The last week has been all about getting Lucy settled in and acquainted with life around my new apartment and as the cold air starts to really settle in, I’ve been making regular my visits to my aunt and uncle to check up on them, or rather, so they can check up on me. I'd bring Lucy along - as a dog, of course, and aunt Cissy would fuss over him as well, pet him and feed him all his favorites. I honestly think Lucy enjoys visiting them for all the attention he gets but I won't tell him I've noticed. It’s been a whirlwind of a fall season and winter is coming.

Not wanting to miss our last opportunity to go out before we need to hunker down for the cold, I grab a few brochures I pick up from our walks and lay them out on the table. Lucy finally stirs from his sleep on the couch and helps himself to coffee before setting his breakfast on the table across from my set up. After a few moments of watching me jot things down, I quietly sets down his coffee mug and ask,"

"What are you working on?"

"Our adventure for today." I reply, not looking up from my work.

He only 'hmm'ed at my response before walking to the room, likely to get ready for the day. I wrap up what I am doing, tucking a slip of paper in my pants and try to remember the route we'll be taking for the day. When Lucy stands at the foot of the table expectantly, I grab a back pack for he and I to hold and lead him out the door.

"Where are we going?" He asks, I know his curiosity is now peaked. 

"You'll see." I sing-song my reply to him and lead the way to a main thoroughfare.

"Is it me, Ms. Atoa, or are you being elusive?" Lucy asks, not looking at me but picking at invisible lint on his dark green plaid shirt.

"Me? Never~" Again in the sing song tone I know annoys him to no end. He 'hmm'ed again and followed my lead.

We hail a taxi and jump off at the nearest bus station to catch a local bus to the falls. After spending most of the morning searching for the right route and which bus, we'll have to jump on, I don't want to get it wrong - hence why I have a note with the bus and name of the stop written on it. Lucy is looking out the bus window taking in the new scenery around him. I realize now that we've mainly stayed within the town or city limits and I've never taken him to all the lush areas just outside those limit. I keep an eye on the monitor inside the bus letting me know what stops we are at when I see our destination pop up. With a slight tug on Lucy's long sleeve, get his attention and motion with my head towards the isle since we'll be jumping off and pushed the button to stop. 

Once off the bus, a gusty wind picks up and a chill runs down my back. A rocky path leads from the bus stop to the top of a hill. It starts to drizzle, and with the rain riding on the wind, it almost stings against our skin so I motion to the backpacks I prepared for us and pull out my jacket, Lucy mimicking me and pulling out the windbreaker and putting it on. We hike to the top of the hill and read a lookout that overlooks the forest and river below. 

“We’re here." I announce and gesture out towards everything around and below. "This is Rainbow Falls, aptly name for the rainbow that forms at its base but only when the sun comes out. Today probably wasn't the best day to check this place out but I figured we've seen the city many times by now and you'd like to see something new. What do you think?"

“I think this is a lovely sight.” Lucy says simply as he looks down at the rushing river below.

I'm so glad to hear that he likes the sight so I take my arm at the elbow and pull him along another path, enjoying Lucy's shocked expression.

“Apparently I’ve been here before many times as a kid, but I can’t recall any of it. I did, however, talk to people at the bakery you practically dragged me to that one time as well as a few neighbors and they mentioned that there’s another vantage point nearby to check out. We just need to follow the path up through some of the brush and we'll see a clearing that'll take up to the river."

I search for the path worn down by many people walking through the brush and follow it for a few yards uphill. Droplets from the trees gather and dampen my hair as a gust blows through. I'm sure, Lucy is getting his fair share of nature at this point as we climb over decayed plant matter and fallen bramble but I can hear the roar of the river and know we are close. The trail finally leads us to the edge of the woods and step out to a closer ledge to the rush of river water. We stand at the edge watching the water rush to the falls edge and I take a long, broad leaf and set it against surface of the water watching it flow by and whistle at its speed.

"The river water is going really fast, it seems." Lucy comments.

