"Erin... why are we going on this trip?" The sudden question posed by Blake caught her off guard.

"Uhm, well, wasn't this your idea to begin with?" she replied.

"Well, yes. But, I mean, why are we really doing this? Is it for fun? Are we trying to prove something? What?" The slight urgency in Blake's voice surprised Erin. This was undoubtedly the work of Blake's father. He was always getting Blake worked up about things, even if he didn't intend to do so; Blake over-analyzed everything. Erin looked around her at the playful river, the sunshine, the forest stretching out along the banks that was undoubtedly full to the brim with wildlife, and then softly laughed when her eyes fell on Adam and Caitlin struggling with tethers on the canoe.

"Well Blake, I came on this trip to experience some adventure with my best friends who really know how to live life to the fullest. And who knows, maybe I'll learn something about myself along the way... Is that a sufficient answer for you?"

Blake smiled and shifted his eyes to the sky. "Yes. That is perfect."

Erin couldn't help but wonder what was going through Blake's mind in that moment; he was an enigma.