***** Writer's Preface *****
The characters in this story are 18 years old, despite starting their senior year of high school. Andrew was held back a grade by his parents for reasons that can be deduced from the story, and the female lead missed a year of school due to events from her past which come to light in later chapters.
I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I have enjoyed writing it.
***** Washington *****
Dave Williams whistled idly to himself as he skillfully navigated his family through the twisting and turning roads of the Olympic National Rain Forest. The joy of the drive was plainly visible on his chiseled face. Michelle Williams reclined in the passenger seat, a large folder open with numerous documents and pictures scattered across her lap. Closing the folder, she tucked it into a bag on the floor before stretching her athletic body with a large and loud yawn. Looking over at Dave, a grin spread across her face as she watched him happily drive through the national park.
Turning, she looked into the rainforest, her window a portal into a world of green moss and trees both ancient and new. She was taken aback by the overwhelming sense of life as she watched the trees zip past her window. "It is impossible to get any work done. I mean seriously, have you seen this?" She again turned to her husband, an excited smile on her face.
Dave ran a hand through his short blond hair while smiling at his wife, years of love and a bit of mischief written in his brown eyes. "Yeah, this forest really is something out of one those fantasy movies Andrew likes."
Michelle looked at her son in the back seat. "We should be getting pretty close by now, you excited to start your last year of high school Andrew?"
Andrew was, as usual, laid out on the seat, his face buried in one of his many role-playing books. Countless volumes were carefully arranged on the floor, numerous post-its and dog ears visible in each and every book. Looking up from behind his book at his mother, Andrew sensed her excitement and somehow it made his frustration feel all the more pressing and real.
"Yeah, this is going to be super amazing," Andrew tried to sound sincere but sarcasm dripped from every syllable.
Michelle and Dave shared glances, both having dreaded this reaction. Dave tried the direct approach. "I know these moves are difficult for you Andrew. Things could be different this time."
Andrew rolled his eyes and sat up in the back seat. "Yeah, Dad, I'm sure I will fit in perfectly at this school. I will be captain of the chess club, the cheerleaders won't be able to stop thinking about me, and the jocks will all envy my rippling muscles. The only problem I need to figure out is whether to get lobster or foie gras from the cafeteria."
Dave looked at his son through the rear view mirror. Andrew was 5'1" and 90 pounds, which for a 13 year old would be almost ideal, but Andrew was 18. He was exceptionally skinny with no fat, and few muscles to be seen. Andrew kept his light golden-blond hair short and unkempt, letting it flow wild and free, giving him kind of a mad scientist look that Dave found somehow appropriate for the man he knew his son to be.
Dave was immediately reminded that he had no way to relate to his son. Having always been athletic, Dave was gifted with a large, muscular physique. Captain of every sport he had ever played, and highest performing member of every military unit he had been posted to, success just seemed to come naturally to him. He knew that for his son life was different. The fact that Michelle and he were highly sought after assets for the military meant that Andrew had been dragged from school to school a couple of times each year, never able to fully find his place in the world.
Michelle sensed the change in her husband's mood and decided to try flanking the problem. "Listen, I know the last few schools have been pretty rough, and we can't guarantee that this one is going to be any better. The only thing that we can guarantee is that this time you will have the full school year to try and make a life for yourself here." She smiled at her son, seeing that he was at least considering what she said.
Andrew knew his parents had risked their careers to give him this opportunity. When the brass had decided to deploy them to Washington, his parents had threatened to take an early retirement so that Andrew could stay at the same school for his senior year. Andrew knew they oversaw construction and security for military bases but hadn't fully realized how valuable his parents were, not until the military prevented their retirement by giving them a hefty financial incentive and a contract guaranteeing that they would be on this assignment for no less than one year.
"Well, hopefully this time it won't take so long for the bullies to get bored pushing me into walls and to just leave me alone." Andrew looked sad, but both parents saw a glimmer of hope on his face.
They both admired their son, for such a small boy, his will and sense of self was stronger than anyone they had ever known.
***** Home Sweet Home *****
Later that day the Williams drove down a long stretch of unpaved road that ended at a small green single-story house. The house looked old but well maintained with strong siding, and shutters on all the windows. Michelle and Dave had purchased the house and the 60 acres of land it sat on for what they thought was a steal. As the family parked and slowly exited their car they realized just how isolating and inconvenient this could actually be. The real estate agent had warned them that the previous owners had lived pretty far off the grid, and outside of a small propane generator to run the fridge and water pump, the house looked every bit as rustic as the real estate agent had promised.
Thankfully the forest had been cleared back at least two acres in all directions which caused the area around the house to be bright and oddly inviting. The sky was clear and the sun felt great as they all smiled and stretched after the long drive. Happily they shook out their limbs and breathed in the surprisingly fresh air. Dave dug his phone out of his pocket and checked the time.
"Let's unload these bags, open this place up and then head back to Quinault Lake. It would be good to get our bearings a bit. Andrew, once you choose a room, take a look around and figure out what we need to do to this place."
Andrew was all too familiar with this routine and dreaded the list of improvements that would either be necessary or valuable for them to make. Like his father, he enjoyed routine and knew his part of this little dance all too well. "Yeah, all right, Dad. I know we have this discussion every time we move, but why do you make me choose a room when we all know you and Mom are just going to give me the biggest bedroom in this hovel? Did I say hovel? I meant 'house,'" Andrew said, ending with finger quotes.
Michelle laughed. "Hovel seems about right, but it's important that you choose your room. We are going to be spending most of our time overseeing construction of the new facility which means you will be home alone a lot. We just want you to be comfortable and..." She trailed off as she looked around at the shockingly dense forest, "feel safe. Are there bears? Do we need to worry about bears? Why didn't anyone look into bears!?!" She sounded frantic as she finished. Dave rushed over and wrapped her in his arms.
"We did look into them, sweetie. We will all be safe from bears, I promise," he said soothingly while rubbing her back.