My hands drifted down to his arms maintaining contact as I asked, "What makes you think you'll disappoint me?"
He shook his head and broke my hold on him. He stooped down and picked up the pack and then with a hand to my shoulder he directed me into the jungle.
"Looks like the jungle just got to be the safer of the two travel options available to us." He said cryptically.
I swallowed as I stepped forward into the heavy vegetation. That wasn't saying much in terms of safety.
*****
"Do you believe in God, Colt?" I asked, as I leaned back against a tree resting for a moment.
Colt looked at me and shrugged as if to indicate he really didn't have a position on it.
"I do." I said confidently.
"Why?" He asked directly.
My reasons weren't ones that I could easily put words to, but they were still there and perhaps I had built up some faith. Despite my best intentions however all that came out was, "I just do."
He snorted derisively and said, "I have my reasons."
"Reasons for what?"
"Reasons for being mad at God!" He said vehemently and then he gave me a look as if daring me to speak further on the matter.
I wasn't to be intimidated though, "Well if you're mad then that means you still believe He exists."
Colt came away from the tree that he had been leaning against and approached me threateningly. It was hard to stand my ground, but I did. It was apparent that I had made him very angry.
"Who are you to question me about how I feel about God? It's a little like the kettle calling the pot black don't you think?"
I knew what he meant and the pain I felt at his betrayal of the trust I had instilled in him to share my story had my hand connecting hard against the side of his face in an openhanded slap. No sooner had I slapped him than I took off running.
"Kim! Kim, I'm sorry! Stop!!!"
I didn't stop and before long I couldn't even hear his voice anymore. I'd managed to lose him, which was just fine!
I didn't need him!
I brushed at the tears running down my face and kept running. Some things never change.
*****
Several hours had gone by and I had worked through my anger, my hurt, if you will and I was ready to admit that running off instead of pursuing communication had been a mistake. He'd said the wrong thing, but then I admittedly had been pressing him on a sore point.