Jim Fields

Jim Fields is a resident of Lincoln, Nebraska, where he serves as the Academic Specialist at Doane University. His work as appeared in numerous places, including The Nebraska Review and the recently published anthology of emerging Nebraska writers, "The Flat Water Rises."

Tenderfoot

There were ten of us—three older boys and the rest of us younger ones. We were walking single file up the mountain on a hot summer day in July. The trail was getting steeper as we slowly worked our way up to the top, but still we pressed on. Grant Miller was our leader. He was a sixteen-year-old, six foot two, muscular high school quarterback with eyes that became narrow when he was mean, which was quite often. With his deep tan and athletic frame, Miller cast an imposing figure and everybody knew not to mess with him. He rarely talked, but when he did, Miller made it clear he was in charge and we were to do things his way.