The Surprise

We drove up the snowy, winding road towards the cozy A-frame cabin.

We have been there before, but that was during the summertime last year. This year we were looking forward to staying as a family-christmas-vacation. Our truck was filled up with all we needed: food, presents, christmas ornaments, candles, cookies, and Christmas wine.

Our kids loved to ski and snowboarding; both were already at the cabin. We all bought new snowsuits and warm winter boots. The last turn approach and there it was: a wonderful 3-bedroom cabin. Covered in snow, waiting for us.

Steve drove the truck under the carport, and we all got out. I went straight for the door and ask Steve for the keys. He looked at me and said: "Honey, you took the keys, remember?", and pointed at my purse. I was kind of shocked, starring at my family. "No", I said. "You took them". My son looked from me to his dad and started laughing. "So, we all have to go back to the rental station for the keys, now? A 2-hour drive? It is already 2pm and soon it gets dark."

"I guess, that is what we have to do now, unless dad is willing to break the door open", our daughter mentioned with her firm voice.

The lock didn't really look like it could be easy to break, but maybe we could try?

"What about breaking a window? we can tape it up during night with the plastic cover from our truck?"

That seems more easily for me, than to try to open that door.

"Why you don't look again into your purse mom, maybe the key is somewhere there. And dad checks the glove compartment in the car?"

"Ok, let's see what I have in here."

I emptied all my belongings on the ground. Oh my god, what a mess. My family was staring at me in disbelief. "Why are you carrying a knife with you around? And that thing there, the red one, what the heck is that? Bear-spray? You are kidding me? Bear-spray in the city? Mom, are you nuts?"

Even my husband couldn't believe it.

"Well, I said, I want to be prepared, just in case something happened."

"How to you want to avoid an attack, when everything is deep in your purse? Even in case you reach one of these weapons, it could be too late." My daughter started to laugh. "I have seen a lot, but this here, this is the worst protection thing I had ever seen."

I was not really happy and didn't answer. I went searching for the keys, but they weren't in my purse. "Now it is your turn," I said to my husband. "Let's check the trucks glove-compartment and other places."

We all went to the truck, opened the doors and emptied all spaces. What a mess. Old bread, old buns, chew gums, candies, used paper and plastic cups, bills, tolls of all kinds, but no keys.

By now it was 3.30pm and the sun went down now very fast, and temperatures dropped down to minus 10 degrees. It was cold, very cold, freezing cold. We all looked forward to a decent meal and a warm house.

My sons walked around the house, rattled at every window and door. Maybe something would come up.

And yes, thanks god, the back door was not locked properly and popped open, when he was pulling at the doorknob. He went in, without telling us, and came through the cabin to the front door. He suddenly opens the door and scared the hell out of all of us. But, we could enter the house. we quickly emptied the truck and brought everything into the house. It was nearly 4.30pm by now and it was completely dark outside. The starts were shining, and the moon was looking down at us. The milky way lit-up in hundreds of different colors.

My husband and my son started a fire and my daughter, and I worked on our first meal in this beautiful cabin. We kept it simple for our first night, tomorrow would be another day. All of us were exhausted and tiered so we all went to bed, looking forward to the next day.

I woke up very early. Snow was in the air. I could smell it. I went to the window. Big clouds were coming in over the mountains. Full of snow. I went to the kitchen, starting to prepare breakfast for all of us. The house was now warm and cozy, and I felt home. I had the feeling that I belonged to that place. Everything was so quiet and peaceful. No car horns, no ambulances, no TV, no radio, just me and the nature around us.

"Ah, coffee, wonderful", my sons' reaction when he showed up. Always the first one. "I am looking forward to get my snowboard under my feet," he said. "First young man, you and your dad are making fresh fire wood and helping to set the tree up. Than you both are drving down to town and buying more groceries. It looks like, we are getting more snow, maybe a snow-storm is coming in."

"Will do." My husband kissed me and turned around to my son. "Let's do this first before we are ending up in the same situation as yesterday. Maybe the rental guy has a spare key as well."

Both went upstairs, got dressed and left. My daughter was already working on the boxes and trying to find the Christmas stuff. thunderous noises could be heard in the distance. I looked out of the window again. The clouds got darker and darker. I didn't really feel well by now. Should have we been better gone with my husband and son? It looked pretty dangerous out there.

The thunder noises came nearer and nearer and out of no-where a snowstorm started. Heavy like a curtain, snow was pouring down. I shouted to my daughter to help me, closing all windows and all doors properly. My last door was the back door. I opened it a little bit for a quick peak, when I saw a black bear with 2 cubs running towards this cabin. She bolted into the room and closed the door. I was so in shock, I couldn't move. She hadn't seen me at all, but was now realizing, that there was a human being in the same place as she and her cubs. She turned around, ready to attack me, when she suddenly dropped back and licked my face.

My daughter came rushing in, looking for me. She just opened her mouth for a scream when the bear made another turn to go after her.

I didn't hear my own voice, because I could not get it out. But the bear stopped. For whatever reason. Maybe she smelled me on my daughter as well. I ran to her, to make sure she is safe. The bear started to walk again towards me, slowly, not aggressive, more looking for something. Than I saw it, the small scar on her nose. OMG. It was her. The baby-bear I rescued long ago. She remembered me. She came over and gave me and my daughter a big hug. That night we all slept together. I never ever felt more safe than in that night. The next morning, my bear and her babies left the cabin. I never saw her again. But I am sure, she is around to watch over me.