Page 24 of Born to be Wilder

“We survived,” Doris breathed, blinking against the bright sun streaming in through the windows. Then she made the sign of the cross.

“Be right out!” I called.

We all climbed out of bed, grunting and moaning about our morning aches and pains. Then we walked single file through the RV to the door. We stepped out one after another, looking like we’d been through a war.

“Rough night?” the ranger asked, chuckling as he glanced at Marge, who was still clutching the awning crank.

“It was a coordinated ambush.” Marge rubbed her head, surveying the damage firsthand. “At least a dozen perps out here. Coons. Trapped us inside. Got a little ugly, but we handled it.”

The ranger shook his head. “Folks at the next site over had some trouble too. You’re aware that you’re supposed to secure your food when you camp?”

“We are aware,” I called from the back. “We just all thought someone else had done it.”

He pursed his lips, smacking the corner of his mouth. “Yeah, well, they aren’t stupid. Leave food unattended for even a few minutes and they’ll be here. They got into quite a bit.” He looked over his shoulder at the picnic table.

“It was terrifying.” Doris pulled her robe tighter around her pajamas. “I thought we were gonna die. Rabies, you know?”

He nodded, sucking his cheek. “Yeah. Raccoons do have a higher chance of carrying it. Glad you ladies stayed in your RV.”

Doris swatted me on the arm. “See! They can have rabies! I told you.”

“Yes, Doris. You told us.” Alice smoothed her hair, somehow barely out of place even after sleeping on it. “Now, can we get out of here? Please?”

The ranger gave a sharp nod. “If you’re alright, I’ll keep making my rounds. Just make sure you clean this all up before you leave.”

“We will, sir,” I answered.

He started to walk away, then paused. “Where you ladies headed today? There’s some new construction if you’re heading west.”

“I don’t know,” Marge answered. “Where are we heading, Captain?”

They all turned to look at me.

I decided now was the perfect time to tell them the fun detour I’d picked for my captain’s adventure. Something that terrified me. Something I had no desire to do, but when I’d seen it on the list of things to do in Indiana, I decided to jump.

Both literally and figuratively.

“We’re going to that place about an hour south of here and bungee jumping.”

Alice’s eyes widened and Doris looked like she might faint.

Marge’s face lit up like a kid at Christmas. “Sylvie! No way! Color me impressed and count me in!”

“We can’t bungee jump! It’s dangerous!” Doris protested, the color draining from her face even more.

The ranger winced. “Ah. Yeah, I know exactly where you’re talking about. Might want to give them a call, ma’am. Heard they closed on Monday. Mechanical error with the winch. Nearly snapped a cable, from what I heard.”

Doris gasped, clutching her chest. “Heavens to Betsy! We really could have died! It’s a sign, Sylvie! A divine intervention!”

She made the sign of the cross and disappeared into her prayers, clutching her rosary for a moment.

The ranger shook his head. “Yeah, sorry. And I don’t know of anywhere else that offers bungee jumping this time of year. But safe travels, ladies. And remember, never leave your food outside. Not even for a minute.”

“Lesson learned,” Alice answered. Then he tipped his hat and strode away, leaving us standing in the wreckage of our campsite.

“Aw, man. I was looking forward to that wish. Even though it’s a no go, I still gotta give you props for the bold choice, Sylvie.” Marge clapped my back, then started picking up garbage.

Part of me was elated to know it was closed and I didn’t have to face my biggest fear. Like a get out of jail free card. I didn’t actually want to bungee jump, but I wanted to feel something scarier than hearing Alice say she had cancer. Like if I could face something as terrifying as throwing myself off a bridge, I could face whatever was coming next. I wanted to show us all that we could be brave and face anything together.