Kaleb and the Wolf

As Kaleb sat in the office with his sisters, cousin, and niece, all red-eyed and somber, he reminded himself that this day would come eventually. None of the family thought the end would be this way though. A drunk driver, really? Each of the “kids” vowed to each other never to drink and drive again, no matter how many they have had. Their beloved Uncle or Daddy, Jay, was gone.

Jennifer, Jay’s lawyer, “oldest daughter” and best friend, entered the room to read Jay’s last wishes. She was the executor of his estate. Jennifer starts with the particulars:

“His body has already been donated, as he instructed, to the University of Washington Medical Center for research.” Jennifer went on to explain how his processions will be divided as well as his monies.

She continued, “I have left $5,000 for all of you to have a great party for me! I am sure Jennifer has picked a wonderful place to have it, complete with rooms too. I want no tears, unless they are tears of joy in remembrance of our lives together.”

Jennifer went on to read his final words, “I will do my best to check in with each of you from time to time, if you believe in that kind of thing, to make sure all is good. I am not sure if I believe in this either, but I will find out soon. I love you all very much and each of you means the world to me. Take care of each other and enjoy each day as if it were your last. See you soon, maybe… Haha. Jay.”

That night, Jay’s adult kids found out that some of his last words were right, Jennifer picked a great place to hold a party complete with a cover band, private room, food, and a private bar. Even hotel suites in the same building. A few of the kids were arguing about how the will was divided. Jennifer and Kaleb overheard this and stepped in.

“We are here to have fun. To cherish Jay’s life and our memories of him. Don’t ruin this!” Jennifer said.

Kaleb added, “He could have left all of us nothing, so shut up and whine about this tomorrow.”

“Kaleb is right,” Katlyn agreed. “I remember when Daddy, Papa, and Gram took us all to Silverwood!”

Beth, Kaleb’s sister, chimed in, “Yeah, I remember he hated rollercoasters, yet road with each of us for our first time!”

“Or how every time we went camping, Uncle Jay always took us hiking, no matter how tired he was.” Alaine, Jay’s other niece stated.

The rest of the night was filled with laughter, dancing, fine dining, reminiscing, and creating wonderful memories. Each one knew that tomorrow starts day one without Jay. Kaleb would be on a plane returning to his wife Susan in upstate New York.

On the plane ride home, Kaleb started to wonder about one part of Uncle Jay’s last words. “I will check on you from time to time.” Could this happen, he wondered? How will I know if it does? Uncle Jay has always been so logical, why would he think this might happen? He always has been very protective of us, was he just trying to keep us at ease? Yet, he always seemed to be in the right place at the right time when one of us needed help.

Kaleb remembered the long talks he and Uncle Jay had as he became an adult. Religion, politics, life in general. He remembers those camping trips. How Uncle Jay made him his number two. How to tend a fire and cook over it. After contemplating the chances of seeing his Uncle again, he slept most of the rest of the plane ride home.

Eight, maybe ten months, after the “Gala for Jay,” Kaleb received another prepaid Visa card from Jennifer’s office. It was his part of Jay’s estate that was left for him. Each month, Kaleb tried to do something in Uncle Jay’s memory, learn a new Eagles’ song on guitar, donate to the UNM Lobo athletics, put away for retirement, whatever. This month he went to his wife and told her that he was going on an overnight backpacking trip, in remembrance.

Although Susan didn’t know Jay, she didn’t mind. She knew it was one of his favorite things to do. She understood his reverence for his Uncle. Kaleb found a new trail on the internet that was rarely used, which were always the best, as he loved the solitude. On a crisp, October Friday morning, he set out on his trek. He drove about two hours from home and found the trailhead. Kaleb gathered his backpack, walking stick, canteens, and hand gun and set off to find a place to camp for the night.

After some four hours of hiking and a couple hours before dusk, Kaleb found the perfect spot to camp. It was a beautiful clearing near a wide creek. Kaleb made camp. Feeling the exhaustion of satisfaction, he cleaned up after a simple yet tasty meal then sat by the fire he built.

Kaleb examined the world around him. How he loved the wilderness, its beauty, and serenity. He looked across the creek, where he is astounded to see and huge grey wolf on the other side, pacing back and forth. Kaleb was taken aback at first. Thinking to grab his handgun first, he decided he would have time if the wolf attempted to cross the creek.

Kaleb sat quietly and watched the wolf pace. Kaleb stood up, jumped up and down, yelled and screamed at the wolf in an attempt to scare it away. The wolf continued to pace.

Kaleb decided to go for his pistol. He slowly stood to retrieve it and stopped to think, could this really be happening? No, this isn’t real. It’s not trying to cross and get me, he said out loud.

Instead of his gun, Kaleb reached for his guitar, returned to his seat next to the fire and started playing the newest Eagles’ song he has learned “Peaceful Easy Feeling.” Shortly after starting the song, the wolf stopped pacing and sat on the creek bank facing Kaleb. Kaleb thought, again out loud, can this be? He starts another Eagles’ song; the wolf then laid on the bank.

Kaleb played a few more songs and wolf just laid there and listened. Kaleb was awestruck. He hollered at the wolf, “Uncle Jay?’

The wolf sat back up.

“Uncle Jay, is that you?” He nodded his head, or it seemed that way to Kaleb. Shortly after the wolf started to walkway and Kaleb yelled, “Uncle Jay, will I see you again?”

The wolf howled, then disappeared beyond the trees.