Finding Home: 3 - Leaving

“Bran, is it too late to convince you not to leave?” Brianna asked as she picked on the straps of his backpack. She was still hugging him and wouldn’t let go. 

They were at the airport and Bree took the day off to drop him off before his big adventure.

“Bree, I’m just a few states over.” Brandon pushed her off his chest a few inches so he could see her face, but she had her head bent because she did not want him to see the tears in her eyes. He grimaced and kissed her forehead. “You can always hop on the plane and see me if you want.”

He hugged her again, making her tear up more.

“I know that. I guess I just don’t like being left behind.” She mumbled.

“I’ll be back in six months and then you’ll tire of having me around the house. Enjoy your time without me. Grab a boyfriend or two while I’m gone.”

Bree snickered. “Sure, let me flirt with the hot police officers while I’m training. That will do me good.”

“As long as you like them, then I’m okay with that. Don’t let them intimidate you into doing what you do not want.”

“Oh, so now you agree with me having one-night stands?”

“Don’t go overboard. I did not say that.” He glared.

“I love you Bran,” she smiled, but her lower lip quivered. The overhead speakers had announced the last call for his flight, and though she wanted him to stay, she did not want him to miss his flight, especially since he was at the airport already. “Take care of yourself, okay?” She added.

“I will. Don’t be too sad. Before you know it, you’ll be picking me up here again.” Brandon grinned while strolling to the gate for check-in.

Brandon was on the first flight to New Mexico. He wanted to be on the trailhead before noon and at the first campsite before nightfall, so he had no time to waste. There was something about this trip he was excited about, and it was not just because he would be in the wilderness alone.

-=-

Brandon had been gone for half of the year already, and as he promised, the phone calls came often in the beginning. But as the weeks passed by, and the trails became more remote, Bree heard less from him.

He mentioned stopping at his favorite places longer than a day or two to capture the view and immerse himself in nature, prolonging his trip.

Bree teased him for being so sentimental, but he just chuckled and told her he missed her, which immediately shut her up, bringing tears to her eyes.

Going the route he chose extended the trip, throwing their schedule completely off the calendar, making her anxious.

‘When are you coming home Brandon?’ was the question at the forefront of her mind, but she didn’t dare voice it out, because she did not want to appear too needy.

They were adults and sooner or later he would find his home with someone else. He might have even met someone already and was spending more time with her, which is why he was delayed. And thinking about losing him made her sad.

Bree wanted more time with Brandon, especially now that they talked like they used to before he retreated into himself and shut her out of his life. He was opening up, and that’s what she wanted.

Work and training occupied her wayward thoughts about his absence, and though her heart ached, she knew letting him go on his soul-searching trip was for the best. 

Brandon was an expert hiker and mountain climber. Otherwise, the county office would not hire him as a volunteer rescue ranger if they did not believe in his skills, but still, she worried. She knew Bran would be okay as long as he did not encounter anybody who would intentionally bring him harm.

For the past twenty-five weekends, yup she was counting, Brandon would call from a payphone or a borrowed cellphone to tell her which part of the trail he was on, regaling her with tales about his grand adventures and the kind people he had come across during his travels. 

He was fortunate, as Bree had heard horrible stories on these trails, about animals going wild and attacking the campers, people robbing each other for money and gear. 

He was in Montana, the last time Brianna heard from him, telling her he would reach his destination in a week or so, but then when he reached the Canadian border, he decided to trudge forward and do a side trip to the mountains in Washington.

Bree liked the outdoors, but sleeping on the hard, cold dirt every night and getting bitten by mosquitos repelled her from taking month-long trips as Bran did. The weekend was good enough to immerse herself in nature and sleep in her warm, soft bed for the rest of the year.

Brandon, on the other hand, was made of sterner stuff. He was tougher, and he loved the outdoors more than she did.

For Bree, the city was her home, and she liked the amenities it could offer. Flush toilets and ready-made meals.

Sure, her lungs were filled with disgusting smog and dust, but she was content. 

As a police officer patrolling the streets at night, keeping the citizens safe, she felt needed, and it was where she belonged.

Someday, she would like to hike the Continental Divide with Brandon, but only if she could find him in time. The cryptic message he left on her machine had alarm bells ringing in her head, telling her to go to him immediately.

She’d never heard her brother scared that way before, not even when their parents passed away. He was the strong one, shielding her from bullies and even her own sorrow. 

Now it was her turn to take care of her brother. 

‘I will find you, Bran. Wait for me.’ She said to herself and prayed she was not too late.