Chapter 2 Wes
Today was that kind of day. I didn’t remember how busy things can get at the state park once the weather warms up. We’re still only in the fifties, but people are already lined up, waiting to get their camp site set up at six in the morning. I suppose when it’s the one time a year you get to be here, it makes a sense. I would probably do the same thing honestly.
Shaking out my stiff neck, I grab my things, waving to my ranger supervisor, as I walk out the door. Between checking everyone in, filling wood bins, cleaning the station, and checking sites, I didn’t even have time for lunch. I frown as my stomach growls in response.
“Bye, Tonya. See you tomorrow.”
“See ya, Wes! Tell Erick I say hi.” She wolf-whistles. Erick is my roommate and has been my best friend since we were kids. Apparently Tonya’s had a thing for Erick for a while, and while I don’t think it’s reciprocated, that doesn’t stop her from asking about him and trying to see him any chance she can get since I started working here.
Laughing, I call out, “Will do!”
Being the newbie ranger at the park has been hard. It’s a lot of learning on the job and figuring things out as you go, despite my training. Tonya has been really helpful in getting me on my feet—teaching me the ropes—but it’s been overwhelming juggling the new job, the move, and just processing being back in Raspberry Falls these past couple of weeks.
Walking down the path to my car, I lug my duffle and fishing pole with me. All my gear was still in the ranger cabin after being on call last night and doing a little night fishing off the rocks. Wincing, I stretch my shoulders up. My muscles are already screaming from all the wood chopping and bundling Tonya had me do today to prep for the weekend rush.
My feet hit the soft grass growing up through the sand on the trail and I remind myself to trim that down when I’m back tomorrow. So many endless projects to get to. But, I love it and wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. The water, the cliffs, and the view that makes you feel like you’re looking out into forever; it’s what has always made this home to me, even with the upkeep that’s a package deal with living more remotely. It’s what makes ranger work feel like more than a job for me.
My mind turns to the fishing spot I’ve been planning to check out on the way home. It’s a small pond off a river that I haven’t been to since I was a little kid. There’s lots of trout to be caught, and just enough time to get a few casts in before it gets dark and the mosquitoes come out.
Throwing my bag and pole into the back, I shut my car door and look back down the path. There’s an opening between the pine trees to a rock beach that the tourists love to visit. I did too when I lived here before. Eight year old me thought there was nothing better than throwing rock after rock into the lake, watching the ripples and the rocks bounce off one another, skipping rocks, and seeing who could skip them the farthest. Who knew there were a million things a kid could do with a ton of rocks, but I loved it.
My eyes follow a family as they walk down through the gap and then I hear the tell-tale cry of their toddler who slipped on one of the rocks. When the waves are higher and the rocks are wet it’s so easy to slip, even for adults. Between the freezing cold water, the smooth stones, and any algae or slime, it’s surprising there aren’t injuries more often. I sigh, running towards the raised voices to see if they need any help or first aid.
Looks like I’ll have to stop by that fishing spot tomorrow instead.
“What do you think you’re doing?” I ask as I open the door to the apartment. I see Erick and his friend Joe sitting on the couch, lounging and watching the game.
“Oh, you were late, so we got started,” Erick responds. Erick was instantly interested in being roommates when I landed my dream job back in town, and I was so grateful to have him along for the ride with my move and settling in. I grab three beers and sink down on the couch next to them, handing them around.
Our apartment is actually above an older couple’s house and they were kind enough to agree to housing two twenty-something-year-olds as long as we promised to keep quiet and do the upkeep on the yard. It’s a two bedroom with a modest kitchen and is slightly outdated with its black and white checkered floor, but it works well for us since we both work so much right now anyways and are barely here.
“Have either of you thought about dinner yet?” My stomach is still rumbling in protest of missing lunch. As if on cue, there’s a knock on the door.
“That’ll be the pizza!” Erick jumps up and opens the door to get the food while I sip on my cold drink. I’ve only been back for two weeks, but it almost feels like I never left. I smile, knowing this is what I’ve hoped for and planned for so long. All the pieces just seemed to fall into place.
“So, Wes, what convinced you to come back to town? Erick has been telling me all about you. Ever since I met him actually,” Joe says, shooting me an odd look. I’ve seen Joe around town a couple times, but hadn’t had a chance to meet him yet. His family moved into town after mine had moved away and I can’t help but feel a little jealous of the time he’s had here, with our friends. There’s an odd tension in his words and I suddenly feel a little uncomfortable. Maybe it’s just me feeling protective of the town and my friends, or maybe I’m reading into something that isn’t actually there.
Fortunately, my awkwardness is cut short when Erick plops down the pizza box and we all dive in.
Shaking my head, I realize I never answered Joe’s question. Now I’m the one making it weird. “Oh, I just missed the place.” Joe rolls his eyes and I give him a confused look. “This was always home to me, even after moving.”
Given his reaction, I don’t add that moving was the worst thing that had happened in my life, and I still hadn’t been able to fully forgive my parents for making me leave. They claimed it was due to wanting to be closer to extended family, but I’d learned the truth slowly over the years: they were dealing with a difficult divorce and needed better paying jobs. Moving to the Twin Cities offered a fresh start with less eyes watching their every move.
“How about you, Joe? What brought your family here?” I shuffle in my seat, nursing my beer and digging into another slice of pizza—hoping Joe will be more interested in talking about himself.
“My dad bought the local restaurant—it’s called Dan’s now. It’s down on the shore by the bay, off 65,” he says without even looking up from the game. I don’t feel like I’m imagining it now. Something is off.
I’d actually been to the restaurant once already with Erick, for burgers. It’s cute and homey—definitely has the Raspberry Falls feel. He hadn’t mentioned it was owned by Joe’s family though. To be fair, most of our friendship, after I moved away, was focused on playing Halo and talking about whatever team was playing the Vikings that week, so I’m not surprised he didn’t mention it.
“It’s a great place. We went there once a couple of weeks ago.” I turn towards him and smile, trying my best to be friendly.
“Yeah, I work there as a cook now,” he says shortly, and with an unmistakable tone. What the hell? Glancing over at Erick, I give him a questioning look but all he does is shrug his shoulders. Maybe Joe’s just having an off day. We all curse as the Vikings miss an easy point, then keep talking as if nothing happened.
“That’s great you can be there to help out your dad. I just started a job as a ranger down at the state park.”
“Ah yes, the park ranger,” Joe scoffs and I see a quick glance between him and Erick that I don’t fully understand. Before I can ask more, Erick jumps in, slamming his empty bottle on the coffee table.
“Not to change the subject, but have you given any more thought to going out with my cousin, Courtney? She’s only here a couple more days. You’d really be doing me a solid, and it would get my aunt off my back.” Erick peers at me with an amused smirk. He’s been pestering me about this for the past week and I have a feeling that his prodding will only end once I give in, even though it’s the last thing I want to do.
I give him a long look, thankful for changing the subject from Joe’s awkward conversation, and take another swig of my beer.
“Her name’s Courtney, huh?”