Finding Heath

Heath remembers his first day at middle school. He dropped his backpack climbing the front steps of the school. He was hurrying to find his first period classroom.
“Hey, want some help there Buddy?” Heath looked up from his bent position to see two dark haired boys standing over him.
“No, thanks, I’ve got it, but thanks anyway,” responded Heath to the strangers.
“I don’t think so,” snarled the shorter one and shoved Heath sprawling down the steps. Laughing uncontrollably, they entered the building, leaving Heath bewildered and scraped.
“I cringe every time I see those two,” Heath said quietly to himself. “Why do people pick on the new kids, or the smaller ones?” He wrinkled his face in disgust as he thought about the latest incidence in the locker room. Thinking how he feared standing up for Nick, he felt nauseated.
“That won’t happen again,” Heath said out loud with pure determination. Somehow Kain and Rand were going to end their bullying tactics!
Ring! Right on cue.
“Hey, ZZ, you hungry?” inquired Heath.
“Always,” replied Zach. “That’s why I’m calling, Laddie. How about meeting me down the bluff at Buff’s restaurant for an early breakfast? My treat. Now as rare as that is, you should jump at the offer, right?”
“I thought you were coming here to try to beat Gramps and me at checkers. Came to your senses, huh? You know you’ll be creamed.”
“Actually, I’m looking forward to beating the pants off you both, but first I have to pick some things up at the hardware store for my dad. Since it’s next to the restaurant, I thought we’d meet for a bite to eat before I slaughter you and your dear ole’ granddad. How about it?”
“Meet you in an hour. The hardware store opens at 8:00, so I’ll grab a booth and save you a seat around 8:30.”
“It’s a deal. See you then.”
Heath showered and dressed in record time. Before he left, he climbed the lighthouse stairway.
“Good morning, Heath. Feeling better, Son?” asked Grandpa.
Until then, Heath completely forgot the game, his intercepted pass, and letting the team down. Momentarily it all returned. Grandpa noticed Heath’s countenance change.
“How about some breakfast? I just finished making some of those favorite waffles you love, and some sausage links. There’s whipped cream and strawberries in the frig, too.”
“Actually, Gramps, I came to tell you ZZ called and invited me to meet him at Buff’s for breakfast. Do you mind?” Heath’s positive outlook returned as fast as it left.
“Not at all. Hope you’re eating buffet, as much as he eats. Who’s paying?”
“Zach! Can you believe it?”
“Well, then, you better jump on that right away.”
“Yeah, that’s what I thought.” As Heath reached the stairs, he turned and joked with Gramps.
“By the way. After we eat, we’re coming here, and ZZ says he’s going to slaughter us playing checkers. He knows better, but let him dream for a little while, right, Gramps?”
“I’ll be ready. I’ll have the crying towel out for him by the time you arrive. Have a great breakfast. I’ll make the waffles and put them in the frig for tomorrow.”
Heath hurried down the spiral staircase and let the door slam behind him. He turned and saw Grandpa watching from the window above. Heath broke into a jog along the cliffs. Living on Mohegan Bluffs was hazardous after hard rains. Erosion took its toll over the years. Talk of moving the lighthouse back from the bluff grew more serious by the townspeople each year. Some lighthouses already underwent that process up and down the coast. It was expensive, though, and so far, no group raised nearly enough money for the project.
The sun shone brightly after pushing the usual morning fog out of the way. Every evening the deep fog rolled in from the sea, but every morning it disappeared. Living on an island, Heath learned to expect this. Heath ran in silence. He thoroughly enjoyed the time alone, and the way his body responded to the pace he set.
“Wow, that was a quick mile jog. It’s only 8:15. It took five minutes to reach Buff’s,” Heath murmured. As he started to enter the restaurant, Kain and Rand walked around the corner and reached for the door handle.
“Well, if it isn’t the Loser from last night’s game! They drop you from the team roster, yet, Punk? Mr. Science Genius might be good in the classroom, but he chokes on the basketball court. Why don’t you do everyone a favor and quit?”
Kain stood toe-to-toe with Heath, and Rand stood behind him, trapping him so he wasn’t able to escape.
Heath felt tension overwhelming his body. “Move, please.”
“Move, please,” Rand repeated in a wimpy, whiney voice.
Heath wanted to punch them both in the face, but he froze. He didn’t know whether to force his way in through the door, or turn and leave.