First Journal Entry: Out By The Lake

[gotcanewillpoke]

Fall came on much faster in Montana than New Jersey. Late September saw a chill in the air that reminded him of late October, early November. His leg ached, but his lungs appreciated the fresh air. He sat by the lake, fingering the journal James had given him. He'd been carrying it around, occassionally opening the cover to finger the pages. More

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[dontkeepkosher]

James left the lodge to go walking across the grounds, rugged up in a thick jacket, the collar upturned to keep the cold out while his hands were buried deep in his jeans pockets. The air was sharp and crisp, each breath in feeling like ice sliding down his throat and spreading through his lungs, but it felt good. It made his mugs feel clearer, made him more aware of his breathing, made him want to take in deeper lungfuls of air

[gotcanewillpoke]

Greg looked up, a startled look flashing in his eyes. He recovered quickly, though, and eased the journal off his lap, as if to hide it from James. "Colors are brighter out here. Richer," he added, and nodded for emphasis. He'd lived in Arizona, Colorado, and Washington State for a few months each as a kid, but even if he remembered the explosion of fall color, he knew it didn't compare to Fall in Montana.

He shifted a little, and tried not to wince. HIs leg didn't really hurt, but the chill in the air made it ache a dull ache. Made it stiff if he sat still for too long.

[dontkeepkosher]

"Yeah, they are," James replied, leaning forward to prop his elbows on his knees. He saw, out of the corner of his eyes, Greg sliding the journal out of sight. James pretending to not have seen it. Instead, he clasped his hands together and turned his attention to another bird that was swooping down over the water, obviously in search for fish.

He wasn't sure why, but he randomly found himself asking, "Do you ever miss New Jersey?"

[gotcanewillpoke]

"No," Greg answered without hesitation. New Jersey had not been particularly kind to him. The infarction, Stacy leaving, Stacy coming back and leaving again. Those were the things he associated with New Jersey.

But there were good memories too. Eating Chinese on Christmas Eve with James when he should ahve been home with his wife. Almost all his good memories involved James, somehow. But James was right next to him, and therefore couldn't be connected to missing New Jersey.

"Do you?"