Tommy and Me

The forest sparkled with light dancing off the frozen vegetation. Tree limbs hung heavy. The sun slowly melted away the icy layering and water drops to the ground. Every drop is different from the next and makes its own impression on the surface below ringing out with a musical note. I find myself at peace in the solitude of the forest. The winter air is my only companion. The crisp crunch of snow beneath my boots.

"Jillian! Where are you going?" My friend, Emily, called after me like I was her child walking away from her in a department store. She was not from around here and she was not happy with my idea of a break.

"Emily, just calm down I'm going for a walk. I have been through these woods a hundred times I will be fine. Go have yourself a nice cup of coffee in town. I will call you when I'm ready to leave." The day was long enough for me already, and barely half past noon. It was time for a break and my break did not include anything other than this forest.

In this place many of my childhood memories have been laid to rest. Ten years have passed since I last visited the forest before moving to the New York when I was eight years old. Countless summer days I wandered aimlessly through these very woods. Now the cold of winter has settled in, and all around me all I see is the blanketing snow. Just as I am no longer the child I once was, the forest is not the same either.

Some of the trees I once climbed are no longer standing. Deforestation has corrupted the natural cycle of life in some spots. In other places, where I remember a tree not standing, is the home to a new tree that will one day also be cut down. Seedlings have flourished to great oaks and pines. The icy terrain gives the forest a certain decorative touch that is far from the summer pictures I have kept in my mind.

"The nerve of some of these business companies these days," I mumbled to myself as I walked through the forest.

"You got that right," said an unfamiliar voice.

"Who's there?" I asked. "Emily? Is that you? I thought I told you to go get some coffee or something. I really just need to be alone right now." I knew how Emily was; she was not comfortable with me doing this. I looked around for a few moments, but no one appeared so I just went on my way.

Nevertheless, I thought to myself, the forest remains. Despite the struggles of many to completely overrun the entire place, put up buildings and offices, the forest has planted its roots deep into the ground as if saying, "This is our home and we will not leave." I continued my journey. I passed a few trees that were the same ones I would climb, I could tell by the markings on the trunk. In my mind I see myself climbing the tree. My hand brushes over the bark as I walk by.

From the tree branches I felt like I could see the world. In reality all I was looking at was the forest floor only ten feet below. I would watch the different smaller animals scurry across the ground carrying acorns, pecans, twigs, and berries. Every so often, if I was especially quiet, I would have the pleasure of being joined by the birds of the forest sitting on the end of the branch or one nearby. Squirrels were also among my furry little friends that would keep me company.

I enjoyed the company of the animals even though my main reason to come out here was to be alone. It was different to be around them, they did not judge, or speak at all for that matter. I would just sit and watch them and as they would gather around I would begin to feel as if there was nothing else in the world. A sudden tug at the sleeve of my coat caught my attention. I was caught by a tree limb that was hanging out further than the rest from the ice sickles on its tip. Shaking my arm, I freed my coat only to turn around and realize my trip to the forest was about to be rudely interrupted. I heard a faint giggle from somewhere behind me, but like before I looked around and no one was there.

All at once, as if out of nowhere, a great white sheet of snow came hurdling in my direction. I had been so caught up in reminiscing on the past that I failed not noticed the wind picked up and that the snow lightly began to fall again. By now it was too late to try to find my way out. I was stuck. My friendly forest memories began to fade quicker than the last rays of light on an abandoned town at sun set. The one place I would go to for comfort as a child was now a place of my deepest fears and darkest nightmares.

The wind pushed and pulled at my body. It felt as if it knew I was afraid, and was about to take full advantage of tearing into my soul. Panic filled my mind, and I could not think clearly. I searched frantically for a place to take shelter from the storm and could see no such place in sight. The distinctions I remembered coming into the forest were now all gone. Everything looked the same dark, cold, and covered in snow.

"Help," I cried out. "Somebody, help me!" The tear that fell from my eye was instantly frozen to my check in the cold.

There was no answer to my desperate pleas. I knew no one would be able to hear me through the storm, and there was no way anyone could come to find me. So, I began to walk. I had no idea where I was going, where I would end up, or if I would even make it out alive. My feet and heart sank heavily with every step I took. Not knowing if I was going deeper into the woods or out towards a road, I