"That was a hard fall," said Henry, letting her go and getting to his feet. He helped her up and continued his thought. "I'm surprised that you're not crying."
"I don't cry," said Timber rubbing her shoulder. "I haven't cried in eight years."
"You can't be serious," said Henry with raised eyebrows.
"She is," said Emily's voice. She walked over and gave Henry back the key. "Timber can't lie. I've seen her try. She turns purple and starts stuttering."
"On the upside, I don't sound like a mouse, Em," teased Timber. Emily grinned and stuck her tongue out making Timber laugh.
"It's true that Timber hasn't cried in eight years. She didn't even cry when her friend's dog died, though I can't say she didn't try. She purposely dropped a hammer on her foot trying to make herself produce tears. Needless to say, it failed."
They resumed their work and by the time two thirty rolled around, the classroom looked like it had never been trashed, save for the pile of garbage in the corner of the room. Timber was proud of the work that they accomplished. It looked like a brand new classroom now instead of a crime scene. Timber turned off the lights as they left the room and started heading home.
"Thank you for your help today," said Henry. "I couldn't have done that much in one day by myself."
"You're welcome," said Emily brightly.
In the weeks leading up to the first day of school, Timber found herself spending more and more time with Henry. When Henry wasn't making lesson plans for the school year or running errands, he was with Timber. They could often be found sitting on her front porch with either a glass of fresh lemonade or Grace's sweet tea. Most of Timber's friends were on vacation with their families to end summer on a fun note, and Emily spent her afternoons with her friend two houses down so Henry had become her only company during the day, which didn't bother Timber at all. She enjoyed being in his company. He challenged her mind and Timber found that it was very easy to open up to him which was very unus11ual for her.
In the three weeks since they met, Timber and Henry had learned they had a great deal in common despite the six-year age gap. They both had difficult childhoods, though neither of them got into great detail. They both liked much of the same kind of music, and neither of them had ever been to a concert before. Then there were the differences between the two that Timber found amusing. For example, Timber liked black olives while Henry liked the green ones, and Henry liked chocolate and Timber preferred vanilla. Timber found out a lot more about Henry in three weeks than she had expected, though she supposed it was due to the hours they spent together every day. Timber's favorite thing about Henry though was his tendency to over-exaggerate his movements when he was telling a story or a joke.
It was the hottest day they had all summer and Chad and Grace were at work when the air conditioning broke. Timber tried to figure out how to fix it but after ten minutes, and several choice swear words, she gave up. Emily and Timber looked around for things to keep them entertained and cool but neither of them could come up with any other solution than either the beach, which was undoubtedly crowded due to the unusual heat or the shops downtown which would all be air-cooled. Timber called Grace for permission to take Emily downtown in her car. After Grace had given her permission, Timber asked if Henry could go with them if he wanted. Grace took a minute to reply but said that if Henry wanted to go, he could. Timber and Emily each loaded their wallets with a whole summer's worth of allowance and money from neighbors for odd jobs they did. The plan was to enjoy the afternoon and buy a few things that they needed. After making sure they had everything that they needed they walked out of the house.
They walked across the sleepy street to Henry's small house. They knew he was home because his little blue Honda was sitting in the driveway. Emily knocked on the door with a little more enthusiasm than was necessary and bounced on her heels while she waited. Timber, however, stood still and silent. Timber heard him coming from the back of the house and a moment later he opened the door. To say that he looked surprised would be an understatement. The complete shock on his face made it clear that he had not expected Timber and Emily on his doorstep.
It was also clear to Timber that he had recently gotten out of the shower and she could not take her eyes off him. He had a light green towel draped over one shoulder, damp hair and work out shorts. His thin upper body was bare and defined. Timber was overcome by the urge to touch him but she resisted.
"Can I help you?" asked Henry completely unaware that Timber was staring at him as he was looking at Emily's grinning face. His voice snapped Timber out of her trance and she looked at his face and saw his attention on her now. She blushed, curled her toes and opened and closed her mouth but no sound came out so she started tugging at her hair.
"We were wondering if you wanted to hang out with us today," said Emily noticing that Timber was unable to respond. "We're going to go downtown."
"I would assume you're both going shopping," said Henry sounding as if shopping with two teenage girls was something he would rather not experience.
"We're also going to lunch," said Timber and Henry raised an eyebrow.
"Are you asking me because you need a ride?" inquired Henry eying the girls with suspicion.
"No, we're taking Aunt Grace's car," said Timber. "I do have my driver's license you know. I've been behind the wheel on my own for nine months. No accidents."
"Well, I guess I'll go with you seeing as I have nothing to do today," said Henry with a sigh. "I am not going to hold purses. I want to make myself clear."
"You don't have to worry about that," said Timber. "Emily and I don't leave our purses with anyone but each other and Aunt Grace. So shall we go before we all get extra crispy?"
"Alright, let me get dressed and grab what I need. I'll be over in a minute."
