It was one of the first warm spring days... with record high temperatures even. Winter had relinquished its grip on the world. Trees were budding out. Soon the woods would be that soft delicate new green that only happens once a year and is so ephemeral before leaves turn their dark hard summer shades of green.
The path was a dirt track that wound snake-like around ancient trees. It was a rough path with tree roots criss-crossing it, protruding above the ground in places, threatening to grab the toe of any unwary jogger's shoe or even that of a casual stroller, such as myself.
I was rounding a curve in the path that skirted a huge old oak tree when I was nearly bowled over from behind by a large fur covered creature racing past me on a mission. It ran around to the other side of the tree, stood on hind legs with paws on the tree trunk and began a high pitched excited barking, while bouncing up and down and staring eagerly at the branches above.
The squirrel sat on a low branch nibbling at a tasty acorn (no doubt from a cache of last year's fruit put away for the winter, as it was much too early for acorns this season). The squirrel was completely disdainful of the annoying beast making such a commotion below its tree. Finishing its feast, it scampered up the trunk to higher branches.
"Oh my, you're beautiful," I told the Golden, "are you friendly?"
I took a chance and knelt next to the dog, since I'd never heard of a Golden Retriever that wasn't friendly. I stroked the thick soft fur on her back, then moved my hand to her head and scratched behind her ears, which she seemed to love, because she turned to me and started rewarding me with big wet sloppy dog kisses on my chin and face.
I was about to rise and escape the slobbering canine onslaught when I heard a thumping sound coming from behind me. I turned my head just in time to see a shirtless young man come barreling down the path at a dead run heading toward me, when one of the aforementioned roots grabbed the toe of his sneakers, as they are want to do, and he began a headlong dive through the air... which terminated on top of me.
I let out a loud 'ouuuf' sound as I landed on the ground and found myself on my back being crushed by the half naked young man. A wet tongue was lapping at my face. The dog again. She alternated between my face and the face of the young man.
"Bailey quit that! Naughty girl! Where have you been, damn it," the fellow said, then he turned to me.
"Oh shit, I'm so sorry, are you alright?" He said, when he finally realized he had me pinned. A referee in a wrestling match would have been slapping the mat next to us and counting to ten.
"I think I am, but with your hand on my boob, it's kinda hard to tell if my heart is racing from being tackled, or, from sexual arousal - feels kinda nice actuallly," I told him.
"Oh my god... so sorry!" He said, leaping up and offering a hand to help me up.
He pulled me up and I started brushing myself off.
"Oh, that doesn't look so good," he said looking down at my left leg.
I followed his gaze down and saw rather a lot of blood running down my leg from a nasty looking cut on my knee, which I hadn't felt until he pointed it out. Suddenly, it hurt like hell.
"Oh fuck," I said, my voice quivering. I get all queasy at the sight of blood.
My knees gave out and thankfully the young man caught me.
I should point out here, that the young man in question, could easily have auditioned for the part of Greek God in any play or movie that included such a character, and gotten the role based on looks alone, he was beautiful. Especially without a shirt.
"Hey, stay with me here, it's not that serious. But, I should get you to the E/R to get it looked at," he told me as he put his arm around me to hold me up.
"I'm okay, it's just that the sight of blood makes me woozy. And, I don't have insurance, so I can't afford the E/R. I'll be alright, I'll put a bandaid on it when I get home," I told him.
"Hold on, let me look at it, I'm a fourth year med student," He explained. "Hmmm, it may need stitches," he said after looking closer.
"Oh no."
"Look, I've got a very comprehensive first aid kit at my apartment. If you want, I could clean the wound and, if need be, I could even do a couple stitches, even though it's not strictly kosher since I'm not licensed yet. It's up to you, but you should have it treated. You don't want it getting infected."
"Lead on doc," I said and took a step... I yelped. My knee was really stiff already.
"Let me help, lean on me," he said and put his arm around my waist to support me. I put my hand on his strong shoulder.
I limped back up the path with him as Bailey darted into the woods from time to time.
"Can you drive?" He asked when we reached my car.
"Yeah."
"I'm the old blue pickup over there, just follow me," he said.
When we got to his apartment, he told me to sit on his sofa while he got his kit. When I sat, I yelped again.
