Memphis Summer (ON HOLD)

Tonight, Tonight

                        "And our lives are forever changed. We will never be the same."

                                                   --Tonight, Tonight-TheSmashing Pumpkins

        Summers in Oklahoma were hot. Summers working on the Illinois River in Oklahoma were hot and humid. The heat and humidity so great, that at times, you felt as though you were simultaneously suffocating and melting. These two facts had me reassessing my decision to spend my summer working at Up The Creek Campgrounds and Floats.

But, decisions had been made. I would be spending the next four months alongside my cousin, Josh, working for a man that looked like he could pick up extra work as a Ron Jeremy double. Raunchy little moustache and all. Walter wasn't a bad guy, a little over-exuberant with hand gestures, but overall a decent person. 

They led me around the area, showing me all the different parts that made the whole. Walter filling me in on what he expected to be done for each location. It didn't seem too taxing on the brain, just exhausting for the body. The river backdrop, though, couldn't be beat.

 Off in the distance, somber music blasted from the speakers of an old red and white Volkswagen bus, some song about Justine never knowing the rules, echoing through the trees that surrounded some stoner's campsite. The bus was parked in a small stand of trees and was being used as a tent, kitchen, and sound system. A lone, long-haired figure stood swaying to the music and occasionally running his fingers through his un-brushed hair. Not a single care in the world, except for his music and finishing his cigarette.

I hated him on principle. While I was slaving my summer away, this guy was camping out at the river, enjoying his freedom. 

With a soundless grunt, I glanced between Walter and the shaggy haired pot-head, wondering who was more annoying of the two. It was a close race, but I think the boss won in the end, after all, he was going to be my slave-driver over summer. I spared Stoney one more venomous glare and turned my attention back to the 80's throwback in front of me.

"You're main job here will be working at the landing," Walter's gravelly voice informed me over the static squawking of the walkie-talkie attached to his belt.

"Walt we've got a fighter at site twelve," a male's voice called from his hip. "Two males, lobster red, one in black shorts and the other in cutoffs."

Walter nodded like the speaker could see him, then slapped me on the back. "Right, work calls, Josh will fill you in on what happens at the landing."

***

"Hey Smelly-Elly, you gotta shit or something," Josh asked while lugging an inflatable raft from the river to the trailer with ease. Working the landing was a two man operation that he could have handled by himself effortlessly. Something that had to come from years of experience, but was aggravating as hell to watch.

The things were huge; sitting seven people and easily weighing over a hundred pounds when they were empty.

I tried to answer, but my attention was on trying to pull the same move as successfully as he had.

Key word here is, tried.

The raft popped about an inch off the water and landed with resonating plop back into the river. His laughter could be heard, clearly, even over the embarrassment ringing through my head.