Tomahawk’d. Tomahawk'd is a coming of age story that takes place at a Wisconsin resort. Follow Jackson and Erin from the time they meet as children, through their turbulent adolescence that finds them separated from each other until an emergency in Jack's

Tomahawk’d

Tomahawk'd is a coming of age story that takes place at a Wisconsin resort. Follow Jackson and Erin from the time they meet as children, through their turbulent adolescence that finds them separated from each other until an emergency in Jack's life brings them back together in adulthood. Tomahawk'd is full of suspense and twists that will make you want to read from cover to cover in one sitting. You'll find characters to love and hate. You'll find the parents that every child wants and the ones that shouldn't have had kids. Most of all, you'll find an entertaining story with two girls you will wish you could know in real life.

Chapter One

1985 – The Northwoods Island City

The crunch of tires on the pebbled drive alerted the cabin’s young occupant of an arrival. Her two excited eyes, one blue and one greenish-brown, appeared in the cabin window and watched a small blue Toyota pull into a parking space. The cabin’s young occupant, a skinny, dark-haired girl, observed as a family emerged slowly from the vehicle.

Turning from the window, Jackson Thomas shouted to her aunt, “Jackie, they’re here! They’re here! ”

Arriving quickly in response to the call, Jackie Thomas patted her niece’s shoulders as they both looked out the window at her latest guests.

Hands resting on the windowsill, Jackson looked on restlessly as a man and woman stepped out of the car and walked back to the now open trunk. She was about to look away when the rear door opened and revealed a girl, about her age, who got out of the backseat. Sighing unknowingly, she watched closely as the girl’s parents handed her a teddy bear suitcase and a pillow.

Chuckling at her niece’s emotion Jackie said, “Looks like you’ll have someone to play with after all, Jack. ”

The girl nodded enthusiastically, looking up and smiling at the older version of herself, then turning her attention back to her potential playmate.

The little blond girl was smiling at something her father said then started to look around the property. Apparently mystified by all the tall trees, young Erin Hawkins’ feet moved slowly in a circle as her head tilted back as far as humanly possible.

“Erin, honey, be careful. Watch where you’re going, ” her mother warned.

“Yeah, Peanut, you look like a Pez dispenser gone wrong. ”

“Daddy! ” Erin cried, swinging her head around toward her father then following that with a long, drawn out “Mom” as she looked to her mother for assistance.

Stifling a laugh, Katie Hawkins’s swatted her husband’s arm. “Joe, be nice. We just got here. God knows after six hours in the car, the last thing she needs is more ribbing from you. ”

“Sorry, Peanut. ” He tweaked her nose. Looking to his wife, he continued, “Let’s check in and find our cabin. ”

The family grabbed the lightest of their bags and headed toward the main cabin. Only their footsteps were heard as they followed the wooded path that led to the main office of The Northwoods Island City, not far from the parking lot. As they walked, the Hawkins took in the scenery reverently, not wanting to disturb any denizen of the gorgeous landscape and the nature surrounding them. Everywhere wildflowers were in full bloom of purples and oranges. The fragrance in the air was nearly overwhelming The sound of waves hitting the shore could be heard from not too far off as they reached the cabin that housed the office. Not seeing a doorbell, Joe knocked on the screen door.

Jackie opened the door with a welcoming smile on her face. “Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins? ”

Joe and Katie smiled back at their hostess and nodded. “I’m Katie Hawkins and this is my husband, Joe, and our…” She looked back to find that Erin was transfixed by a bird’s nest in one of the trees close to the cabin. Smiling, she finished, “That’s Erin, our daughter. ”

“Nice to meet you all. Welcome to the Island City. ” Jackie extended her hand. “I’m Jacqueline Thomas, but please call me Jackie. I hope you enjoy your stay. You picked a great time to visit. ”

Joe’s eyes sparkled with curiosity. “Why’s that? ”

“It’s still too early to be considered fall, but late enough that the seasonal tourists aren’t hanging around. There are a number of water shows still happening this week, but you’ll have a lot of the lake to yourselves most of the time, ” she explained as Jackson inched her way to the door.

