As The Water Falls

 
As The Water Falls
 
 
 
Ryan Helfey had settled in Kansas City right out of college. Born and raised in Denver Colorado, he attended the University of Colorado and received his accounting degree. An accounting agency, based in Kansas City, had recruited him after a successful intern with them during his last summer of school. There he had met his wife. They had married just over a year after his arrival to the Sunflower State.
 
Though it may be said that the first year of marriage is the hardest, for Ryan and his wife, Tammy, it was nothing less than pure fun. The couple was more like best friends than lovers - a match of perfect companionship. Both were successful professionals for the same company and they worked well together both on and off the job. No better description could describe them as “a hand in glove.” For Ryan, this was the life he always wanted.
 
On May 2nd, 1999 Tammy drove down to Wichita Kansas to attend a convention that Monday, the next day. Ryan was unable to go with her because of an upcoming audit. Before she left, he teased her about getting out of work, wished her a good time and told her that he loved her. The next day a tornado had struck southern Wichita and Haysville during night. The hotel Tammy was staying in was hit badly and partly collapsed. She was killed in the rumble.
 
After the burial, Ryan had finally lost his hope for life. All that he enjoyed was torn apart that dreadful Monday. He tried his best to get back to work and routine. But now everything was different. His life had been so intertwined with Tammy that all he could do was dwell on her death. Eventually his boss practically ordered him to take some time off.
 
Ryan’s parents, Floyd and Gayle, had moved to Georgetown Colorado after they retired several years ago. They enjoyed their retirement and spent most if it traveling. Ryan decided to make this a personal excuse for leaving work and took vacation so that he could 'house sit' for them. Knowing he really needed the time off, Ryan’s boss granted him three weeks.
 
Floyd and Gayle were sitting on their front porch waiting for Ryan to arrive. He was due sometime that afternoon.
“Poor boy,” Gayle remarked breaking the silence.
“He’ll be alright, sweetheart,” Floyd responded, “He’s a pretty tough kid.”
“It’s been several months since Tammy died but I could still hear the pain in his voice when he called the other day.” Gayle paused and folded her hands together. “I worry about him.”
Floyd simply replied, “I know.”
Ryan had finally arrived. He pulled up into the driveway, got out of his car and stood toward his parents.
“Hi mom, dad.”
Both walk over toward him. They all met and embraced. Floyd put his arm around his son and the family walked into the house.
Sitting at the kitchen table Ryan asked, “So where are you guys off to now?”
“Well, we had planned on visiting Montgomery Alabama. You know, the space center,” Gayle answered. “But now that you’re here, we’ll be staying home.”
“No, no, no!” Ryan began. “Don’t do that for me! You guys go on. I’ll be all right. Besides, I could use a little time to myself anyway.”
Floyd butted in, “Son, we don’t mind. Really! We want to stay. We hardly ever see you anymore as it is.”
“Dad! Please! You guys go to Alabama. I mean, all this time since Tammy died, I’ve been surrounded by people. I know you all mean well, but I really could use the quiet and some time alone.”
After a few more minutes of arguing, Ryan had convinced them to take their trip. They reluctantly agreed. The next day his parents packed and got ready to leave. The whole time his mother, Gayle, continuously badgered Ryan about them leaving him there alone. But Ryan persisted.
“Now if you have any problems or need anything, you call my cell phone. You hear?”
“Yes dad. I got ya, “ Ryan replied.
“Even if you just want to talk. Okay honey?” Gayle added.
“Yes mom.”
“We’ll be back in about two weeks or so,” Floyd stated.
“I’ll be here,” Ryan responded.
The couple got in their car and Gayle waved as they drove off. Ryan chuckled to himself thinking about how his parents just couldn’t come to grips with the idea that he was a grown man. But what parents do?
 
