Meet Me in the Forest

Chapter 3: Jack

Jack stared at the message on his phone. The name of the campground didn't match any signs around and he couldn't stay parked on the side of the thruway forever. Murphy said they're going to Jovius National Park, but GPS can't find it and so far the past four exits didn't have any National Parks listed. Matter of fact, Jack couldn't recall any park called Jovius. 

He keyed up Murphy's number to call him when a car behind him honked. Behind him, Murphy in a lime green car waved. He got out and came up to Jack's car, his ash blonde hair a mess on his head.

"Hey, you're here!"

"Where exactly is here? I can't find the park on GPS."

Murphy laughed. "You won't find it on GPS. It's not a big park and not many people know about it. Trust me, you're gonna love it. Follow me."

A pit of worry grew in Jack's stomach. If no one really knows about it, how safe could it be? Nonetheless, as Murphy pulled out around him, Jack followed.

The road Murphy led him on was windy and narrow; several signs depicted rock falls and cougar warnings. Suddenly, this didn't feel like a good idea. There was a single stop sign they passed, but Murphy didn't stop for it. It was tilted and beaten up, barely legible, and it felt like a warning to Jack. Stop and go back.

Finally, after what seemed an eternity of twisty one lane road, Murphy pulled over into a clearing. There were a few people unpacking rock climbing gear and helmets, but there wasn't a nice area for camping. On the other side of the cars, Jack could see Tommy helping Dana out of their car. How did they find this place?

As if reading his mind, Murphy elbowed him when he exited his car and said, "They followed me up but when you weren't here, I went back to find you."

"Where are we camping? This place is kind of overgrown and rocky." Jack jumped a little at a scream; one of the rock climbers was pumping her fist in the air, excited to go.

"This is the drop off, you won't find campers here. We have to go a little further on the trail."

What trail?, thought Jack. The spacing of the trees gave the place an eerie, dark feeling that Jack couldn't shake. It didn't feel like a place you would stay.

Jack took his hiking bag from the trunk, locking the car securely and dropping his keys into the left-side pocket that had Velcro and a button closure. It was the safest part of the whole bag, and he doubted he had service right now to call a tow.

Dana was grabbing their sleeping bags from their car while Murphy chatted with Tommy. It's been five years give or take since Jack had last seen any of them, since they all went off to college, and he realized they hadn't changed. Murphy still wore his shit-eating grin he was famous for, Dana had the same warm smile and infectious laugh, and Tommy was still as doting as ever on his wife. It was a good sight to see.

Tommy spotted Jack watching them, laughing and running to pull Jack into a bear hug. He did forget that Tommy was well over six foot tall and still had his football muscles. "Jack! How are ya, kid? Man, it's been too long, way too long."

Jack grunted when Tommy let him go, pulling air back into his lungs. "It's good to see you too, Tommy. You haven't changed a bit, I see."

Dana squeezed Jack's arm, smiling at her husband. "The sweatshirts went up a size but that's it, really."

Tommy pouted at his wife, Murphy laughing behind him. "It's not my fault you don't know how to burn anything like a good wife. Isn't the first year supposed to be burned dinners?"

She snorted, allowing Tommy to scoop her into his arms. "I went to school to be a chef, Tom, it was inevitable."

"Did you open your own restaurant, Dana? I remember that was all you talked about in school."

She tucked her short black hair behind her ear. "No, the wedding ate all our savings from working senior year and then all the storefronts around us were too expensive. I work over at the local diner nights and the library most mornings."

Jack could see it still bothered her so he didn't push. He knew what it felt like to miss out on your dreams. Tommy pushed on, wanting to change the subject.

"I know we haven't announced yet, but a few weeks ago we went to the doctor and we're pregnant. We're only a couple weeks along so we were waiting to tell anyone but we can't keep it from all of you."

Murphy did the typical bro hug with both Dana and Tommy, loudly congratulating them. Jack joined in but Dana's expression still seemed sad and closed off. They were being so loud, they didn't hear anyone come up behind them.

"I always knew you two would spit out a litter." Kim threw her arm around Jack, her rain jacket crinkling in the sudden quiet. Kim kept a broad grin on her face while Tommy and Dana shared the same pale look of horror.

Kim looked better than ever. Her black jeans were practically a second skin, accentuating her wide hips. The rain jacket was opened at her collarbones, showing off a thin tank top with a hint of lacy bra underneath. Her makeup made her look dewy and fresh, like she was the same rebellious teenager who stole her parents cigarettes and smoked under the bleachers. 

Dana threw an accusatory look at Murphy, who to his credit looks embarrassed. "Murphy, you didn't say Kim was coming."

Kim cut off Murphy, clearly enjoying the tension. "It was a bit of a last minute decision. I originally said no, I couldn't change my plans, and then my plans changed themselves. So, I figured the invite was still on the table."

Jack couldn't help but enjoy Kim's presence. Of all the friends, Jack was closest to Kim. They lost contact a year ago, so it was nice to see her again. And he wasn't going to lie: Kim looked as beautiful as she did when they were kids and Jack found his heart stuttering in his chest.

Tommy and Dana didn't share the same sentiment. But, to Jack's pleasure, neither objected to Kim tagging along. He decided tonight they would catch up on each other's lives; last he knew, Kim was singing on cruises, making good money and having a blast.

Murphy clapped his hands, releasing the tension. "Alright, should we get moving? It'll be dark soon."

Kim slung her bag over a shoulder and followed the group, staying a little behind Dana.