Emily and Timber turned and headed to Graces black Chevy Malibu. Timber unlocked it and Emily climbed into the back passenger seat and buckled up. Timber lifted the hood to make sure there was not another mouse nest on the engine block and to check the oil since the car had not moved from its spot in two weeks. Timber closed the driver's side door when Henry came out of his house. He crossed the street to Grace's car and opened the front passenger side. He looked a little unsure as he climbed in and strapped himself tightly in his seatbelt, making sure three times that it was secure.
"You really don't trust me behind the wheel do you?" inquired Timber with a smirk.
"Not if you're anything like what I was when I was seventeen," said Henry and Timber imagined him going Dukes of Hazzard.
"Yes, but you see, I'm a fantastic driver," said Timber. "Otherwise Aunt Grace and Uncle Chad wouldn't let me drive with Emily in the car."
"Alright, well let's just go," said Henry. "And please don't kill us."
Timber started the car and carefully backed out the driveway, aware that Henry was watching her every move. She straightened out the car and drove off Livingston Street. When they reached the parking lot on the side of the Skunk Train Depot and parked, Henry let out a slow exhale of relief as Timber turned off the car.
"I owe you an apology Timber," said Henry. "You are a good driver."
"That's alright," said Timber. "You can make it up to me by buying me lunch today."
"What?"
"I'm only joking, Henry," said Timber. Henry rolled his eyes. Timber and Emily giggled.
They entered the Depot Mall to find it practically empty. Timber expected it was because it was early afternoon on a weekday, and everyone who wasn't working had gone to the beach. It was nice to share the walkway with only a few people instead of a large crowd of tourists that usually occupied the buildings during the summer. Henry was looking around in interest at the small businesses, but his face turned to confusion when he saw the steam engine on the side of the deli. They went up to the counter to order their food. Behind the counter was a young man with a head of wild red hair. Timber groaned at the sight of him and immediately put her guard up.
"
Hey there Timber," he said. "Do you want your usual?"
"Yeah," replied Timber who was careful to avoid looking directly at the boy. "Emily wants her usual salad. Henry?"
"I'll have whatever Timber is having," said Henry. "I can't seem to make up my mind."
"I'll have it ready in about ten minutes," said the boy.
"Awesome," said Timber with aloofness in her voice.
"I'm getting that truck soon," he said before Timber could turn away.
"How close, Sean?" asked Timber. She was trying to keep it friendly though she was extremely uncomfortable.
"Just two more paychecks and she's all mine," said Sean. "My Pop'll be happy when I get it. He's getting tired of me borrowing his."
"Well I'm glad you're close," said Timber. "We're going to go sit down by Daisy."
"See you around," said Sean.
Timber and Henry found a seat next to the train engine and Emily came bouncing up to them.
"I ran into a friend from school and her mom and they asked if I wanted to join them for lunch," she said. "I told them I was with you but they asked if I could have lunch with them."
"Where are they?" asked Timber.
Emily pointed to a table near the cashier stand on the other side of the deli and still within Timber's direct line of sight if she looked behind Henry. They waved at Emily and Emily waved back. Timber gave her permission as long as she either came back when they left or said goodbye to her friend when she and Henry were ready to leave. Emily promised and happily joined her friend.
"I've never seen this before," said Henry seemingly bewildered.
"What?"
"The two of you and your relationship. In my experience, kids who grow up together argue a lot, rather than asking permission to sit with friends. They don't behave like this."
"Emily and I argue," said Timber. "It's rare but it does happen. We're more like sisters than cousins so it's going to happen. We stay up all hours of the night sometimes talking about everything under the sun. Other days we don't even want to look at each other. Most days are like this, though. Emily listens to me and I listen to her. For two weeks last summer she was unusually moody and she didn't want to be bothered. She stayed in her room. Out of respect for her wishes, I took on her chores as well as my own. I was mad as hell at her for secluding herself and we had a big fight when she came out of her room. It got so bad Uncle Chad grounded us to our rooms until we were ready to make up. It didn't take long for us to calm down and make up since we weren't snapping at each other."
"Well, I'm definitely glad the two of you have such a good relationship. So do you want to tell me what we're looking for here?"
"Nothing specific," said Timber. "I didn't want to stay inside with the air conditioner broken. It usually doesn't reach eighty degrees here. It usually tops at seventy-five. Inside was getting hotter than the outside. Anyway, I do need a new pair of shoes for my gym class. Mine have been run through the ground."
"You brought me shoe shopping with you?" asked Henry, sounding rather frustrated.
"One pair of shoes because I need it for school," said Timber. "I don't like shopping for clothes if I can help it. It reminds me of how fat I am. I've tried to lose weight. I was on the cross-country team for five years at the request of Uncle Chad. He said it would be good for me to get involved in some sort of sport. I was one of the best endurance runners on the team but I still wasn't losing weight."
"Are you going to run on the team this year?" asked Henry.
"No," said Timber. "I had an injury that didn't heal properly so I can't run longer than a mile or two without some pain. I -"
"Three meat sandwich with American cheese, and no tomatoes," said Sean coming up to the table. He set the baskets down and looked at Timber. "So, I was wondering if maybe you wanted to go see a movie with me on Friday."
"Sean, please, we've been through this," said Timber with clear exasperation. She was still refusing to look at him. "I don't want a relationship. I have no interest in dating anyone. I'm sorry."
