Apparently, Charlie had told Jimmy about their plan to meet and discuss Ricky. He'd told his cousin that he felt that he should be there, considering that it was his brother that went missing. From there, Jimmy had told Andrew (apparently that was his name, and he was their third cousin), as he and Andrew were of a like mind, never believing that Harris Hallahan, the alleged kiddie-pervert, had anything to do with Ricky. Of course, from what Jimmy told Tess, it seemed like Andrew believed all sorts of conspiracies, and had some very odd hobbies to boot, including an obsession with something called cryptozoology or something like that.

Either way, it didn't matter. Tess's plan to keep this a small conversation with Charlie had been completely dashed. A whole parade of cousins turned up, as Charlie arrived with their second cousin Dylan in tow (who he claimed had been present when Little Ed told him to meet her), and Dylan's little sister Anna that had snuck out and followed Charlie and Dylan, as she overheard they were going to be hanging out with Tess without her. Just to make things worse, Dylan decided to invite their other second cousin, Tina, after he heard that Charlie invited Jimmy. Apparently Tina's dad had disappeared on something called a bender on Sunday and Dylan had decided that was the equivalent of Ricky going missing two months ago, so if Jimmy could be there, then so could Tina. Jimmy told him he might as well have invited a narc to a drug deal, whatever that meant. All Tess knew is that everything had rapidly gotten out of hand.

Plus now she and Alex were the youngest kids present, save for Anna, who apparently thought this was going to be the best playdate ever. She had come decked out in full safari gear, including a plastic safari cap, and the full khaki outfit, only instead of pants, she wore a khaki skirt. To top it off, her Ugg boots definitely weren't meant for off-road exploration, and Tess had no idea why a pristine stuffed monkey seemed to be sticking out of her second cousin's armpit. As much as Tess liked her, Anna and she were unlikely friends, nearly polar opposites, and obviously Anna had come prepared for a rousing game of dress-up, instead of a long hike and a trek through the brambles.

This had all gone completely wrong, and it wasn't fair, and she only had forty minutes left to get back and call Aunt Claire. Tess wanted to scream, but that wouldn't do. All eyes were on her.

She could barely breathe. The air just stuck on its way down, and she wondered if she might pass out. Perhaps she should just cancel the whole affair. She didn't want to talk anymore.

Then Andrew stole the choice away.

Up until this point, the gathering had devolved as most of the cousins' get-togethers had a way of doing, with the various cousins and friends bantering and rough housing as they might on any other occasion - the latter being of minor concern considering the treehouse had never been meant to accommodate this many kids. Yet, then, Andrew leaned forward, running one hand back through a tuft of dyed hair, and broke through the chaotic mill of voices with a simple question that brought everyone's attention squarely on Tess.

"So what's the big story, Tess?"

She didn't know him well, but already Tess didn't like him. Which is a terrible thing to think, she thought, though she also couldn't deny it. She figured she'd have to add it to the growing list of failures that seemed to be marking her decline ever since she lost Ricky.

Tina, prim and proper in her floral dress, huffed and glanced out the window as Tess froze under everyone's scrutiny. "Can we get on with this? I can only make the 'study session at the library' excuse hold for so long, and I still have to make a return appearance if I'm going to sell it."

Tess still couldn't find the words. Turning she searched for Alex, hoping for at least some moral support. She found him pressed all the way back against the wall, hidden in the deepest shadow he could find. His eyes were focused on the wheels of her skateboard, which he still fidgeted with, spinning them nervously.

He was no help.

"I..." Tess started, but it was too much. "You're all not supposed to be here."

With that she rose and stormed out onto the balcony. She could hear the voices all rising at once as she did, but she didn't care. Charlie had ruined everything and now she didn't know how to speak up.  Charlie was nice. He'd believe her. The rest of them, well she didn't have a clue, but if they were anything like her parents then this was going nowhere.

As she left, Jimmy's voice rose above the others, telling them to just shut up and wait for him. Normally, Jimmy was a social pariah of the cousins, being the outcast, distracted in dark poetry and anything thoroughly depressing. A few months ago, no one would have listened to him, yet right then, they all shut up and did as he said. Apparently having your brother go missing bought you a temporary pass.

Whatever. She'd been there when Ricky vanished, and no one was giving her a pass. Forget them. She let the sun wash over her and shut the tiny, toy-like door behind her. She had to get out. She had to be alone.

Ahhh.... alone at last.  That'll be good for Tess, right?

Also, how old does she read to you?

And, at last, welcome to this gaggle of cousins.  Hopefully they didn't lose you.  These ensemble scenes can present numerous challenges.

So now, as usual, if you liked the chapter, feel free to click that star and vote, comment, and/or share.  Your time is much appreciated!

Up next, Jimmy must confront his younger cousin and attempt to reach the truth behind his brother's disappearance.