Joe looked down to see mismatched eyes looking back at him. He was amused at her cutoff jean shorts and dirty knees. “And who are you, little lady? ”

Standing up proudly, Jackson stretched out her hand in imitation of her aunt. “I’m Jackson Thomas, sir. It’s nice to meet you. ”

Her broad smile made Joe grin. When she repeated her actions with Katie, the woman’s expression mirrored her husband’s.

“Well, Jackson, it’s nice to meet you, as well. ” Joe looked to Jackie. “Your daughter? ”

“No, thank God! ” she said in a kidding tone. Receiving an outraged look, she patted the girl’s head. “Jack’s my niece. ”

Two sets of eyebrows raised in tandem. Katie said, “You look so much alike, I would’ve thought you were her mother. ”

The look of sadness that flitted over Jackie’s face was quickly masked. “I get that a lot. Her mom and I were identical twins. ” She watched as Jackson eyed the smaller girl in pink overall shorts who was still enthralled with the bird’s nest.

Catching the past tense, Katie said softly, “Oh, I’m sorry. ”

“Thank you. ”

Silence settled in like an unwanted guest and both parties felt the comfort level drop. Before it became protracted, Jackie smiled and said, “Why don’t I show you to your cabin? ”

Grateful for the change of subject, the pair grabbed their bags and moved out of the way as Jackie and Jackson stepped outside.

“You’ll be in cabin six. It’s one of the only cabins with air conditioning. With the scorchers we’ve been having, I’m sure it’ll be welcome. Even this close to the lake, the days have been awful and the nights not much better. ”

Joe nodded his appreciation. Turning to his daughter, he called out, “Hey, Erin, come on! We’re gonna find our cabin. ”

Jackson turned to him with a charming smile. “I’ll show her where it is, sir. ”

Grinning at her niece, Jackie said, “She’s a regular eleven-year-old Welcome Wagon. She knows this place better than I do. ”

“Okay, Erin, listen to Jackson, okay? ” Joe picked up her discarded suitcase and pillow. Chuckling to themselves, Erin’s parents turned to follow as Jackie led the way to their home for the next month.

From her spot near the nest Erin shouted out, “Okay, Dad. ” She turned to look at Jackson for the first time and immediately noticed her eyes. “Wow! ”

Looking around her for the cause of Erin’s excitement but finding none, Jackson was confused. “What? What is it? ”

Erin hesitantly reached for the taller girl’s hands. “Your eyes! How did you do that? ” Her voice was awe-filled as she stared shamelessly into the objects of her attention.

Jackson grinned and rolled her eyes. “Oh, them. Well, ” she began the story her aunt had told her, “I was lying down one day on the grass over there…” She stopped and pointed in the direction of the land in front of the lake. “I fell asleep on my side. While I was sleeping, this eye turned into the color of the sky above it, ” she said, pointing to her right eye, “and this one turned into the color of the ground below it. ” Jackson laughed at the girl’s amazed expression.

A look of wonder on her face, Erin studied the different colored orbs. “Like magic! ”

“Yeah, something like that. ” She grinned at the younger girl. “So, you’re Erin? ”

Erin realized she hadn’t introduced herself to her new friend. Letting go of Jackson’s hands, she said, “Yep, my name is Erin. What’s yours again? ”

“Jackson. ”

“What kinda name is that for a girl? ”

Jack sighed and put her arm around Erin’s shoulders. “Let’s go find your cabin. I’ll tell you some other time. ”

“Come on, tell me, ” Erin prodded. “I can keep a secret if it’s a special story. ” She looked up at Jackson with sincerity.

