Jasper 1878…

Standing in the doorway of cabin breathing in the cold August air, unusual for this time, Red watched as his son finished the morning chores while sipping his coffee. As he watched, Red couldn’t help but think how those thirteen years went by exceedingly fast for today it was Garrett’s birthday. One of the two days they celebrate his life, this and that special day in July when they saved each other. For this day Red had got him a special gift last time they were in town, it was his eighteenth year, the year he becomes a man. Though he was not his biological son Red couldn’t help but see himself in Garrett with each passing day. Something he never thought possible at first.

However watching his son walk through the corral after giving his paint horse a pat on her neck, he could see his parents in him though he often wondered where he got his height from. Since his parents were of average height. His son however stood six foot four inches (unusual for the time) and weighed nearly two hundred pounds yet there was not an inch fat on him. It was all harden muscle. His upper body was well defined and muscular running down to rippling abdomen a sight he had to see each morning when they awoke and when they did their chores together. Yet he wouldn’t change it because Garrett was happy, healthy but most of all alive.

Apart from his body the one thing Garrett could never hide was his heritage, because it was plain for all to see – even to Red himself. His long black hair was usually kept in a single braid down his back or hung loose as it was at this moment was what made it obvious for all to see. His brown, soulful eyes showed the love and admiration he had for the mountain man. And just like his father, he usually wore a tan buckskin shirt with black trousers tucked into his knee high moccasin. And yet all of this isn’t what made him stand out - it was his crescent moon scar above his right eye, a scar that was visible for all to see. To the people of Jasper it made his face look disfigured, some would say monstrous. Yet it did not seem to bother Garrett, having known no different and coming to accept that which he could not change.

There was nothing he could do about it unlike the other smaller scars around his mouth and neck, scars he got from when he was a child. Most from trapping accidents when he was first learning to set traps, while others were from when he was learning to shave. So he always wore a full beard to cover up them from prying eyes and gossip.

Despite everything, Red could see over the years how much he looked just like his mother. A curse for anyone around this area and beyond. Especially for a growing boy, soon to be a man one day. A man who would soon be needing to find a bride. An impossible task for this area simply because of who and what he is.

As Red watched his son from the distance, Garrett too was watching him.

From a distance as he pushed the dirt off the buckboard, Garrett could see that something was wrong with his father. Though he would never admit it, being stubborn and yet in the end he always got his father to talk. Even when he really didn’t want to.

Despite watching his father, Garrett got most of the chores done for at least for now. Leaving the corral and barn Garrett walked slowly back to the cabin. Stepping up onto the porch he leaned against the banister looking at Red trying to guess what was wrong.

“Is everything alright father?” asked Garrett as he put his shirt on.

“Everything’s just fine, son. I was remembering the day I first found you that’s all my boy. Come breakfast is on the table.” Red sighed with a slight catch in his throat one that he tried cover up by coughing.

“When we go into town, maybe you should let the doctor check you over. That cough is back again.” Garrett smiled as he headed to the sink to wash up.

“Don’t need any doctor. I’m fine, son” Red muttered. Wondering how could he tell the boy that every time he says father it choked him up even after all these years. “I left something for you on the table. I picked it up last time I was in town.”

Sitting down at the table, Garrett curiously picked up the package and wondered what was it could be. Carefully he pulled back the brown paper and there lying in the center was a brand new hunting knife and sheath. A knife that had a black handle and a blade that was eight inches long; while the sheath was all black with red trim around it. Garrett was so surprised that he was speechless at least for a moment. The last time they were in town he admired it from behind the glass plate thinking he would never be able to own it.

“Happy birthday, my boy you are eighteen today, where did the time go. Seems like only yesterday I was carrying you in my arms...”

“You know it doesn’t feel like it’s been that long. Thank you for everything father.” Garrett spoke as he quickly wiped a tear from his eye before Red saw it. Red saw the gesture but said nothing so his son could collect himself now that he was a man.

“You’re a man now Little Wolf.”

“Not really though…am I?”

“Don’t worry about that, it will come in time. The right woman will come along and you will know it even if it is not right away. Your heart will always lead you to your soulmate.” Red sighed deeply into his coffee. “Then again perhaps you might, no one knows what the future holds my son. Not even the stars in the night sky can tell you the future.”

“I saw this girl once when we went into town together she was just getting off the train. I couldn’t see her clearly but I know that she was beautiful, I thought she looked like an angel.” Garrett replied “She was standing there with a lace veil around her hat looking like a halo. Until she was whisked away by her parents I believe they were, I never saw her face but I know she was the one. I felt it in my heart and my gut. I know she is just like us, different on the outside and inside.”

Leaning forward Red put his hand on top of Garrett’s “I think it would be in the best interest to leave that one alone for now. Everybody has a past that they try to hide including that young lady. Even she has a past to hide, perhaps one that she is ashamed of, why else would her face be covered by a veil. If you see her again take it slow my son for she might not be the angel you think, she might even be the complete opposite. Remember son; never show your heart on the first day that way it will never get broken. ”

“I understand but maybe one day…”

“One day you will meet her or some other woman and she will see the real you and not what everyone says. And on that day the world will know just what a true, strong and honorable man you are. And if she can’t then maybe she isn’t worthy of you.” Red interrupted his son.

Even though he didn’t want to admit it Garrett realized his father was right, yet he couldn’t let go of his feelings for this mysterious girl. Not knowing the words to say all he could do was nod his head and smile a half-hearted smile.

 “Good boy now no more sadness and sorrow, today is a day to be happy and celebrate.” Red smiled at his son.

Throughout breakfast they talked about the good times and plans for the day. Putting away any thoughts of sorrow and unrequited love at least for the moment. Afterwards when the meal was done, Red put the dishes in a tub of hot water to soak while Garrett cleared the table. Red began to wash and dry the dishes while Garrett threw on his coat and went out to saddle the horses and mules for their trip into town. Despite being his birthday Garrett and Red still had things to do.

As Garrett was busy with the horses Red was finishing up the dishes and packing the saddlebags for the upcoming trip. Getting his coat on and grabbing the bags and their rifles he headed for the door. Opening it to see that Garrett was ready and waiting by the post, closing the door behind him he set the booby traps like he did each time they left for town. Letting them know if anyone was in their home while they were gone because it has happened one to many times, more since Garrett came home.

Walking down the stairs Red tossed his son’s rifle to him, before turning to mount his own horse. Just as he threw his saddlebag on Red saw the new knife was strapped to on his son’s hip where his old knife used to be. The knife he had since he was seven was lost last winter when a bear attacked him on the way back from checking their traps, leaving Garrett with only a small scar on his hip where the old knife once was. As they both mounted their horses Garrett led the way for a change as he found a new trail into town back, one that was shorter than their usual way. This time it would only take them a day and half instead of the three days it would normally take. The Wolf men tightened their coats and set off, not knowing that in only a few days their world would start to change forever.