Sky High

Jeff and Chris breathed heavily as they climbed the mountain. The switchbacks were getting steeper and steeper. The boys had slowed considerably since they had started. Chris could tell that Jeff was losing steam.

“Do you want to sit for a minute?” asked Chris.
“Yeah,” replied Jeff in a hollow voice.

The boys sat down on pine needles and took swigs of water in an attempt to cool off.

“We are at the same point where we quit last time,” commented Jeff.
“That’s right,” said Chris, “so we should keep going to get further up this mountain.”

“I just don’t think I have it in me today,” said Jeff.
“C’mon Jeff, you’ve got to try,” encouraged Chris.

Jeff thought about it and then decided he did want to give it a try. Before he could change his mind, he bolted up the hill. He climbed so fast he almost fell over.

“Dude! Slow down,” called Chris.
“No way. If I stop, I’m never going to make it,” yelled Jeff. He continued his push up the mountain.

Chris followed close behind. Each grueling step shot pain throughout their bodies, but they just kept going. Higher and higher they climbed. Before long, they found themselves just below the top of the mountain.

Jeff looked back at Chris.
“Are you ready?” asked Jeff.
“More than I’ll ever be,” answered Chris.

The two climbed to the top of the mountain and watched the sun rising. It was a beautiful morning.