American Girl (Idaho)

Lyndsey Kraft shouldered her backpack. Her friends gathered around Forrest's jeep. Each grabbed a tent, pack, or cooler to carry. They planned to hike all day before setting up camp. Lyndsey wore stout boots with thick heels, cut-off shorts, and a halter top. The day was hot, and she was perspiring already.
"All right, gang, forward hup," Forrest Gallant shouted, his arm arrowing straight toward the trail. "Right, two three four."
"Knock it off, Sarge," Milton Ledger griped. "You're not in the army anymore."
"We're not on a forced march," Milt's brother Garth put in. "We're here to have fun."
Lyndsey exchanged a look with her best friend, Ava Styles. The two girls giggled—they were off to a good start. The boys usually began grumbling before they hiked too far. The group spent the summers together hiking in the National Parks. Last year, they spent a week in the Grand Canyon, and the previous year, in the Badlands. They chose their destination the easy way: names in a hat. Garth drew and came up with Hell's Canyon, Idaho.
They formed a rough line and walked into the canyon. Forest took the lead, and the rest trailed behind. Milt and Garth carried a tent apiece while the rest lugged heavy packs and coolers. Lyndsey hoped they wouldn't hike too far. Her pack already felt like it weighed a ton. She took the trail side by side with Ava. The boys (or rather men, as they preferred) ranged along in the lead.
"Aren't you carrying anything?" Ava suddenly asked Tiffany Crane.
Lyndsey turned to walk backward, glaring at their final companion. She often wondered why Tiff joined their group. She wasn't hiking or camping material. Tiff, the granddaughter of Senator Harold Crane, was used to high society. She claimed acquaintances with crown princes and heads of state, even bragging about having dinner in the White House. The mere thought of exerting herself made Tiffany break out in hives.
Tiffany rolled her shoulders and stared blankly. She was wearing designer jeans and a plaid shirt with a cardigan draped over her back. Her soft kid boots were made for a fashion model's runway, not hiking in Hell's Canyon.
"Your feet are so gonna hurt you by the end of the day," Lyndsey remarked, whistling between her teeth. "Didn't you learn anything from the Grand Canyon?"
Tiffany shrugged again. Lyndsey faced forward and then ran to catch up with Forrest. She matched her steps to his steady march.
"Why did you let Tiff come with us again?" she asked their fearless leader.
"She wanted to come. Who am I to stop her?" Forrest answered nonchalantly.
"She ruined the Grand Canyon for us," Lyndsey complained. "And I'm not even going to mention what happened at Badlands."
"She wanted to come," Forrest repeated.
Lyndsey retreated back to Ava. Milt and Garth remained ahead of them, and Tiffany followed. As they moved along the trail, the distance between the group and the lagger widened. No one seemed to notice. They snacked on granola bars and drank water along the way. Finally, the canyon widened before them. They stood together in a group and looked down upon the Snake River.
"Whitewater rafting tomorrow, gang," Garth exclaimed. "Everyone prepared to get wet?"
"Yeah." They all sighed together.
"Forward march," Forrest exclaimed, moving onward.
"Knock it off," Milt stated, pushing Forrest in the back.
"You're in the Army Now," the girls sang, putting their heads together.
"Very funny, you two," Milt remarked, straight-faced. "How did I get mixed up with a bunch of comedians?"
"You love us, Milty," Ava sang out, flinging her arm over his shoulder. "Admit it."
"Nah." Milt extricated himself from Ava's hug and, quickening his step, walked beside Garth. He glanced back once. Lyndsey waved, and Ava threw him a kiss. They both giggled.
Forrest began scouting for a campsite when the sun sank toward the horizon. Dropping their packs, Milt and Garth unrolled the tents. The boys set up theirs quickly and then helped the girls. Forrest lit the campfire in a stone circle.
Lyndsey and Ava unrolled their sleeping bags and unpacked their nighttime necessities. They both enjoyed the peaceful outdoor evening. It gave them a chance to breathe and settle after the long trek. The National Park summers took them away from the hot city, bringing them closer to nature. The scent of roasting hot dogs and beans wafted into the tent. It felt good to spend time in the fresh, clean air.
"Is Tiff in there with you?" Garth asked, poking his head through the flap.
Lyndsey and Ava exchanged a stricken look. Their good feeling collapsed. They hadn't seen or thought about Tiffany Crane for most of the afternoon. They had completely forgotten about her. They scrambled outside quickly.