Charmed beyond measure, Jackson found herself agreeing. “Okay, I’ll tell you. I was named after my grandpa, Jackson Thomas. My Aunt Jackie was supposed to be a boy and wasn’t, so they named her Jacqueline. Then, my mom thought I was gonna be a boy so she named me after him, too. When I popped out, it was pretty obvious I was a girl, but they didn’t change my name. I’m kinda like Jackson the second! It’s a family thing. ” She shrugged her shoulders. “I know it’s not a regular girl’s name, but it’s still pretty neat. ” She smiled.

“That is really neat! ”

“So can we go and find your cabin now, shrimp? ” she teased.

“Hey! ” Erin ducked away from the taller girl’s arm. “I’m not a shrimp! You’re just a…a big tree! ” A pout forming on her lips, Erin crossed her arms over her chest.

Hiding her amusement at the flummoxed young girl, Jack replied, “Okay, so what should I call you then, if you aren’t a shrimp? ”

Confused, Erin replied, “Call me Erin. ”

Stroking her chin in thought, Jackson shook her head. “You don’t look like an Erin. What’s your last name? ”

“Haw…Hawkins, ” she stuttered, not understanding how she didn’t look like an Erin. She was Erin.

“How about I call you Hawk? We’ve got some hawks that fly around here sometimes. I think they’re really cool. ”

Standing taller, Erin decided that she liked the name her new friend was suggesting. “I like Hawk. ” She bit her lip in thought. “Can I call you Jackie? ”

“Um, no, that’s my aunt’s name. How about—”

“How about Jack? ”

“Sure, shri…Hawk, ” she quickly amended, seeing the hurt look on Erin’s face. Having corrected the moniker, she was graced with a beautiful smile from her younger companion. Seeing Erin’s face light up convinced Jackson she would spend the whole month making Erin smile as much as possible. “Let’s go find your folks. ” She put her arm around Erin’s shoulders, only to have Erin grab her hand, pull it to her side and entwine their fingers as they skipped along toward cabin six.

“So, where do you live? ” Jack asked

“I live at two-five-two Forest Way, Paldeer, Illinois. ” Erin smiled with pride at being able to recite her address so quickly.

“I live here, ” Jack offered, gesturing around with her free hand.

“Wow, do you still have to go to school? ” Erin looked at the lake. “This is vacation! ”

Snorting a laugh, Jackson replied, “Of course, Hawk. I gotta learn stuff other than how to catch fish. ”

Eyes wide, the blond-haired girl asked, “Can you teach me how to catch fish? ”

“Nothin’ to it. ”

Jackson’s confidence reassured Erin that she would indeed, much to her excitement, learn how to fish this summer. Erin squeezed Jackson’s hand, anticipating a fun-filled vacation with her new friend.

Joe and Katie Hawkins enjoyed the brief jaunt to cabin six with their hostess. They briefly walked along the waterfront before they reached their destination, with Jackie showing them the boathouse, fish house, and sandpit area.

Jackie Thomas was very proud of her resort and liked to talk about it to her guests. “My grandfather opened this resort over fifty years ago. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t love this place. ”

Katie smiled. “It’s quite obvious that you love it very much. It’s so serene and just… breathtaking. I can’t believe it took us this long to come out here. ”

“If the fishing is half as good as I’ve heard, I’ll never want go back to work, ” Joe said with a nod.

Jackie looked sympathetically at Katie. “I’ll just apologize now then if he quits his job. ”

“Oh, dear Lord, he can’t quit. He’s the boss! ” Katie exclaimed, laughing.

