Erin laughed. "The best part is, I get to live away from home for most of the year. I knew I'd like being away from home, I didn't realize I'd love it so much. I didn't want to come home, not even for the holidays! My mother is close to driving me to drink. She is so crazy, Jack. I wonder where she gets some of the things she says. She tried everything to get Dad not to come up this summer because you'd be back."

Jackson grimaced. "I know she hasn't been the best mother for you, Hawk. At least your dad can balance it out for you some." She put her arm around Erin's shoulder and Erin rested her head against the strong body for a few moments.

"Yeah, he's really wonderful. After Mom has one of her tirades, he always calls and we talk about it. He's a great listener. I'm just so glad I haven't disappointed him, too."

"Oh, Hawk, the only reason your mom makes you feel like you've disappointed her is because you're not living the life she wants you to. You're being who you want. And that's what's important. Your dad can see that, she just can't. She's blind to everything around her except what she wants to see."

Erin looked up at Jackson in wonder. "You have really grown up, Jack. Sometimes I listen to you speak and I'm in awe at how much you've changed over the years. For the better, mind you. Not that anything was wrong with you per se..."

"Oh, well that makes me feel better," Jackson said, seeing Erin get fl.u.s.tered. "I'm teasing. I appreciate what you've said. I know I've matured a lot over the last few years. I guess a change of environment and mindset will do that to you. Catching fish and water skiing in the summer aren't the end all anymore."

"Uggh, I'll never water ski again."

Jackson's arm tightened around her. "I bet not. That was really scary. For all of us. G.o.d. Sometimes I still have nightmares about that."

"You do? I thought it was just me. I guess when you have a near-death experience, it tends to stay with you for a while." Erin grinned mirthlessly.

"Well, yeah. When you have to do just the right thing to make sure your best friend doesn't die in front of your eyes, it also kinda sticks with you for some time. That day scared the living s.h.i.t out of me, Hawk. I was scared witless about telling your mom I'd killed you."

Erin laughed. "Oh sure! You were more worried about my mother, not that I'd be dead."

"Well, there was that, too."

"Oh, thanks for that consolation," she said sarcastically.

"My pleasure." She gave Erin her most endearing smile.

The two stayed up there for a couple of hours, catching up on life stories, the bond between them crackling with energy and alive once more.

As the days progressed, Erin and Jackson found their groove and were once again running and playing all over the grounds. Erin's mother tried time and time again to get Erin to stay in a night or two, but much to her chagrin, her husband would remind her that they were on vacation and urged her to lighten up.

With a grudging att.i.tude, Katie continued to try to get Erin to go shopping with her, or walk the trails with her and Joe, anything to get her away from Jackson. I will not lose this fight, Erin. That woman is not good for you to be around.

Katie had not crossed paths with Jackie since she'd called to berate and insult her niece on that fateful day almost exactly five years ago. Katie felt that Jackie owed her the apology for her rude comments and, much to Joe's disappointment, wouldn't back down.

Joe had continued his amiable relationship with Jackie and Jackson. He found them to be lovely people and was pleased to be able to spend time with them. Jackson was a wonderful girl who made him smile with her wit and appealing charm. It was so clear that Erin adored her friend and Joe was glad they shared such a close bond.

Joe and Katie spent the afternoons on the bear trails simply enjoying each other's company. They laughed and talked while he picked flowers for her hair, and reconnected with the woman he loved. As they approached the end of the trail, he could feel the air around them shift. When they were alone, Katie could be the fun-loving woman he married, but once her focus turned toward Jackson, she changed completely. He hoped it wouldn't always be like that. Erin was going to graduate from the Art Inst.i.tute and continue her artistry and then would most likely marry. Katie would calm down once Erin was an adult. He mentally crossed his fingers, hoping his predictions came to fruition.

Joe left their cabin after another round with his wife. He was growing tired of the constant nagging and complaining she was doing regarding their daughter. He had suggested she stay in Paldeer while Erin and he vacationed together, but she adamantly refused to sit back while that "snake" sank her fangs into her daughter.

"You have really lost it, you know that, right?" he said.

"And you are blind as to what's right in front of your eyes." The same old argument went back and forth, neither of a mind to change their opinion.

