Love Unconditional

The sun was just beginning to set as Alan made his way up the mountainside in his new dark blue Ford F350 crew cab. The late summer scenery was very familiar to him, and he smiled to see the old rotting mill still standing by the roadside. Fond memories began to fill his head of the times he and his brother had climbed and explored that same mill when they were younger. Now that he was older, he was starting to realize just how much he missed exploring those simple things in life.
Seeing the exit for Aspen, Colorado just two feet away he slowed down for the turn and noticed a herd of deer grazing along the side of the road. Deciding he could take five minutes to look, he pulled over and grabbed for his bag to take a picture. After searching for a minute, he finally found what he was looking for and opened his window to take the shot.
“Ooh, that’s a nice one,” he said to himself as he looked at the view screen. He waited patiently and watched, as the deer started to graze toward him, staying in their herd. To them, it was like he was a part of the forest, and Alan liked it better that way. He got more natural shots of the animals then. He also got to see more of the personality in each one, and their role in the group. He found watching those types of things more interesting to explore now that he was older.
Looking at the camera count, he saw that he had a fair number of pictures now, and put the lens cap back on. He smiled as he checked each one carefully, before setting the camera back down in the passenger seat, and started back down the road again toward Snowmass Village.

* * * * * *

It was quarter to seven by the time Alan looked at his watch at the gas station in town. He knew his brother would keep the porch light on for him, if he were to show up late. Checking behind him one last time, as he climbed back in the driver’s seat, he smiled to see that he remembered his fishing pole. Half of his journey was spent wondering if he had remembered it along the way; but now that he knew for a fact that it was hanging below his rear window, he could head back out into traffic. He knew that leaving that pole behind, would be the one and only thing his brother would get upset over. Forgetting one’s fishing pole was like committing murder in the Stuart family. You simply didn’t do it. Turning at Deer Ridge Lane, Alan knew he was almost there; and could already smell and taste Cindy’s fresh baked banana bread as he turned the corner.
He saw the front door open as he pulled into his brother’s driveway and saw his brother Mike step out onto the porch out of the corner of his eye. Cindy was not far behind him crossing her arms over her chest as she leaned against the house, waiting for Alan to head for the steps. “Hey bro!” Alan hollered as he made his way across the lawn. “Hey Alan, how’re you doin’?” Mike replied giving him a quick hello. “You remember your fishing pole?” He added quickly. “’Course,” Alan replied pointing to his truck, as he wrestled his duffle bag on his shoulder. Mike whistled through his teeth. “So this is the beaut’ you were tellin’ me about?” He said stepping up to the edge of the porch, to take a closer look. “That’s the one,” Alan said smiling, while handing him the key, and quickly added, “Wanna take her for a spin?” Looking over at Cindy, Mike shrugged. “Maybe later, Cindy’s been anxious for you to get here so we can eat,” he replied handing Alan the key back. But that didn’t stop Mike from another longing glance at the shiny new truck, with the eight foot bed on the back.
“Unkie Alan!” The kids yelled as they raced off the porch to give him a hug. “Now that’s what I was waiting for,” Alan said smiling. “Are you two behavin’?” He asked bending down on his knees to give them a real hug. “Yes Unkie Alan,” Jimmy said looking up at Alan’s face and grinning. “I always behave,” Stacey announced as she swung her blond ponytail on the back of her head. “I know you two say you behave, but what does Mom and Dad have to say about all of this?” Alan asked grinning as he looked up, expecting to see his brother still standing beside him checking out his “new toy”.
Instead, he watched as his brother was now headed back into the house, to finish watching the Rockies game on his giant flat screen television in the den. Looking back into his little four year old niece and two year old nephew’s faces he smiled, and gently patted their little shoulders. “I know what,” Alan said reaching into his duffle bag. “I have a little surprise that I brought for you.” “What is it Uncle Alan?!” Stacey asked excitedly as she held firm to his arm and jumped up and down. “I like surprises,” Jimmy said trying to peek. Alan smiled, handing them each a brand new coloring book and brand new box of sixty-four Crayola crayons, as their little faces lit up. “Thank you Uncle Alan,” Stacey said kissing his cheek, and raced off to the house to go color her new Tinkerbell coloring book. “Yeah, tanks Unkie Alan,” Jimmy said grinning from ear to ear, as he eyed his new crayons. “You’re welcome. Just make sure that you color in the book and not the walls, okay pal?” Alan said smiling. “Tay,” Jimmy replied, and kissed his uncle’s cheek before racing off to go join his sister. Smiling, he gathered his belongings again and headed for the front door.