Yawning, Michelle stood up and went to the stove. The fire was starved, barely putting off any heat. She fed it some more wood, poking and prodding it with a stick until it showed some signs of life. Leaving the door open to let as much heat into the drafty cabin as possible, she slipped back into bed. She smiled as Samantha snuggled against her.<\/p>\n
Her voice a little thick with sleep, Samantha asked, \u201cAre you getting up?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen it warms up in here a bit,\u201d Michelle said, kissing her, \u201cI need to start breaking the bearskin. It should be ready now.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBreaking the bearskin?\u201d Samantha asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the second to last step to finishing our rug. Basically, I\u2019m going to work the hell out of it to make the hide more flexible and soft. If I just let it dry completely without breaking it, it\u2019ll be stiff. That would probably be fine for a rug, but since we need to be able to fold it up and take it with us…\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow exactly do you \u2018break\u2019 a hide?\u201d Samantha asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cDad had me cut off a sapling at about waist height, round off the stump, then work my raccoon hide back and forth across it. It breaks some of the fibers in the skin- hence the name. You keep doing it until it is as supple as you want or as supple as you can get it,\u201d Michelle said.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh,\u201d Samantha said.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course, the bearskin is a lot bigger than a raccoon\u2019s, so I\u2019m going to wrap it around the railing on the porch and working it back and forth. Hopefully, it\u2019ll generate enough friction to break the hide,\u201d Michelle said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd if it doesn\u2019t?\u201d Samantha asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll have to cut down a sapling,\u201d Michelle said, shaking her head, \u201cI really hope it works, because doing it the same way I did my raccoon skin would suck.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI can help you some,\u201d Samantha said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m probably going to need some help,\u201d Michelle said, sighing, \u201cif nothing else to give me a break. It\u2019s going to be a lot of work.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou said breaking it is the second to last step\u2026 What\u2019s the last step?\u201d Samantha asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have to smoke it. The smoke sticks to the tannin in the brain goo, making the hide water resistant,\u201d Michelle said, then added, \u201cwhich is important, because if you don\u2019t smoke it and it gets wet, it\u2019ll become like rawhide when it dries out. You\u2019ll have to break it all over, again.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGot it,\u201d Samantha said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s going to be a long day,\u201d Michelle said, snuggling tighter against Samantha.<\/p>\n
\u201cWill the rug be finished by tonight?\u201d Samantha asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cShould be,\u201d Michelle said.<\/p>\n
With a playful smile on her face, Samantha said, \u201cIf it is, we can fool around on it next to the fire.\u201d<\/p>\n
Thinking about Samantha naked on a bearskin rug next to the crackling fire, Michelle threw the covers back and stood up. She was slipping into her jeans when she felt eyes on her. Turning, she saw Samantha favoring her with a knowing smile.<\/p>\n
Laughing, Michelle said, \u201cI\u2019m going to make sure the rug is done.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGood,\u201d Samantha said, sitting up. She was naked under the covers, and Michelle had to resist the urge to crawl back into bed with her. She had to keep repeating in her head, bearskin and fire<\/em>.<\/p>\n She finished dressing, then grabbed the folded up fur and stepped outside. It was still early morning, and there was a chill in the air. Still, she thought once she started breaking the fur, she\u2019d warm up in a hurry.<\/p>\n Blue was lying on the porch, and the wolf looked up as Michelle came outside. Michelle took a minute to scratch her behind her ears. She had to smile, thinking Blue seemed more like a pet than a wild animal, now. It was hard to believe only a few short weeks ago, Blue had seriously considered eating her. Well, attacking her, anyway.<\/p>\n As she unfolded the bearskin, Blue regarded her with interest. Her ears were perked as Michelle threw the fur over one of the banisters, skin side down. Michelle could almost read the wolf\u2019s mind, and she was pretty sure Blue was thinking Is that something I can eat?<\/em>.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can\u2019t eat this,\u201d Michelle said, smiling at the wolf.<\/p>\n Realizing it wasn\u2019t food, Blue lost interest. She yawned and rested her head on her paws. Her eyes closed only to pop back open as Michelle started working the fur back and forth on the banister. She gave Michelle a curious look, then yawned again. This time, she went back to sleep.<\/p>\n The rough-hewn log that made up the railing should provide enough friction to break the skin fibers, softening them. At least, Michelle hoped. The alternative would be tedious and a whole lot more work.<\/p>\n Working with a fur this big was proving to be a little unwieldy and Michelle had to wrestle with it. She had expected this to be a chore, but it turned out to be even more of a pain in the backside than she anticipated. She was sweating in no time.<\/p>\n She had been at it for about half an hour when Samantha brought her some breakfast. Glad for the reason to take a break, Michelle sat on the porch step with her girlfriend and at the chunks of boar meat. Blue, ever the walking stomach, came over to sniff. The wild wolf in her was too proud to beg, but Michelle tossed her a couple of chunks, anyway. They didn\u2019t even hit the ground, snatched out of the air and swallowed in a gulp.<\/p>\n \u201cYou aren\u2019t much for savoring your food are you, Blue?\u201d Michelle asked.<\/p>\n The wolf chose to ignore that jab, returning to her resting spot.<\/p>\n \u201cHow\u2019s the fur coming?\u201d Samantha asked.<\/p>\n Laughing sourly, Michelle said, \u201cI don\u2019t know if I\u2019m softening it up or if it\u2019s softening me up.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat bad?\u201d Samantha asked.