Chuckling along with Katie, Jackie said, “Well then, I hope you’ve got good people taking care of things for you while you’re here. ”

“Actually, we close the shop for a month at this time of year. It gives everyone a nice breather. Our clients know our schedule, so any pressing needs are taken care of before we shut down. It really works for everyone. ” Joe closed his eyes and inhaled the fresh air. His lungs seemed grateful of the reprieve from the pollution of the city. “Everyone comes back refreshed and ready to work hard. Our employee turnover is low because of it as well. It’s a system my dad instituted when he opened our doors. It just works. ”

Jackie regarded her new guests thoughtfully. Of average height, Joe had wonderfully warm green eyes, brown hair that had begun to thin, and a tiny bulge in his midsection. He seemed to be very kind. His wife had strawberry-blond hair and pale blue eyes, and was very thin. She also seemed kind. They were charming and witty, and Jackie thought they were very likeable indeed. “If everyone had policies like that, I think people would be much happier—kinda like that kindergarten nap rule, or three months off for summer vacation. Some things should just carry over into adulthood. ”

“Right on, ” Katie chimed, laughing along with her husband.

Jackie led them to the front door and ushered them inside. The couple smiled at the classic charm of the cottage. Avocado green and mustard yellow tones were prevalent in the small square kitchen. An old yellow range and oven stood proudly in the center of the small counter with a window above it. The green refrigerator and the kitchen sink completed the L-shaped counter. Carpet of a red, black, and green plaid was laid throughout the cabin. Curtains that matched the green in the carpet hung on rods over every window. Joe sat on the gold couch and bounced a little to check for bad springs, while Katie was shown the bathroom, which had a shower, toilet, and sink with exposed pipes that led into the wall and floor.

Finally, Jackie led Katie into the main bedroom. Katie threw her bag onto the bed and called for Joe to bring in the others. “This is charming, Jackie. We’re going to have a great time here. ”

Joe joined the two women and handed all but Erin’s things to his wife. “Yeah, this place is great. I think the TV even has cable. ”

Katie rolled her eyes at Jackie, who smiled knowingly at her. Turning to Joe, she confirmed, “Yes, it’s a recent upgrade here at the resort. There aren’t that many channels available through our provider yet, but they’ve said they’ll have over a hundred channels by the end of the year. Next year, we should have a huge lineup for you. ” She grinned at his wide-eyed expression.

“I’m sure I can guess your schedule this month, honey. Fishing all day, and crashing on the couch in front of the television set at night. ” She smirked as she put her hands on her tiny waist. “Am I close? ”

Joe blushed at his wife’s ability to read him. “Uh… uh…”

Katie cut off his stammering. “Mmhmm…that’s what I thought. ”

Laughing at their comfortable banter, Jackie said, “Well, folks, if you need anything, pick up the phone and push pound, or just come on over to the office. Please enjoy your stay. ” As Jackie turned to leave, she remembered a detail she’d not mentioned, “Oh, and Joe? Your boat is docked in slip number four. It’s the white and blue nineteen-foot Harbercraft. It’s got a one hundred and fifty horsepower engine, so you’ll be able to fish and ski if you want. Lake Tomahawk offers many activities for you to enjoy. Oh, and we’ve also got a giant tube if you want to take Erin out on it. Jack can’t get enough of tubing. ” Hearing her niece’s footfalls, she opened the door to greet the girls. “Speak of the devil. ”

Jackson grinned at her aunt. “Never speak of the devil, Jackie. He’ll getcha when you’re not lookin’. ”

Disregarding her niece’s jibe, she noted the girls’ entwined fingers. Raising an eyebrow, she asked, “So what do you think so far, Erin? Has Jack scared you with her mice and bear stories? ”

Erin’s eyes shot wide open. “Wha…what mice and bear stories? ” She looked to Jackson then her parents for confirmation of this awful possibility. Inside the cabin, her parents shook their heads, looking as if they were going to say something.

