Brody said he would text. It’s been five days. A lot of guys say they’ll call, they’ll text...but it’s just a “polite way” for them to blow you off. Then again, it’s not like he said that after a date. He volunteered to join me; he asked for my number. I stare at my phone feeling confused and anxious.

***

Sunday afternoon I head over to my childhood home to check up on my dad. I find him in the backyard tending to his garden.

“You live alone, how many tomato plants do you need?” I hand him a cold drink.

“You can’t buy a good-tasting tomato at the store. I like to put cherry tomatoes in my salad, the plums are great for sauce, the beefsteaks are perfect for slicing, and I couldn’t do without the Cherokee Purples since they taste so good. What I can’t eat, I bring to work. They’re gone within an hour.”

“Did you get together with anyone this weekend?” I ask.

“Ana, stop worrying about me, I’m fine.”

“But it’s not good to sit home all weekend alone with your tomato plants.”

“I read, I watched the game, I got caught up on some paper work…after such a busy week, it’s nice to relax.”

“Do you have dinner plans?”

Dad shakes his head.

“We can try out that new Middle Eastern restaurant by Broadway Plaza.”

“You’re just like your mother, always interested in trying out the latest restaurant.”

“You know, Mom’s been gone for a long time and we’re all grown. Don’t you think it’s about time you started dating.”

“Sweetheart, I’m fine. I have my job and my garden.”

“But is that enough? Don’t you think it would be more fun to garden with someone else? I’m not saying you have to fall in love and get married, but isn’t there some nice lady you can ask out for dinner?”

“What about you? You’re youngisnt it time for you to start living your life?”

“I’m fine, I’m busy, my life is full.”

“Don’t confuse being busy with full. Isn’t there a nice man you can date?”

“It’s not that easy.”

“Yet, you think it’s that easy for me.”

“That’s not what I’m saying. It’s just…if you know a nice woman, ask her out to dinner. Maybe she’s lonely and just waiting for a nice man that she can share a meal with.”

“Okay, I promise, the next single, nice woman I talk to, I’ll ask to dinner. But only if you promise me you’ll be open to going out with a nice man.”

“I’m open.”

“Oh Ana, you’re the one I worry about most. You’re so busy taking care of everyone else, you forget to take care of yourself.”

“That’s not true, I take great care of myself.”

“Here Ana, have a tomato.”

 

 

***

My day in the field starts early. Loaded down with plenty of water, my college intern, Jack, and I start following the route my lion took. As we head into the backcountry, I check for scat, tracks, dead prey, or any other animal signs. I’ve been tracking carnivores for years. I love being out here. I love the crisp clean air, the sound of my breath, the smells of the earth, and the proximity to wildlife that I get to experience while I’m scaling the difficult terrain. My lion spent very little time on fire roads and hiking trails, so my day is spent following deer trails through the dense forest, avoiding Poison Oak, cutting through chaparral, and hiking grassland. As I walk, I know where to look. When I find a pile of scat, I take a point on my GPS and bag a sample.

In the field, Internet access and satellite capture on the GPS is sketchy at best. Even so, I log where I am and what I find. Most of the time, my updates and messages don’t get sent until there’s better service. When I get back in the lab, I’ll test all the scat for poison. We still haven’t gotten our sick cat’s tox screen back from the UC Davis lab. On TV shows, the technology is relatively accurate, but the timing is super unrealistic. The shows make the turnaround seem like it happens in a minute.

After walking my lion’s path for hours, I mark our location on my GPS before Jack and I head back to my truck.

I drop Jack off at his apartment on my way to the lab to get my latest specimens tagged and ready for testing. When I finally get good Internet coverage, I check my e-mail and texts.

The vet left me an update.

Vet:Our lion has stabilized. It looks like she might live.

I scroll down to an out-of-state number.

Unknown:Are you doing a quadrant search tomorrow?

Could it be?

Ana:Who is this?

Unknown:Brody from Dr. Mosca's.

My face tingles red with heat.

Ana:Yes, do you still want to join me?

Brody:Yes

I start typing in a million different answers. Then I stop, delete. Then type, stop, delete. “Ana, you have time. Think it over before you send him a text,” I say to myself. After focusing, I come up with a plan. My fingers are jittery from excitement as I text him back.

Ana:I’ve got my supplies in my truck. I’ll pick you up at 6:30 a.m. What’s your address?

***

After slathering on plenty of sunscreen, I pull my hair back into my typical, backcountry braid. I don’t look pretty, but no other hairstyle is practical when you’re out in the field. I pack up plenty of food and water before taking off.

I park in front of Brody’s apartment. It’s about a mile from where I live. He’s in a great location walking distance to University Avenue.

Ana:Downstairs.

Brody:Be down in a minute.

Breathing slowly and mindfully, I use yoga techniques to calm down my nerves. Brody emerges from the building. He looks handsome and rugged. A smile bursts across my face as he approaches. If nothing else, today’s scenery is going to be great.