3

Nikola and Lucas slowed as they drew to the foot of the tree. The first branch towered over the canopy of neighboring trees. Beyond, innumerous branches alternated higher.

“There’s people up there!” said Nikola

“All the way to the top,” said Lucas.

At the base of the tree, wooden beams lay across giant roots. Haphazard, altogether they formed stairs. Lucas and Nikola climbed the stairs to the first branch.

Nikola never knew that branches could be so huge. Even a wagon could travel the branch! Two wagons side by side! And there would still be room to walk along the railing at the curved edge.

Below, the canopies of every other tree swayed in gentle breezes. A trail of smoothed wood between flakes of thick bark wound around the tree trunk. Another stairs, built into the trunk, led to a higher branch.

“How many stairs are there?” said Nikola.

“Oh, there’s more,” said Lucas. “It gets serious.”

There were twice as many steps on the second stairs. Halfway up, Nikola used the railing. Folk were coming down the stairs; folk were going up.

At the next branch, Nikola felt glad to see he wasn’t the only one to stop and catch his breath. Hiking was one thing; climbing stairs….

The wind was cooler, harder. Nikola could see a handful of pearl lakes between vacancies of trees. He found his thoughts suddenly empty as his gaze swept the land. Wow, what a view! With places to sit too! Let’s see…

“Want to sit over there?” said Nikola.

“Still got some more tree to climb,” said Lucas.

Nikola looked skyward. He peered between branches and stairs and leaves and branches.

Lucas was already climbing the next stairs. Nikola hustled over and grabbed the railing. He pulled himself up stair by stair. He grit his teeth and forced himself onward. He had to keep up! Pull, step, pull!

The wind blasted sheer. Nikola squinted against the wind and improved his grip on the railing. After two more steps, they landed upon another branch. Folk crowded the branch from trunk to tip.

Nikola searched the curved edge of the branch. Was there any space to sit for them? Yes, there was one spot left!

Nikola made his way over.

“Nikola,” called Lucas. “Where are you going?” He nodded toward the next stairs.

Nikola wondered if his legs could do it. He wasn’t as strong as Lucas. …Gotta push! One more flight!

Nikola’s pace halved up the next stairs. He yanked his body up each step and gritted his teeth and grunted when he could afford breath. The wind wicked the sweat on his brow. His shirt was wet and cold, and his backpack pressed it to his back. He reached the next branch on his hands and knees.

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Gulping, heaving, Nikola stood and gazed down at the spread of lakes. He thought the trees were more green—emerald green! So that’s what Lucas meant! He was so right, there were better views. Amazing! How did he know?

“Nikola!” called Lucas from the base of the next stairs.

Nikola wondered if he had the will for another. He was already dying! One more? Could it please be the last one?

Nikola gripped the railing, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. He tripped on the first stair. His grip slipped off the rail, and his knees banged the edge of the wood steps. He grimaced and held in a grunt of pain. He had to be tough and rugged like Lucas! Did Lucas see him fall? Gah, how embarrassing!

Nikola glanced up the stairs. He was astonished to see an old man descending at a young pace. But Lucas had seen him stumble, and he rushed down the stairs.

“Are you okay?” said Lucas, arriving. “Are you hurt?”

“No, I just missed,” said Nikola.

“Be careful young man,” the old man said, stopping beside them. “It’s a long way to the next branch.”

“How much farther?” said Nikola.

“An hour.”

“An hour!”

“We can do it,” said Lucas.

“But the view begins to suffer,” said the old man.

“How?”

“The higher you go, the flatter it looks. Here, you can see the size of trees, some lakes are still peeking out behind the canopy, you still see the birds, you still see the sun bouncing on the water...and at the top, everything is just hazy. Flat and hazy. But the climb is good for the joints; good for the heart.”

“Do you go all the way to the top?” said Lucas.

“Once a week.”

“That’s what I want to do!”

“And why not?” The old man then smiled at Nikola. “There’s something for each of us here.”

With the aid of Lucas’ braced arm Nikola pulled himself to his feet. The old man nodded, smiled once more, and strolled off, calling back, “Enjoy the view!”

Lucas and Nikola waved.

“All right,” said Lucas. “You ready?”

Nikola chewed his lip and regarded the hour of stairs before him. He didn’t feel he could do it. But to hold Lucas back would be terrible. Ah, he could try. He could try his very best!

Nikola felt his brother’s eyes on him. He worried he would disappoint Lucas. So, he had to muster strength!

Lucas’ hand landed gently on Nikola’s shoulder. His voice was soft. “…Why don’t we stop here?”

This was Nikola’s fault, and he knew it. He was holding his brother back. It wasn’t fair! There was no worse feeling….

“I can keep going,” said Nikola, and he looked into his brother’s eyes. “I promise!”

Lucas paused, and he smiled softly as he put his arm around Nikola’s shoulder. “Come on!” He led Nikola across the wide branch on the barkless path. They sat in the wind near a twig with its tuft of leaves.

Nikola was too preoccupied to gaze out across the lakes. His gaze slowly fell to the bark of the branch, and he pondered his uselessness. He shouldn’t have come; he was just dead weight. How was Lucas going to find himself with someone like him around? It sucked.

“You sure you’re okay?” said Lucas.

“Yes.”

Nikola heaved a great sigh.

“I'm glad you tripped,” said Lucas. “Without you, that guy wouldn't have stopped to warn us. This might very well be the best view possible. Would have missed it without you.”

Nikola lifted his head. Did Lucas really mean that? Because of him they were getting a better view? The view was certainly astounding! Just breathtaking! And he had a hand in that? So, he might not have been such a bother after all?

Nikola smiled to himself as he looked out at all the lakes. Each one glinted a different color. The wind whipped his face.

He could not tear his gaze from the view. He saw the park ranger’s office, the main trail, and the trading post. The lake surrounded by peach trees was unmistakable. Its water was still placid.

On the water near the trail, full circle ripples caught Nikola’s attention. He squinted, but could not discern the cause. There was nothing on the water…Maybe Lucas would know.

But Lucas had laid back, and he looked to be sleeping. Nikola was surprised he wasn’t snoring. He could wake him; yet, it was best not to bother him. Sleep sounded delightful, after all. Why rob his brother of it?