were on the move the
next day, after having bathed in a nearby river, which was freezing. I held Maggy in a baby carrier, which was on my back, while Zelda
managed Daisy. Wolfie caught a ride on Harry’s
shoulders, and Leslie and Shelly strode on ahead with Dr. Haynes and Steven. The
hike was brisk, and I struggled to keep up. The beasts were used to the humans
lagging, and Pooky would appear to check on us,
sometimes walking slowly by my side. When lunch came, we settled near a river,
while the boys were in the water catching salmon.
I sat with Shelly, while Maggy drank from my breast. “I’m going to lose this weight
pretty quick now.”
“No shit. I haven’t walked that much
in years.”
“I still can’t believe you came out
here. I never thought I’d see you again.”
“I know.” She stared into the
distance. “I did the stuff I had to. I graduated college; I got engaged to a
guy I thought I was going to be with forever. I had plans…but the bastard
cheated on me. I went to Europe and stayed with my sister for a while.” Her
look was solemn. “You know, some of my happiest days were out here. I didn’t
know it at the time, but…I really missed these guys. Too bad Dale’s gone. I
wanted to see him, but he’s with that female Bigfoot.”
“I’m pretty entrenched here,
especially with the kids.”
“You have the best of both worlds.
You can come and go. That might be a cool idea.”
“They always need more women.”
“Yeah, as breeding machines.”
I patted my stomach. “I think I’m
done.”
“What?”
“I haven’t told Leonard, but I’ve had
three kids. I don't think I can do more. My hormones are always outta whack
after I give birth, and I’m miserable for months. Mike and I agree on this
issue.”
She seemed to be mulling over what I
had said. “You think your wilderness days are coming to an end?”
“When Daisy is a little older, I want
her to go to school and have a normal life. I have another three years, but
then…yeah. Probably.”
“This is a transient way of living.
Apes come and go. People come and go.”
“They can visit us whenever they
want. Our house is pretty isolated.”
Wolfie staggered over, his legs slightly
bowed. “Oh, my God, this guy,” laughed Shelly. “He’s a hoot.”
“ Ggggrrrr …”
He sat next to her, using a stick to clean his teeth.
She petted his head, and he grunted.
“He’s just fucking adorable.”
“He is. Daisy loves him. They’ve been
together since infancy.”
“Can you say anything other than Ggggrrrr …?”
“Good day for hike,” he rasped.
“It is.”
The boys had returned with fish, and
we would eat soon. I got to my feet, tossing Maggy over a shoulder. “I’m gonna see where Daisy is.”
After lunch, we set out again. We
planned to walk until sunset, finding a place to make camp. The elevation
brought a chill to the air, and I wore a jacket, bundling Maggy and Daisy in warm clothes as well. Pooky held both
Daisy and Wolfie at one point, both falling asleep
over his shoulder. The fresh air and exercise had revitalized me; lifting
whatever melancholy I had been feeling. It was the perfect antidote for the
baby blues. The scientists held their own, carrying camping gear on their backs
in formidable looking packs. Leonard pulled a cart behind him loaded with our
tents and supplies. We were a vagabond group, walking and resting, passing the
hours in conversation or silence.
The apes would stop to sniff
occasionally, picking up on various scents. At one point, we hid in the trees,
as they had sensed something dangerous. When the threat passed, we continued on
our way. By the time the sun dipped over the horizon, we found a secluded spot
and set up camp. Exhausted, I ate and washed in a nearby river before
collapsing in the tent. I slept with Daisy, Maggy ,
and Wolfie , although the hairy youngster was pressed
1796-1874 Agnes Strickland, 1794-1875 Elizabeth Strickland, Rosalie Kaufman