Page 187 of The Way the Heart Breaks: Jade’s Story

He pulls me in again, up against him, my back to his front, his chin on my shoulder, and asks, “Gotta know, when you look up like that, are you talking to them? I mean, not literally, but...”

“Yeah.” I turn and lean my head against his. “So, if my brand of crazy is a deal breaker, you need to say so soon.”

“Your brand of crazy is the only one that is not a deal breaker. I love me a spiritual sister.”

I let out a burst of laughter and turn to him. “I love that you love yourself, a spiritual sister.”

“Good to know. Now let’s get taking some pictures of this place that means so much to you, so I can show those freshmen who’s boss.”

The trees get thicker the farther we go, and the path narrows until I have to turn sideways to get around a low branch. Tommy follows close behind, one hand occasionally reaching out to move a twig before it catches me in the face.

I don't say much. I know where I'm going. I haven't been here in years, not really. Not like this. I remember pieces of it. I remember running through these trees with Jason and Jasper, getting yelled at when we went too far, coming back muddy and wet and pretending we had no idea how it happened.

The opening appears between the trees, and I slow down. Then I stop.

Tommy almost walks into me.

“What?”

I don't answer. I just stare.

The stones crossing the water aren't random anymore. They're stacked into little dams, just like I imagined them when I was a kid. The logs aren't fallen branches left where they landed. They're benches. A couple have been positioned together to make tables. There's even a section where the bank has been cleared enough to sit and look out over the water.

I take another step forward, my chest feels tight.

Ryan did this. He took the picture I drew all those years ago and somehow made it real.

I can see it now. The place I imagined when I was little, the place that only existed on paper, is standing in front of me.

Tommy moves past me slowly, taking it all in.

“Holy shit.”

I smile a little and he lifts his camera.

The first click echoes softly through the trees.

He steps closer to the creek.

Click.

He crouches beside the stones, looking at the way the water moves around them.

Click.

Then he stands and turns slowly, taking in the trees, the clearing, the logs, the sunlight coming through the branches.

Click.

“This place is incredible.”

“Yeah.”

I shield my eyes and look up from a spot where a shadow lies across the ‘beach’ I drew. It’s a tree stand, high enough that the view opens toward our house.

I stare at it for a second too long.

Tommy notices. “What's that?”