Big Wood National Park

A Break in the Storm

The thunder storm is raging! Sheets of rain are pelting the tent as Calvin sits huddled in his sleeping bag trying not float away as a few inches of water fills the inside of his tent surrounding his air mattress.

“What the fuck am I doing?” Calvin questions himself, “I came out here because I needed a break. The stress and the disappointment were too much, but now I realize it’s just a distraction. When or if I get out of here,” He pushes up on the collapsing walls of the tent. “There will still be the mess at home.”

The thunder cracks and lightning flashes as the tent crashes in around Calvin encasing him in a cocoon of wet fabric. Claustrophobic, Calvin begins punching at the tent to no avail and all that is visible to the hulking figure approaching the site are helpless little jabs out of the soggy mass.

The great figure paws around at the tent as Calvin wiggles inside not knowing what was coming for him. Finally, the sound of the zipper and a large hand reaches in and pulls Calvin out coughing. Calvin, soaked in his boxers with rain running across is erect nipples, stands shivering before his rescuer.

 “Hey are you alright?” Asks the man his red beard drenched from the rain. With his emotions as chaotic as the storm Calvin couldn’t help but rush and embrace the man sobbing into the his big chest.

“Now, now you’re alright, here take this,” the man wraps his rain coat around Calvin. “Come with me I know where the park cabin is located. It’s dry and safe there.”

Calvin looks back to his gear swamped in water and mud, “Don’t worry about that I will help you clean up your things when the storm passes. Hopefully my tent doesn’t end up at the bottom of the lake!” The man laughs, pats Calvin on the back, and leads him to a site not far from the ridge.

Calvin sits on the couch by the fire place wrapped in a fleece blanket as Hank prepares the wood to start a fire.

“Thank you, Hank right?,” Hank nods. “Thank you Hank for your help I’m Calvin. I sure was not expecting this when I came out this way.”

“Neither was I.” Responded Hank as he lights the fire. He looks up at Calvin with his glistening green eyes, “Should have been more prepared these late summer storms can kick mighty quickly when the cooler autumn air starts to blows in.” Hank comes over and sits on the couch next to Calvin. He takes off his wet shirt and hangs it by the fire Hanks broad chest is emblazoned with same rough, red, hair as his beard.

“So first time camping?” Hank asks with a smile. Calvin blushes, a bit embarrassed that he had to be rescued. “I’m only kidding you seem like a capable human.” Hank reassures.

“Well I definitely used to camp more growing up.” Hanks kind, calm, demeanor has Calvin letting his guard down. “I guess that if I came out here and lived as I did then that I would feel better about where I am.”

Hank places a large, warm, hand on Calvin’s shoulder, “Well, where are you?” He inquires. Calvin looks up at Hank.

“I always thought being selfish was a singular attribute.” He begins, “But I now realize that selfish-ness is an accumulation of destructive attributes.” Calvin arranges himself to face Hank on the couch. The blanket falls off his shoulders around his mid-section revealing his smooth chest.

“When I acknowledge that I am selfish,” Calvin continues, “I feel jaded, irritated, envious, spiteful, and a host of other things that I am unable to process at the moment.”

Hank empathizes with Calvin, “We all struggle.”

Calvin is moved by this, “I do not want to be selfish. I want to help and be a positive influence in the areas I inhabit. I want to be able to take care of myself not at the expense of others. Fuck! I want to feel joy for others’ success even the success of the assholes I don’t get along with.” Calvin takes a deep breath, “I really fucked up, but I’m okay now. I am better today.” Calvin lets out his breath and his shoulders visibly relax.

Hank positions himself openly on the couch, “Care to stretch out?” Calvin takes Hank’s invite and goes to lay his naked body back against Hank when, “Oh my god! Your pants are still so wet and cold!”

Hank slightly embarrassed, “Yeah, but I didn’t want to make your uncomfortable by stripping down buck naked with only a blanket between the two of us.”

“Well I appreciate the consideration.” Calvin opens the blanket revealing his naked physique to Hank, “But I have been sitting here naked with you this whole time. Get comfortable and dry your pants.”

Hank does not hesitate and hops out of his pant to hang up next to the fire place. Calvin’s heart rate quickens as he gazes upon Hank’s thick and rugged form. Hanks sit back on the couch comfortably and Calvin presses his backside up against his burly comrade settling into Hank’s warmth bringing the blanket up over both of them.

Calvin starts gently caressing Hank’s hairy thighs with his Hands, “There is something I need to confess to you.”

“Oh yeah,” Hanks intrigued as he starts rubbing Calvin’s shoulders, “What’s that?”

“I watched you earlier in the lake,” Calvin starts to grind his back into Hank; “It’s why I set up my camp on the ridge.”

Hank starts to rub his hands across Calvin’s chest pausing over his nipples, “I hope you enjoyed the show.”

Calvin sits up and looks hank in the face, “Hank, would you like to mess around?”

Suddenly a loud thunder crash shakes the cabin! Both men jump as a crazy gust of wind slams open the door. Hank squeals as flash of lightning reveals a hooded figure in the door way!

Pulling back his hood Paul steps into the cabin drenched and smiling, “You boys need some assistance?”