back out into the street before he heads into my house.
As I turn the corner at the end of the street, I feel my muscles relax. I’m free from seeing my dad and his friends act like children. I’m free from the guilt that clouds over me every time my dad looks at me with a call for help that I don’t have the energy to give him. I’m free from knowing that I can’t help him. I’m just free. This time next year, I won’t have to ever come back. To think, in a little less than a year, my life can begin for real.
***
I pull into my second summer home, Camp White Ash, around half past six. Of course, I’m the first one here. Unlike the other counselors, I don’t need to spend extra time with my family, doing dinners and attending gatherings on the weekends, before returning to camp.
I head to the main lodge to pick up my schedule and the key to my cabin. After unloading my car, I settle in before going to the mess hall for a bite. There’s usually not much food on Sunday nights, but some snacks are left out for the counselors. This is my traditional Sunday supper.
After gorging on as much as possible, I walk over to the lake to sit on the dock. I absolutely love it here. There’s no nothing in the world that compares to how this fantastic gift from Mother Nature makes me feel…content. That’s what it is—pure contentment.
The sun is just setting, making the lake sparkle with diamonds, as the trees shimmer in the water’s reflection. The sky is gorgeous with its orange and purple hues lingering among the clouds.
I tuck my legs behind me, laying my stomach on the dock, so I can touch the water with my fingertips. The cool silk of the lake ribbons through my hands as I wave them through the water. This is heaven. This is my soul’s home.
“Hey, lady,” Lexi calls from behind me.
“Hey,” I say, rolling to my side while I shake the water from my hands. “What are you doing here so early?”
“Ah, my parents went out with some friends, so I was free to leave. Sooo,” she sings, clapping her hands together as she skips down the length of the dock.
I sit up and wipe my hands on my shorts as Lexi sits next to me. She bumps her shoulder with mine, and I turn to look at her, wondering what’s up. She stares at me with a devilish grin, waggling her eyes like a villain.
“What?” I ask.
“You know what. Give the Cromwell details. I need them, all of them. Feel free to go slowly ,” she says, emphasizing the last word.
“You were there, too. What details do you need?”
“Don’t play me,” she drawls, shaking her head. “I’m sure there was a lot going on that I didn’t see. Plus, I know all about a little outing this afternoon, so don’t be coy with me.”
“What are you? Some kind of spy?” I accuse incredulously.
“Pe-shaw! No, I texted Brent. He told me. Well, he told me he saw you today, but he didn’t give any details. You know how guys are! Give! Me! Details!” Grabbing my shoulders and shaking me playfully, she adds, “Before I explode!”
“All right, all right!” I playfully swat at her. “But you can’t say a word to anyone, okay?”
She pretends to zip up her lips, turn a key, and toss it in the water. Then, she grasps my hand while she bounces up and down on her bottom. What is wrong with her? I swear she’s just been possessed by a jackrabbit. Seeing the expectant look on her face, I concede and tell her about the amazing afternoon I spent with Brent. Of course, I gloss over the more intimate details. I might be excited, but I’m just not a girlie girl like that. She’s a great listener though, only responding with oohs, ahs, giggles, and no ways.
After I finally finish, she asks, “So, is he a good kisser or what?”
I’m embarrassed by this question. It feels wrong to kiss-and-tell. Hoping it will tide over her curiosity, I simply say, “Well, I wouldn’t mind kissing him again.”
She slaps me on the arm. “I knew it! I knew it! By the way, you should
As I turn the corner at the end of the street, I feel my muscles relax. I’m free from seeing my dad and his friends act like children. I’m free from the guilt that clouds over me every time my dad looks at me with a call for help that I don’t have the energy to give him. I’m free from knowing that I can’t help him. I’m just free. This time next year, I won’t have to ever come back. To think, in a little less than a year, my life can begin for real.
***
I pull into my second summer home, Camp White Ash, around half past six. Of course, I’m the first one here. Unlike the other counselors, I don’t need to spend extra time with my family, doing dinners and attending gatherings on the weekends, before returning to camp.
I head to the main lodge to pick up my schedule and the key to my cabin. After unloading my car, I settle in before going to the mess hall for a bite. There’s usually not much food on Sunday nights, but some snacks are left out for the counselors. This is my traditional Sunday supper.
After gorging on as much as possible, I walk over to the lake to sit on the dock. I absolutely love it here. There’s no nothing in the world that compares to how this fantastic gift from Mother Nature makes me feel…content. That’s what it is—pure contentment.
The sun is just setting, making the lake sparkle with diamonds, as the trees shimmer in the water’s reflection. The sky is gorgeous with its orange and purple hues lingering among the clouds.
I tuck my legs behind me, laying my stomach on the dock, so I can touch the water with my fingertips. The cool silk of the lake ribbons through my hands as I wave them through the water. This is heaven. This is my soul’s home.
“Hey, lady,” Lexi calls from behind me.
“Hey,” I say, rolling to my side while I shake the water from my hands. “What are you doing here so early?”
“Ah, my parents went out with some friends, so I was free to leave. Sooo,” she sings, clapping her hands together as she skips down the length of the dock.
I sit up and wipe my hands on my shorts as Lexi sits next to me. She bumps her shoulder with mine, and I turn to look at her, wondering what’s up. She stares at me with a devilish grin, waggling her eyes like a villain.
“What?” I ask.
“You know what. Give the Cromwell details. I need them, all of them. Feel free to go slowly ,” she says, emphasizing the last word.
“You were there, too. What details do you need?”
“Don’t play me,” she drawls, shaking her head. “I’m sure there was a lot going on that I didn’t see. Plus, I know all about a little outing this afternoon, so don’t be coy with me.”
“What are you? Some kind of spy?” I accuse incredulously.
“Pe-shaw! No, I texted Brent. He told me. Well, he told me he saw you today, but he didn’t give any details. You know how guys are! Give! Me! Details!” Grabbing my shoulders and shaking me playfully, she adds, “Before I explode!”
“All right, all right!” I playfully swat at her. “But you can’t say a word to anyone, okay?”
She pretends to zip up her lips, turn a key, and toss it in the water. Then, she grasps my hand while she bounces up and down on her bottom. What is wrong with her? I swear she’s just been possessed by a jackrabbit. Seeing the expectant look on her face, I concede and tell her about the amazing afternoon I spent with Brent. Of course, I gloss over the more intimate details. I might be excited, but I’m just not a girlie girl like that. She’s a great listener though, only responding with oohs, ahs, giggles, and no ways.
After I finally finish, she asks, “So, is he a good kisser or what?”
I’m embarrassed by this question. It feels wrong to kiss-and-tell. Hoping it will tide over her curiosity, I simply say, “Well, I wouldn’t mind kissing him again.”
She slaps me on the arm. “I knew it! I knew it! By the way, you should
Similar Books
