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“The wimpy way is to climb onto the cut-off stump next to the base of the tree, hook the rope with the nifty branch left there for that purpose, and then swing away. You just have to let go on the upswing, so you don’t swing back and smash into the tree.”
“I’d like to avoid that if possible. What’s the macho, manly way?”
“Climb up on the other side of the tree to the branch with the rope. Then shimmy out to it. Once you’re there, you can let yourself down to the rope. But if you’re really macho, you forget about the rope and jump from the branch.”
John considered the three options, then grinned at Ember. “I think I’m feeling pretty macho.” He went to the edge of the water and peered in. “It’s deep enough, right? I’m not going to crack my skull on a rock down there.”
“It’s deep. No rocks.”
“Actually, maybe that’d be a good thing. Maybe it’d knock my memory back.”
“That’s a big maybe, John.”
“Yeah. I suppose it is.” He nodded. “Okay.” Hewent back to the fire circle.
“Does this mean you’re not doing it?”
“No. I’m doing it. I just want to get a fire going first. I have a feeling I’m going to be cold when I come out of the water.”
“Good thinking. You will be.”
They both gathered some small sticks, then John pulled down some bigger dead pieces of wood from the nearby trees. He arranged it all in the firepit along with some dry leaves, then lit it with a lighter from his pocket.
Ember watched him. “It seems you’ve done that a few times.”
“Yeah. Maybe I was a boy scout.”
“That’s probably it. Do you want to eat first?”
“No.” He stood and watched the fire for a moment. “I think that’s good. Don’t let it go out.”
“I won’t. I was a girl scout.”
He cocked his head at her, then nodded. “I can see that.”
She shook her head. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
“Yes.” He sat and removed his shoes and socks, then stood and took off the cotton shirt he was wearing. He handed it to Ember, then pulled his t-shirt over his head. He smiled at her. “I’ll leave the pants on.”
“Thank you. I’d appreciate it.”
He handed her the t-shirt. “You will come in and rescue me if I don’t come up, right?”
“It’s in my nature, John. Of course I’ll comerescue you. I won’t like it. But I’ll do it.”
“Okay.” He took a deep breath. “Here goes nothing.”
Once again, Ember tried not to stare at John’s very nice body. He was tan and muscular. But not overly so. It was more natural muscle. She didn’t think he spent hours in the gym. Although, maybe he did. She got up and moved under the tree. She needed to see this up close.
John went to the tree and made his way up the lower branches until he reached the one hanging over the water. He sat and straddled it, then looked down at her.
“So far, so good.”
“You could come down now with the satisfaction of knowing you got that far.”
He pointed at her. “What would be the fun of that?”
“Just do it. You’re making me nervous thinking about it.”
