The Dead Scout's Handbook of Afterlife Survival

Chapter 43: The Impossible Day

"I'm tired from that trek. I'm not going on the next one," crackled Charlie's voice from Cayden's cellphone.

"Didn't your troop do that hike three weeks ago?"

"Yeah, it was so long, and I sprained my ankle."

Cayden grinned as rays of sunlight trickled through the tree above him, washing over his pale skin as he shifted his path out of the shade. Using the newfound light, he checked his red, plastic watch. It was 3:30, and he had plenty of time. He shortened his stride. The four, scraggly, short hairs on his left forearm glittered as he flexed his wrist and clenched his fist. He would be a man soon enough. Then he could walk the Appalachian Trail and climb El Capitan and flow down the canyons of Big Bend.

"Did you go to a doctor?"

"No, I need to not walk."

"That's good. My mom said doctors charge a bunch of money and steal whatever they can from you." Cayden pondered whether that had any truth, then buried the doubt. Respect your elders.

"Are you almost there?"

Cayden paced between the multicolored subdivision houses and immaculate lawns. In the distance, he spotted the two-story, wood, community center. "About a mile away."

"I am not jealous."

"You should be. Weather's nice." Cayden paused for a moment. The top of his scalp felt warm, and he reached a hand to tap the still damp, immaculately combed hair. He was ready for the meeting, yet would have preferred it take place outdoors on such a day.

"Do you ever feel the sunshine heats your whole body faster than it should? I'm warm and happy in the sun."

"Maybe your skin needs the sun to be warm. Mine doesn't. I sit against the radiator until I'm too hot."

"Charlie, that sounds like a bad time."

"It isn't! You should try it. I do it whenever I'm eating and sometimes when I watch TV."

An inchworm dangled from a branch and Cayden gently pushed it aside as his stride carried him over the suburban sidewalk. A wood thrush's wings cut through the space over Cayden's head. He took in a big breath and exhaled.

"Did you just do that sighing thing?"

"What sighing thing?"

"That sighing thing where you sigh super loud so everyone knows how peaceful and comfortable you are."

"I am comfortable."

"Nobody is comfortable where there are bugs."

"I like bugs."

"Nobody likes bugs, Cayden!"

Cayden smiled. He knew few kids enjoyed Charlie's company. He was the equivalent of a preschool kid's cartoon with the volume on far too loud. Yet, he was funny, interesting, gentle in a pushy way, and quite honest. "I do and I need to learn about them for my nature badge and my fly-fishing badge."

"Well they don't like you. And you know about that walking thing you're doing, too."

"Not this."

"For each footstep you take, you lose a heartbeat."

"Charlie that isn't true. In fact, it's probably the opposite."

"It is true Cayden, and you're pat patting down the street," Charlie said ominously. "Pat, pat, pat go your shoes."

Cayden laughed. "Shut up, Charlie!"

"O... oka... mom... o... okay, mom! Sorry, I should go. Call me for the ceremony. Painting, right?"