Elite Hearts

The River's Edge

"Our story is about a town, a small town, and the people who live in the town. From a distance, it presents itself like so many other small towns all over the world Safe. Decent. Innocent. Get closer, though and you start seeing the shadow underneath. The name of our town is Riverdale. And our story begins, i guess, with what the Blossom twins did this summer. On the fourth of july, just after dawn, Jason and Cheryl drove out to Sweetwater River for an early morning boat ride. The next thing we know happened for sure that Dilton Doiley who was leading Riverdale's Boy Scout on a bird watching expedition, came upon Cheryl by the river's edge. Riverdale Police Dragged Sweetwater River, for Jayson's body, but never found it. So a week later, the Blossom family buried an empty casket and Jayson's death was ruled as an accident, as the story that Cheryl told made the rounds. That Cheryl dropped a glove in the water, and Jayson reached down to get it, and accidently tipped the boat and panicked, and drowned. As for us, we were still talking about the 'July Fourth Tradegy'  on the last day of summer vacation. When a new mystery rolled in to town."

James, seeking solace along the outskirts of Riverdale, navigates the winding roads in his 1969 Chevy. The engine hums with a nostalgic melody as he parks by the serene Sweetwater River. Dressed in a casual blue shirt, sleeves rolled up and two buttons undone, James exudes a laid-back charm. His hair, tousled by the breeze, reflects a touch of disheveled elegance.

The sound of his father's disapproving words echoes in his mind:

"You're such a disappointment, why can't you be just like your brother Louis?" The weight of those expectations, the constant comparison, lingers in the air.

The riverside, once a place of solace, now bears witness to the emotional turbulence stirred by his father's words. As James prepares to engage in the conversation with his mother, the shadows of familial pressures and the desire to meet unattainable standards cast a subtle pall over the tranquil scenery.

James, grappling with the pain of his father's constant comparisons, vents his frustration by the Sweetwater River.

"What should I do to make him proud? I did everything he ever asked, and it's still not enough," he mutters, a mixture of disbelief and exasperation coloring his expression.

The picturesque setting becomes a backdrop to James's inner turmoil. The river's current, seemingly serene, mirrors the turbulent emotions within him. As he sighs in disbelief, the echoes of his internal struggle blend with the gentle sounds of nature, creating a poignant symphony by the river.

The strained relationship between James and his father, George, casts a shadow over their interactions. James avoids meeting his father's gaze, the weight of George's disapproval feeling like daggers. The glances filled with disappointment become a constant reminder of unmet expectations.

George's unrelenting pressure to be more, to measure up to an ideal that seems unattainable, weighs heavily on James. The walls built around their relationship echo with the echoes of George's high standards, creating an emotional distance that is palpable in every exchange. The Sweetwater River, usually a place of solace, bears witness to the unspoken tension between father and son.

Leaning against his vintage car, James takes in the tranquil scenery, the river's gentle current mirroring the subtle chaos within him. The quiet hum of nature becomes a backdrop to his contemplation, creating a moment of introspection amidst the picturesque outskirts of Riverdale. The serene atmosphere envelops James, offering a brief respite from the forthcoming challenges at Riverdale High. The quietude of the riverside becomes a canvas for introspection, allowing him to ground himself before stepping into the unknown halls of his new high school. In the stillness, James finds a moment of clarity, preparing to navigate the currents of both the river and the challenges that lie ahead.