He went in search of Erin and Jackson to see if they wanted to fish with him. That was always a good time for them. When he found them, Jackson was swinging out over the water on a rope tied to a tree and then falling into the lake. When her head popped up out of the water, she motioned and shouted for Erin to grab the rope while it was coming her way. Erin grabbed on with both hands.

"I'm coming in, so watch out!" she yelled back at Jackson. Backing up as far as she could, holding the rope tightly, she ran toward the edge of the bank and jumped with a piercing shriek. The rope swung her out over a deeper part of the lake. When she was at the furthest stretch of the rope, she let go and noisily fell into the water. "Whoa!"

Jackson watched as Erin broke through the surface of the water with a face-splitting smile. "That was awesome! How come we never did that when we were kids?"

Jackson laughed as she treaded water. "Probably because we would've killed ourselves doing that as kids!"

Spitting water that had gone in her mouth, she agreed. "You're right. Let's go again! I'll grab the rope and hand it to you."

"Cool."

They swam back to sh.o.r.e and Jackson got out, accepting the rope from Erin. When Joe appeared, Jackson smiled at him. "You want to try this, old man? Think your ticker could take it?"

"Who you callin' old?" Joe loved the easy teasing between them. He put down his fishing poles and walked over to Jackson.

Erin saw her father approaching the rope. "Dad, you can't be serious! You don't even have your..." Joe had already begun to run with the rope in hand and was quickly approaching the water. "...suit on," Erin finished.

When Joe's semi-bald head popped up, Erin howled in laughter. "I cannot believe you did that! Mom is going to kill you!"

"That was really fun!" He laughed with his daughter as he swam back to sh.o.r.e. "Nah, by the time I come in from the boat, I'll be dry." He slowly made his way out of the water and smirked at Jackson, who was standing there with her hands on her hips and an I-can't-believe-you-actually-did-that, good-for-you look about her.

"Nicely done. I think I liked the girly scream at the end the best." Jackson ran as Joe came after her like a tiger.

Erin laughed as she watched her father chase after Jackson with no chance of catching the faster woman. She tied the rope around the tree trunk and gathered her dad's poles then put them in his boat. Jackson ran toward her with Joe walking behind, coughing and catching his breath. When he reached them, he gave Jacksona full body hug from behind, chilling her already wet body with his soaked clothing.

"Thanks," she drawled.

"You girls want to go fishing? Your mother seems to want to do nothing but read today, so I'm on my own."

"Sure, Dad, let me just get my shorts and top. Jack, you wanna come?" Erin asked.

"Sounds good to me. I'll go grab some sodas from the fridge and tell Jackie we'll be out on the boat."

When Jackson left, Erin looked at her dad with such love in her eyes. "I'm so glad you and Jack get along so well."

"She's a wonderful person, Peanut. I enjoy people who enjoy life so much. It's really addictive."

Erin smiled at this declaration. "I agree. I just wish Mom did, too."

He shook his head in sympathy. "Peanut, sometimes you just can't change someone's point of view, as twisted and crazy as it may seem to you. Your mother has a problem with Jack and, evidently, her aunt as well. I don't want anything to do with all of that, so I just continue to live like I want, whether or not she approves."

"I wish I could do that. She's just so relentless, Dad." Erin's expression was one of defeat. "It's always something with her, but G.o.d, when it's regarding Jack, I can't do anything!"

"One day, Peanut, one day you're gonna live without your mother's constant disapproval. I fear it'll be an ugly day in our house, but you'll feel better. Just be happy, Peanut. That's all I'll ever want for you."

Erin hugged her father. "Thanks, Dad. I love you." They pulled apart and shared a grin. "Lemme get my stuff and I'll be right back."

He watched her dash to the edge of the water to grab her belongings. Anger welled inside of him but soon dissipated as he acknowledged there was nothing he could do that would change the way his wife reacted to Jackson. He knew something was going to have to change or Katie and their marriage would be in trouble.

With only a couple of days left of vacation, Erin was beginning to feel some sadness. The time she'd spent with Jackson had been fantastic. They'd had great adventure-filled days and spent a lot of nights just sitting on the boathouse roof talking about anything and everything. The nights that it rained, they would stay in the loft with a candle or two shining low and illuminating shadows of all shapes and sizes throughout the boathouse. This was Erin's Wonderland and now that Jackson was back, she didn't want to leave. Knowing Jackson still had a year left of school and would also be leaving shortly had helped ease her heart. Erin would be back next summer, and the next, until her parents didn't want to return. By then, she would just drive herself up and vacation alone.

