Jasper 1882,
Four Years Later,
Over the years and few trips into town Garrett noticed plenty of changes to the people, the town its self and Genisis, who had become a beautiful woman of nineteen. The signs were all there for all to see yet nobody ever seemed to notice or care. To them it was all around them and it was normal as the changes were gradual for some while other blossomed overnight. To those that came only once or twice a year it was obvious. The town was slowly expanding its business street, adding new stores while at the same time others were closing and moving to a bigger town. Towns where there are more people and better opportunities. As for the townsfolk they had started splitting up and forming their own small groups of people. The wealthy ones would band together while those of the middle class hung out by themselves. Those who were poor were left out of everything almost as if they didn’t belong in the town. When in reality it was they who kept the town alive, for they brought in their garden supplies in to support the town’s needs. And the mountain men had all but disappeared form the town with only a few who dared to come to town.
What worried Garrett was how Genisis became just like them especially the middle class ones. Yet she somehow at least to Garrett he still saw the girl he fell in love with but over the years she had become a beautiful woman.
What surprised him the most was how the townsfolk treated Genisis, despite her being one of them. Yet she seemed not to notice at all or let alone care. Some of the women were friendly towards her but never treated her as their equal while other would snub or turn their backs on her. Quite of a few of the higher class looked down her as if she was no better than a servant because of rumors that spread around about her. Some of the townsfolk had the impression that she believed that she was better than them by how Genisis carried herself. When she was in school her classmates had no respect for her simply because she knew most of the answers to the questions asked, causing resentment in the other students because she made them look inferior. When truth was she loved to read and learn. A resentment they still carry despite finishing the year before with Genisis.
On the other hand most of the men of Jasper both old and young that crowded the streets looked at her with lust in their eyes. Genisis had grown into a beauty her long brown hair usually flowed down her back while her blue eyes sparkled. Some of the men saw this and had a look in the men’s eyes were like they wanted to do more than just look. Such as forcing themselves on her or for some the thought of raping her passed through their minds. Not one man in Jasper had any noble thoughts of Genisis or ideas to court and marry her.
Apart from Garrett for he only saw her inside beauty and not her outside beauty.
Some of these men treated her like dirt because she always corrected their mistakes and her father never stepped in to stop them, not even when they harassed her. Seeing all Genisis problems as her fault and blame not in the townspeople.
In a time and small town like this the men didn’t want their women to be smarter than them, because women needed to relay on them for support. And Genisis did not fit this mold nor would she ever. Those that treated her this way were mostly of the high class, a class that didn’t want their women to read as much as Genisis did. Despite all this a few of them men found her wonderful to be around both because of her beauty and her brains but these were far too few.
Today on their trip through town Garrett watched Genisis with her long, curly brown hair flowing down her back walking back to her father’s store. This only made him love her more because like her Garrett loved to read, gather interesting information and share it with others. Unlike her the only one he could share it with was his father. He asked his father once about how the folks treated her, but he couldn't give any answer because he didn't know what to say. So he made up his mind that every time he went into town he would greet her even if she didn't answer him back. As he rode his horse Garrett stroked his long black beard he couldn’t help but have this feeling like something, someday will happen to this town and Genisis and not for the better.
Riding through town they headed to the store with Red complaining about the store keeper and how he is ripping them off each time they come here. Garrett tried to explain to his father that they were not and that they were getting the same price as before (even when the prices rose). Nathan was doing it all backwards which confused Red more and only made him more infuriated. Shaking his head Garrett let Red vent his frustration until they got to the store’s hitching post asking him to quietly shut-up, something Red reluctantly agreed to. Stepping onto the porch they headed to the door but before he could open it Genisis came out with a basket. Smiling Garrett quietly said hello to her, and much to his surprise she smiled back at him and hurriedly walked down the steps going to the livery stables to get her horse.
Genisis didn’t look back but she knew that she had caught Garrett’s eye and he hers. Though she would never admit it out loud but in the four years she saw Garrett turn from a strange outsider who was a mystery, to a man who became a man in her eyes. His mystery was still there but for Genisis she knew that one day she would unravel this.
Standing on the porch he watched her walk down the street towards the bakery. Women would silently wave at her but the men would scowl or leer at her with lust in their eyes. A sight that angered Garrett for he knew what was on their minds. He could do nothing but turn his head back to business; he went into the store to get the owner so they could go over their pelts. Nathan came out from behind the counter, and led the both of them headed to the backroom where the pelts were checked and stacked, just like George did before. Even though it had been four years Nathan, Garrett and Red still did not get along apart from exchanging furs for money and no talking. While Garrett haggled, Red stayed beside the door glaring at Nathan’s back with hatred in his eyes, no matter how much he tried Red still didn't like him. Nathen felt the same way back those few minutes with Garrett was always more then he could take being near such a monster. After the price was agreed upon they went back into the main store to get his supplies. Picking up the bundles Garrett walked toward the doors to where Red was waiting. Tying the bundles on the mules they headed out of town at least for the next few months.