<\/p>\n \u201cPretty bad, yeah,\u201d Michelle said, looking at the fur dangling over the railing, \u201cIt\u2019s really big, which makes it hard to work back and forth. I keep having to fold it over on itself so that I can work another section. Luckily, I don\u2019t have to break it all the way. I just need it to be supple enough to fold or roll up so we can take it with us.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow long do you think it\u2019ll take?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDepends on how long the last bit of tanning solution takes to dry,\u201d Michelle said, shrugging, \u201cmost of the morning, I\u2019d think.\u201d<\/p>\n Standing up, Samantha said, \u201cLet me know if you need a break.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay,\u201d Michelle said, getting up herself. With her belly full of pig, it was time to get back to her fur. She hoped the protein would help her muscle through.<\/p>\n She worked the fur back and forth across the beam in small sections all the way down the fur and then back up, again. It was a process she\u2019d repeat over and over until the last of the brain goo had dried. Her dad had said it was best to start breaking the fur when the skin was almost but not completely dry, like the bearskin had been this morning.<\/p>\n It was tedious, backbreaking work and she had to keep repeating her mantra in her head- Samantha, bearskin, fire<\/em>– to keep her going.<\/p>\n Time got a little fuzzy because she was doing the same thing over and over, but Michelle thought three or four hours had passed since she started this. The tightness in her shoulders and back seemed to support the theory. Taking a break to stretch her tired muscles, she stepped off the porch and looked at the scorched mark where she had burned the rest of the bear carcass.<\/p>\n She flashed back to the attack, to killing the bear with Samantha\u2019s spear. Shaking her head, she could barely believe how lucky they had been. A couple of bruised ribs and scratches were nothing compared to how the grizzly attack could have gone.<\/p>\n Again, she felt a tightening in her chest at how close she had come to losing Samantha. Michelle knew she loved the girl, but just how much still surprised her. The thought of losing her stole her breath away, and she gritted her teeth.<\/p>\n The bear had caught them off guard, but they wouldn\u2019t make the same mistake, twice. Michelle had dismantled her shoestring bow, making a sturdier version using some of the rope they had liberated from the lake. She had made a second bow, and she was going to teach Samantha how to use it once her ribs healed up some more. In addition, she had crafted her own spear, figuring it would be better in close quarters than a bow.<\/p>\n She would have preferred a hunting rifle, but having the bows and spears made her feel better.<\/p>\n Michelle returned to the porch to check on the bearskin. Stretching it out on the porch, she ran her hand over the skin side. It was completely dry, which meant the fur was as good as it was going to get. Not supple enough for clothing, it was flexible enough that it could be rolled up to take with them.<\/p>\n And more than supple enough to fool around on<\/em>, Michelle thought, grinning, now all I have to do is smoke it.<\/em><\/p>\n Standing up, she went inside to grab the rope. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Samantha sitting on the bed. The girl quickly stuffed something under the pillow. She looked a little harried as she looked at Michelle.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat was that?\u201d Michelle asked, intrigued.<\/p>\n \u201cA surprise,\u201d Samantha said.<\/p>\n Walking over to her, Michelle asked, \u201cWhat sort of surprise?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ll see later,\u201d Samantha putting her hand on the pillow protectively.<\/p>\n \u201cYou aren\u2019t going to let me see?\u201d Michelle asked, meeting her eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cIt would be better if you let me finish it first,\u201d Samantha said, then laughed, \u201cassuming I can get it to work.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe I can help,\u201d Michelle said.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d rather it be a surprise,\u201d Samantha said, standing up and slipping into Michelle\u2019s arms. With a toe-curling kiss, she said, \u201cYou have your project, and I have mine. Hopefully, we\u2019ll get to use both of them later.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh?\u201d Michelle asked, definitely intrigued. She knew what the bearskin was for and she wondered if what was under the pillow would come into play then, as well. Samantha\u2019s smiled seemed to suggest so, which got Michelle\u2019s imagination going.<\/p>\n Samantha\u2019s smiled became playful as she said, \u201cYou\u2019ll see. Now get out of here so I can finish it.\u201d<\/p>\n Michelle stole a kiss before letting go of the girl. She slung her little quiver of arrows over her shoulder, picked up her bow and the rope. As she was heading out the door, she heard Samantha say, \u201cKnock before you come in.\u201d<\/p>\n Pausing at the door, she turned back and gave the girl an amused smile, said, \u201cYou are taking this surprise thing a little too seriously.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust knock,\u201d Samantha said.<\/p>\n \u201cAlright,\u201d Michelle said, laughing.<\/p>\n She left Samantha to her project and went in search of the supplies she\u2019d need to smoke the skin. She was glad when Blue decided to tag along, felt a lot safer with the wolf at her side.<\/p>\n The first thing she needed was four straight sticks, about seven feet in length to lash together into a tepee. She figured once she wrapped the fur around these sticks, it would create a natural chimney, pulling the smoke up past the skin on its way out the opening in the top. This method should get as much smoke into the skin as possible, which would give her the best results.<\/p>\n The smoke would adhere to the tannin in the brain goo, making the bearskin water resistant. In the off chance the skin got wet, it would make it a lot easier if they had to break it, again. At least, that was what her dad had told her. Her knowledge in the art of tanning was academic, at best.<\/p>\n She found four sticks that would suit her needs, and she dragged them over to the cabin. Lining them up on the ground, she wound the rope through the tops of them. She stood the bundle of sticks up, pushing the legs out one by one until she had a free-standing frame. Giving it a shake, she was satisfied it was sturdy enough for her purposes.<\/p>\n With the tepee ready to go, she dug a small fire pit at the base. She would build a small fire here, preferably with some punk wood. She left her tepee and went in search of a fallen tree or a rotted stump. Punk wood was dead wood left in the elements and would smolder and smoke as it burned, which was what Michelle wanted. She needed smoke, not heat.