The first week at the cottage was calm and uneventful. Ryan spent most of his time either strolling along a nearby river or fishing at its banks. On one occasion he stumbled across a rather large waterfall. It was large compared to this size of the river he thought. But for him it was quite scenic and very beautiful. A small clearing at its base made for a perfect picnic area. From that time on, he decided that this would be a nice place to pass his vacationing days in. The light rumbling of the water spoke gently to him and helped him, remember.
 
Several days had gone by as he visited the waterfall with no interruptions. It was just him, his waterfall and the memories. Although this vacation was supposed to be an attempt to recover from Tammy’s death, it had turned into a memory book of past images and heartfelt thoughts of his lost wife. On this particular day, Ryan was again immersed in pity about his life when a stranger invaded his peaceful hideaway.
 
“Hello my friend,” the stranger said as he approach.
Ryan jumped, startled and spun around to see this unexpected visitor.
The man walked right up next to him and stared at the waterfall. “Such a beautiful place, don’t you think?” he asked.
“Yes it is,” Ryan replied.
“I love this place. I try to get down here as often as I can.”
Ryan stood up. “My name is Ryan Helfey. I didn’t know this was private property. I wasn’t trying to...”
“Not to worry, my boy.” The man interrupted. “You are welcome here. No man should enslave the beauty that is God’s gift to us all.”
“Thanks,” Ryan replied. “I’ve brought some tea with me. Care for a glass?”
“No thank you, Sir. I’m just passing through today. But maybe I’ll see you again.”
As the man walked off, Ryan yelled to him, “Nice meeting you!”
Ryan thought to himself how nice this gentle old man appeared. But he forgot to ask his name. As he left to go back to the cottage, he hoped that the old man would show back up. He realized that being alone was not the answer to his peace of mind and he sure could use the company.
 
The next day Ryan awoke early and planned another trip to the waterfall. This time he actually packed a picnic lunch and prepared it for two. He hoped the old man would come back and that maybe they could visit for awhile. Arriving at the waterfall, he spread out a blanket to sit on, got out all the utensils and preparations. He poured himself a glass of tea and waited, hoping the gentle old man would suddenly appear as he did the day before. After a few hours of waiting, he did.
 
“Good morning my friend,” a voice suddenly spoke. Ryan turned around and there he stood right next to him.
“Howdy, I was hoping you’d show up. Thought we’d have lunch together.”
“I’d be delighted!” he chuckled, “Nothing better then to partake in fine dining with such fine scenery.”
“I didn’t catch your name...”
“Oh, I’m sorry my lad. I go by the name of Jacob Carlson.”
“It is nice to meet you, Jacob.” Ryan smiled.
“Likewise, Sir.”
“I’ve got a pretty good lunch planned,” Ryan began. “It's the least I could do for you sharing your waterfall with me.”
“This is ‘our’ waterfall, my boy. This waterfall holds its beauty well within both our hearts, I assure you.”
Ryan didn’t really understand that statement but responded, “Yes it does!”
 
The two men sat down to eat. For the next couple of hours they conversed about trivial things and matters of unimportance. Ryan noticed that he liked using ‘My boy’ to address him. Since his father did this quite often he enjoyed the endearment. It made him feel at ease when taking to the elderly gentleman. However, Ryan made a purposeful effort to avoid talking about Tammy. But it never left his mind and eventually the subject came up but not by Ryan. Rather Jacob brought on the feeling.
 