Erin had taken her art supplies up to the loft while Jackson did some errands for Jackie. The sun had almost set, so she lit the few candles they kept in the loft. Her teenage years would be over next month and she wanted to do something to commemorate the time she had spent with Jackson. Pulling a small box from her knapsack, Erin placed it on the blanket. She had only done this a few times with some friends at school, and never to herself. She took off her shirt and bikini top. Taking some rubbing alcohol from her bag, she cleansed a patch of skin. Pulling open the box, she grabbed the needle and opened the bottle of black ink. She flicked the lighter on with her thumb and ran the needle through the flame. Now sterilized, she dipped it into the ink. Taking a deep breath, Erin began to rapidly and rhythmically press the needle into her skin. The initial sting was intense, but she was determined. On occasion she would wipe the bloodied surface with a cloth and admire her work. When the blade took shape, a smile as wide as the Grand Canyon appeared on her face.

Jackson saw the faint light in the loft from the ground floor of the boathouse. When she climbed into the loft, her eyes nearly bugged out of her head, freaked not only at the sight of Erin's bare b.r.e.a.s.t.s, but at what she was doing to one of them. "Hawk, what are you doing to yourself!"

Erin looked up and smiled. "Hang on, I'm almost done." She dipped the needle one last time and began the rapid stabbing until she was satisfied.

Jackson sat down in front of her and paid rapt attention. When she spoke again, her voice was filled with amazement. "Where did you learn to do that?"

"Remember my friend Tom, from high school?" Jackson nodded. "He taught me how to tattoo using just inks and needles. I did it to some of my floormates last year, but..." she paused to wipe the blood away. She looked at her work with approval. "I never did it to myself until now." She placed a sterile gauze pad over the fresh ink and looked at Jackson. "I've known you throughout my entire teenage years. And they've been the best years I could ever imagine. I wanted to commemorate that and always remember this place and the time we spent as kids." She removed the gauze and revealed her creation. On her left breast was a small black tomahawk.

Jackson's eyes went wide and then a delighted smile lit up her face. "Hawk, that is probably the coolest thing I've ever seen you do."

"What? You've seen me draw plenty of art that was far better than this little thing," she objected.

"No, Hawk. G.o.d, this small representation on your skin has so much meaning wrapped up in it." Erin smiled warmly. "Obviously to anyone who sees it, it may just appear that you have a thing for Indians, but for me, I see our lives."

"That's exactly it, it's our lives, and even though I do have a huge respect for Indians, I wouldn't call it 'a thing'."

"I was kidding."

"Man, my endorphins kicked in, my body is just...wow. Alive!" Erin laughed.

"Did it hurt?" Jackson asked, eyeing the small weapon.

"Oh yeah, initially it hurts a lot. It's piercing your skin, Jack," she explained. "It'll probably be sensitive for a day or so, too." She reached down for some alcohol and rubbed some on her skin, hissing as the cloth made contact. Jackson winced in sympathy.

The two just stared at the image now forever branded on Erin's skin. Erin was so pleased with her work she couldn't stop looking at it.

Jackson suddenly announced, "I want one too."

Erin looked up, her eyes wide. "Seriously?"

"Yeah, sign me up. What do I have to do?"

Erin's heart began to beat wildly with excitement. It would be fitting for Jackson to have the same tattoo. Yeah, this is a really great idea.

"Well, with most of my friends, they usually got high or took a shot or three of alcohol. It just depends on how well you do with needles. You're not gonna pa.s.s out on me, are you? It's okay if you do, we just need to lay you down first. Then I can really drill you." She smiled evilly, causing Jackson to momentarily reconsider her decision.

"I don't like needles and I'm a real wuss when it comes to pain, so I should probably do something before I let you stick me." A thought came to her mind. "I, um...smoke a little pot now and again and keep some up here. Do you mind if I do that?"

"Jack, I had no idea you smoked dope!" she cried, amazed she didn't know about that part of Jackson's life. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Eh, it's no big deal, I don't do it very often, just when I want to really get into my music or I can't sleep. Stuff like that. You're an artist; you can't tell me you haven't dabbled in the ganja."

