The Things They Wanted

Secret Hideaway

When you live in the South, you automatically know that you don't venture outside during the peak heat hours of summer. It's like a heat avoidance meter is installed in your brain from birth. That's what makes the outdoors in the summertime such an amazing hiding place. No one in their right mind will come looking for you.

Of course, they have to care enough to look in the first place. My family sure doesn't.

My parents were fighting again this morning. Not the petty arguing most couples do. Full out screaming. So, I planned my escape for the day.

A case of water in a cooler, a blanket, and my dog Pebbles are all I gathered as I slipped out the front door. Dressed in cut offs and a tank top, I started walking down to the river, Pebbles dancing around my feet.
The soothing sound of water running over granite soon met my ears. With an excited yip, Pebbles took off at a run towards the cool water. I spread my blanket out under the pecan trees lining the bank and settled down, watching the playful yellow pup.

Soon a cold wet nose was shoved up under the arm that was covering my eyes. A soggy Pebbles pushed a stick towards me. I picked it up and threw it as far as I could, gaining an enthusiastic doggy kiss from her before she took off after it.

We played fetch for a while before we both settled onto the blanket for a nap. As the sun moved across the sky, the shade I had set the blanket in slowly began to disappear. The now bright sun carrying the Texas heat woke me up. Drenched in sweat, I reached for a water bottle from my iced cooler. The liquid felt like heaven running down my parched throat.

Standing up, I nudged Pebbles to wake her up as well. I began walking along the river bank towards a grove of trees much shorter than the pecans I had been under all morning.

It was nearing noon and I was getting hungry. I plucked a few ripe peaches from the trees once I reached them. Then I pulled out a well hidden container of dog food for Pebbles. We sat under the peach trees and ate our meal in relative silence.

Sometimes silence is a good thing. It allows you to think. But today, thinking is the last thing I wanted to be doing. Thinking means acknowledging my screwed up life. Parents who can't do anything but fight. Siblings that pretend I don't exist. Busybody people in town who just want the next piece of gossip. The only person that would miss me if I disappeared wasn't even a person.

As if she could hear my thoughts, Pebbles whined and nuzzled herself into my neck. I patted her on the head, then stood up and brushed myself off. I needed to gather my things and head towards home. Not like anyone would realize I'd even been gone.

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Soooo, this is my first story, you might have to bare with me a little. I hope you like it! The girl in the banner is Hannah BTW. Thanks for reading! Please vote and comment if you like it :)