“This place is good for remembering.” Jacob pointedly said. “It has the magic to bring a man to his past with fondness and memories of good times long past.”
A little shocked by this Ryan replied, “I know exactly what you mean. I do a lot of thinking when I’m here.”
“A man can’t live in the past,” Jacob started, “Yes, the past is the making of our blood. It is the writings of our future and the keys to the doors we all must pass through. But a man can’t ‘live’ there. We all must go on as the good Lord says we should.”
Ryan didn’t know how to respond to this so he just continued to listen.
“Take this waterfall,” Jacob continued, “the water falls and the stream flows on. It never ends. But for you and I, it brings back old memories of love bygone to time. But time itself gives value to those memories. If the water here stopped falling then the waterfall would die. So if you stop going on in life, all precious memories of your dear wife will die. All that was then, will no longer be, if the water that falls dies within the waterfall.”
Ryan was stunned. He just sat there and blinked. He gathered his thoughts and pondered the moment. Finally he said, “Jacob… Did you loose your wife here?”
“My dear Melissa died many years ago, right over there, not fifty feet from where we now sit. She was drowned in a sudden flood. The waters that bring us memories had taken her life. So I come here to remember her. But I keep going on, as you will, my boy. You’ll make it. Don’t you worry! As time goes on, so will your life and Tammy will always be there in your heart.”
There was a long silence between the two men. Ryan stared at Jacob in amazement while Jacob looked upon the waterfall. Jacob finally stood up.
"Before I go let me tell you something my dear Melissa told me once..."
 
Why should one weep and gaze sadly into the past? Not even the stongest metals of the world are woven as tightly as the fabric of time. What is set in history is to be and will always be without the fear of change. It is not the view behind you that guides the steps you take toward the front of you.
 
“Well, my friend. I must be going,” Jacob said smiling. “Thank you kindly for the most delicious lunch and the fine company.”
“Hope I see you tomorrow. I’ll be here at our waterfall, sir!” Ryan replied.
“You take care now, my friend.” Jacob walked away.
Ryan sat there trying to absorb that last conversation. How uncanny it was that his wife died suddenly from a flood. Much like Tammy died from a tornado. Suddenly Ryan realized that he hadn’t mentioned his wife, her name or anything about her accident. How did he know? Ryan wondered about this for some time.
 
The next couple of days Ryan diligently made his way back to the waterfall. He had to know how Jacob knew of Tammy. He needed to know more about Jacob. But as each day passed, Jacob never appeared again. He spent his last days of vacation at the waterfall thinking about what Jacob had said. Was the waterfall really magic? Will life go on as Jacob said it must? So many thoughts about his pain and suffering tormented him. Yet now he contemplated new ideas of survival and remembrance of the wonderful times Tammy had given to him. Maybe this waterfall was magic after all.
 
Ryan’s parents had decided to end their trip early and had arrived home. Ryan was in the kitchen packing another picnic basket for the waterfall. Not knowing his parents had arrived; he busied himself as he had done the past week.
“Ryan! We’re home!” Gayle shouted as they walked in through the front door.
“Mom?” Ryan replied surprised. He walked into the front room.
“Hey, my boy,” Floyd said with a large smile. “How’s my boy doing?”
“You guys are home early! What happen?”
“Well,” Gayle began, “we started to get bored with all the ‘space stuff’ and decided to come home and spend some quality time with you.” Gayle grinned at her son.
The next few minutes gave way to pleasant chatter about their trip while Ryan helped them with their luggage. Afterwards, they headed into the kitchen.
“You guys hungry? I’ve got a picnic lunch all packed. I found this beautiful waterfall about a quarter mile form here. It’s perfect for picnicking.”
“A waterfall, eh?” Floyd responded. “Oh yeah, that’s part of the historic society’s preserve. I’ve been there. It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”
“Preserve?” Ryan replied. “I thought it belonged to Jacob Carlson. He’s such a nice old man. I visited with him a couple times right there at that waterfall.”
Floyd and Gayle looked at each other in amazement. Floyd looked back to Ryan and said, “Who? Who did you say?”
“Jacob Carlson. I met him at the waterfall. Believe it or not, he has been the best thing to help me since Tammy died. He helped me to see things differently and...” Ryan paused when he noticed the looks on his parent faces. “What? Don't you guys know him?”
Floyd spoke up, “I’ve heard of him. Are you sure he said his name was Jacob Carlson?”
Ryan nodded.
“Ryan!” Floyd began, “I learned of Jacob Carlson when I first became a member if the historical society. He was a minister back in 1846 when this was a mining town. He and his wife both died at that waterfall when a freak flood rushed through. That was over 150 years ago.”
 
 
 
 
Kactus Berry