Alpine Lake alligator

When Skipjack asked her to take him on a foray outside the copse, Towhee didn’t hesitate. It would be one of her last chances to hang out with her grandson before he and his parents left. He would return one day, she knew, but he would be a totally different person then, more grown up and worldly. Today, he was still just a child, still wet behind the ears.

Speaking of which, she thought he might enjoy “seeing” one of the nearby waterfalls. Towhee decided to lead him north along the eastern river, passing beneath the shadow of Ghost Lion Crag as they made their way toward Alpine Lake. She let Skip venture ahead, marveling as always at how well he managed to navigate the world.

Skip gamboled in the waterfall’s spray for a while, then went for a proper dip in the pool at its foot. Towhee waded in herself, glad for the relief from the August heat. She figured they would head back whenever he was ready, though her grandson surprised her by asking if they could go see the top of the waterfall.

I guess we could, Towhee said slowly, raising her eyes before dropping them back to his sweet little face. It’ll be good practice for your upcoming trip. But it’s rocky and steep, so I want to be in front. In fact, you could hold onto my tail if you need to. I’ll go slow.

Once or twice, he grabbed onto her, though mostly Skipjack managed the climb without much help. It was quieter up here beside the lake, not that Towhee really knew it. When he asked if he could swim, Towhee agreed, though she insisted they walk a good ways away from the current near the waterfall.

As they trundled along the lake shore, Towhee suddenly spotted a pair of eyes drifting in the water and froze. She said Skipjack’s name in a tone that made him halt immediately as well, his face pointed at her as he awaited an explanation. Rather than offer one, Towhee stepped between him and the water, staring at the wolfish figure lurking in the depths like some kind of crocodile.