Chapter I

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     Ok before I start to actually talk and stuff I'd like to talk about myself a bit. If you didn't already know my name is Rick & I'm a 17 year old from the Big Apple or New York City for some of you who haven't heard that term before. I'm a bit antisocial because well, although I've grown up in the city and went to public school I never really fit in so I kept to myself, and because of this people liked to mess with me and I'd retaliate. Well things like this made me a pretty cold person to many people. But enough about me time for the "story"

September 1, 2015

Today is the last day before school starts. I can't wait I said to myself in a sarcastic tone knowing that school is one of the most hated things in my life next to country music & shrimp. But oh well at least this will be the last year before I graduate and escape from the city that never sleeps. As I'm in my room staring at out my window my mother calls me to go over to her. I get up from the window sill and head over to the living room in which my mom is waiting for me with a black bag.

"What's in the bag?" I asked with a confused look on my face. "Well since this is your last year of school I'd just like to get you a couple things to make it a memorable time for you." The way she said it made it seem as if I was going to be a good year in which I knew it wasn't gonna be, but I gave her a small grin and picked up the bag. I started to look inside and there was a Nikon camera inside.
"Oh my god, I haven't held a camera in over two years. Why'd you get me this?" I said while just holding the camera in one hand and the bag in the other.

"Well I thought that you could start taking pictures again just how you used to. You used to really enjoy it, maybe you can get back into it for old times sake." She took the camera from my hand and took a picture of me as I sat with the bag on the floor with a blank face. "Go on keep looking in the bag there's some other things in there for you."

I start looking deeper into the bag and find a bunch of condoms in which I just put back.

"Why'd you give me condoms mom? I don't even have a girlfriend." I told her.

"Well you don't know what might happen. Maybe you might get lucky and find the one. Plus I don't want grandchildren just yet." She said with a smile on her face.

"Alright mom I'll promise you that. Is there anything else in the bag?" I asked since it was a very big bag but had barely anything in it.

"Well there's something that your brother gave me to give to you before he was sent away" she takes out a envelope that's still sealed.

I hesitate as I reach in to grab it because it's been almost three years since my brother was killed in Afghanistan. I finally grab the envelope and start to open it. Inside was a letter in which I asked my mother if she could read it out loud for me because I don't want to ruin it in any way.

She grabs the letter from my hands and starts to read out loud.

"Dear Rick

     Hey there little brother, I hope you and mom are doing good back at home. It's been awhile seen I've seen you both and I miss you so much. Make sure you take care of mom and yourself. I'll be going to Pakistan in a couple of days so I won't be able to send anything for awhile. But when I can I definitely will tell you about my experience here over seas. I can't wait to see you both

Sincerely: John A. Moon"

My mom just stood there with tears flowing down her cheeks before she starts sobbing, and that's when I leap up and approach her and just put her between my arms and comfort her

"It's alright mom, I miss him too. But he's still with us in a way." I said basically lying to myself but saying it to make my mom stop crying

"I know it's just that, you're almost going off to college and I'll be here alone." She says while gasping for some air from her crying.

"I'll never leave you mom, you're the only person that I care about and I can't leave you." I look at the time and realize that it's somewhat late.

"Well I have to go to bed, please try to keep it together. It'll be ok." I tell her as I  let her go and walk towards my room.

"Alright Ricky, goodnight."

This was it the end to my last summer and the beginning of something new.

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