Tej nods.
He favors his right ankle when he walks, although no one else would notice. He was still in a cast at graduation. He got a standing ovation as he hobbled on crutches across the stage.
He closes the tailgate and says, “You can still change your mind.”
I shake my head. “I got a spot on a survey crew in September. Forestry department. Might lead to something.”
Tej grins. “That grizzly will be waiting for you.”
The warden who helped get Tej’s truck out of the bush said it wasn’t likely that the bears I saw from the chopper were the ones we had seen earlier. He said bears don’t stalk humans. I think the warden might be wrong, but I’m glad we didn’t find out.
“If that bear finds me, I’ll give her your number in Portland.”
Tej looks down at the ground. “I guess Jordan isn’t coming to say good-bye.”
I shake my head. “No, Jordan thinks you and I need to do this by ourselves.”
He laughs. “You can tell her I cried, if you want.” He scuffs the ground with his shoe. “Jordan is good for you.” He looks up at me. “I was wrong about her.”
I smile. “Yeah, you were wrong.”
Jordan got a job with the same survey crew. Jordan might lead to something too.
Tej says, “Maybe I thought if you didn’t have Jordan, you’d come with me.” He looks up at his house. His entire family is gathered on the front step, waiting to wave good-bye. He says, “You have everything you need here in Tremblay.”
“You do too, here and in Portland. You’ll be fine.” I shuffle my feet. “And you never know. I might end up at tech school. I’ve registered for a couple of adult education classes. High-school upgrading.”
He looks at me and his eyebrows shoot up.
I laugh. “You were wrong, now you’re speechless? This must be a first.”
“You’re right, which is also a first.” Tej claps me on the arm. “I’ll be back at Christmas. We’ll go snowboarding.”
I pull him into a fast hug, and then I give him a shove toward the door of his truck. “Yeah, and this time, I’ll drive.”
“Fine with me. I’ll sit in the back with a couple of Aussie babes.” Tej slides in behind the wheel.
“I’m beginning to think anything is possible.” I close his door. “Now get the hell out of here.”
Diane Tullson is the author of the ALA Best Book Red Sea. Diane lives in Vancouver, British Columbia.
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