The Friday night sleepover at Sarah’s was the kickoff to the Easter long weekend, which was a big deal in Cedar Grove. A bunch of the moms, not including mine, always organized a big community Easter egg hunt. They were really serious about it. They even printed up a map of Cedar Grove so we would know where to look.
Despite the rain, everyone came out for the egg hunt. The Cedar Grove moms had put in a ton of work, and the younger kids were superexcited. I wondered if maybe I had outgrown this kind of silly fun. But all the kids were into it, even Tyler. And there was chocolate involved.
The idea behind the map was simple. Cedar Grove had been divided into three different zones. In the first zone, the area closest to the townhouses, the eggs were really easy to find. I mean really easy; I think I spotted at least ten as I walked from my front door to the courtyard. But I didn’t touch any of them. That area was meant for the really little kids, like Sammy.
In the second zone, the eggs were a little harder to find, but still pretty easy. That area was for the kids Ethan’s age. Most of the eggs were hidden in zone two because the majority of the kids in Cedar Grove were that age.
Zone three was my zone. It was the one farthest from the townhouses in an area bounded by the road, the river, and the railway tracks. The eggs were really hard to find in zone three. Even I found it challenging. And, of course, I was competing against kids like Michael and Tyler (but mostly Tyler).
As soon as Mrs. Williams shouted, “Let the hunt begin,” I sprinted as fast as I could to the edge of our property. I had a copy of the map stuffed in my back pocket even though I was certain I knew everything there was to know about Cedar Grove. I just didn’t want to risk getting caught collecting eggs in zone two. That would be bad.
I headed toward the river and the railway tracks. I figured that’s where most of the eggs would be hidden since the moms didn’t want us going too close to the road. And there weren’t many hiding spots in the field between Cedar Grove and the other townhouse complex.
Within minutes I had found two eggs. One under a rock and one hidden by the branch of a thorny bush. No way was I too old for an Easter egg hunt! This was fun!
I continued to search along the pathway that served as the border between Cedar Grove and the Fraser River. I looked around the lampposts, on the benches and even in the garbage bins.
Of course, I was hoping to avoid Tyler. And, of course, he showed up when I was looking through the garbage. As I lifted my head from the bin, there he was.
“Need something new to wear for Easter dinner?” Tyler smirked.
“Actually, I was just looking for you. I thought you might be in there,” I said, pointing to the garbage can.
Tyler was too cool to carry an Easter basket. He was carrying a pillowcase instead. And I could see there were already a couple of eggs inside. “How’s the egg hunt going?” he said.
“It was great fun until you came along,” I replied.
“Well, don’t get distracted and start climbing trees.” Tyler winked. “Being the honest guy that I am, I’d have to report you to the Neighborhood Council.”
“You like that bylaw, don’t you?” I accused.
“I’m not the one who gave up on our protest.”
“I haven’t given up,” I snapped.
“It sure smells like you have.” For a minute I thought he was saying that I smelled like garbage. Then I realized he was talking about the fact that I’d had a bath. I was about to be on the other end of the conversation I’d had with Ethan and Ashley.
“Yeah, well”—I hesitated—“the no-bathing thing wasn’t working. It was a stupid idea.”
“It wasn’t a stupid idea. It wasn’t working because you people don’t have enough backbone to follow through.”
“What happened to your backbone when Ms. Matheson came out?”
“I’m wasting my time talking to you,” Tyler said. “I’ve got eggs to find.”
He turned and walked away. Toward the river.
I turned toward the railway tracks to get away from Tyler and his stink. Just beyond the tracks I spotted three trees that looked perfect for hiding eggs. I searched all the low branches but found nothing. I was surprised the Cedar Grove moms, who had so much experience with this Easter Bunny stuff, would miss such a great egg-hiding opportunity.
Curious, I checked the map. Surprised, I looked again.
There was no doubt about it. These trees were outside the Cedar Grove property line. Just over the border.
This was huge! I’d found trees—great trees— I could climb! Legally! Near my house! I wanted desperately to climb those trees right then and there. But I knew I shouldn’t, and I didn’t. Tyler was still lurking around, and I was expected back from the egg hunt soon.
I told myself to proceed with caution. If only I had listened.