“Jackie! ” the dark-haired girl chided. She looked at Erin. “She’s pulling your leg. We don’t have those things here. ” She narrowed her eyes at her aunt. “Do we, Aunt Jackie? ”

Sensing what Jackson was trying to tell her, she relented. “Ah, no, Erin, we don’t have them here. Jack sometimes makes up those stories to entertain herself. I just wanted to make sure she wasn’t telling tales. ”

Jackson squeezed Erin’s shoulder reassuringly. “If I’m not scared of this place, living here all the time, you can be here for a month and not be scared, right, Hawk? ”

Erin looked at Jackson and puffed out her chest with a confidence she didn’t feel. “Nnn…no, I won’t be scared. ” Her saucer-sized eyes gave as much credibility to her statement as if she had said water wasn’t wet.

“Come on, Hawk, let’s go find your room. ” Jackson brushed past her aunt and smiled at Erin’s parents. She waited as Erin collected her bag and pillow from her father.

Erin’s parents looked at each other, both mouthing, “Hawk? ”

“First bedroom on the right, Peanut, ” Joe said. Jackie waved as she left to tend to some things at the main office.

Jackson led Erin to her new bedroom and Erin looked around in awe at the large double bed in the center of the room, large dresser, and closet. “My room at home isn’t this big! ” she gushed.

Giggling at her companion, Jackson added, “Usually more than one person stays in here, but not now. It’s all yours. ”

Erin threw her pillow on the bed, sat down and opened up the teddy bear suitcase to begin sorting through her belongings.

“So what grade are you in, Hawk? ” Jackson asked, sitting on the bed next to Erin.

“I’m going into fourth. What about you? ”

“Sixth. Next year is junior high. It’s gonna be rad. ”

Erin smiled as she pulled some things out of her suitcase. First thing Jackson noticed was a large pad of paper and colored pencils. “So what’s that stuff for? ”

“I like to doodle. My mom thought I’d have lots to draw up here, ” Erin explained. Recalling the bird’s nest she’d seen earlier, she knew her mom was right.

Jackson considered Erin’s statement and knew the perfect place for the girl to sit and draw. “Do you want me to show you around, or do your folks need you? ”

“Let me go ask. I wanna see more birds! ” Erin grabbed her art supplies and looked expectantly at Jackson.

Jackson grinned at her enthusiasm. “Well, let’s go! ”

The girls went into the living room to ask permission to go exploring.

“Mom, can I go on an adventure with Jack? ”

“I’m just going to show her around, ma’am, ” Jackson added.

Katie and Joe looked at each other and smiled.

“All right, Erin, but I’d like to take a walk on the trails. I thought you might find that fun, too. ”

Erin’s head bobbed up and down. “I’d love to do that, Mom. Can we do it after? ”

Katie saw such pleading and excitement in her eyes that she didn’t have the heart to quash her little girl’s plans. “We’ll do the trails tomorrow. I bet you could find lots of things to draw. ”

“That trail will take you into town, as well. My Aunt Jackie likes doing that instead of driving. ” Jackson smiled.

Katie was taken by the gregarious young girl. “Thank you, Jackson, I may do that. ” She turned back to Erin. “Okay, sweetie, listen to Jackson and be back by dinner. ”

“Thanks, Mom! ” Erin threw her arms around her mother.

“You’re welcome. ” She chuckled. “I love you, honey. Have fun. ”

“We will. I love you, back. ” Erin took Jackson’s hand and pulled her toward the door.

“Hey, what about me? Don’t I get a hug? ” Joe asked.

“Oh, sorry. ” Erin released Jackson’s hand and dashed into her father’s outstretched arms.

“I love you, Peanut. Be careful out there, okay? ”

“Love you, too, Daddy. ” Erin grabbed Jackson’s hand again as they ran out the door and toward the waterfront.

“Come on, let’s go sit on the pier. You can see the fish swimming really close. ” Jackson tugged on Erin’s overall strap and the two raced to sit on the chairs that were on the large T-shaped dock. Erin held her pad of paper tightly and kept her pencils in her pocket.

