An Early Welcome

Originally Written 1/26/2019

The roads leading to Canyon Lake twisted and turned in a way that made mazes look straight. Each turn was a blindspot. Peeking over one side, a treacherous fall for the foolhardy driver. Katalina had no clue why she was bothering with this drive. It was something her father had said about “connecting with nature”. As though that would be the thing to pull up her less than perfect performance in class. The very thought made her eyes roll. 

It wasn’t a long drive, which was lucky because Katalina couldn’t bear to be alone with her thoughts. As upbeat as she tried to be, it seemed the world and her own mind were always bringing her down. She pulled into the spot just beside the large crossing bridge and made quick work of hopping her waifish frame out of the bright orange Beetle.

The whole area smelled of moss, mud, and fresh rain in the early hours of the morning and she shivered from head to toe. She bunded her small physique up in warm fleece, a flannel jacket, and black gloves that slipped over the long delicate fingers of an artist. She grabbed her tackle box and pole and headed down to the path that leads to the fishing hole. It was as she was walking the rough, dark path that suddenly a tiny calico cat with orange and black patches appeared in her way. She blinked several times before she heard a voice coming through the pitch of the morning darkness.

“He won’t hurt you, sugar.” the voice called out in a twang. Cheery and welcoming even if Katalina couldn’t see the woman behind the melodious tones.

“Ummm…” Katalina trailed off. Her teeth chattering as she bundled up and cleared her throat to speak up properly “I didn’t think he would.” she managed a small, uncertain laugh. 

The sing-song voice rung back out with laughter “You ain’t too bright then. It’s the little ones you gotta worry about.” Though Katalina couldn’t see, she was certain the mysterious woman had winked at her.

Katalina stepped forward tentatively, but defiantly. She felt indignant at the comment, dispising when people referred to her intelligence like that. 

“I’m smart enough.” she snapped back, wincing at how weak her response was.

The woman began to materialize before her in the gloom and chill of the early hours. She was shorter than Katalina which was shocking but there was something impressive about this woman. Her hair was a light cinnamon color that seemed to shine in the moonlight that reflected off the lake. She held her pole aloft with a casualty that suggested that she’d done this many times. Even with the chill in the air, she was barely covered up. Wearing a simple long sleeve, dark, cotton shirt and Capri leggings that ended at the top of her boots. She seemed perfectly comfortable.

There was a long pause as Katalina stepped forward and softly came the gentle tones of the stranger.

“I didn’t mean nothing by it, darling” she drawled out gently “Was just teasing you.” She smiled as she spoke and the sun began to rise.

Katalina relaxed slightly “Sorry, ma’am.” She says with a meek dip of her head and a blush coming to her pale cheeks.

“Rana. My name’s Rana. And what's a little thing like you doing out here? You ain’t lost are you?” She raises her brows on her tanned features as though worried for her.

Katalina shook her head “No. My dad used to bring me here.” She attempted a smile in return. “I just came to… I don’t know. Find myself or whatever.” she shrugs, “My dad said it was a good idea” She sighs. Her voice echoed slightly in the canyon. Almost like she was apologizing. She turned to leave when the soft voice spoke again.

“Well?” Rana asked with a wide grin “You wanna sit and find yourself down here, you’re more than welcome.” She offered. She was never one to chase someone off. 

For a moment Katalina stared at the stranger and slowly she nodded. The woman didn’t ignore her. She was speaking to her. Their eyes even locking through the dim of the morning and Katalina nodded to the seemingly older and wiser woman and sat up her pole beside her. It was the first of many days she’d spend like this. Pleased to have the company of someone who saw her for a change.