<\/p>\n Behind the cabin, she found a felled hickory tree. It had been on the ground so long that the wood was spongy and moss covered. It was just what she was looking for. Breaking off large chunks of it, she started hauling them around to her tepee.<\/p>\n Looking at her pile of punk wood, then at the fur on the porch, she wondered if it would be easier to light the fire, then put the fur on the tepee or the other way around. She decided to take a dry run at stretching the fur on the frame. If it was easy to get on, she could pull it off and light the fire first. If not, she\u2019d just leave it on and start the fire with it in place.<\/p>\n She figured out pretty quick she needed to come up with a way of securing the fur to the frame. Just draping it over it was going to work, gravity being a pain in the ass. She thought she could poke a couple of holes in the fur and run her shoelaces through them, basically lacing up the skin like her sneakers.<\/p>\n Not wanting to bother Samantha, she used one of her arrows to poke small holes in the fur. She removed one of the laces from her shoe. Wrapping the fur around the tepee, she managed to thread the lace through the top two holes. Since the frame was wider at the base than the top, she only needed to secure one set of holes. She gave the fur a gentle tug, and it didn\u2019t move.<\/p>\n \u201cWho is smarter than a bearskin, now?\u201d Michelle asked Blue.<\/p>\n The wolf just grinned at her.<\/p>\n Michelle placed her punk wood in the fire pit she had dug, then put together a quick tinder bundle. Looking at her ready-made fire, she realized she was going to have to bother Samantha after all. Dusting herself off, she went to the cabin. Feeling foolish, she knocked on the door and waited for Samantha to call her in through the door.<\/p>\n The girl was sitting on the bed, whatever she was working on nowhere in sight.<\/p>\n Michelle grabbed a stick from their pile of firewood, jammed it in the stove to catch fire. Once it was ablaze nicely, she carefully walked it out to her set up. The punk wood didn\u2019t light easily, but Michelle managed to get it started. It smoked and smoldered like she had hoped it would. In fact, it made so much smoke that she had to walk away from the tepee because the smoke was burning her eyes.<\/p>\n She watched from the porch, sitting on the top step. Blue sat at her side and was happy to let Michelle scratch behind her ears. With nothing to do for the next couple of hours but keep the fire fed, Michelle was glad for the company. Especially, since Samantha had kicked her out of the house.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll probably start walking again, tomorrow,\u201d Michelle said.<\/p>\n The wolf regarded her with interest and Michelle felt a shiver of wonder work up her spine. When Blue looked at her like that, she felt like the wolf understood more than she should. Which was silly, of course. Blue was just responding to her vocal rhythms or the changes in her mood, really didn\u2019t understand the words she was saying.<\/p>\n Probably not, anyway<\/em>, Michelle thought, shaking her head.<\/p>\n \u201cAre you going to stay with us the whole way?\u201d Michelle asked.<\/p>\n Blue chuffed and nuzzled her neck, which Michelle took as a yes. Giggling, she pushed the wolf away and smiled at her. Blue returned it with a tongue lolled out grin of her own. That was definitely a yes.<\/p>\n Michelle sobered up some as she thought about what would happen when they reached the end of their trek through the Canadian wild lands. There might come a day when she would have to part ways with the wolf, again. Leaving her on the side of the lake had hurt something fierce, and her love for the peculiar animal has only grown tenfold since then.<\/p>\n She didn\u2019t know if she could say goodbye to Blue, again.<\/p>\n Sensing the change in Michelle\u2019s mood, Blue put her head on Michelle\u2019s lap. It didn\u2019t help any and Michelle felt tears sting her eyes. Swallowing hard to keep them in check, she stroked the wolf\u2019s head and stared at the smoke pouring out the top of the tepee.<\/p>\n Michelle figured they\u2019d walk south until the came to a town or some form of civilization where they could call their parents to come and get them. If it was her parents who showed up, could she convince them to take Blue home with them? Her dad might be on board, but convincing her mother to ride in a car with a wild wolf might be a harder sell. Michelle didn\u2019t know Samantha\u2019s parents, couldn\u2019t even guess what their reaction to Blue would be.<\/p>\n Of course, it\u2019s up to Blue if she wants to come or not<\/em>, Michelle thought, sighing. Would the wolf be willing to give up the forest for her? There was an undeniable bond between them, but it would be asking a lot of the animal to give up the only life she\u2019s known. Still stroking the wolf\u2019s head, she thought, I don\u2019t think I\u2019d want to leave this place, if I were her.<\/em><\/p>\n ——————————————————————-<\/p>\n Michelle knocked on the door to the cabin, said, \u201cAre you finished, yet?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah. You can come in,\u201d Samantha said.<\/p>\n When Michelle stepped inside, she found her girlfriend cooking something on the stove. Smiling, she wrapped her arms around the girl from behind, kissed her neck. Samantha melted back into her, still stirring whatever was in the pot.<\/p>\n \u201cYou smell like smoke,\u201d Samantha said.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure I do,\u201d Michelle said, smiling, \u201cbut it\u2019s done.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally?\u201d Samantha asked.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah. I left it on the tepee to air out for later,\u201d Michelle said, letting her hand come up to cup Samantha\u2019s breast, \u201cspeaking of later\u2026 What did you make us?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a surprise,\u201d Samantha said, moaning, \u201cand you better stop that. It\u2019s time to eat, not fool around.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou are no fun,\u201d Michelle said.<\/p>\n \u201cYou are just going to have to wait for tonight,\u201d Samantha said, craning her neck to kiss Michelle.<\/p>\n Michelle let the girl go and sat on the bed. As Samantha started divvying out the smoking chunks of meat, Michelle stretched her tight shoulders. Breaking the fur had done a number on her body, and she looked at the tub longingly.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe after we eat, we can take a bath,\u201d Michelle said.<\/p>\n \u201cYou definitely need one,\u201d Samantha said, playfully.