The Attack

In the short story “Bluffing” by Gail Helgason, a couple went for a hike to a lake to have an unknowing surprise. Liam ended up in the hospital after an unexpected furry friend decided to run after him and attack him. When Liam’s girlfriend Gabriella came into the hospital room, he said “You know I wasn’t trying to run away up there,” but that “I meant for the bear to come after me instead of you.” Gabriella wanted Liam to stay home this winter so he could help pay the bills and so they could spend time together and she took it as a great sign when he “pulled out a small bottle of Remy Martin, French bread, a wedge of Camembert, and chocolate-covered almonds.” She wondered why, Liam said “to celebrate,” but the news she soon heard “hit Gabriella like small, sharp rocks.” Liam said “Clive and I worked things out… If we pool our resources, live in his old van, we’ve got just enough to get by for three months over the winter. So were gonna head down south.” In the end Liam was lying to Gabriella all the time when it would have just been easier to tell the truth. He is a good man that is filled with adventure.