Where to Find Me | Tyrus

Part 6

Cyrus' POV

"When's TJ getting here?" Andi asks me.

It's ten past 9:00, and the only person who hasn't showed up yet is TJ.

"He's almost here," I say, even though I haven't gotten a response from him yet about where he is.

"I'll try calling him," Amber says, pulling out her phone.

"Don't bother," I say. "I already tried. "He's probably just not checking his phone because he's in a hurry."

"Well, my dad is waiting in the car, and we said we'd be there by noon," Andi says.

I take another glance out the window, looking for a sign of the late boy's arrival. All of a sudden, I notice his figure emerge from the edge of the window. I rush to open the front door and let him in.

"I'm here," TJ says as he slows from a run at the door. He's panting to catch his breath. It was probably difficult running here with his large duffel bag weighing him down.

"You're late," Buffy says as he enters.

"I'm sorry," he responds. "I forgot to set my alarm."

I immediately notice the bags under his eyes. He looks like he didn't sleep at all. He also has a frown on his face and a certain sluggishness in his motions.

"It's fine," Andi says, "but we've got to go, so come on."

She waves for us to follow her out to the car. Buffy, Jonah, and Amber all leave, but I stop TJ as he's about to do the same, taking his hand and pulling him back.

"Hey, are you okay?" I ask.

He puts a smile on his face and says, "Yeah, just a little tired."

"You know you can talk to me, right?"

"I know," he says, clearly failing at trying to sound like my suggestion about him not being okay is crazy. "I'm fine. Let's just go. I can't wait to see the lodge."

He grins with teeth and turns away to leave through the door.

_______________________________________

Bowie's description of the The Grand Cedar Lodge is underwhelming compared to the real thing. Deciduous trees tower overhead, encompassing the series of cabins where guests are able to stay, with the actual lodge building in the centre, where people can eat at it's diner, or simply relax in sofas around a fire. But the main attraction is the giant lake where canoes are afloat and kids are splashing.

As I step out onto the gravel pathway, I stand gawking at the sights.

"Impressed?" Buffy asks.

"It's majestic," I say.

Coming toward us on the path is a tall woman with a bright red coat and brown hair in perfectly sculpted curls. She immediately embraces Bowie with a smile.

"Oh, it's so good to see you again, Stephen," she says.

"I go by Bowie mostly," he responds.

"And Bex!" She hugs her next, then turns to the rest of us. "And which one is my great niece?" She asks, scanning our group.

Andi puts her hand up. "That would be me."

She's instantly swallowed up in her arms. "Andi, your dad said you were beautiful and he was right."

"Thanks, uh . . ."

"Call me Auntie Linda." She releases Andi and averts her attention to the rest of us. "And these are you friends?"