<\/p>\n \u201cGee, thanks,\u201d Michelle said, laughing.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll keep you company, though,\u201d Samantha said, handing her a plate of food.<\/p>\n Michelle hadn\u2019t realized how hungry she was until the aroma of fried meat tickled her sense of smell. She ate with gusto. Samantha laughed at her enthusiasm, paused in her own eating to put the water on to boil for their bath.<\/p>\n Sitting next to her, Samantha said, \u201cI see you worked up an appetite.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d Michelle said, a little sheepishly.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, eat up,\u201d Samantha said, smiling playfully at her, \u201cyou are going to need your strength for later.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be up for it,\u201d Michelle said, then added, \u201chow about you? The ribs bothering you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d Samantha said, then groaned, \u201cthe scratches itch, though. I want to scratch them so bad, but I know I can\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat means they are healing,\u201d Michelle said, smiling at her, \u201cwe\u2019ll change the bandages after our bath.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay,\u201d Samantha said.<\/p>\n \u201cI was thinking,\u201d Michelle said, looking around the cabin, \u201cmaybe we should head out tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI was thinking the same thing,\u201d Samantha said, taking a bite of her food.<\/p>\n \u201cWe need to figure out what we are taking with us,\u201d Michelle said.<\/p>\n \u201cI guess the tub is out of the question?\u201d Samantha asked.<\/p>\n Laughing, Michelle said, \u201cUnless you want to carry it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s okay,\u201d Samantha said, smiling at her.<\/p>\n \u201cI figure we can pack up in the morning,\u201d Michelle said.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd tonight?\u201d Samantha asked, her smile becoming playful.<\/p>\n \u201cTonight,\u201d Michelle said, kissing her, \u201cwe fool around in the tub and by the fire.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat was my plan, too,\u201d Samantha said, stealing a kiss, \u201cnow finish eating so we can get to the fooling around.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHey, I\u2019m almost finished,\u201d Michelle said, popping the last chunk of boar into her mouth, \u201cscratch the ‘almost’ part.\u201d<\/p>\n Laughing, Samantha said, \u201cThen you can get the bath started.\u201d<\/p>\n Michelle dumped the pans of boiling water into the tub, then filled them up, again. With the second round of water on the stove, she grabbed her spear and stepped out onto the porch. Blue looked up from her nap.<\/p>\n Smiling at the wolf, she said, \u201cGo back to sleep, Blue. I\u2019m just getting the bearskin.\u201d<\/p>\n Blue didn\u2019t go back to sleep, though, but stood vigilant at the top of the stairs. Glancing back at the wolf, Michelle wondered if wild animals could feel guilt or if that was a purely human burden. She got the feeling Blue thought she had let her and Samantha down because of the bear attack. Again, she was probably just reading too much into the wolf\u2019s actions, but Blue never left their side if they stepped out of the cabin, like she saw their safety as her responsibility and she wouldn\u2019t fail, again. She was like a warrior who had been shamed and intended to restore her honor.<\/p>\n Folding the fur over her arm, Michelle headed back to the porch. She sat down next to Blue, met her eyes. When Blue didn\u2019t shy away from the eye contact, Michelle said, \u201cWhat happened to Samantha wasn\u2019t your fault, Blue. We got careless, not you.\u201d<\/p>\n Blue looked at her without blinking, her head tilted to one side. Again, Michelle got the uncanny feeling the wolf understood her.<\/p>\n \u201cWe got careless, and it almost cost us everything,\u201d Michelle said, smiling at the wolf, \u201cbut we learned our lesson. You don\u2019t have to worry about us, Blue.\u201d<\/p>\n Blue nuzzled her neck and Michelle gave the wolf a hug. Standing up, she headed toward the cabin door. Blue waited until she was sure Michelle was going back inside before returning to her napping spot.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat were you and Blue talking about?\u201d Samantha asked, when Michelle stepped inside.<\/p>\n \u201cThat it wasn\u2019t her fault you got hurt,\u201d Michelle said, spreading the fur out in front of the fire.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve noticed it, too?\u201d Samantha asked, meeting her eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cThat Blue never leaves our sides when we are outside?\u201d Michelle asked, then went on when Samantha nodded, \u201cDo you think wolves can feel guilty?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOur friend Blue sure seems to. I think she blames herself for what happened to me, too,\u201d Samantha said.<\/p>\n \u201cI told her it was our fault, not hers, but I\u2019m not sure she believes me,\u201d Michelle said, then snorted in surprise and started laughing, \u201cGod, listen to me. She\u2019s just a wolf, probably doesn\u2019t understand a thing I say.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cProbably?\u201d Samantha asked.<\/p>\n Rubbing the back of her neck, Michelle said, \u201cBlue has a way of looking at you when you talk to her\u2026 I guess it makes me wonder, sometimes.\u201d<\/p>\n Samantha smiled at her, said, \u201cI\u2019m just glad I\u2019m not the only one who thinks it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDoesn\u2019t mean we aren\u2019t both crazy,\u201d Michelle said, kissing her.<\/p>\n The water on the stove was steaming and would be boiling any minute, so they started undressing for their bath. Michelle really hadn\u2019t noticed it, but when she removed her shirt, she could smell how smoky her clothing had gotten. As she finished undressing, she thought they should probably do laundry one more time before they left. Once they were out in the wild again, they probably wouldn\u2019t have the luxury.<\/p>\n Michelle peeled the bandage off Samantha\u2019s side, saw the angry red scratches had scabbed over and the skin around them had returned to a healthier shade of pink. Samantha was indeed healing, which made Michelle feel better about heading out tomorrow.<\/p>\n The pans of hot water went into the tub, then they used the pump to add cold water until the temperature was perfect. Michelle helped Samantha into the tub, then joined her. Sinking into the blissful heat, she sighed happily. The tightness in her shoulders and back started to loosen almost instantly, and she smiled, thinking she was going to be more than ready for whatever Samantha had in store for her.