All Ways by Kelly Coons

Author:Kelly Coons [Coons, Kelly]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: novel
ISBN: 978-1-63730-070-1
Publisher: Kelly Coons
Published: 2021-04-22T00:00:00+00:00

* * *

They may have thought about time, but they may have forgotten to consider money. “That will be $44,” the man at the gate says. In vain, Andreas checks his math. Alas, $22 per person means that the price for the two of them will be $44.

At the same time, though, they have just been thinking about the mountain. The sign advertises so much more: the Mile High Swinging Bridge, wildlife habitats, birding (Does that not happen inside the wildlife habitats?), daily programs, walking, and hiking (that’s the same thing but okay). Wonders Never Cease, it proclaims. To be fair, Andreas is impressed that one of the highest suspension bridges in the United States—Google confirms the park’s claim—is wheelchair-accessible! Considering that most buildings built before 1990 were not remodeled to fit within ADA guidelines, he is pleasantly surprised that the state of North Carolina chose to invest in remodeling a mountain. A mountain that was surely made before 1990. Before the 1900s, even! Maybe the trees are that old too: towering spruces whose needles turn upward at the ends of the branches, like open palms begging for sunlight. Andreas starts to dig into his wallet, a pouch he wears over his shoulder, so if someone tries to take it and run, they’ll be dragging him with them, but York tells him that he’s going to cover the costs. Andreas needs some money on him at all times—in case of an emergency.

His brother is right: There could be a map that they need anywhere!

They drive into the Grandfather Mountain Park and follow the line of cars—and the shouted directions of the employees—to their designated parking lot. “There are more people here than I expected,” York admits as they slip out of the car. “What should we do first?”

Andreas weaves his way to the front of a clamoring camping group, badgering an employee distributing maps, and takes one without any fuss.

“Were you supposed to pay for that?” York asks.

The boy looks back at the camping group, getting louder and louder about their insistence that they’re “seasoned professionals” and can “read the air,” thereby “stamping out the fire cycle before it can even begin.” Andreas looks down at the brochure. There are clearly marked locations where campfires are allowed…and clearly marked locations where they are not allowed.

“I can pay for it,” Andreas tells him.

“We can also pay by not lighting the mountain on fire,” York decides, leading him away as the employee warns that the police will be called on park-goers who refuse the respect the rules stated clearly on the signs entering the facility. That includes not having campfires. Because no one wants the park on fire. So, yeah, that’s their cue to leave.

Just in case, they both have money on them.

York seems set on taking his time. “Did you know that this park is part of the United Nation’s international network of Biosphere Reserves?”

Well, it’s not a lie, but also…“What does that even mean?”

His brother shrugs. “It’s international, though! So,

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