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That Christmas had been the best Christmas Rena had experienced since her mother had passed away. The warmth and joy she felt were indescribable, filling her heart with a sense of belonging she hadn’t felt in years. This boy, Clark, had come into her life and changed everything. They had only known each other for a few months, but she couldn’t imagine her life without him. He had become something incredibly special to her, and by his thoughtful gift, she had become something special to him as well.
Scared that her strict grandmother would punish her for having music or anything related to music in the house, they decided to keep the keyboard in Clark’s room. On the weekends, when he was there, she would go over to practice. She quickly progressed from a beginner to an intermediate level of skill. Clark loved watching her play. Her expressions would always soften, her scared, lonely shell would break, and her true self would shine through. She would smile so brightly, losing herself in the melodies. It created a thread to the past, allowing her to hold on to the precious memories of her mother. The stirring in Clark’s stomach grew, and he began to understand what it meant. He had a crush on his Ree.
Before they knew it, three years had passed, and they were ten years old. The two had become even closer than before, their bond unbreakable. Rena’s grandmother continued to go on trips, making it easy for Rena and Clark to spend time together.
Recently, they had been reading a book series together, The Magic Treehouse.
“Ree, you know what would be amazing?” Clark asked as he finished his book, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
“What’s that, Clarkie?” she said with a smile, her curiosity piqued.
“If we had our own treehouse!” Clark cheered, his enthusiasm contagious.
“Like their treehouse? That would be so cool!” Rena cheered with him, her eyes lighting up with excitement.
“Let’s go ask my dad! I bet he’d build one for us! My birthday is coming up, it can be my birthday present!” Clark said as he helped Rena off the floor, his heart racing with anticipation.
They rushed out to the living room where Clark’s dad was sitting in the recliner, watching old westerns on the TV.
“Dad! Dad! Can we build a treehouse? Please!” Clark yelped as they ran in, their faces glowing with excitement.
“Whoa there, kid, say what now? A treehouse?” he asked, looking at the starry-eyed kids with a bemused expression.
“Yeah! Like from the books. Can we have a treehouse? It can be my birthday present!” Clark gleamed, his eyes pleading.
“Well, I don’t–” Clark’s dad started.
“That’s a wonderful idea, Clark,” his grandma said as she entered the room with a tray of snacks. “Your dad and grandpa can build it for you in the side lot. Then it’s in between the houses. You kids can play up there and let your imaginations run wild!”
“Ma! Don’t just volunteer–” Clark’s dad started to say.
“Henry James Emerson. You are going to build your son and his girlfriend a treehouse. End of discussion. William! Get down here!” She yelled up the stairs for Clark’s grandfather. Meanwhile, Clark’s face turned bright red from his grandma’s girlfriend comment.
A grumbling and footsteps came down the stairs. Clark’s grandfather reached the bottom and came into the living room with everyone else.
“What is it, dear?” he grumbled, his voice rough from age.
“Get your toolbelt out. You’re helping your son build a treehouse for your grandson.”
He looked over at Clark, seeing the brightened boy gleaming, and he couldn’t say no.
“Sounds like a marvelous idea,” he grinned, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
Not long after, the men had gone to get the supplies. Clark and Rena had been assigned the job of designing the treehouse. The main floor was a simple flat area, walled in, with a roof and a window. There was a ladder in the corner that led to a second-story platform that was open so they could sit and look at the sky. It wasn’t anything too crazy, but it would be big enough for them to consider it their clubhouse. It took his dad and grandpa almost a week to build it, but when it was finally done, it was everything they had imagined it would be.
Since it was covered, they took some toys, books, and other little items to make it homey. To commemorate their clubhouse, Clark used his small pocket knife to carve their initials into the tree. He carved out ‘R & C 4ever’ inside a heart. He didn’t even realize he had made a heart around the letters until he was done. When he stepped back and realized he had, he started to blush, hoping Ree didn’t find it weird.
“This is our place now,” Clark said after he finished the carving, his voice filled with pride.
“It’s amazing,” Rena said as they sat down on the carpet they had brought up, her heart swelling with happiness.
As the sun began to set, casting a warm golden glow over the treehouse, Rena and Clark settled into their cozy sanctuary. Today was an extra special day—it was Clark’s birthday. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect.
Rena had brought a small cake, carefully hidden in a box, and now she revealed it with a flourish. “Happy birthday, Clarkie!” she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Clark’s face lit up with surprise and joy. “Ree, you didn’t have to do this!”
“Of course I did,” Rena said, smiling warmly. “It’s your special day, and now we have our special place to celebrate it.”
They lit a single candle on the cake, and Clark made a wish before blowing it out. “I wished for more days like this,” he said, his voice filled with sincerity.
Rena’s heart swelled with affection. “Me too, Clarkie. Me too.”
They enjoyed the cake together, savoring the sweet treat and the moment. The soft glow of the lantern cast a magical light, making the treehouse feel even more special.
After they finished the cake, Rena handed Clark a small, wrapped gift. “I have something else for you,” she said, her voice tinged with excitement.
Clark unwrapped the gift to find a beautiful sketchbook with a hand-drawn cover featuring their treehouse. “Ree, this is amazing! Did you draw this?”
Rena nodded, blushing slightly. “I wanted you to have something to remember today by. You can use it to design more amazing things, just like our treehouse.”
Clark hugged her tightly, his heart overflowing with gratitude. “Thank you, Ree. This is the best birthday ever.”
As they sat in the treehouse, the stars began to twinkle in the night sky. They leaned back, looking up at the stars through the open window, feeling a deep sense of peace and contentment.
“Do you think we’ll always have this place?” Rena asked, her voice filled with a mix of hope and uncertainty.
Clark reached out and took her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “As long as we have each other, we’ll always have this place. No matter what.”
Rena smiled, feeling a deep sense of peace. “I’m glad. I don’t know what I’d do without you, Clark.”
Clark’s heart swelled with affection. “You don’t have to worry about that, Ree. I’ll always be here for you.”
As they sat there, wrapped in the warmth of their friendship and the magic of the night, they knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together. The treehouse was more than just a structure; it was a symbol of their unbreakable bond and the countless memories they had yet to create.
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