get the cups” he disappeared into the camper and reemerged with two coffee mugs passing them over to Jake. The bear’s paws had already gripped the twist top and removed it, now he poured two portions of the drink for them. The glasses were clinked together and the cheered.
“Salute!” came Jake’s voice.
“Na zdrowie!” joined Oliver.
Both cringed at the taste but in time had the first glass down and poured what was left into the second round. Jake found that this cup was more agreeable. He didnt know how exactly but it went down faster. The bear sat in the lounge chair watching the last of the sun light fade. This day had gone fast and this wasn’t even getting him buzzed. ‘It was just wine after all’ he thought. He also noted that at this point the deer had finished off his drink, The stocky boy offered to take the cup then took it to the spigot to rinse. The thinner male popped two of the cider caps and passed one to his friend. They soon had these emptied as well.
“You feelin anything?” asked the whitetail once more lounging.
“Not really, kinda disappointed” Answered Jake who then stood up to dispose of the bottle. It hit him. The bears limbs felt oddly heavy then his mind swam a bit. He grinned foolishly enjoying the sudden affect.
“I’m gonna start the fire” Announced Olly not noticing his friend pausing to take in the buzz. He too felt it all at once as blood circulated and spread the delirious feeling. “There it goes” he swayed a moment but then adjusted to his state of mind and continued t grab the logs and matches.
Jake cleared the bottles once more and retrieved two more bottles of cider. This time he asked rather than assumed as the deer had. He didn’t want to kill the guy with a hang over on his first day of work. The sweet crisp drink was still accepted. They sat around the small fire chatting then, in the freedom of the alcohol, sang drinking songs till only embers remained. It was time for sleep and they both came to the understanding. The boys stood from their seats and cleared the trash moving about the camp to prepare for bed. The bear now felt one sensation clear compared to the fuzzy senses mottled by the combined drinks, it was his bladder. Oliver had emptied his once already but now Jake had to break the seal.
“Gotta dump a little water on this” pointed out the deer as he grabbed a bucket and went to fill it. Jake had almost forgotten this important safety matter though a thought came to mind. He circled the pit till he was back to the deer. He unzipped, reaching in rather more clumsily than any male with years of practice should, and relieved himself on the last embers bringing up a crackle and hiss. The lanky male with the bucket looked up and chuckled . He finished filling the pale walking over just as his friend worked to put himself back into the cargo shorts he wore. The water finished the embers off and they headed into the camper. The lights came on and sheets were spread out on the mattress for the bear, the deer had his set in place already.
“So um about sleeping” the deer awkwardly announced not quite sure how to bring this up. Jake at this point was in his suitcase paws reaching for the pajama bottoms he had packed for sleeping in. “Well ah I just sleep in my boxers.” he paused again “hope that’s ok” the slightly younger boy stood by his bed a little stiff. Jake had never considered this possibility and had fully expected to be wearing the bottoms for the duration as most people, he assumed, did out of modesty. This was something he had done at the start of school despite never having worn them at home. He didn’t like it and eventually overcame the embarrassment of exposure going to bed in his underwear alone. He slept better then and now was glad to know he could keep that up.
“Well normally I sleep nude BUT I suppose I’ll concede to keep my boxers on for your comfort.” he pulled the shirt over his chest, his gut rounder than he would have liked, and popped the button on his shorts. They dropped and he added the shirt to the pile.
“Oh my HERO!” the deer spoke in deep parody of a damsel in distress. He too stripped down and both were soon under covers, the bear with his head to the door and the deer with his legs facing those of the bear. The lights were clicked off and both slipped out of consciousness, the first day was the easiest.
