Watchout

That kid was frightened when I yelled "Hello!" up the road at him.

For years now, people have been hiking and biking up and down Daisy Hollow. It's really funny: they roll out here from Ithaca or wherever in all their gear. Hikers walking with ski-poles in the summer. You name it, etc. People who live out here think they're cute. When I go walking, I go up on the hill with a rifle.

The very first time I laid eyes on him, he looked like he was walking out the end of a neighbor's driveway. He'd made about seventy-five yards up the road by the time I had my boots on and was out the door.

Walking up to him, I could see that he was apprehensive. I said from about fifteen yards away, "I hope you will understand why this is necessary." I had all his attention, now. I'd say he was in his early twenties.

"You know," I told him, "We've been watching people hike up & down this valley for a long time, but that is the very first time I ever saw what looked like someone coming out of that driveway."

"I wasn't coming out of the driveway," he said. "I was just hiking Daisy Hollow." I didn't say anything. I was just watching him. He looked down pensively for an instant and then looked right back up at me, in the eye. I am quite certain of what I saw: he was remembering. He said, "I crossed the road right there."

I was enormously relieved. Yes: that must have been what I saw and it was all just a trick of timing.

I reached over and gave him a friendly whack on the shoulder. "I don't have a reason in the world to doubt what you say. That must have been what I saw."

He was nodding and the thing was going well. I told him, "I'm sorry that I interrupted you. Look around you. We watch out for each other out here. We have to."

He grabbed my hand and shook it and said, "I see that. Thanks for watching out for your neighbors."

I told him, "I think this is the prettiest place in the whole world, and I hope you enjoy yourself out here," and I really meant it. I would have asked him if there was anything that I could do for him, but he looked squared-away, and off he went.

I was a little embarrassed, but that's okay. I can afford that and I would far rather look foolish for a moment than let anything slide out here.

He probably will, but I nonetheless hope that kid gets home safe.