A Friend
The next morning we piled into the Jeep and headed to the airstrip, where we loaded into a bush plane for Kotzebue. I rested my head against the window and peered down. For a brief moment, I thought I saw someone watching us. Pressing my face closer, I tried to determine who it was. But the plane began to move, blocking my view.
A part of me hoped it was Carsen. But maybe it’d be easier if it wasn’t. Besides, I had an investigation I needed to worry about. Right. Focus on the ghost hunt and forget about boys all together. At least Matt would be there. I missed him. And it was hard to get used to not having one of my best friends around. Even if he did get all “big brother” on me at times.
Between our flights into Kotzebue then on to Anchorage we spent a few hours on the plane. By the time, we landed in Anchorage I was ready to be on the ground again. I mean I got stuck next to Jefferson who only wanted to talk about the footprints I took pictures of; I attempted to change the subject, but each time we ended up back to the footprints.
I wanted to punch Dad in the face for telling him about them. All he’d managed to do was entice the man. Grabbing my carry on bag, I stepped into the aisle ahead of two elderly men needing to put some distance between Jefferson and me.
When I reached the gates, I waited for Dad and Keetah. The first person I saw though was Matt, at the arrival gate and relief flooded me.
“Matt,” I called, running to greet him.
I threw myself in his arms and wept. I cried for everything that’d happened in Point Hope, and I cried because I was happy to see him. Matt was someone constant in my life, a friend who knew all my crazy quirks but liked me in spite of them.
“Hey, Ima, don’t cry.” He rubbed my hair from my face. “What’s wrong?”
“No—nothing.” I hiccupped. “I just missed you.” Good grief, I sounded like a flipping cry baby. I just needed to get my head on straight. Besides, this wasn’t like me. I mean, I never cried. Mostly because I hung out with guys, and well, they weren’t into the weeping thing. Then again, I didn’t ever have much of a reason to cry. Until now.
He chuckled. “I missed you too and I’m glad you’re safe.”
I glanced at him, his ocean colored eyes were guarded but friendly. It was strange; I didn’t realize how much I needed him until I saw him standing here.
“Listen, about the other night,” I began.
“Don’t worry I haven’t mentioned it to your dad, and I don’t intend to.”
“Thanks.”
A few minutes later Dad spotted us and waved. He took our embrace in stride like it was a daily occurrence, which kind of made me mad after the stink he’d made over Carsen. I almost opened my mouth to say so, but decided it was a battle I didn’t want to undertake today.
“The crew is waiting in the vans for us,” Matt said, shaking Dad’s hand. “We’ve got a one hundred and twenty-six mile drive to Seward, so if you want to grab a quick bite to eat, we can.”
“Sounds good. Why don’t we get our stuff loaded up, and we’ll head out,” Dad said.
I leaned toward Matt. “You better have Jefferson in a different vehicle than I’m in.”
His lips twitched. “Already taken care of, you’re riding with me, along with your dad and Keetah.”
“I so owe you.”
He gave me a wink. “Yes you do and I plan to collect.”
My face burned and I glanced away. Yep, things were definitely back to normal between us, him teasing me, me blushing. Not that there were any romantic notions, Matt just liked to flirt. That was his thing. At least it would take my mind off everything else.
“Hey Lou, if you don’t mind I’d like to get mine and Ima’s meals to go so we can take Keetah over to the park for a few,” Matt said as we finished loading the gear.
“Good idea,” Dad said. “The last thing we need him to do is have an accident in the van.”
I raised a quizzical brow wondering what Matt was up to.
We got our food then Matt and I headed over to the park where I sat down on a picnic table, pulling my coat tight about my shoulders.
“How’s your mom doing?” I asked before taking a bite out of my hamburger.
He shifted from one foot to the other, his eyes darting everywhere but on me. Confusion played at his features and he cleared his throat. “She’s doing better. My dad’s home this week so he’ll take care of her.”
His response sounded the warning bells in my head. If I didn’t know any better I’d think he lied to me. I continued to watch him, when the strong scent of woodland wafted in the air between us, like I’d walked through a forest.
Stopping mid-bite, I stared at Matt. “Are you lying to me?”
Matt chuckled, tugging my hat down over my eyes. “No crazy girl. I have no reason to lie to you.”
I pushed his hands away and readjusted my hat so I could see again. “That isn’t going to work on me.” I scowled.
“What isn’t going to work?”
“Your—your flirting and charm!”
He grinned, revealing perfect white teeth that’d make the toothpaste models jealous. “I never knew you found me charming.”
I kicked his leg under the table. “See, you’re doing it again.”
He threw his hands in the air. “Why don’t you quit analyzing everything I do?”
I rolled my eyes but let it go, not because I thought he was right, but because I was too hungry to argue.
Silence fell over us while we ate, but as soon as Matt finished he began to talk.
“So what’s really going on with you? Why were you crying today?”
Okay, so now he chose to play detective and counselor. I should’ve known he’d guess something was wrong.
“I told you, I missed you.”
“Come on, Ima, this is me you’re talking to.”
I shoved the remainder of my fries away and peered into the distance. “I had a rough weekend, first Carsen then the whole apparition thing.”
“Carsen? What’d he do,” Matt said sliding closer to me, his fists clenched at his sides. He reached over, gripping my arm and forcing me to look at him.
“We had a fight, okay?” I shook his hand off and turned my back to him.
“Ima,” he said more softly.
“I know, I shouldn’t have fallen for him but I couldn’t help it. And now I’m not even sure if he likes me.”
Tears welled in my eyes and Matt came around the table to stand in front of me, tilting my chin so he could see my face.
“If he doesn’t realize what a perfect girl you are then he doesn’t deserve you.”
My shoulders shook, and I covered my face with my hands. Would I ever stop crying? I blamed hormones and first love—anything to keep me from sounding weak. He pulled me into his arms and cradled me until my sobs subsided.
“Sorry,” I mumbled against his chest.
“You’re fine.”
“Are you sure there’s nothing wrong with me?” I said.
Matt chuckled. “That’s debatable.”
I slugged him in the arm.
“I’m just kidding. There’s nothing wrong with you, you’re smart, pretty, funny.”
He thinks I’m pretty? My cheeks lit up like a Fourth of July fireworks display, but I admitted I felt much better.
Matt grasped my hand as we stood to throw away our trash, and he didn’t let go until we climbed into the vehicle, Keetah hot on our trail.
“I really will watch out for you, Ima. That’s why I’m here. I keep trying to tell you that no matter what’s going on in your life, I will always be there,” Matt said. His eyes held mine, like a promise.
So many questions reeled in my mind, but I decided not to ask them. Sometimes the less I knew the better off I was. Right now, the only thing I needed to be sure of was that I had one friend I could count on. Matt was it. Even in his most annoying moments, he always had my best interest at hand.
“I know,” I said with a smile. “So what do you say we go investigate us a haunted house?”
He laughed, nudging me with his shoulder. “Look out ghosts, here we come.”