Winters' Storm

Storm Winters

As my mom pulls into the driveway I look at the sad looking log cabin. Beautiful green leaved trees surrounded the cabin but the cabin itself was dark black color. My mom parks the car, jumps out, and head to the back yard. In the back the trees cover the sky making a canopy like area. I sit down on a short log that sat beside an old fireplace. I looked out at the trees and watched them sway back and forth in the wind. In the trees I could hear birds chirping and the occasional bark of a dog.

My eyes begin to water as a memory flashes back in my mind about my dad. We used to go camping together every year. He would let me hunt with him every now and then as well. We caught some deer and once I got a buck, but he also got one that was bigger on the same day. We would sit in the stand for hours freezing cold. Just waiting. He got me a puppy one year for my birthday but we had to sell it after he... went away... I guess that's what I usually say is what happened.

I miss him. His graying black hair and his eyes that matched mine. I was built almost exactly like him. Shorter than most guys but fairly strong. He was kind, but most of my friends were afraid of him because he was so strong. I laughed when they admitted they were afraid of him. But now I can't even remember where my old friends live. I lost track after the fifth move in less than three years. My mom says this should be a good start after...'losing'...him. But that's what she said the last four times.

"So how was school?" asks my mom breaking my concentration.

"Fine." I say without looking at her.

"Can you at least give me a better answer?" she asks.

"Might not get too comfortable. We'll probably be moving again soon anyway." I answer.

"Storm. Please try to get used to this place. We'll see how long it lasts. The trees will help hide you when you want to practice." she says. I look up at her.

"No matter how hard I try I can't!" I yell with teary eyes.

"Keep trying and you'll learn." she says putting her hand on my shoulder in w comforting way. I move over out of her reach.

"You know that's what he told me? The day before it happened. He told me to keep trying and someday I'll know how. Next thing I know I..." my voice trails off as tears start streaming down my face.

"Storm, It's going to be alright." she interrupts with teary eyes as well. It wasn't your fault." she says as she stands up. I stand up and turn partially away to hide my face.

"If it's not mine then whose is it?" I ask accusingly. I hear her let out a small whimper. She's trying to hold back her sobs again.

"I did what I did and I can't take it back. No matter how hard I try." I say. Then I notice a small path leading into the woods. I take a small peek back at my mom and see she's covering her face with her hands to hide her tears. I hesitate a moment then I take off in full sprint toward the forest.

"Storm! Please don't do this!" she yells. I keep my head forward and keep running with tears streaming down my face and falling on the ground beneath me. Above me the clouds begin to swirl and rain starts to sprinkle on the trees. The rain slowly gets harder as my anger flurries inside me. As I run, my name echos in my mind 'Storm' my storm, my fault, is all I can think about.