Boats went by on Lake Tomahawk and Jackson waved to a few people she knew. A big smile graced her face when one of the boats swept toward the shore then swung back out into the lake, creating a large wake of water. The waves that came at them were high and when they met the pier, the spray that flew into the air hit the screeching girls as they tried to run away. Droplets of water raced down their faces as they ran off of the dock. Erin pushed her hair out of her eyes as she tried to get the water off of her face. The bubbling laughter filled Jackson with warmth as she listened. A large toothy smile lit Erin’s face because she knew that Jackson would make a great playmate while she was there.

“I got soaked! ” Erin cried out. “I’m glad my paper didn’t get too wet. ” She started to leaf through her pages to make sure.

“Oh, I’m sorry, Hawk. I forgot about that. ” She watched Erin turn each page and noted the drawings. “Hey, those are cool. Is that your tree house? ” she asked, pointing to one of the drawings.

“Yeah, my dad built it for me. He said I would be closer to God in it. ”

Jackson rolled her eyes and folded her arms across her chest. “You can’t get closer to God unless you die. ”

Looking into the mismatched eyes of her new friend, Erin nodded fiercely. “Yes, you can! The higher you are, the closer you are to heaven and the closer you are to God. My daddy said so! ”

Erin was close to tears so Jackson sighed and backed off some. “Hawk, you can believe what you want, okay, but remember what I said about being named after my grandpa? ”

Erin nodded.

“Well, my mom wanted to name me Jackson. That’s when she thought I’d be a boy, But God took her before she saw me, so then no one changed the name, out of respect. Almost my whole life, I’ve climbed every hill, every tree, every thing to get closer to her and it doesn’t work. ” She took a deep breath and looked up into the sky, willing her own tears away. “I stopped trying, ” she finished quietly.

Erin looked at her for a long time letting what she’d said sink in. Her mommy died.

A small hand on her forearm drew her attention. Erin whispered, “I’m sorry God took your mom, Jack. ”

A small smile found its way to Jackson’s mouth. “Thanks, Hawk. Jackie says Mom watches over me now. ” Erin kept her hand on Jackson’s arm as they shared a warm connection. After brief contemplation, Jackson asked, “Wanna see my favorite place in this whole resort? ”

Intrigued, Erin replied, “Sure! ”

“Come on, then, let’s go. ”

Jackson led Erin around the resort, showing off the grounds and everything around them. She was very proud to be a part of the Island City.

“See all these big pine trees? Jackie said they were that tall when she was a little girl. They must be hundreds of years old. ” They walked past the fish house. “Don’t go in there, Hawk. It really stinks. ”

“Why? ” Erin was paying close attention.

“That’s where the fishermen gut and clean all the fish they catch so they can eat them. ”

“Ew. I won’t be going in there. ”

Jackson laughed and led her around the wooden cabins. “We have a couple cabins with fireplaces so people can stay here in the winter. It gets pretty cold up here, though. ” She pointed to a family playing volleyball. “We’ve got two volleyball nets, shuffleboard, and sandpits for horseshoes, too. And, if people want to have cookouts, we have barbeques and benches for everyone. ” Jackson’s proud smile was radiant. “You can even roast marshmallows over there if there’s a fire in the fire pit. ”

“Cool! ” Erin had much to look at as her tour guide pointed out new things.

Passing by the main cabin, the girls saw Jackie in the front talking with another guest. Jackie waved to them and smiled.

“Hi, girls! ”

“Hi! ” they called back, waving.

Past all of the cabins, they headed into thicker woods and onto a path leading toward the boathouse. The green needles of the spruce stood out starkly against the white papery bark of the birch trees. Lifting her sneaker-covered feet so the branches on the ground wouldn’t trip her, Erin tried to keep pace with Jackson.

The boathouse came into view. It was a large wooden building painted brown with a flat rooftop. It resembled a large four-door garage with a wooden pier on either side of it. The side door was open and Erin saw a glimpse of the four boats that were housed inside. When the two walked in, the first thing Erin smelled was fish.

