A snapshot by Anam

Ten years is a long time to go without.

Ray Vecchio plodded through knee-deep snow towards the small cabin in the distance, his arms heavy with logs cut from the forest. Ray finally dropped his wood into a huge pile and he rubbed his hands briskly together, warming them against the bitter-cold wind. The ex-detective didn’t mind the snow and the harsh climates. It was a part of him now like all of the Territories.

This was his home.

Ray knew people in the nearby village talked about him. They probably talked about him all the time.

*The crazy old Italian in the cabin.*

*Beware! He’s insane. He dances with the devil.*

Ray laughed and picked up his axe. He swung it high into the air, splitting the logs clean in half. Ray worked quickly on the wood, skilled by many years of practice and necessity. He had to get a fire started soon so the cabin will be warm for Benny’s return home.

A huge snowstorm had swept in unexpectedly from the north and some travelers were reported missing to the RCMP. The blizzard was relentless, nothing Ray had ever seen before or could ever imagine. The storm had made all the winters in Chicago seem laughable, even pitiful in comparison.

It was then no surprise that Fraser was called up to be part of the search team to locate the lost tourists. The Mountie knew the area better than anyone else did. Benny was a natural choice for such a vital mission.

However, Ray didn’t want Benny to go. Ray knew it was selfish of him to want Benny all for himself, but they were in retirement now. This was supposed to be their time together. The world can go save itself.

Fraser had already decided. He was going.

Ray could still feel Benny’s arms wrapped tight around his waist, his lover’s head resting on his shoulder:

"I’ll be back soon, Ray. It won’t take long, I promise."

"I’ll build you a fire, Benny. I’ll make sure it’s warm when you come home. How does that sound?"

"You’re too good to me, Ray."

Ray brought his axe down hard. He had been waiting ten long years for Benny’s return.

Fraser must have taken a wrong turn somewhere. That’s probably what happened to him in the storm, but he’ll find his way back home. Fraser is a Mountie. He can do anything.

Benny will be home soon.

Ray picked up his freshly split firewood and carried it across the snow. He entered the cabin, stomping the snow from his worn boots. A grisly, old wolf napping in the corner of the room lifted his head to acknowledge Ray’s noisy presence.

"Hey, furball."

Ray went about his usual evening routine: prepare supper, feed Dief, boil water for tea, and wash up.

He had only one task left for the day.

Ray loaded the fireplace with plenty of wood and kindling. He struck a match and watched as the fire roared abruptly to life, then slowly settled itself into a peaceful lapping of flames.

Ray curled himself on the small couch next to the wolf. They both let the warmth of the fire seep into their old bones. It was a normal ritual of theirs, sharing this quiet space together and Dief was always the first to close his eyes with sleep.

Ray kept his vigil; watching the door silently and waiting for it to burst open with the Mountie’s return.

Benny will be home soon. Ray knew it in his soul.

Ten years is a long time to go without you.

-The End-