Mountain Man

Vancouver.

Like Canada?

I can rent a car once I’m twenty-five. I don’t know, most of my milestones I passed back home.

And where’s that?

Maybe when by the time  you turn thirty you’ll be excited about it.

Perhaps.

I’m twenty-three but I feel like I was twenty-one forever ago.

A lot can happen in three years, on the flip side.

Oh, happy birthday. Twenty-seven isn’t so bad. You have three more years to go. 

Thanks. They pass by fast, lass. It feels just like yesterday that I was turning twenty-one.

Is your birthday coming up? You know, they say that thirties are the new twenties.

Turned 27 this morning.

You don’t look old. Sorry, I’m eavesdropping. I’m waiting for my co-worker for lunch.

I feel old. I haven’t got much longer ‘til I’m thirty.

The convention had ended over 48 hours ago, but Kallum hadn’t made any plans to fly out yet. He would have loved to say that he didn’t know what was holding him to the city, but he knew very well. He just didn’t want to admit it.

He didn’t want to admit that he didn’t want to leave the only place still tying him to her. Leaving Orlando had been easier since she wasn’t there anymore. He had always hated Florida, but he stayed for his friends. After she vanished, there was nothing and he was free to go to the only place he actually called home. Now...

Kal sighed, the escaping breath surrounding his head in a cloud of hot air. He would always feel gravitated to wherever he knew she was. Even if he wasn’t allowed to be near her, he’d still orbit around her presence. It was killing him, because he needed to get back to Currow, but he couldn’t make himself leave yet.

And it wasn’t as if he was hoping she would suddenly choose him or that he wanted to choose her. He was long past that. Long past holding a flame for her and waiting for her to light her candle with his. But there would always be the scent of that fire and it was so intoxicating.

She had also admitted to him what he had wondered for a long time. She still cared. She still needed him. He didn’t necessarily need her anymore, but he could easily remember what it felt like to.

The blizzard was over, but there was still snow. Kal had always loved the snow. It was magical, and that was a lot coming from a man who didn’t believe in fantasy. On the corner, a few bystanders stood to watch an old man pluck on his guitar. It was such a genuine tune that Kal stopped too.

“I am just a poor boy, though my story's seldom told...”

He perked up at the first line. “Oi, I know that one.”

“Wanna give it a shot? Give an old man’s fingers a moment to warm up?”

Kal accepted the guitar and plucked a few chords before closing his eyes. He didn’t like playing in front of friends and family, but if he kept his eyes tight he could manage to in front of strangers.

“I have squandered my resistance for a pocketful of mumbles...”