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15
BRYSON
I’m not really a planner.I know how best to keep a kitchen arranged, have a preference for the way I like my hunting stuff to be stored in my mom’s garage, and have a system for my tackle box.But planning - not exactly my strong suit, not really.
But for this trip to Lake Placid to support Carleigh in her marathon efforts, I really pulled out all the stops.I already got everyone lined up to come.Everyone’s got stuff they’re responsible for bringing.We have sites booked at Saranac Lake - sure, it’s about fifteen minutes away by car from Lake Placid, but it’s a great area and the drive will be nice.The actual townsite is overrated, anyway; I’ll go because it’s where the marathon starts and ends, but it’s overly commercialized and nothing about it is really camping, not by my definition.
This won’t be, either; we’ve got tents and are bringing food, sure, but we won’t be digging holes in the woods for latrines, and there are places to shower if people need.I’m a fan of a more back-woods style of camping, where you wander into the wilderness with your supplies and emerge two weeks later - reeking, but having had the time of your life, with your garbage bundled on your back so that Mother Nature couldn’t tell you were even there.This isn’t that, not at all, but it’ll be more relaxed, too.Relieving oneself in the woods isn’t for everybody.
Carleigh leaves fairly early in the morning.I’m awake, wearing pajama pants, and a t-shirt, pretending to have rolled out of bed just to say goodbye.It’s the day before her marathon; she’s heading up to have a good night’s sleep at a hotel with her parents, then she’ll start the run early in the morning.The plan on my end is that myself, Molly, and Quinn will drive up together in a few hours, with Bishop and Sawyer just behind us.We’ll set up our campsite and get prepared for a long morning of marathon-watching the next day, then spend a few days hiking, canoeing, and generally having a good time in the great outdoors.It’s going to be great.
Of course, Carleigh knows none of this, so I make sure to be out of my room to wish her luck when she leaves.I give her a hug.“Knock ‘em dead, Half-Sour,” I say, pressing a light kiss to her temple.“Run like the wind.And text me when you’re done to let me know how it went.”
Carleigh nods.“Will do,” she says, heading through the doorway with her bag.She gives a nervous smile, waves, then lets the door shut.
Immediately, I hop into gear: Molly’s coming over soon to pack up a bag for Carleigh, so I have to hop in the shower.My own stuff is mostly packed, but I’ll do a last check, and also leave time to head to Jersey so that I can pick up my dad’s old truck and most of our camping supplies.It’s a hectic morning and it’s going to be a long drive up, but it’ll be worth it when Carleigh sees all of our faces at the finish line.I know it will.
I waketo the sound of birds chirping, feeling great.Obviously, part of this is because I get to see Carleigh right away, which really is kind of stupid, because I live with Carleigh, and see her all the time.I saw her yesterday.But screw it – I’ve got a thing for her and seeing her makes me happy.So, sue me.However, another big reason I feel great is because I’m lying in a warm sleeping bag, inside the new one-man tent I recently bought in a March off-season sale, my head on my best compressible pillow, outdoors.
I love the outdoors, sleeping under the stars, telling stories by a campfire and hanging out by the cold waters of a lake.I love it all.It’s impossible to feel less than amazing when you’re in nature - at least for me, and especially if you normally live in a gigantic, busy city like New York.
I check my watch.Carleigh’s run starts at eight, before it gets too hot, and I want to be there to see Carleigh off - if we could find her.It’s six now, so I decide to pull myself out of the sleeping bag and start percolating coffee.
It works; around six-fifteen, Molly and Sawyer emerge from the four-man tent that they are sharing, and five minutes after that, Bishop and Quinn appear from theirs.Everyone has a cup of campfire coffee, then get ready and head out to Lake Placid, with the promise of actual coffee and food from one of the cafes in the townsite at the top of their minds.
The run at Lake Placid is, apparently, incredibly popular; it’s very crowded in town, so Bishop has to park his car far away.As we walk toward the old Olympic speed skating oval, where the race starts, Molly has her phone out and is texting Carleigh’s mother.
“They’re over by a big purple sign, apparently,” she reports, sliding her phone into the back pocket of her shorts.She wrings her hands together and grins at me as we walk.“Oh, I’m excited now!”
I laugh.“Think she’ll be happy to see us?”
Molly gives me a look.“She’s going to be thrilled, Bryson.Wouldn’t you be?”
“I’d be pumped as hell,” Quinn interjects.“Big purple sign, huh?Is it that one?”He points east, through the mill of runners and supports, to where a large purple-colored sign is advertising in-town parking spots.
Molly stands on her toes.“I see them, I see Carleigh’s dad.Come on.”
I’m not sure what Carleigh’s parents look like, so I don’t really have a grasp on where we’re headed, but as I follow in line behind Bishop, Molly, Sawyer, and Quinn, I finally see Carleigh.She’s standing with an older man and woman - yeah they definitely look like they could be her parents - and has a racing bib pinned to her tank top.
“Carleigh!”Molly yells, jumping and waving her hand.We’re still a few feet away, but her voice must carry well enough, because Carleigh turns our way and squints, curiously.
I see a look of recognition cross her face as she spots us.“Molly?”she says, holding one hand over her eyes to shield the sun.“What are you - Bryson?”
We push through the last block of people separating us from Carleigh.She hugs Molly tightly.“What are you guys doing here?”
“We came to cheer you on, dummy,” Molly says, hugging her back.She raises her eyebrow at Carleigh and then gestures toward me.“It was your roommate’s idea.”
Carleigh looks over at me with a look of what almost seems like awe as she hugs Quinn, Sawyer, and then Bishop in succession.“I can’t believe you guys came,” she says, shaking her head at Sawyer.
“Wouldn’t have missed it!”Bishop tells her, flashing his brilliant white grin.
When Carleigh reaches me, she stands in front of me for an extra moment.“Bryson, I - you did this?”
“Didn’t think I was going to settle for just a text after, did you?”I tease, stepping forward for a hug.“Wanted to surprise you.”
She practically jumps onto me and stands on the toes of her broken-in running shoes so she can wind her arms around my neck.I hug her tightly, squeezing her waist affectionately, but not letting myself indulge.After all, I can see her parents a few feet away.Molly has gone over to talk to them, but her mother is definitely looking over at Carleigh still.
She pulls back and looks up at me with unshed tears shining in her big eyes.“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me you guys were coming!”she exclaims, hitting my arm.
