High Country

David stretched his arms behind his head and yawned. "Grandpa, do you mind if I sleep?"

"No, go ahead and rest. I'll wake you when we get to the cabin."

David reclined the seat, turned on his side and fell asleep. A car blasting heavy metal music woke him. David tried to sit up but the old leather chair was stuck in the reclined position. He placed his grandfather on the floor and struggled out of the chair, swinging his arms and legs like a person drowning. He stood up and mumbled, "God damn. Stupid chair is as stubborn as grandpa." David forced the chair into the up right position and almost kicked over the urn. He knew he was lucky and decided it was time to fulfill his grandfather's last request.

He knelt down, gripped the urn and raised it to his chest. He walked to the door like a sluggish child about to be punished. He opened the door and stepped outside. Chilled air encircled David as he gazed at the towering pines that surrounded him. He removed the crown from the urn and whispered, "You were my hero and I cherish the time we spent together and if I forgot to tell you, I love you." David turned the urn upside down and followed his grandfather's ashes as they intermingled with mountain air in a chaotic and beautiful affair.