“Ew, it’s stinky in here. ”

Smiling, Jackson replied, “Yeah, but you get used to it and it’s not nearly as bad as the fish house. Besides, we’re not gonna stay in here. Come on, ” she instructed, “but watch your step. I don’t wanna have to tell your folks I let you fall in the lake. ” They exchanged smiles as they walked across the wood plank floor.

Jackson carefully led them to a ladder that went up to the loft of the boathouse. Erin looked at her sketchbook and realized she’d have to leave it below to hold on to the rungs of the ladder. Looking down at Erin from the third rung, Jackson saw her friend putting her pad down.

“You can bring it; just stuff it in your shorts. ”

Erin looked doubtful, but undid one of her straps to accommodate the pad and, to her disbelief, the sketchbook fit inside her overall shorts. “Thanks! ” She secured her strap, grabbed on to the ladder, and followed Jackson up to the loft.

Looking around, Erin said, “Wow, it’s cool up here. ” She looked out the window at the clear blue sky above the calm lake. She saw birds flying around a bridge off in the distance. She started to unclasp her strap to remove her sketchpad only to have warm fingers touch her arm.

“Not yet. We’re still going up. ”

Eyebrows raised, Erin questioned, “We’re going higher? ” She swallowed. “How high up are we going? ”

“Look over here. ” Jackson walked over to the wall, traversed a small set of steps, and opened a large, latched shutter. Once the shutter was open, another ladder appeared on the outside of the boathouse. “Now watch me. ”

Jackson reached up to grab hold of a wooden grip above the opening, stepped forward, and swung around onto the ladder.

Erin’s eyes went wide for the umpteenth time since she’d met Jackson and watched as her friend maneuvered her body onto the ladder. “Jack, I can’t do that! I’m gonna fall. ”

Jackson swung easily back into the loft. “No, you’re not, Hawk. It’s easy. I’ll let you go first and I’ll be right behind you to make sure you don’t fall. Okay? ”

When Erin looked uncertain, Jackson asked, “Do you trust me? ”

Looking into the clashing eyes, Erin saw confidence and certainty. She nodded her blond head.

“Okay, first thing you’re gonna do is come up these steps and hold on to the grip up here. ” Erin followed her instruction and held on to the grip with one hand. Jackson held her other hand and guided it to the outer rail of the ladder. Once Erin realized she had a firm grip, she lifted her front leg to wrap around the wood of the ladder and landed a foot solidly on the bottom rung. Smiling confidently, she swung her small frame around to fully face the ladder. She brought her other foot and hand to the ladder and held on tightly.

Jackson kept some of her personal belongings inside the loft for these types of adventures. She pulled out a blanket and draped it over her shoulder, picked up a wooden box, which went inside her pocket, then grabbed onto the grip.

Looking up, Erin saw the boathouse roof. She looked down into Jackson’s patient eyes. “Are we going onto the roof? ” she asked before climbing.

“Yep. Just keep going until you reach the top. It’s flat so you won’t fall off. ”

“’Kay. ”

The two climbed up the ladder and reached the top without trouble. The roof was blacktopped and smooth. The heat coming off the roof was visible in waves in the air. Jackson stretched out the blanket so they could sit without being burned.

“I did it, Jack! I climbed all the way. ” Erin was extremely proud of herself.

“Yep. I knew you could. Good job. ” Taking Erin’s shoulders, Jackson turned the girl to face the water. “Look at that. Isn’t Lake Tomahawk beautiful? ”

Looking around her, Erin saw they had a canopy of trees around them. The sun was beating off the water creating a portrait in her mind that she’d only seen in books and movies. The air left her lungs in a long, slow, reverent breath. “Wow, this…this is so pretty up here. ” She looked at her companion. “I can see why this is your favorite place. ”

Unclasping her strap, she removed her sketchpad and put it on the outspread blanket. She reached into her pocket and pulled out the box of colored pencils, then sat down and continued to look around, in awe of the magical place.

