My Side of the Mountain: Tech Upgrade

A New Home

Yes, those were the days. My time in the Catskills mountains was amazing, and I feel like somehow it was cut short. Shortly after I started becoming famous on social media, my parents came to give me a call. My mom was very understanding, given the circumstances, but I still wish they never came.  

"Honey?" My mom said, sitting across from me on a log, next to my dad.  

I turned away from her, knees to my chest. 

"Honey, I know this isn't how you wanted it to go, but let's not kid ourselves here; while you are technically able to survive out here, we aren't legally allowed to let you do it. We are your guardians, and we can't let you live out here all alone." 

I turned to them in surprise. "Is this true?" I asked Dad. 

He nodded, "Every word, son. You know us. We love nature just as much as you, and even though we live in the big city, it makes us so proud to see you find a place where you can be happy. But we can't let you live here alone." 

My ears perked up. "So, does that mean you are all coming here?" I asked hopefully.  

My hopes were dashed when they shook their heads. "We're sorry, Sam, but we just have too many responsibilities in New York to justify moving out here." Dad said. Mom nodded. "I have college, also, and there would unfortunately not be an easy way to raise my family, take college courses AND survive out here the way you have been. Even if we moved to New Delhi, you still wouldn't be able to live out here." She seemed to be stressing the word, and I caught a glance between Mom and Dad. I thought hard for a moment, catching their drift. But if they were implying that they were considering moving out over to New Delhi anyway . . .  

"There's no possible way I could live out here by myself? What will happen to Frightful?" I tried one last time.  

Mom shook her head, and Dad spoke. "Ok, you can keep the bird, but you would be entirely responsible for it. And for your other question, no. Not until you're eighteen and have graduated. Don't forget young man, that you missed an entire semester of school, and you are going to have to make it up." Dad looked at Mom, and she looked at him, then smiled softly at me, "But after you graduate, you are welcome to live out here, as long as you stay here on the Gribley land that our family owns. It's your life, but we're your guardians until you're no longer a minor."  

"So, do we have ourselves a deal?"