"Who is this then?" asked Sean in a demanding tone.
"He's my neighbor," said Timber sternly. "I already told you I don't date."
"Well, if you change your mind -"
"Thank you, Sean," growled Timber.
Sean walked away looking irritated. Timber watched him leave to make sure he was actually going back behind the counter and then busied herself with her bag of chips. She looked up to find Henry watching her curiously.
"That was graceful," said Henry before turning his head to look at Sean.
"Oh," said Timber. "Sean's been asking me out every so often. He isn't persistent but he makes me feel uncomfortable when he gets too close. I don't like him. Something about him feels wrong to me. I didn't know he was working today. He usually has Wednesdays off."
"You seem to know his schedule pretty well," said Henry. Timber caught the jealousy in his voice that he was trying to hide with the mild look on his face.
"It's a small town," said Timber. "Everyone knows about everyone. I'm here every week. I've gotten to know everyone's day off. I even have my order on a notepad so if a new person is hired, I only have to say my name. Emily has one too as well as several other regulars who have the same thing when they come in."
"So this is your spot?" asked Henry.
"Yep. I like to sit right here beside Daisy. She's my favorite steam engine. I like Engine Forty-five too. She pulls the Skunk Train on special occasions, but Daisy here is one hundred and thirty years old and used to be the most powerful engine in the county back when she was new. Around the corner is Dinky. Anyway, if I'm with my friends, we go to the Company Store or we go to Cowlicks for ice cream. We don't come here together very often."
"So why am I here instead of your friends?"
Timber looked up and saw that there was still a faint echo of jealousy in his eyes from Sean asking her out. Timber turned beet red and started to occupy herself with her sandwich. Her toes curled and her heart beat so hard against her chest she was certain that Henry could hear it.
"I - I wanted to spend time with you - away from my house," she said timidly, feeling more self-conscious than usual. Henry looked confused about how to react. He continued to eat instead while Timber mentally kicked herself in the head for not being able to lie and come up with another reason. "Did I make you uncomfortable?"
"A little but it has nothing to do with what you said," replied Henry calmly. "It was more my lack of ability to respond. I am happy that you like spending time with me. I genuinely am. I enjoy your company too. I've come to look forward to seeing you every day."
Timber smiled. They finished their meal with Timber feeling a little awkward. She had become conscious of the fact that she was eating a meal with Henry, out in public at a table for two. Sure it was in the deli at the Depot, but Timber couldn't help but notice that this looked more like a date than a conventional, everyday lunch. Was that what this was? Had Timber accidentally asked Henry out on a date? Did he see it the way Timber did? Timber tried to reason with herself saying that if it was a date, Emily wouldn't have come along. But Emily was at another table and Timber was alone with Henry.
As she thought about it, they must have looked like a very odd couple. Henry was wearing a dark olive-green button-down with a red skull on the pocket, black jeans, and a studded belt. He had his earrings in and his leather band on his wrist that he had said was to hide a scar he got when he was fifteen. Timber, however, was in a light pink blouse, white denim shorts, and a simple gold necklace. Henry looked like he would fit in with a rock band; Timber looked like the girl next door.
Right on time, Emily came bouncing over and Timber stopped mentally arguing with herself. They were all finished so Henry offered to clean up the trays. While he was gone, Emily leaned over Timber.
"What were you having a war with yourself for?"
"I think Henry and I just had a date," said Timber. "We were having lunch in public at a table for two because my li
ttle cousin had to go and ditch me."
"I'm sorry, I didn't think about that," said Emily but she didn't look sorry. Emily looked rather pleased about something.
"Yeah, sure you didn't."
"So where are we going to first?" asked Henry walking over to them.
"We should take you to the Guest House Museum," said Timber looking passed his face. "It might interest you since you like history. From there we'll just walk around. Since you're being dragged around I'll buy you ice cream at Cowlicks."
"Sounds fair," said Henry.
The three of them walked side by side with Henry in the middle. They crossed Laurel Street and walked down Main Street for a few hundred feet then turned up the path to the one hundred and twenty-three-year-old Guest House.
They spent a full half an hour inside the house so Henry could see everything. Timber watched him look at things through the glass and read the facts that were posted around the rooms. It was clear to Timber at that moment that Henry didn't just like history; he was passionate about learning it. He was fascinated by the house and the town's history. His face reminded Timber of a small child on Christmas morning.
"We can go now," said Henry after walking out of the last room. "I could spend all day in here but Emily is a little bored."
"Emily isn't much of a history person," replied Timber. "I like it, but she prefers the arts; like drama and painting."
"History is a boring subject for some," said Henry. "I completely understand. I, personally, am not really into sports. Football may be an occasional exception. It's dull for me although I admit that I do enjoy fast cars."
"Can we go to the Company Store," said Emily. Timber nodded and they all left the Guest House together after Henry dropped in a small donation.
The Company Store was a large, two-story refurbished mini mall that used to sell hardware and groceries to generations of mill workers and their families. Timber loved looking at the old black and white pictures of what it used to look like before its conversion. She showed them to Henry and he smiled.
The Timber Effect Page 4
