Young Lather

School's Out

School sort of faded away this year. I mean, the schedule was pretty clear, with full days Monday and Tuesday, and half days Wednesday and Thursday. Revised bus schedules. Awards ceremony. Seniors done early. All that stuff. But it seemed to just slip away somehow. Now it's Friday, and a lot of us -- brand new juniors -- were hanging out at The Falls. A bunch of new seniors were here too, and a bunch of graduated seniors, and some others, older and younger. Maybe seventy people. Or more? I didn't count. Garrett and Tony B had brought a half keg of Stroh's and were charging $10 a cup. Some people had something of their own, and of course you could smell weed. People were relaxed, but it was early. No doubt things would get crazier.

The Falls is a great swim spot, because it has such a good swimming hole right under the waterfall. With all the spring rain it was flowing pretty good now, which means you gotta watch out not to get right under the big spill, because the current kind of rolls you under. It's not that bad really, unless maybe there's a log rolling in there too, and then you can get smacked good. No one ever died in it -- at least not that I know -- but there were maybe a couple close calls, and some real bad gashes and such. I went into it once when it was running pretty good, but I could see there were no logs. I thought it was cool the way it rolled me, but I will say it was scary as shit when I decided to get out, and, for a few seconds, I couldn't tell which way was up. I kid you not. Track could tell I was scared, but he didn't say anything to the others.

Now, though people weren't really swimming. No one had suits, and no one would skinny dip (unless maybe someone got way drunk later). People were getting wet, though. Three jocks -- Saquan, Trevor and Chunk -- were just sitting in the shallows in their clothes. It looked funny, like they were just sitting at table talking or something. They all had beers.

The day was clear and definitely warm. Almost hot, but not quite. It's shady around most of The Falls though, because of the trees. Perfect, really, and people were feeling good. No one was being an asshole, which is not typical. ...And I knew it wouldn't last, because...

Well, because Track was drinking, and Roger Buckstone was drinking, and Lonnie and Ed Guller and Eddie Pease and his girlfriend Bets and her always friend Teri were drinking, and some other low lifes, and that's just like trouble heating up.

"Hey Track," I said quiet. "Let's go swimming up at Big Bend. Let's get the rest and go."

"Fuck that," he said. "I'm good right here." His eyes were bright and he was smiling loose.

"No man, really. Listen," I said "Think. The girls? Swimming? They all want you, ya know."

"Fuuuck."

"They do!" Track was easily the best looking of him, me, and Archie.

"So what," he said, turning to face me. "They're like sisters. What am I gonna do?"

I didn't really have an answer for that. He was kind of right. Kind of. Except that Archie -- yeah, little Archie -- and Dara were kind of looking like they might be putting something together, by just the way they looked at each other, and sat with each other. And I know it's weird, but it seemed like Archie was getting more shy again, but Dara was kind of going out of her way to be not shy around Archie.

I said, "Yeah, but it's still nice, isn't it? Nobody else does what we do."

"I'd do it with Connie," Track almost slurred. I got his double meaning. I also got that he was basically staring at her constantly across the water. ...Except his face looked more confused than horny. Anyway, I didn't see it really. I mean, Connie was really nice, but she was sort of a bookworm. Quiet. She and Celeste were pretty good friends. But Connie was... well, kind of closed off sort of. I mean, here at the falls she's dressed like... Well, not like a guy, but sort of like she was a business person or something, with a jacket. Thin, but you couldn't see her shape really. Not like the other girls who were loving the warm and dressed like it. ...Now Track was staring at the rocks, still confused looking.

Suddenly, a half-full beer can slammed down almost between us. Track sat up and put on his tough -- and he can be tough. Most people do not mess with him.

"What the fuck?"

"Aaaaawwwoooooooooooo!" came the reply. Lonnie was standing on the diving rock and howling at no one and everyone.

"It's just Lonnie," I said, keeping Track cool. "He didn't know what the fuck."

"Kick his fucking ass," Track mumbled.

Lonnie dove. Cheers from all around.

"Let's go," I said to Track. "Let's go swim. We can come back later." I pulled at him. He got up slow and came. Archie saw and followed, Dara close after. I hadn't noticed that they'd been sitting close, but, not surprised. We passed Kara and Celeste up higher, and they looked. "Big Bend," I mouthed. Kara shrugged.

Pretty soon, Track, Archie, Celeste and me were out from the falls and on a trail we knew well -- better than anyone.