You'll Need Me

It's going to be getting dark soon. And cold. Yeah, it's springtime, but it gets cold here underneath these redwoods without the sun. And they're already blocking most of it. This ground is damp, too.

I'm not worried for myself. I mean, I'm just a "inanimate object," right? It's true, I can't feel the cold, or the damp, but the moisture will eventually render me useless. Not that it will make much difference if you don't find me. You'll be lost without me.

Look at everything we've been through together. I've been right there for you since your 14th birthday and we both know how long ago that was. We know why your brother gave me to you, brand new in my box - because you lost the one that came before me. And look at where we are now.

We have a relationship, you and I. You've cared for me as if I was invaluable. And truth be told, that's exactly what I've been. Every adventure, every party, even around the house, I've been right there with you, tucked away safely, ready to work. And there's always been work to do. Everyone knew you could get the job - any job - done, because of me.

To be fair, I've been lost before, too. Remember? You left me beside the creek when you headed back upstream to the campsite. Just a quick trip downstream as the sun rose, for a few more casts. And you didn't remember me until you got back to camp.

There wasn't time to walk back down, because you'd stayed a little too long (as usual) and had to get back home. but you knew where the road back to the highway came close. I can't tell you how good it was to see you bounding down that hill, headed right for the spot where you knew I'd be waiting. That's how important I was then, and I know I'm just as important now. We're a team.

I get it, you know? You and the little woman were just having a nice hike in the redwoods. You wanted to get some pictures and she always goes with you. So do I. So you got the heart pumping and the two of you wandered off the trail for a few minutes because the trillium was blooming, and you got the bright idea to carve your initials and hers in to a massive old stump. Like a lovestruck kid. (She loves that part of you, y'know.)

So, you and I went to work on that stump and we created a masterpiece. She sat on a log and watched, and when you stepped back to admire your work, things got amorous. You're both nothing but a couple of lovestruck kids, really!

I saw it coming. In the heat of the moment and flurry of activity, the faithful Swiss Army knife fell to the ground - and here I am. There hadn't been time for the two of you to bask in the afterglow. Getting caught off the trails was a bad thing and looking the way you both did probably wouldn't have worked in your favor.

So, I'm here, lost, and what's gonna' happen to you? You'll need me.

Hang on, is that her voice I hear, laughing?

"I can't believe you! It's gonna' be getting dark!"

Yes! And that's you:

"I know, Babe. I'm sorry, but we have to find it! You know how important it is!"

"Okay, here's where we stepped off. Hurry up!"

Right here! I'm right here, by the log! Let HER look. You never find anything on your - ahhhh, here she comes!

She's saved your skin, again. I'm safely in your pocket, straight from her hands and the three of us are back on the trail, hustling back to the parking area while the sun sets.

"You'd be lost without me, you know!"

She's right, you know. You'd never survive without the two of us.

***