<\/p>\n Speaking of Samantha, the girl smiled and kissed her deeply, her hand on the back of Michelle\u2019s neck. The kiss lingered until they had to come up for air and they smiled at each other as they tried to catch their breath.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not complaining, but what was that all about?\u201d Michelle asked, meeting her girlfriend\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been thinking about doing that all day,\u201d Samantha said, stealing a quick kiss.<\/p>\n \u201cMm\u2026 What else have you been thinking about?\u201d Michelle asked, playfully.<\/p>\n Samantha leaned in and whispered in her ear. Michelle\u2019s heart was racing by the time the girl leaned back to smile at her.<\/p>\n Swallowing hard, Michelle managed to say, \u201cI like the way you think.\u201d<\/p>\n Samantha laughed and kissed her, again. Her hand fell on Michelle\u2019s knee, gently pushing her legs open. Michelle\u2019s already racing heart beat even faster as the girl\u2019s hand slid up her thigh and onto the swell of her girlhood. She moaned as Samantha\u2019s fingers massaged her bud, the lovely pressure awakening her nerve endings. Her body responded to Samantha\u2019s touch, and she was suddenly warm all over.<\/p>\n When Samantha\u2019s hand slipped lower, and her fingers eased inside of her, Michelle was more than ready for it. When her probing fingers found that sweet spot deep inside, Michelle\u2019s back arched. Samantha had told her what that spot was called, but she couldn\u2019t remember what she had said. Maybe she\u2019d be able to recall later when Samantha wasn\u2019t doing this to her. The lovely pleasure the fingers inside of her were bringing her was making it hard to think about anything else.<\/p>\n \u201cSit up here,\u201d Samantha said, tapping her free hand on the lip of the tub.<\/p>\n Michelle did what Samantha asked, her fingers tightening on the rim of the tub as Samantha\u2019s mouth found her bud. The flick of the girl\u2019s tongue sent delicious shivers of pleasure through her, competing with the ones Samantha\u2019s fingers were awakening in her. Those two lovely sensations seemed to feed off each other, grew stronger until Michelle didn\u2019t think she could take much more.<\/p>\n \u201cOh God, you are going to make me come,\u201d Michelle said, in a breathy moan.<\/p>\n Samantha smiled up at her, said, \u201cIsn\u2019t that the idea?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSmart ass,\u201d Michelle said, laughing. She put her hand on the back of the girl\u2019s head, gently pushed her mouth back against her bud. She looked down at Samantha as she resumed her sweet torture on her bud. The girl was looking up at her, a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.<\/p>\n That smile did her in more than Samantha\u2019s thrusting fingers or her hot tongue. Michelle cried out as an orgasm rocked her. Her thrashings unseated her from the lip of the tub, and she came splashing into the tub, her cry of ecstasy becoming a gasp of surprise. Samantha was suddenly face to face with her, and the girl laughed and kissed her. Michelle kissed her back as the happy juices flooded her bloodstream.<\/p>\n \u201cYou made a mess,\u201d Samantha said, looking at the water all over the floor.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are leaving in the morning, so who cares,\u201d Michelle said, smiling at her, \u201cbesides, I think that\u2019s your<\/em> mess. You are the one who made me do it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, I guess I did,\u201d Samantha said, kissing her deeply. Pulling back, she laughed, \u201cYou should have seen your face, though.\u201d<\/p>\n Blushing, Michelle said, \u201cIt\u2019s not that funny.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s pretty funny,\u201d Samantha disagreed, still laughing, \u201cyour face went from \u2018Oh my God\u2019 to \u2018Oh shit\u2019 in like a second.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAre you done?\u201d Michelle said, laughing at her own expense.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d Samantha said, kissing her. She turned and sat in the hollow of Michelle\u2019s legs, leaning back against her.<\/p>\n Michelle kissed Samantha\u2019s neck, her shoulder. She ran her hands up Samantha\u2019s arms, making the girl sigh. Smiling, Michelle cupped Samantha\u2019s breasts, teasing their straining nipples with her thumbs. Samantha\u2019s hand came up and covered hers, not letting Michelle pull them away. Getting the message, Michelle didn\u2019t let up until Samantha dropped her hands. The girl\u2019s back was arched, and she was moaning thickly by the time Michelle let up.<\/p>\n Letting one of her hands slid down Samantha\u2019s taut stomach, Michelle found the girl\u2019s bud. The swirling of her fingers made Samantha\u2019s little sounds of excitement grow louder, and the girl\u2019s hips began to move on their own.<\/p>\n \u201cMm\u2026 That feels good,\u201d Samantha said, her voice thick with excitement.<\/p>\n Michelle kissed her shoulder, then let her hand slip further into the gap between Samantha\u2019s thighs. The girl moaned thickly as Michelle eased her fingers inside of her ready core. Her fingertips found the magic button, teased it with little come-hither motions.<\/p>\n G-spot<\/em>, Michelle thought, suddenly remembering what that place was called. With Samantha teasing her own, she couldn\u2019t recall its name, but it came to her now as her fingers drove Samantha\u2019s body wild. Samantha\u2019s grabbed the edges of the tub, holding on as her pussy pushed against Michelle\u2019s hand eagerly. Michelle smiled as her knuckles turned white, she was squeezing the metal lip so hard. She had just been on the other end of this, knew how good the girl was feeling about now.<\/p>\n \u201cOh God,\u201d Samantha said, in a breathy moan, \u201cdon\u2019t stop. I\u2019m going to come!\u201d<\/p>\n Michelle kept her fingers moving inside of the girl and let her free hand roam over her writhing body. She could feel the tension building up inside of Samantha as her hand passed over her stomach, her thighs. Even if Samantha hadn\u2019t said she was close to climaxing, Michelle would have known.<\/p>\n Samantha\u2019s cries were urgent as she started to lose control of her body. Michelle thrust her fingers once, twice, then the girl stiffened on the third. She could feel the flutter of the girl\u2019s vagina around her fingers, slowed her thrusts but didn\u2019t stop completely. Each time her fingertips found Samantha\u2019s spot, the girl gasped, and her hips jerked. The girl cried out as a second orgasm shook her, and she pushed Michelle\u2019s hand away.