"Fine friends you are," Forrest hissed at them. His serene military composure dissipated. For once in his life, he didn't know which way to turn.
"We're not friends," Lyndsey stated without thinking. The words tumbled from her lips without forethought. Ava grabbed her hand, squeezing it tightly.
"You're supposed to look out for each other," their leader screamed frantically. "What am I going to tell the Senator?"
"Try the truth," Lyndsey remarked under her breath. Forrest pivoted toward her, his face crumpling. "I'm not her nanny, Forrest. She shouldn't come with us if she can't look after herself. There's trouble on every trip because of her. Can't you say No for once in your life?"
Lyndsey knew she should hold her tongue but couldn't control herself. Tiffany broke her ankle in the Grand Canyon. A helicopter airlifted her out. They spent the remainder of their vacation in a hospital waiting room. She suffered heat stroke in the Badlands. How she moaned and groaned until the Senator showed up. Perking up immediately, she threatened to sue all involved, including the National Park Service.
"The Senator's not going to like this," Forrest moaned, clasping his stomach in agony.
"Quit pandering to the Senator, Forrest Gallant." Lyndsey stomped her booted foot. "That's most of your problem. You're trying to get in big with Senator Crane through his granddaughter. She's nothing but trouble. Every time…"
"Come on, you two." Garth Ledger inserted himself between his feuding friends. "This isn't locating Tiffany. We gotta find her. It gets cold out here at night."
All eyes turned to Garth, who took immediate control. Milt would wait at the campsite while the rest fanned out along the trail. Garth assured them that she wasn't too far behind unless Tiffany left the marked path. They would stumble upon her sooner or later.
"Sooner rather than later," Lyndsey stated too loudly.
"We search until we find her." Garth's eyes riveted on Lyndsey. "Test your flashlights, everyone."
They flashed their lights several times before heading off. At first, they stayed close but fanned out to check away from the trail. Finally, emptyhanded, they merged for a conference.
"We'll continue for another mile or so," Garth suggested, hoping. Does anyone remember the last time Tiffany was with us?"
Lyndsey and Ava shrugged. They had exchanged barbs earlier in the morning, but afterward, they completely disregarded their stuck-up companion. Forrest shook his head dolefully. He seemed distant, probably worried about explaining the situation to the Senator.
"We're not going to find her this way," Ava complained, shifting her tired feet. "Let's return to camp, rest, and try again in the morning."
"Goodbye, whitewater rafting," Lyndsey muttered under her breath. Forrest stared at her blankly but didn't protest.
"I'm not willing to give up, gang," Garth remarked, beaming his flashlight into the darkness. "She's out here somewhere."
"I'm going back to camp," Lyndsey decided. "Leave her out here. Teach her a lesson. Maybe she'll stay home next year. C'mon, Ava."
Still, they continued to stand in a group on the trail. Garth continued to play his flashlight into the distance, hoping to pick up a sign of the missing girl. Forrest remained placid. When Lyndsey moved in the camp's direction, he followed her listlessly. Ava joined them.
"I'm going ahead," Garth hollered after them. "I'll go back to the jeep if I have to." He hesitated momentarily, watching his friends' disappearing backs.
Lyndsey led the way back to camp. They sat around the campfire all night, talking disconsolately. As much as she complained about Tiffany, she felt sorry their companion was missing. She wished she'd paid closer attention to her. Ava voiced the same opinion. Milt tried to reassure them that Tiff was okay. Garth would find her.
The night dragged on. In the morning, they waited expectantly for Garth's return. All eyes remained on the trail. Lyndsey hoped he had found Tiff and she was all right. Finally, Garth stumbled into camp alone. Everyone jumped to their feet.
"Did you find her?" Ava asked, grabbing Garth's arm. They all looked around expectantly.
"Yep." Garth's voice remained flat.
"Well, where is she?" Lyndsey shouted.
"I walked all the way back to the parking lot. It took most of the night," Garth began, swallowing hard. "When I got there, the jeep was gone."
Forrest's face turned pale; his eyes shrunken in their sockets. Ava plunked onto the log she was sitting on all night. Lyndsey's temperature rose in annoyance.
"Great. Someone stole our ride," she exclaimed hotly. "The icing on the cake."
"No one stole it," Garth remarked flatly. Their angry eyes turned in his direction. "Miss Tiffany Crane is staying at the Hells Canyon Lodge. I found her soaking in the hot tub."