Journey's Child

18

The book I picked out was titled 'The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants'. I also bought several lime flavored suckers. I was enjoying one as I walked down Third Street on my way back to the cottages. It was cooling off and I could see the white mist of a fog bank hanging over the ocean as it got ready to blanket Drakes Harbor for the night.

I continued walking, feeling a sadness slip over me. Letting out a big sigh, I became aware of music floating to me on the cold breeze. I listened and realized that I had been hearing it in my head before my ears caught hold of the sound. It was a country song, slow and sad. I couldn't make out the words, but it seemed to be getting closer.

As I approached the bar that was next to the liquor store, I could see the music came from a jukebox just inside the open door. A man was singing about breathing in and out and taking one step at a time. It was beautiful and sad. I was busy trying to get my head and my emotions on the same page when I caught a quick look at a familiar figure walk past the bar's door. Then I felt the familiar old 'let down' feeling inside me, and I knew I would be spending the evening alone - again.

*

''It's Saturday, August 2nd, at 7:43 am,' my clock radio spat out. I took time to stretch, yawn and groan. My room was cold and I cuddled back down under the covers.

Thad! The thought came to me like an electric shock just ran through my body. I jumped out of bed and found some denim shorts and a yellow short-sleeved shirt. I quickly brushed my teeth in the latrine and slipped into my tennis shoes. I was about to turn the knob on the front door, when I realized it might be too early to visit. I decided to have breakfast first. I had a few Frosted Flakes left, but the rest of the cereal was gone. My mom hadn't shopped for weeks. Fortunately, people use milk to mix in their drinks so the liquor store carried it, or I would be out of luck.

After I ate my cereal, I went to check on my mom. She was sleeping or passed out. She had gotten me a key, so I locked the door as I left.

When I got to the foot of the path, I looked back down at the buildings; small shacks all in a row. The aqua blue doors stood out from the pale walls. There were eight doors. I had never counted them before. We were staying in the fifth door down from the side where I stood, and Linda had stayed on the end, three doors away from us. I felt like I was looking through a window where I could see the past happening in front of me. I watched as Linda and I walked together down to the beach, laughing and talking. All of a sudden, I got a cold chill. I either heard or felt a voice in my head say, be careful.

I shook my head, trying to empty out the feeling. I wasn't afraid to go up the hill, so looking at the path, I began to climb. I started out strong, taking big steps as I headed towards Thad's house, but as I got closer, I began to slow down. Maybe he was being polite to my mother. Maybe he didn't want to see me at all. By the time his house came into view, I had worked myself up in a tangle of doubt.

"Hey, Gilly!"

I looked up to see Thad walk around from the side of his shed with an armful of wood. I began walking towards him as his dog, Captain, came up to me wagging his stubby tail.

"Hi," I said to both of them. "I was hoping you would be up."

Thad rolled the wood onto the pile that was already started on his porch. He sort of cocked his head like he was trying to figure out what I meant, and then he smiled.

"I've always been an early riser. I see you are too."

"Sometimes," I replied, remembering the Sunday I didn't get up in time to go with my dad and Sam. Guilt seemed to wrap around me so tight that I couldn't breathe. Finally, I let out a big sigh, as I sucked in some cool fresh air.