<\/p>\n \u201cOh God,\u201d Samantha said, with a shaky little laugh. She leaned back against Michelle, said, \u201cThat was so good!\u201d<\/p>\n They sat like that a while, Michelle\u2019s arm around Samantha\u2019s shoulders. Eventually, Michelle said, \u201cWe should probably clean up before the water gets cold.\u201d<\/p>\n Laughing, Samantha said, \u201cYeah.\u201d<\/p>\n ———————————————-<\/p>\n \u201cDo you know what I\u2019m going to miss most about the cabin?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cClean clothes?\u201d Michelle guessed, hanging her wet jeans up to dry. She had just finished washing them in the tub, and they smelled like body wash instead of bear musk, sweat, and smoke. It was a little thing, but she missed having clean laundry to put on every day.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, but that is nice, too,\u201d Samantha said, putting her arm around Michelle\u2019s waist, \u201cI\u2019m going to miss the tub.\u201d<\/p>\n Smiling at her, she said, \u201cMe, too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve gotten used to taking baths with you,\u201d Samantha said, stealing a kiss.<\/p>\n \u201cWe probably won\u2019t have another chance until we get back,\u201d Michelle said.<\/p>\n \u201cIf then,\u201d Samantha said, sighing.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll figure out something,\u201d Michelle said, giving the girl a squeeze.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you promise?\u201d Samantha asked, meeting her eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cI promise,\u201d Michelle said, fully intending to keep it. One way or the other, the bath they had just shared wouldn\u2019t be their last.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s why you are the best girlfriend ever,\u201d Samantha said, kissing her, again.<\/p>\n \u201cA bath is all it takes to make you happy, huh?\u201d Michelle asked, smiling at her.<\/p>\n \u201cAs long as you are in it with me,\u201d Samantha said.<\/p>\n \u201cI love you Samantha LaRose,\u201d Michelle said, her smile widening.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd I love you, Michelle Micheals,\u201d Samantha said, kissing her deeply. There was some heat behind it, and Michelle found herself getting turned on, again. The kiss was in danger of getting away from them when Samantha pulled back. Michelle was a little flustered, frustrated.<\/p>\n \u201cI almost forgot,\u201d Samantha said, grinning at Michelle. She went to the bed, took something out from under the pillow. Holding it behind her back, she came back to the rug. She met Michelle\u2019s eyes, said, \u201cI made us something.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAm I finally going to see this secret of yours?\u201d Michelle asked.<\/p>\n \u201cUm, yeah,\u201d Samantha said, but didn\u2019t take her hands from behind her back, \u201cit\u2019s not exactly like the one I saw, but I think it\u2019ll work.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat will work?\u201d Michelle asked.<\/p>\n Samantha finally brought her hand out from behind her back and held something out to Michelle. She was grinning, clearly proud of what she had created.<\/p>\n Michelle frowned, not sure what she was looking at first. Her eyes narrowed as she tried to figure out what the girl had made. She had un-braided some of the climbing rope, then re-braided them into an inch wide loop. She had fed the handle to the wood chisel (now sans chisel) through the loop, then sewed the loop to what looked like the bottom of a bikini. When Michelle tugged at the handle, she found it was secured in place.<\/p>\n Meeting the girl\u2019s eyes, she asked, \u201cUm, what am I looking at exactly?\u201d<\/p>\n Giggling, Samantha asked, \u201cIt\u2019s a strap-on.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you do with it?\u201d Michelle said, taking it from her.<\/p>\n A playful smile tugged at the corners of Samantha\u2019s mouth, and she said, \u201cYou. Or me, if you want to try it first.\u201d<\/p>\n Gasping, Michelle\u2019s eyes got wide as she realized what the girl was saying. Looking at what the girl had made, it\u2019s purpose finally dawned on her. She laughed and gave the girl a curious look, asked, \u201cWhere did you see a strap-on before?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUm\u2026 Online,\u201d Samantha said.<\/p>\n \u201cRight,\u201d Michelle said, laughing as Samantha blushed.<\/p>\n \u201cAnyway,\u201d Samantha said, holding up the strap-on she had made, \u201cthis isn\u2019t exactly like the one I saw, but I think it\u2019ll work okay.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI guess there is only one way to find out,\u201d Michelle said, smiling at her.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you mind if I go first? I\u2019ve been dying to try it out,\u201d Samantha said, meeting Michelle\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you say \u2018go first\u2019, you mean wearing it, right?\u201d Michelle asked.<\/p>\n Laughing, Samantha said, \u201cYeah, but I get why you had to ask.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, you can wear it, but I think I\u2019m the one going first,\u201d Michelle said, grinning at her.<\/p>\n Samantha kissed her, then stepped into the bikini bottom. As she smoothed it into place, Michelle started laughing. Looking up, Samantha asked, \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNothing,\u201d Michelle said, still laughing. When Samantha just looked at her, she said, \u201cYou just look happy to see me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am<\/em> happy to see you,\u201d Samantha said, taking Michelle\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n They went to the bearskin rug in front of the fire, stretching out on their sides. Their lips met as passion welled up between them. As the space between them melted away, Michelle felt the handle poking her. With an inward grin, she wondered if this is what it was like with a boy, their thingy always poking you when they got excited. It was kind of a random thought, one that was quickly pushed out of her mind as Samantha urged her to roll on her back. Michelle didn\u2019t need an erection to tell Samantha was excited. She could see it in her eyes, in the playful uptick of the corners of her mouth.<\/p>\n Samantha kissed the curve of her neck, then the hollow between her breasts. Her hands slid up Michelle\u2019s flanks to cup her breasts. She kneaded them as she kissed her way down Michelle\u2019s taut stomach. Michelle shivered, her skin tingling everywhere Samantha\u2019s lips touched and her nipples ached sweetly under Samantha\u2019s attention. Samantha was making her hot all over and her breath caught in her throat each time Samantha’s kisses fell lower on Michelle\u2019s stomach.