"Yeah. The rain from the yesterday as well as today made it swell. Usually fall through spring is rainy season here so it's nice to come and see the falls and river when its full"

"Did you remember all that?" Lucy asked.

"No, I cheated. I looked it up in some brochures and tour guide books. Aunt Cissy told me as much before so I can't claim that tidbit of information as my own."

"What's over on the other side of this river?" Lucy points across the way about 30 ft., and a small clearing in the forest just like this.

"I'm actually not sure." I confess. "When all the rain stops and the water recedes a bit, we can try and explore that side of the river if you're interested."

"That would be nice." Lucy comments and we stand looking around us, both lost in our thought. "Well, it is starting to rain a bit harder, would you be adverse to heading back."

"Not at all." 

We walk to the main road and wait for to see if there were any vehicles coming our way. When I see a pickup truck, I stick out my thumb and wait hoping someone would stop and feel sorry for the wet saps caught in the rain. We didn't have to wait as a large truck pull up and I talk to the man behind the wheel.

"A little wet for a walk, don'cha think?" the driver lowers the passenger window and asks.

"Nah, not so bad since it's a light drizzle but I wanted to check out the falls before the downpour really sets in."

"Well, you must have good timing because the heavy downpour is just behind me. Hop in!"

"We'll jump into the bed since we're already cover in mud and wet.  We're  not far from the main bus station."

"Where's your final destination?" The driver asks.

"On Derby, by the bakery." I answer.

"Well, I can drop you off and it's a bit more direct to my stop than heading to the bus station. Does that work for you?" The driver asks.

"Yeah, that'll be great! Thanks uncle." It's a sign of respect in these parts, as my aunt and uncle tell me when we meet new people.

"No problem. You sure you want to sit back there in the open? It gets pretty chilly in the back." 

"Yeah, we'll be fine. It's all part of the experience." I smile and wave as he just shrugs. Lucy was watching our whole exchange so I point to the back of the truck and proceeds to jump in like an expert.

“What are you doing?” He asks as I swings one leg over the side of the bed of the truck.

“What’s it look like?" I pause for effect and bring my other leg over. "We’re riding in the back. Jump in.” I say expectantly and look pointedly at Lucy that he should follow in suit. I watch as he takes a page out from my book and follow my exact method of pulling this feat off; one leg over the lip of the back, then the next. I just beams a smile at Lucy for his effort once he's in and she comments.  "Find a spot you can grab on to for bumps and zip that jacket. It'll be cold." 

I slap the back of the truck, signaling that we are ready to go and settle in the corner next to the cab. The drive up the road does take too long as we only go up a few miles but it was chilly! I had a good laugh at Lucy's expense when his hair whipped about but once we turn into dead end across from the bakery I climbed out to give my thanks to the driver. Lucy wrings his hair out and readjusts his ponytail.

“I’m kinda glad I didn’t get you anything too fancy to wear, otherwise I don’t think you’d agree to come on this expedition.” I comment, watching him smooth his hair back.

“I had no idea where we were going and what we would be doing but I probably would have agreed to come no matter where it was since I didn’t have to be cooped up in the house like I was for the last month.” Lucy said offhandedly

"I’m sorry about that. I was hoping that my aunt and uncle would walk you while I found the apartment.”

“They did, but they were very tedious in their routes and kept it short.” I know he's a bit peeved that he didn't get to do much during those months I was house hunting but he kept his facial feature neutral. 

“Well, it’s only a bit further.” I say reassuringly. A loud crack reverberated all around us and the skies open up with a slight spattering of rain. "I think the rain has finally caught up with us.  We should hurry before we get dumped on."

"'Dumped on'?" Lucy asks and right on cue, the sky 'dumps' bucket loads of rain over our head and we hightail it toward home.

Our short run to the apartment is more than enough time to get completely drenched in this storm yet when we enter the apartment. We stand at the doorway a bit shell-shocked at being caught unaware like that before I hear a something grumble besides me. I look over at Lucy and I feel my jaw drop to my chest because this stoic, upper crust gentleman was trying his best - and failing - to keep his laughter to himself. Looking at him, I can feel a tug at the corners of my mouth before I start to giggle a bit. I watch him fall apart as he clutches his stomach and leans over as a deep rich guffaw ring through the living room. Now, I'm practically crying and we are both hyperventilating to catch our breath.

