What’s Important

Jaimee was home by the fireplace, bandaged arm and ribs, less two fingers, but alive and grateful for every breath she took. The family was sitting with her and listening to her story for about the fourth time.

They each had questions and made her feel so much joy it was inexplicable.

Sean asked one last question, but seemed a bit hesitant to ask. “Are you sad you didn’t make it to the top?”

“I’ve thought about that and a few times I pictured myself staring out from the peak of the mountain, yelling that I’ve made it and hearing my echo, but honestly, you guys are my peak! I’ve made it, just having you all by my side. That will always be enough for me! I love you guys.”

“We love you too,” AJ chimed in, “but we love you a little less since you can’t flip us off when you get pissed off anymore.”

Everyone laughed.

She was happy. Just for today.

---------------------------------------

"Good morning, baby!” said Sean as he brought a tray to the bed. “I just made you a cheese omelette, bacon, and look at these beautiful pancakes!”

“I’m famished,” she said, reaching with her right hand, forgetting she no longer had her first two fingers. “Fuck! This is going to take some getting used to. I’m not really hungry anymore.”

She turned around and faced the wall, tears settling in her eyes.

“Nonsense!” Sean responded. “You didn’t give up on any part of your life. Not when you almost died whitewater rafting or climbing that mountain, not when drugs were consuming you, not when the men in your life were mistreating you, not when you lost your baby and you won’t give up now! Turn around and eat! NOW!” He wasn’t the type to let someone feel sorry for themselves but she didn’t respond. “Jaimee, I have a surprise for you today, but I want you to at least eat a little. Come on. Cry, get it out. Do whatever it is you need to do to get past this sadness. Carry it with you for awhile. I know it's not something that's easily moved past, but I'm not used to you like this. It's unsettling. Something has got to give. Let's go see your counselor. But first, you are going to eat and then you are going to be part of this family long enough to see your surprise. Don't you remember? I told you before you left it was a huge surprise from all of us and all of us are waiting patiently for you to eat and come downstairs." He walked around the bed and brushed her hair out of her eyes. “You’re my hero. Heroes rest but they don’t give up.” He ran his fingers over her smooth, wet cheek.

She raised up and put her arms around him and started sobbing. “I’ve never felt this. I don’t want drugs to escape reality, I just hate my reality. I left you all for a journey for nothing. I had what I needed all along. Like Dorothy in ‘The Wizard of Oz.’ How can I ever make it up to you all? How can you ever forgive me?”

"There’s nothing to forgive, silly,” retorted Sean, trying to smile and bring her back to reality. “Now use your other hand or let me feed you. That could be sexy!”

“Not feeling sexy today, baby. I’m sorry.”

"Don’t be, just let me know if you change your mind.”

Jaimee ate the bacon and pancakes with her left hand and ate the omelette using a fork in her left hand. It was not as difficult as she had imagined, and she realized she should be more grateful to be home and alive, but she simply could not get out of the slump she was in. Still, Sean’s food and attitude were both delicious. She couldn’t ask for more.

"Now you need to get up and get dressed. Unless of course you want me to have a little dessert before we start the day. If so, open your legs and I’ll head that direction.”

He laughed at his own joke making Jaimee laugh too. “Nah, maybe we can have dessert later.” She just wasn’t in the mood for sex. “Where are we going? I don’t feel much like getting dressed. To be honest, I don’t feel like doing anything."

He looked at her for a few seconds without a word, then said, “what is this Jaimee? Do I need to get balloons and banners for a pity party? You aren’t giving up on my watch! Now get up and stay in your pajamas today for all I care. Your surprise is on the premises. Come downstairs when you are ready. The family is waiting.” He walked out without another word.

Jaimee felt like being stubborn and obstinate. She didn’t feel like surprises, happiness and cheer today. She wanted to cry and be alone. Why couldn’t he understand that? Everyone should be allowed an off day. She had decided. She was going downstairs and telling them all she needed to be alone. She needed to sort through her feelings.

Just as she reached the landing and started to talk, there was a knock at the door. Everyone looked a bit startled because they weren’t used to visitors at the cabin.

Sean went to open the door and as everyone stared and the big, bearded man, Jaimee started crying and talked to him through her tears."Well Jack, ya big lug! How the Hell have you been and how in the world did you find me?”

"I’m not just a mountain guide, I’m a decent tracker too! And besides, your address was on the paperwork you filled out before we hiked up the mountain. I just thought I’d drop in and say hello on my way across America! I’m going back home to Colorado, but I’ve never been to West Virginia and I just can’t get you out of my mind.” Jack looked at Sean and decided to change his wording just a bit. “Well, you know, your dramatic story. And besides, I wanted to make sure you got my part right.” Jack laughed.

The kids sit in stunned silence. Sean looked at Jaimee, not sure what to say, then graciously invited the man inside. “I suppose you’ve had a long journey. Would you like to come inside and sit down? Come on in.”

Jaimee was surprised. She didn’t expect Jack to be here at all and she certainly didn’t expect Sean to be kind toward him for some reason, but it was all happening so fast she could do nothing but watch it all unfold.

“Oh no, I don’t want to intrude. I simply want to, ummm, borrow Jaimee for the evening. Take her out to eat and reminisce a little. See how she’s feeling now. They forced me to keep up with my guided tours and by the time I got back down the mountain, Jaimee was out of the hospital and back this way. I was so pissed off at feeling like a piece of roped cattle that I quit and decided to come back this way for a spell. What do ya say, Jaimee? Can I interest you in a meal and some conversation?"

“I’m not even dressed, Jack,” she said, but suddenly she could use the time away from home, away from the pain she had caused them all. “Let me throw on some clothes and I’ll be right back!”

She hurried upstairs before she heard Abigail say, “but what about your surprise dad? Our surprise? We’ve waited all this time!”

“Yeah,”Erica chimed in, and we all did so much work, especially you dad! How can she just leave like this?”

Devan didn't say anything, he simply nodded his head and walked away while AJ decided to be the one voice that gave his mom some slack, "She's been through a lot everyone. Maybe she needs some time to think and breath. We are putting a lot on her just to come home and be normal and happy. Hell maybe her fingers got what was left of her happiness. Maybe it needs to build back up in the rest of her. Just give her some time." With that he followed his older brother out of the room.

Sean could be silent no more! “I guess Jack here has caused quite the stir! We’ll just have to wait to show her our surprise, Jack was apparently a better one for the day. She will be right out Jack!” And he slammed the door in his face. Enough with the niceties. This man was going to be a problem. He better be leaving for Colorado soon!