<\/p>\n The fur tickled her back and buttocks, her thighs. It was like thousands of little fingers teasing her nerve endings with every little move she made. She was moving a lot, unable to hold still as Samantha worked her way down her supine body.<\/p>\n By the time Samantha pushed Michelle\u2019s legs wide open and moved between them, she was more than ready to try the improvised strap-on the girl had made. Her eyes were on what used to be a handle to a wood chisel. Her heart beat a little faster thinking about having it inside of her, again. She had had such a strong orgasm last time, and her body was craving more.<\/p>\n Samantha moved forward, pressing the cool tip of the handle against the opening of Michelle\u2019s girlhood. When she pushed her hips forward, Michelle gasped as the handle slipped deep inside of her. It was all the way in, the scratchy braided rope pressed against her sensitive bits.<\/p>\n Smiling at Samantha, she said, \u201cWorks so far.\u201d<\/p>\n Returning the smile, Samantha pulled out a bit, then pushed it back in. Her smile widened as it forced a moan from Michelle. When she did it again and got the same results, she said, \u201cYeah, I\u2019d say it works.\u201d<\/p>\n Michelle couldn\u2019t argue with her. Each time the handle moved inside of her, it sent little waves of pleasure crashing through her. It had her arching her back and clutching at the fur, her little cries of enjoyment filling the cabin.<\/p>\n Samantha is a genius<\/em>, Michelle thought, smiling, this thing is amazing<\/em>.<\/p>\n Samantha had her hands on Michelle\u2019s hips, her thrusts coming faster and faster. Her first couple of thrusts had been a little awkward, but she had the motion down now. Each roll of her hips buried the handle to the hilt.<\/p>\n It didn\u2019t take long for Michelle to reach her limit. Her body couldn\u2019t take anymore, Samantha\u2019s thrusts sending her over the edge and into bliss. She cried out as she came, her back arching off the bearskin rug. Her orgasm shook her, then left her a boneless puddle of a girl. As the feel-good juices flooded her bloodstream, she gave Samantha a dazed smile.<\/p>\n \u201cIt definitely works,\u201d Michelle said.<\/p>\n Smiling, Samantha put her hand on Michelle\u2019s hips, urging her to roll over, \u201cUp you go.\u201d<\/p>\n Michelle got to her hands and knees, looking over her shoulder at Samantha. She gasped as the improvised dildo slipped into her, again. She wasn\u2019t anywhere near ready for this, her body still trembling from her last orgasm. Maybe sensing that Michelle needed a moment to collect herself, Samantha kept her thrusts nice and slow. Slow or not, each one forced a moan from Michelle, and her fingers tightened in the fur.<\/p>\n The handle was hitting at a different angle in this new position, exciting nerve endings that had been left out when she was on her back. She found herself pushing back against Samantha\u2019s thrusts, the handle hitting a spot that made her want more. Samantha sensed Michelle was ready, her pace increasing.<\/p>\n \u201cGod, that feels so good,\u201d Michelle said, around a moan.<\/p>\n Samantha put her hand on Michelle\u2019s shoulder, pulling her to her knees. Michelle groaned as the girl\u2019s hands cupped her breasts, teased her straining nipples. Samantha kissed her just behind her ear, then on her shoulder. A hand slipped from Michelle\u2019s breast, down her stomach, and between her thighs. Michelle gasped as Samantha\u2019s fingers massaged her bud. The gasp became an excited little cry of excitement as all the wonderful sensations in her young body blended together, fed off each other. She couldn\u2019t tell where one pleasure ended and the other began, her nerve ending overloaded. All she knew for sure, she loved what Samantha was doing to her.<\/p>\n Loved it a little too much, maybe. It didn\u2019t take long for her overstimulated body to start to come undone. Samantha thrust into her hard once, twice, then Michelle cried out as a climax rocked her. If not for Samantha\u2019s arm around her, she would have collapsed face first onto the rug. The girl held her as she trembled with a second orgasm.<\/p>\n \u201cHoly shit,\u201d Michelle said, with a breathy little laugh. She eased off the handle, turning to give the girl a very appreciative kiss.<\/p>\n \u201cI take it you like my little invention,\u201d Samantha said, grinning at her.<\/p>\n \u201cYou are a genius,\u201d Michelle said, putting her hand on the girl\u2019s shoulder and giving her a little push. Caught off guard, Samantha went to her back. Before the girl could recover, Michelle hooked her hands in the bikini bottom and tugged it off her hips. Running it down Samantha\u2019s long legs, she said, \u201cIt\u2019s my turn to play with it now.\u201d<\/p>\n From her back, Samantha watched as Michelle stood up and stepped into the strap-on. Her beautiful eyes were shining with excitement as Michelle smoothed the bikini bottom into place. Michelle smiled at her, sinking to her knees between Samantha\u2019s spread legs. Michelle lifted one of those legs in the air, kissing Samantha\u2019s calf. The inside of her knee. Higher on the girl\u2019s thigh. Samantha propped up on her elbows to watch as Michelle\u2019s mouth found her bud. The girl moaned as Michelle teased her bud, the hot caress of her tongue making the girl\u2019s hips move. Michelle kept it up until she thought Samantha was ready for something more.<\/p>\n With her hand, she guided the handle into the girl. Samantha moaned thickly, and Michelle met her eyes. Samantha half sat up to kiss Michelle before going to her back, again. Michelle thrust the handle into her, drawing another moan from the girl.<\/p>\n She didn\u2019t have Samantha\u2019s grace, so it took her a bit to get the hang of using the strap-on. She knew she had it when each thrust made Samantha cry out. Smiling, she leaned in and kissed the girl. She was a little surprised when Samantha wrapped her long legs around her waist. Trapped, Michelle dug her knees into the fur and put her weight on her arms so she could really let the girl have it. It must have been what the girl wanted because her cries of enjoyment filled the cabin.<\/p>\n \u201cChange places with me,\u201d Samantha said, her legs releasing Michelle, \u201cI want to be on top.\u201d<\/p>\n Michelle eased out of her, then stretched out on her back. Samantha threw a leg over her, then guided the handle into her girlhood. Michelle watched with interest as the girl moved up and down on the handle. When she saw Samantha\u2019s face screw up in pleasure, she realized it must feel pretty good.