As they rode home Garrett asked “Father, the people really don’t like Genisis, do they? Even though she might think they do, she is just like me isn’t she? What can I do to help her? I fear that one day the townspeople will turn violent towards her.”
“Garrett there’s nothing you or I can really do about it because it has nothing to do with us. But if you are persistent all I can say is to be her friend. Show her that there are good people in this world and to save her should she need it. She maybe blind to the townspeople hate and one day she might need to be saved and one day she might save you.” Red sighed knowing his son would never let it go.
Garrett didn't say anything in return but he knew he had to do something but what he was not quite sure. But he knew that something dreadful was coming very soon, a storm that would change their world.
The rest of the ride home was quiet apart from the normal father son talk, even as they went to bed that night. Early the next morning Garrett headed out to check the traps on the east trail while Red took the west trail. The west trail was an easy one for Red as there were fewer traps set and it was all downhill. While the east trail had a lot of climbing, traps and it was a longer route, something for a young man to travel.
As Garrett came out of the thick trees he saw Genisis riding her horse through the valley below, stopping every now and then to pick various types of berries and wildflowers. Looking around to see if anyone was following her, however Garrett saw that she was by herself. Something which bothered him quite a bit, as it was not safe for a young woman to go off by herself, at least out here in the wilds. Garrett hid in the thick treeline, from this spot he could watch her go about picking berries and how she explored every nook and cranny the valley had to offer and to see what was laid inside each burrow or hole. When her basket was full she got back on her horse and headed for town with Garrett following behind to make sure she got back safe. When the town came into view he pulled up and watched her go the rest of the way alone.
He turned his horse around and went back to checking his trap line. By following her, he knew he was going to be late getting back to the cabin as he was only half way done his trap line. When he was finished and ready to head back it had become, dark making it difficult to travel so he took his time returning home. When he eventually got to the top of the rise he met Red, who come out to look for him as he started to grow worried that something had happen to him.
“What took you so long, son?! I was getting worried that you ran into a wolverine or a bear again.” Red scolded hiding the fact that inside he was deeply afraid something had happened to his son.
“I was just checking the traps and finding out where I could place a few more. I guess I lost track of time.” replied Garrett deciding not tell him about seeing Genisis, keeping it to himself for the time being.
Together they rode back to the cabin and put their horses in the barn for the night. After feeding, watering, and grooming the animals, father and son went to the cabin for their long delayed supper. Since Garrett was late getting in Red hadn’t started their supper, now with both hungry it was time to start their supper of deer steaks and potatoes. As Red cooked Garrett set the table. Throughout their meal Red felt that his son was hiding something yet he said nothing, because when the time was right Garrett would tell him like he always did. After their late meal both men picked up their coffee cups and headed outside to sit in the rockers. While Red filled his pipe Garrett was talking about the trap line and how they should change it each year. With his pipe going Red sat back and listened to what his son was saying, he never said it but Red was proud of his son’s passion and knowledge of trapping and mountain life.
After a few hours, Red stretched and went inside to get ready for bed while Garrett sat outside for a bit longer thinking about Genisis and what it would be like to know her and not the person she is on the outside. He thought that perhaps tomorrow he would take the same route and see if she was there. This time however he would talk to her and get to know her without her parents and townsfolk around. Rising up Garrett went back in the cabin and did the supper dishes before heading to bed. By the time he laid down Red was already asleep and snoring, making it a long night for him because Red’s snoring always kept him awake, sometimes Red snoring was so bad that he had to take his blankets and sleep under the stars for some peace and quiet.
By next morning they were up and heading out to the barn to get their horses ready for the long day's ride. To get the morning chores done faster both did them, enabling them to get an early start. After last night discussion on the trap line Red decided to branch out in the northwest direction as well as the northeast way. Of course Garrett offered to take the longest and toughest one before Red could say anything. Before Red rode out first he cautioned his son to be careful and see him at supper time. Garrett shook his head because his old man was starting to worry more now than ever before. It was almost like he was expecting something bad to happen. This was something Garrett couldn’t focus on, because by his calculations his new trap line would bring him out to the original one he set yesterday. This was something he looked forward to because he could see if Genisis was back in the valley.
Scouting the new area took time and before Garrett knew it was noon already. He was only half way done this line and had another two lines to check. As he ran the lines Garrett started to notice that there was a lot of game mostly rabbits, deer, and the odd moose tracks. So far there has been no a bear or wolverine tracks, a relief because the last thing he wanted was to face another bear.
For half an hour he took a break and sat upon his horse munching on a biscuit and water while watching a couple of fawns playing. Giving a sigh he told his horse that they better get moving and finish checking the traps before it get dark. Before his father started to worry once more. Following the game trail he thought about what he was going to tell his father about suggesting that they alternate traps line each year. This way the wild life will not be hunted out which seem to be a good idea to him but his father being stubborn might not change his old lines. Luckily for Garrett he was just as stubborn a trait he picked up from Red.
Though he was stubborn like his father he started to give up hope that Genisis would appear to him this day.
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