Jackson removed the wooden box from her pocket and sat next to her. Placing the box away from Erin, she closed her eyes and took in a long deep breath.

“I always feel so much better when I’m up here. Doesn’t matter if I’m happy or sad, I always just feel better. ” She shrugged and smiled at Erin’s grinning, freckled face. “Just don’t come up here when it rains. When it’s wet, that ladder is slipperier than grease. ” She blushed at the memory of having to explain why she was “swimming” fully clothed in the lake during a rainstorm to her aunt. “I found that out the hard way. ”

“Did you fall? ”

“Yep. Big ol’ splash. ” She smirked. “I’m lucky I didn’t hit anything on the way down. ”

Giggling, Erin opened up her sketchbook to a blank page. “I wish I coulda seen that. I bet it was funny. ” Looking at her friend’s disgruntled expression, she amended, “Only because you didn’t get hurt. ”

“Right, ” Jackson said, her tone a bit sarcastic. “Well, don’t expect me to save your sorry butt if you fall off now. ”

Selecting a gray pencil, Erin began to draw the scene in front of her. Jackson watched as her hand moved around the page. Considering Erin was only nine years old, the talent was evident in the girl’s strokes. The shape of the bridge was well constructed, followed by the rippling water around it. Birds soon joined the composition. Slowly, shorelines and branches were drawn. As she drew, Erin’s eyes scoped all around, trying to see every little thing possible.

Jackson was so intent about watching Erin delve into her work that she almost forgot about her own special gift. Reaching next to her she opened the wooden box to reveal a black recorder. After putting the small pieces together, Jackson inhaled, put the mouthpiece to her lips and gently exhaled.

The music suddenly coming from her right startled Erin. Turning, she saw Jackson playing and smiled broadly at her. Jackson winked and continued to play. The tune was wistful and instantly crept inside Erin. She found herself closing her eyes to listen more intently. Jackson’s eyes closed as well as she let the music wash through her.

When the song came to an end, Erin opened her eyes and looked at Jackson. “That was really pretty. ”

Jackson blushed softly at the welcome praise. “Thanks. I sit up here a lot and just play. ” She held the recorder out for Erin to see. “This was my mom’s. My aunt said she used to sit up here and play all the time. Once I learned how to use it properly, Jackie gave it to me. I play it almost every day. ”

“You’re really good at it. I’ve never played any instrument. ”

“Have you ever tried? ”

Shaking her head, Erin responded, “Nah. I like to draw. ” She shrugged. “I like to listen to music, but I don’t want to play it. ”

“Just like I like to look at pictures, I just don’t want to draw them. ”

“Exactly! You’re smart, Jack. ”

“Nah. I’m just good at faking it. ”

The girls talked, played, and continued to practice their respective talents over the next few days. Erin drew her pictures while Jackson played her recorder and watched the talented hands form their masterpieces.

The two had felt an instant bond between them. Small glances and touches made that bond grow every day they spent together. They weren’t sure exactly what the feeling was between them, they just knew they couldn’t wait to see the other and feel it again.

Erin’s parents were thrilled she found such a good friend in Jackson. With Erin out playing most of the day, they were able to spend many hours reconnecting with each other. Joe took the boat out many times with Katie along for the ride. He tried to teach her how to cast with a fishing rod, only to find himself frequently untying knots in his line. Realizing she wasn’t going to win any fishing awards, Katie resigned herself to using the bamboo pole they had purchased for Erin.

No muss, no fuss, Joe thought, relieved he wouldn’t have to worry about his gear anymore.

Instead of fishing, today they were going to hook the big inner tube to the boat for Erin and Jackson to ride. They told the girls after breakfast that they were going to get it ready. Erin was very excited. She’d never done anything like that before. Jackson assured her it would be “totally awesome. ” With Erin believing anything and everything Jackson told her, she knew, without question, it would be.

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