<\/p>\n The pneumatic pump of Samantha\u2019s body as she rode the handle was sensual and incredibly sexy. Michelle found herself mesmerized by the sway of the girl\u2019s hips, the tightening of her stomach each time she pushed down onto the handle, the jiggle of her small breasts. Smiling, she thought she liked this position. Samantha could have her fun and Michelle could enjoy the show.<\/p>\n The show wasn\u2019t going to last long, though. Samantha\u2019s cries were already growing urgent, her face pinched in a rictus of pure enjoyment. Michelle saw the girl start to lose control of her hips, her usual gracefulness fled her as her orgasm took hold of her. Michelle pushed her hips up into the girl, finished her off. Samantha cried out as she climaxed, her body locking up atop Michelle.<\/p>\n Still sitting astride Michelle, Samantha brushed her hair from her face and smiled down at her. She eased off the handle, then stretched out beside Michelle on the bearskin. Michelle pulled her close and they snuggled together. After a while, Michelle noticed the handle was still jutting skyward and started laughing. Samantha followed her eyes and grinned. Michelle slipped out of the improvised strap-on, setting it aside.<\/p>\n \u201cI have to ask,\u201d Michelle said, meeting Samantha\u2019s eyes, \u201cwhat inspired you to make it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI saw one online once,\u201d Samantha said.<\/p>\n \u201cBut why did you make one?\u201d Michelle asked.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve always wanted one,\u201d Samantha said, laughing when Michelle gave her a look, \u201cdon\u2019t judge me. The girls in the video looked like they were really enjoying theirs.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI bet they were,\u201d Michelle said, laughing. She smiled at the girl, said, \u201cI know I enjoyed ours.\u201d<\/p>\n —————————————————<\/p>\n Michelle woke up early, but Samantha still beat her up. When she opened her eyes, she saw the naked girl poking the fire to bring it back to life. Smiling, she took a moment to admire Samantha\u2019s lovely body before throwing the covers back and sitting up. She shivered as the chilly air found her bare skin and she went to stand next to the fire to warm up.<\/p>\n \u201cOur clothes aren\u2019t dry,\u201d Samantha said.<\/p>\n \u201cReally? They\u2019ve been hanging overnight,\u201d Michelle said, looking at their improvised clothesline.<\/p>\n \u201cThey are close, but still damp around the pockets. I think they\u2019ll be ready by the time we eat breakfast and figure out what to take with us,\u201d Samantha said, moving into Michelle\u2019s arms.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are going to be leaving so much good stuff behind,\u201d Michelle said, looking around the cabin.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d Samantha said, her eyes going to the tub.<\/p>\n Laughing, Michelle said, \u201cI\u2019m going to miss the tub, too, but I meant more practical stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know,\u201d Samantha said, smiling at her, \u201cI\u2019m going to hold you to your promise. You are going to have to figure out a way for us to take baths together when we get back.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, believe me, I will,\u201d Michelle said, kissing her.<\/p>\n \u201cGood,\u201d Samantha said, then dropped the subject, \u201cI figure your backpack will be stuffed with as much meat as it\u2019ll hold, which leaves my backpack.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can attach some stuff to mine, if we need extra storage,\u201d Michelle said, looking at her bag, \u201clike the rope and the tent. I can probably figure out a way to attach the sleeping bag or bearskin to the bottom. Or yours, for that matter.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere is still a lot of stuff to cram into two backpacks,\u201d Samantha said, chewing on her lip.<\/p>\n Smiling at her, Michelle said, \u201cWe could tie something to Blue\u2019s back. Turn her into a pack mule.\u201d<\/p>\n Samantha laughed, \u201cI don\u2019t think Blue would go for that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cProbably not,\u201d Michelle said, picturing Blue with saddlebags on her back. She could just see the wolf sitting on her haunches, giving Samantha and her a \u2018yeah right\u2019 look as they held out the saddlebags. It made her smile.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s put everything we\u2019d like to take on the bed and see how much of it we can actually carry with us,\u201d Samantha said.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s not a bad idea,\u201d Michelle said, then added, \u201cwe can divide it into two piles, the \u2018have to haves\u2019 and the \u2018like to haves\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n A couple of hours later, they had their packs ready to go. Michelle\u2019s backpack was stuffed with almost thirty pounds of bear meat. The pop-up tent, metal thermos, and the climbing rope were secured to the front and sides, and the sleeping bag was tied to the bottom. The whole pack weighed about forty pounds, which Michelle knew was going to slow her down. Samantha\u2019s bag wasn\u2019t much lighter. The bearskin was tied to the bottom, and the inside was stuffed with the GPS, camp shovel and ax combo, the survival knife, the first aid kit, the solar blanket, both of their toiletries, the roll of toilet paper, the fold up fishing rod, and the smallest pot from the stove. In the front pouch was Samantha\u2019s camera and the improvised strap-on Samantha had made.<\/p>\n After last night, it had gone in the \u2018have to haves\u2019 pile. Neither girl could argue they weren\u2019t going to need it, again.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s have some breakfast, then we can say goodbye to the cabin,\u201d Michelle said, looking around, \u201ctake a video of the place before we go. I don\u2019t want to forget this place.\u201d<\/p>\n Samantha pulled her backpack in front of her and dug around to find the survival knife. With it in hand, she headed toward the door.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere are you going?\u201d Michelle asked.<\/p>\n Smiling at her, Samantha pointed at the dates scratched into the door frame, said, \u201cI\u2019m adding our dates, in case anyone else happens along.\u201d<\/p>\n Michelle smiled back at her, thinking about the cave and what Samantha had left scrawled on the back wall. Feeling a burst of warmth for the girl, Michelle thought, The girl isn\u2019t afraid to let the world know we were here and in love.<\/em><\/p>\n Continue to Part Nine<\/a><\/p>\n Yawning, Michelle stood up and went to the stove. The fire was starved, barely putting off any heat. She fed it some more wood, poking and prodding it with a stick until it showed some signs of life. Leaving the … Continue reading