Erin smiled guiltily. "I've done it several times, actually. I'm just always paranoid my mother will find things to persecute me with, so I never keep any at the house. She'd turn me over to the cops without hesitation."

"Well, you can have some if you want. I have enough." She smiled. "G.o.d, we could've done this before tonight, had I known. This will be so fun!"

"Sure, I'm game, but I'll do your tat before I do, otherwise you might get something like my mother's face with an axe through it." She giggled.

Jackson perked up. "Really, you could do that? I want two of those!" She got up, retrieved her stash, and sat back down.

"Jack!" Erin laughed.

"Fine, I'll just stick with the tomahawk...party p.o.o.per."

She pretended to pout as she opened a small wooden box she kept in a corner of the loft. She fingered the clear baggy, pulled out an unused joint, then pointed to Erin's lighter. "May I?" Erin handed over the lighter and watched as Jackson lit the marijuana cigarette. Jackson inhaled and held it in her lungs for a few moments then exhaled the sweet-smelling smoke.

"That smells good," Erin commented, watching Jackson inhale. Jackson took a few more hits then stubbed it out.

Erin suddenly realized that she was still without her shirt but didn't want to put it on because her skin was tender, so she asked, "Jack, do you mind if I leave my shirt off? I'm still really sore."

"Sure, they're already out there and all." She winked at Erin. The joking answer seemed to put her friend at ease. After a few moments, she looked at Erin with hooded eyelids and a goofy smile. "I'm feeling no pain. Let's do this."

Erin smiled at her willing partic.i.p.ant. "One thing left."Jackson looked confused. "What?"

"You gotta take your shirt off so I can work on your skin."

"Oh." Jacksonblushed a little as she lifted her shirt off. Her bra still covered the skin Erin was going to work on. Screw it. She unhooked her bra and let it fall into her lap, baring her b.r.e.a.s.t.s to Erin for the first time.

A small burn started in Erin's groin. She was familiar with these feelings. The ones regarding Jackson were fairly new this summer, but not unwelcome. Erin looked Jackson in the eye. "Are you okay? You sure you want to do this? Once it's on, it's on."

Jackson bobbed her head in the affirmative. "Yeah, let's do it."

Erin smiled at how many ways she could play on those words, but decided in Jackson's condition she probably shouldn't. She inched closer to Jackson, but couldn't get a comfortable spot with their knees in the way.

"Jack, I can't get a good position. Um...do you think you could stretch your legs out so I could bring my legs over yours?" she asked warily, not wanting to breach any barriers.

"You mean, like, straddle my legs?" Jackson asked, looking down at her legs.

You're so malleable in this state, aren't you? "Yeah, that way I can get a better angle and I won't stab you worse than I have to."

"Sure, climb aboard."

Erin scooted back and let Jackson extend her legs and move them apart, forming a V. Erin moved closer to Jackson's body and hooked her legs over Jackson's. Both women realized what an intimate position they were in, but knew it was the best way to proceed with the tattooing. Jackson could feel Erin's breath on her exposed skin and couldn't help the goose b.u.mps that started.

Erin noticed right away as Jackson's nipples hardened. "If you want to wrap your shirt around you, that's fine."

"No, I'm good. Let's do this before I lose my nerve." The effects of the marijuana were helping that nerve along nicely.

Erin wiped some rubbing alcohol on Jackson's chest, then picked up the needle and dipped it in ink. "All right, try not to move too much, okay?"

"'Kay." Jackson bit her lip and tensed up.

"Jack, I haven't even touched you yet. Relax, okay? Once your endorphins kick in, you'll feel a rush like you won't believe."

"Okay, on three. One...two...Ow!" Jackson winced at the first p.r.i.c.king of the needle in her skin, but didn't move. Erin's warm hands on her chest were almost worse for her than the needle that was moving impossibly faster into her flesh.

"You're doing great, Jack. Just breathe and relax."

Jackson did as she was told and just kept her eyes locked on Erin's, which were in deep concentration. She noticed the dark outline of blue around the lighter shade coloring her eyes. She fought the temptation to brush her knuckles down Erin's cheek. She did, however, sweep some hair out of her eyes, that had coincidentally fallen as she was watching her. She reached up and lightly tucked the strands behind Erin's ear.