“I’m excited.” I rake my fingers through my hair. “That’s why I’m here. I need to scout some locations, take some pictures. Get a feel for what’s changed and what’s stayed the same so we can set things up for specific scenes.”
Justin leans forward, interest piqued. “What’s the movie about?”
“Growing up in a small town,” I answer, choosing my words carefully. “Friendship. First love. Loss and finding your way back home again.”
He gives me a knowing look, nodding his head in approval. “That sounds great, Rowan. I’m proud of you.”
Pride fills my heart. Justin was always like a second father to me. I stayed at the Cade’s a lot as a kid. Both of my parents had jobs that took them out of state at least one or two weekends a month. Even when they were home, I was always here hanging out with Logan and Lizzy.
We chat for a while. It feels good, sitting here with them, as if no time has passed at all.
“Actually, I was wondering if it would be okay for me to take some pictures? The treehouse, the pond... they’re kind of integral to the story.”
“Of course!” Janelle beams. “Go right ahead. The treehouse is still there. Though it’s not as sturdy as it used to be, so be careful.”
“Thanks,” I say, rising from my place on the couch. “Shouldn’t take too long.”
Logan moves to get up, but I shake my head. “I need to do this alone, if that’s cool.”
Understanding crosses over his face, and he tips his chin. “Of course. Take your time.”
Stepping onto the back porch, I take a deep breath in. The air smells like freshly cut grass and pond water as the backyard stretches out before me. The old oak tree stands tall and proud in the corner, its massive branches reaching toward the sky, with the old treehouse nestled between the thickest of them.
Camera in hand, I slowly cross the lawn. It almost feels like I’m in a dream. When I reach the base of the tree, I run my hand over the weathered trunk, tracing the faded initials Lizzy and I carved so long ago inside a lopsided heart.
R.C. + L.C.
The wooden ladder is worn but still sturdy as I test my weight on the first rung. When I climb up through the opening,I’m struck by how much smaller the inside of the treehouse is compared to when I was a kid. What once seemed like a castle in the sky is now just a small wooden platform with walls and a roof. But the memories it holds are anything but.
Floorboards creak under my weight as I duck my head and climb inside. Sunlight filters through the gaps in the ceiling planks onto the dusty floor. The bench seat still sits up against the wall, its cushions long gone. A couple of old comic books lie forgotten in the corner, their pages yellowed and curled up with age.
Taking a seat on the bench, I close my eyes and remember.
Back then, I had a heart full of feelings I couldn’t even begin to understand, much less know the first thing about how to navigate.
I remember sitting next to Lizzy as we read, my heart hammering so hard I was sure it would burst out of my chest. I’d been working up the courage to ask her to kiss me for weeks, rehearsing what I would say, how I would act.
Later that night, I lay in bed going over every moment leading up to it in my head, finding it hard to believe I’d actually had the guts to ask her to kiss me and that she’d actually said yes.
But it’s what happened after that took me years, and copious amounts of therapy before I was able to fully come to terms with it.
Ms. Wilkins, a woman from the Department of Children and Family Services is sitting across from me with a look of pity on her face. Her blond hair is in a tight bun at the nape of her neck, glasses slipping down her pointy nose as she uses words like “tragic accident” and “arrangements” while I stare numbly at the floor.
“Rowan, sweetheart.” Her voice is soft but firm. She’s nice, but I’m not in the mood for nice. I just want my mom anddad. “I know this is hard, but you need to pack a bag. Just the essentials for now.”
“I don’t want to go,” I whisper, my voice cracking. “I want to stay here.”
Ms. Wilkins sighs, checking her watch. “I’m sorry, but that’s just not possible.”
“I can stay with the Cades,” I plead, desperation taking over my voice as it rises. “They’re like my second family. Lizzy and Logan are my best friends. I’ve known them my whole life!”
“I understand, but we have strict protocols. Your grandparents are your legal guardians now, so you have to go live with them.”
“But I barely know them!” I shout, tears streaming down my face. “Please, just let me say goodbye to my friends.”
“I’m so sorry, but that’s not an option,” she says as she stands, smoothing her hands over her black skirt. “Your flight leaves in a few hours, so we need to get you to the airport.”
Panic rises in my throat, my heart racing as I realize this is actually happening. They’re taking me away from everything I’ve ever known—my home, my school, my friends. Lizzy.
