Adults use distance and time to evaluate journeys. However, since we were just boys, time and distance were irrelevant.
Now, as I retraced the familiar path I had taken when I was younger, the path that led to our tree, I realized that while the distance had not changed, the journey that used to take 30 minutes had taken me 12 years to complete.
The trail’s off-ramp was still obscured. I was happy about that because it kept our home a secret. In addition, there were a few short stretches where the path had been overgrown, and as I walked, the canopy of trees around me obscured everything except my childhood memories. Unlike most of the paths I’ve walked, this one wasn’t straight, but the light at the end was still bright and warm.
I saw our tree almost exactly as we had left it when I entered the clearing we had discovered all those years ago when I looked to my left. I had grown as much as it had in 20 years, but standing there looking up at the familiar limbs made me feel like a young boy once more, made me smile, and reminded me.
We were three young boys who were unaware that we were unique. The fact that we all disliked girls and liked frogs was the only thing that mattered. However, a statistical anomaly may have been the real reason we became friends: Everyone of us was born on October 1st. Our friendship appeared to be predestined.
Keegan, the golden child with blue eyes and blonde hair, was an old soul who was organized to a fault because he always put everything he owned in its designated spot. He was the de facto leader of our small group and a meticulous planner. Regarding Tommy? He was the rich kid, but from looking at him, you wouldn’t know it. He always looked like he needed a haircut, and he wore Keds sneakers and jeans made by Toughskins. However, he was the unquestioned heart of JTK, as we were known, and a brave advocate for the oppressed. The “J” stood for Jason, which is me.
I was the epitome of the average person. You could even say that I was forgettable, to the point where even I can’t remember what I was known for. However, I fit in with Keegan and Tommy for some reason, and on our 10th birthday, we discovered the tree.
“Let’s take a walk.” That was the beginning of our journey; I think Tommy came up with the idea, but I can’t be sure. However, the day was perfect for exploring the woods — sunny and with a cool breeze. The crinkling sound of autumn was made by the already-fallen leaves, which had begun to turn a vivid red and orange. We transformed into pirates fighting with sticks we found into swords, yelling phrases like “Avast ye matey” and “Arr!”
We had spent so much time in those woods that we considered ourselves experts, but until that day, we had never seen the trail to the tree. Being young and unafraid, we did what boys typically do: we looked into it.
Keegan and I ran into a clearing at the end of the path like we were trying to win a race when we reached it. The tree came to Tommy’s attention first, as he entered this new, secluded location more slowly. He swiftly climbed the perfectly placed branches. Tommy saw a chance where others might have seen a challenge. The tree seemed designed for him to climb because he was always reaching higher.
Keegan decided, as he always did, that we should build a fort and started giving orders. He had everything figured out. We could construct the outer shell of our hangout using the abundant branches and boughs in the field. We didn’t care that he took over because he was a kind dictator who always did the most work and did it well.
Tommy yelled, “Oh my gosh! “ just as we were about halfway there. This is unbelievable, guys! Keegan and I quickly climbed the tree to see what was so significant.
Tommy said, pointing west, “Look, over there.” This is my house. After that, he veered to the north and said, “And Jason, there’s your father’s hardware store.” From the top of our tree, everything seemed so small, which surprised me.
Keegan exclaimed, “There’s our school and my house right behind it,” urging Tommy and I to look.
Tommy said softly, “This is our place and our tree, now and forever.” “We can see everything from here,” he said. Keegan and I agreed with a head nod.
The remainder of that day was perfect for an adolescent boy. With each subsequent trip, we improved upon our temporary fort. Boards, nails, and an old windowpane that Keegan had “borrowed” from his father replaced the boughs, branches, and leaves over the years.
We stayed much later than we should have on the first day, but we were able to sit together and watch the sunset while drinking Juicy Juice grape juice boxes. We became lifelong friends because of this.
Just before we started back, Tommy came up with the idea.
“Let’s celebrate each birthday here!”
“This is a deal!” I said yes right away.
Keegan added, “I’m in.”
Tommy insisted that there had to be a commitment.
I said, “I promise,” raising my hand like a witness in court.
With conviction, Keegan added, “I promise, too.”
The covenant was complete when we all shook hands.
Young boys easily make and break promises, but for the next eight years, we kept our word. We had to carry Keegan to the tree several times because he had broken his leg playing football, and Tommy dragged me there three weeks after my dad’s death. I had been alone and inconsolable. At the tree on that birthday, I began my healing. Even if I wasn’t there, Tommy knew I had to be. I will never forget it because it was a rare act of love in our day. Yes, we were always there with Juicy Juice grape juice boxes at sunset on our birthdays.
Then, as is customary, three boys matured into young men. Keegan attended college in California and went on to become an electrical engineer. Tommy joined the military and served nearly two complete tours in Iraq. Even though we had firsthand accounts of his selfless acts, he had a servant’s heart and a hero’s soul. I stayed in town and worked at the hardware store owned by my family because I wasn’t cut out for college or the military. When we turned 18 years old, we made one more promise. On our 30th birthdays, we would meet at the tree, drink one more juice box, and watch the sunset. It was a commitment to remain that way between best friends.
I shouldn’t have been surprised when Keegan called me last week. He has always been the planner, as I stated earlier. Keegan wouldn’t take it, but I thought it would be impossible to keep our promise. He planned to pick up Tommy on the way and drive across the country to be there on October 1.
I was only responsible for delivering the Juicy Juice grape juice boxes as always.
I got there early. I wanted some time to think about things, but I soon heard footsteps on the paths we had taken as kids. Keegan, reverently holding Tommy’s urn, was coming toward me when I turned around.
There were no words. We just sat down in silence with Keegan and inserted the straws into our juice boxes. As promised, the three of us then gathered to watch the sunset.
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