30 Minute Stories

Hot Days

It was a scorcher that day, and everybody within a 50-mile radius knew it. You could hardly step out for half a second without drowning in your own sweat, so everyone was indoors, with the fans on their highest setting. It was on this day that I met Melanie Lee.

"Turn off the lights." Karen groaned, lying on my carpet. "They're already off." I frowned at my older sister. "Well then turn off the sun, I don't know." She complained. "I would if I could!" I told her as I lowered the blinds. "Better..." She whispered contentedly in the darkness.

"Laura!" My mother yelled. "Come down here!" As I walked downstairs I was greeted by a pair of gardening gloves hastily shoved into my hands. "Put those on." Mom instructed as she grabbed a bag. "Why?" I asked, pulling the gloves on. "Because I want you to help me weed and water the garden." "But it's a million degrees outside! Why isn't Karen down here?!" "Because she watered yesterday." Mom informed me, unmoved. "But it's so hot out!" "That's why we need to water the garden." "Fine." I sighed, and followed her out. Almost immediately I started sweating, and instantly regretted coming out.

I grabbed the hose and began haphazardly spraying the garden until Mom told me to aim for the roots. Once I finished watering the garden, I aimed the hose high in the air and watched as it sprayed down, when I heard a sudden shriek. I turned and saw a soaking wet girl, so I immediately turned off the hose and rushed to apologize. "Oh my gosh I'm so sorry!" I frantically told her. "Oh it's fine! It felt nice in this heat anyways!" She smiled at me. "I'm Melanie Lee. What's your name?" "I'm Laura Gullstein." "What are you doing out here?" "Weeding. I had just finished watering the garden and again I'm really sorry!" She giggled. "Like I said, it's fine! Do you want some help?" "Really?" I asked, stunned. She nodded and I responded, "That would be great!"

Once we finished weeding, Mom let us inside. She wandered through the kitchen, absentmindedly opening and closing cabinets, then turned to me. "We should make a banana split!" Melanie said excitedly. "That sounds awesome! Do you know how?" "Yep!" I gathered all the needed ingredients and she put it all together.

A few minutes later our split was ready to eat! We dug in, and I found myself being thankful that mom had dragged me outside on a hot day. 

I'm sorry I was late, I didn't come home last night until  10! I know that the ending's rushed, that happens a lot with these 30 minute stories. Mel is a precious bab, who I may write more about (Laura too!) Happy Yom Kippur!