Surprises

Our power flickers at the same time my phone rings. I choose not to see it as some sort of omen. Out here in the woods, the first thoughts tend to lean in that direction, and it takes effort to steer the brain back to rationality. “Tina,” I say into my phone. “Bastian,” Tina replies. “How’s the Grizzly Adams life going?” “Well, there’s a severe lack of grizzlies around these parts. I’ve heard rumors of a black bear in the neighborhood, but I have yet to be presented with any evidence, so the jury is still out on that one.”…