Chapter 1
The Oak Tree

The cool, July wind gently rustled the leaves of the oak tree. The weather had been unusually invigorating for the past week compared to the normal heat for a July. Cedric Northchest and his friends, Berne, Everett, and Winnefred weren't complaining though.

The giant oak tree was located just outside the little town in which Cedric and his friends lived. They were all lying on the soft grass under the old tree. The calming silence was broken by a single voice.

“One, two, three, four, five.” Everett counted out pushups.

“That's it,” called Berne. “I'm done doing pushups.”

“I'm tired of your complaining,” said fourteen-year-old Cedric.

“You were wrong about the weather,” Winnefred added.

The friends had been shocked about the sudden change in weather. So surprised, they decided to make a bet on how long it would last. They decided that the loser would have to do pushups. Berne bet the weather wouldn't last more than a day. But it had lasted for a total of four days.

“Come on, Berne. Just ten more pushups,” Everett coaxed.

The four friends would meet each other under the oak tree. They would get together every summer weekday and talk. They would talk about anything from the smell of sagebrush to their future. And on this particular day, they watched Berne do pushups.

Their tree backed up to state land that was covered in sagebrush. Thus sparking conversations about the plant. Sometimes though it would shift into an argument.

“Let's hurry up and finish here because I have chores,” Cedric said.

“I thought you usually did your chores before you came.” Winnefred twirled a strand of her black hair.

“I do, but I had baseball practice early this morning.”

Berne finished his pushups and leaned against the trunk of the oak tree. “Tomorrow you guys are doing pushups,” Berne threatened while he wiped the sweat from his forehead.

“Alright, we're going to be done now, but remember to meet up here tomorrow,” Cedric reminded everyone.

“Yes sir,” the three replied with a mock salute.

Winnefred, Everett, and Berne considered him an older brother and leader. Maybe because he was a whole year older than all of them.

Cedric got up to leave. “I'll see you guys in the morning.”

The four friends got up and left their separate directions to go home for the day.

Cedric started walking in the direction of his home just outside of their friendly town. As he walked he took in the fresh air while it lasted. Cedric enjoyed walking by himself because it gave him time to ponder what was happening in life. Or the lack thereof. But sometimes he wished for someone to walk with.

As Cedric walked, he noticed someone he had never seen before. The young man straightened underneath the shade tree he was using. He smiled and walked towards Cedric.

The man wore blue jeans and a black, pullover sweat jacket with a picture of what looked like Niagara Falls. He also wore a baseball cap that looked like it had seen better days.

“You look like you need a walking companion,” said the young man.

“You're welcome to walk with me if you want,” offered Cedric.

“My friends call me Timmy. You can call me Timmy too. So, what did your parents name you?” asked Timmy in a friendly voice.

“My name is Cedric. Did you move here or are you just passing through?” inquired Cedric with a hint of curiosity.

Timmy rolled up his sweat jacket sleeves. “I'm on vacation.”

“If you don't mind me asking. Why would you want to visit a small town like ours for a vacation?” questioned Cedric.

“I find that small towns like this one have more to offer than a big city,” said Timmy. “I heard the weather has been cooler than normal this past week.”

Cedric stopped and took a deep breath of the crisp air. He glanced at a passing car and waved. “It has been cool now for four days in a row. Which is very unusual for July.”

They continued down the sidewalk. A small song bird flew by. Cedric could have sworn that Timmy nodded at the bird. “Sometimes unusual is good,” the young man said.

The song bird landed in a nearby tree and tweeted at them. Cedric kicked at a pebble. It rolled off the sidewalk and into a storm drain.

“So, have you ever been to Niagara Falls?” inquired Cedric.

“What?” Timmy said not getting the context of the question.

Cedric pointed at Timmy's chest. “Your sweat jacket.”

“Oh, my sweat jacket. I've been there once before,” answered Timmy.

“What was it like?” he asked.

“It was beautiful.”

Cedric interrupted before he could continue further. “I would love to hear more about it, but this is where I turn off.”

“Ok,” replied Timmy. “I enjoyed talking with you.”

“I did too,” answered Cedric.

Cedric turned down a long dirt road. As he walked, he looked back to wave. But when he turned around Timmy was gone. That is strange, thought Cedric. He was there just a second ago. He must be in a hurry. Cedric glanced around, but Timmy was nowhere in sight.

He started to run down the half mile lane. Dirt and rocks crunched under his feet. The breeze blew through his short brown hair. Cedric passed a small pine tree, the only growing thing on the lane besides the weeds. Those didn't count.

His family's home finally came into view. It was a two-story farm house with a fence made out of small, round logs. Their house was painted white and the late afternoon sun gently glinted off the red trim of the house.

As Cedric walked in the front door he was greeted with a 'hello' from his mom.

“How was your day, Cedric?” his mom asked, busy in the kitchen.

“It started off like it has been for the past couple days,” he answered. “But as I was walking home I met this guy.”