The bear left a wide four-claw slash across the cedar fence behind the stables. Practically the only place on the point that isn't covered by the pervasive electric fence. And another slash on the inside too. He jumped on the garbage can he knocked over, splitting it wide open in his rush to get to the bird feeder filled with seed and suet that I forgot to bring in when it got dark last night.
He growls at me and I talk back. Oh, stop it.
Another growl and then he snuffles. He's not sure whether or not he should continue to poke around or disappear back into the darkness of the woods. I walk up the driveway after it. I know where he came over.
Get along. Go on. You got what you wanted. I clap my hands and he stands on the overturned, ruined garbage can, reaching up to the top rail of the fence and climbs over. He is gone. All that remains is silence, darkness and the smell of wet fur.
Bridget. Are there any more? Lochlan stands two feet behind me, under the glow of the side door lantern. He's holding the big tire iron and he's ready for a fight. His voice is fucking tight. He's so angry.
No. Just the one. He knew the snack was there so he came and got it.
You don't get to do the recycling anymore. I thought the bears were finished for the year.
I left one of the bird feeders by mistake.
I let you come out, by mistake.
And yet you're out here too.
You didn't come back.
It's a timed activity?
Only if too much time passes after you leave my sight.
So nothing has changed since I was eight?
No. He laughs. Not really. But there are bears so it's relevant to not be outside alone after dark.
I figured you had followed me to continue yesterday's fight.
No, just to watch for bears. As I said. It's dark.
I held my own with the bear.
No, he saw me with the tire iron and made the smart choice. You're busy playing Stephen King novel with it.
Maybe.
Can't do that in real life.
Well then thank God you saved me from my make-believe.
That bear was real, Bridge.
I don't think I am, anymore.
You feel real to me. Let's go in. The whole yard smells like apex predator.
That's my new deodorant. It's for men.
Stopped using the Bear Fight one?
It's just been rebranded. Same scent!
Ah! I'll have to try it.
Sure. I'll share.
What would you have done if that bear had charged you?
Made history, I guess.
First woman in West Van to get eaten by a bear in her own driveway?
No, first woman to make a bear cry in her own driveway and wander off to ponder his very existence in relation to being the main character of a Stephen King novel.
I thought the main character was the girl, Trisha.
That's where everyone is wrong. It's the bear.