By Maryanna Gabriel
- Beryl Markham West With The Night
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| Anarchist Lookout, Lake Osoyoos |
Love the traverse through pine and sage that is the interior of British Columbia. Home. Sort of. Back to the bears. Trust me, I have learned and am hoddling the garbage under the kitchen sink. Drove through two snow storms to get here. Good thing I just had my summer tires put on. Isn't it spring? I was so sure. Mornings in the Kootenies are below zero and I am not in the mood - further confirmation I am not a mountain woman. This fortifies my resolve to return to the coast. Besides, two young black bears have just been spotted in the city park right above me.
A walk by the "lakeside", and I watch as a thick shouldered dog yanks on an older man. The older man somersaults down a hill and slides on his back across the road, still clutching the leash. Ow.
I stop and offer my hand. He is dazed and winded and the dog, part Pit Bull, who was so intent on eating a little Spaniel moments earlier, greets me with enthusiasm. Lucky me.
I take the gentleman by the arm and talk gently. It becomes apparent he cannot remember where he parked the car - normal, but then I realize he is unable to recall the make or colour. He tells me he is not sure how long he has been in the park and it is then I understand he lives alone. A lump the size of a baseball starts to emerge on his balding head. With growing concern, I tell him I believe he has a concussion and ask if there is someone we can phone.
His son comes quickly. He leaps out of the pickup and growls angrily at the dog. They immediately rush off to emergency. I wonder how long the gentelman would have wandered the park, dazed and confused. I was glad I could be there for him.
And such is life. Without a second's notice, it can turn on a dime.