"You were not wrong in calling today's trip an adventure." Lucy says, finally able to catch his breath enough to speak.

"Well, I wanted an adventure so you can be confident enough to go and explore places on your own if feel like you want to get out and hoped that this would be a memorable trip."

"Oh, Ms. Atoa, this is without a doubt the most memorable trip I've encountered in my lift thus far." Lucy said between chuckles. 

"You memory only goes back a few months."

"Exactly."

“Well, why don’t you go upstairs, shower and warm up. I can boil some water for tea and call for take out.”

Lucy didn't need to be told twice to warm up and all I had to do was flip the switch on the water heater and I make a quick call to Sabai Thai Cuisine for take out.

I already know what I like to eat: Padthai with extra veggies and peanuts, Tom Kha Gai, Gai Pad Med Mamuang with the cashews and extra bells, and Pad Phrik Khing with pork with 2 Mango Sticky Rice and Thai Ice Teas.

After I hang up the phone, I rush to the fire`place and set to work. The match struck and spread its fire to the newspaper set out, one in each hand before being set down at the base of the chimney where another stack is waiting for ignition. Watching it catch fire is transfixing as though watching little fire spirits dance upon the log and paper. I hardly hear Lucy come down the stairs until he clears his throat in manner of announcing his presence and I turn to look at him.

“I love fires.” I say meekly as I probably look like a loon staring at the fire.

“So I see.’  Lucy shrugs in response and sits on the couch alongside the fireplace. “Why don’t you warm up and I can tend the fire. I am sure I will manage.”

I don't need to be told twice and scampers off upstairs to the shower that is calling my name. When I turn the two handles for hot and cold water, I luxuriate under the hot sprays of the shower as warmth fills me from head to toe. Simple tasks like searching for transportation and getting wet by the passing rain is exhausting but I'm glad to say, I help create a memorable experience for the both of us.

Now, we both have one new memory to help fill the void from our empty ones.

I turn off the faucet, now feeling completely refresh and warm and dress, not wanting the humid atmosphere to leak out beyond the bathroom once I open the door. As soon as I crack the door open, wisps of steam slip past and swirl around before completely disappearing. I take a look at the mirror and smile at my reflection. I could use more days of creating memories rather than looking back at the past all the time and trying to figure out what is wrong with my life.

A sudden chill surrounds my body and I shiver from shoulders to toes wrack through me as a wake up call. I slipped my limbs into their proper clothes openings and wrap my hair with a towel diagonally so that it covers my waist length hair completely. Honestly, I hate it when it drips down my back, especially on cold days. 

“Lucy~!” I call in the shrillest tones I can muster so that he can't miss it. “The take-out should be here any minute!”

Bracing myself for the rush of cold air as soon as I crack open the door and rush downstairs, holding my towel in place as I try to find refuge from the brisk air by the fire. 

"Ah~" I sigh content, feeling warmer with each step closer to the fireplace. "I very much needed that."

When I look at the coffee table by the fireplace, I'm shocked to see that all the food has been laid out and place settings are arranged in all the right place.

"Lucy!" I exclaim. "You shock me. I never new you could make a fire."

"I've been watching you for days now."

"I know but I never knew you were actually paying attention. Great job! Thanks for takin’ care of the fire and the food carrier. How much did it all come out to?"

“I’m sorry?” I'm worried when he looks confused when I ask him about the cost.

“The total? How much did you pay for our food?”

“There was no payment.” I don't know if I should be laughing at his joke or be running down the street to try and catch the delivery man out in the pouring rain.

“Lucy, there is always a payment. Do you mean you to tell me you didn’t pay the guy?” I get a bit agitated trying not to breach our truce of peace but start looking for my wallet around the living room. 

“Well, our neighbor brought it in for us so I didn't think there was anything I needed to do on my end.”

I swore under my breath and quickly dashes to my bag and out the door.