Star Shines In Her Eye

Sammy's Birthday

I wanted these days to last forever. We were all making the most out of being away and just being together. There were a handful of times that Josh and I would make an excuse to stay behind or sneak off for a late night walk together. The last full day in Sawyer was Sammy's Birthday. I kept feeling guilty about keeping such a big secret from him but this was certainly not the day. We had plans to go cabrewing on one of the smaller lakes nearby and I wanted to make the day special for my best friend. I decided I would talk to Sammy about it when we got home, I know he'll be annoyed but we can't live like this forever. Sneaking around was a little fun though, I admit.
Ronnie came down with a cold while we were away so she decided to sleep in the house the last couple of nights. Josh would quietly unzip my tent at 2am every night and he would wake up before the sun came up every morning to go back to his brother's tent. I was looking forward to spending a full night with him. On the morning of April 3rd, the lack of sleep was clearly getting to us because we both slept through the alarm Josh had set. I felt sweaty from the early morning sun beating on us through the tent and I realized what had happened. I shoved Josh awake, his eyes shooting open, having the same realization. I could hear the murmurs from the boys tent and Josh quickly dressed and jumped out of the tent, thinking quickly he picked up an armful of wood to start building a fire.
The two brothers came out of the tent and looked at Josh with very similar expressions. I was just sitting in the tent, watching from inside, acting casual. "Josh what are you doing?" His twin said in his raspy morning voice. "Good morning, my brethren, I'm seizing the day! It's Sammy's birthday! Starting a birthday... fire...." Josh said unconvincingly "Alright weirdo." Sam said, running his hand through his long hair. "Happy Birthday, Sammy!" I shouted from my tent, feeling relieved but shaken by the close call. I dug around my bag and took out my present for Sammy. I shot out of the tent and hid the present behind my back. I gave him a peck on his cheek, which made him blush and I handed him the wrapped present. It was clear what it was based on its flat square shape but he opened it excitedly to see what it was exactly, unveiling Howlin' Wolf's self titled LP from 1962, in perfect condition. Sammy was ecstatic, he destroyed his original on the road and he was very sad about not having it anymore, constantly looking for a new copy. We were able to quickly move on from the weirdness from earlier, I've gotten very good at changing the subject.
We loaded up the canoes, drinks and snacks for the afternoon and headed to Gran Mere State Park. We split into to canoes and headed out to the center of the smaller lake. I was feeling buzzed and it was unseasonably warm so I decided it was time to go for a swim. I undressed, revealing my high hip cut one piece with a very low back. I saw Josh shift and it made me smile. I dove in, feeling enveloped by the cold water. "Come on in, the waters FIIIINE" I floated on my back and the others started jumping in to join me. I splashed Sam and he disappeared underwater, grabbing me by my legs and picking me up like a baby. I threw my head back in laughter and looked around to see Josh scowling, I was sure to pay for this later, such a jealous boy.
     We headed back to pack up the campsite and to go to the house for our final night and to celebrate Sammy's 23rd the only way we knew how. Josh was being moody and silent, very unlike him, he wanted to be the one getting my attention. Danny and Kenz took Ronnie's car to pick up pizza in Benton Harbor while we set out all of the liquor and beer we had left. We're completists and tonight was our last chance. I gasped and ran upstairs, remembering my teenage stash hidden away in my room.
     I came down with a dumb looking ceramic bong that Sammy and I crafted in high school. It was shaped like a whale, the blow hole was the bowl and the mouth was the mouthpiece. Sammy started cracking up and kicked his feet like a little kid. "It would be my honor for you to take a ceremonious hit out of this dumb thing." Handing it over to the birthday boy. Sammy packed the bowl and took a long hit out of the poor whale. "You're turn" Sam said holding his throat tightly. I also took a long hit and passed the homemade bong to Jake. The drive to Benton Harbor was about 20 minutes and as we all got stoned it felt like forever. By the time Danny and Kenz came in they were greeted by 5 stoned idiots. I was standing on the coffee table reciting poetry and the 4 siblings were sat on the floor gazing up at me. "DANNY! KENZ!" I jumped off the table and ran to them. "You guys havin' a good time?" Kenz said laughing opening pizza boxes as we all climbed over each other to eat.
     I poured everyone a shot of tequila and lifted my glass. "To Samuel Francis Kiszka! May he live 100 more years and finally wash his hair tomorrow!" Everyone laughed and drank to Sammy. As the night wore on we smoked what we had and drank what was left. "Y'all, it's been real and it's been fun, I've GOT to go to sleep. Joshy?" I slurred, holding my hand out to Josh. Everyone looked to each other and then back to me with puzzled looks. "What is going on with you two?" Sammy said breaking the silence "Oops" Ronnie said with wide eyes directed to me. "Umm nothing I just wanted to chat with Joshua..." I said sounding stupid. "Nope, you guys have been weird all week, you guys are fucking aren't you?" Sam said in a serious tone. Jake whipped his head looking at both of us "BY GOD SAM YOU'RE RIGHT! I knew something was up with Josh, twin instincts." Jake slurred, sounding just like Jack Sparrow. I looked at Josh with pleading eyes "Ok, you're all right, we've been... sleeping together..." Josh finally said, sounding very sober. Had he been drinking at all? Maybe he hadn't been. Danny and Kenz looked on at us with their mouths agape. Ronnie had her hand over her eyes, like she couldn't watch this all happening. Sam got very red and stormed upstairs. I followed behind, running after him.
     Sammy was always very protective of me and he knew how Josh was. A kind gentle soul who also did not believe in relationships. He supported free love and did not believe in monogamy. Sam did not like that for me and his reaction made that clear. "Why do you want to complicate things between my brother and I, Leah?!" He said spinning around. "We have to be more than brothers, were in a band together, a business! You're my best friend and he's not going to be kind to you! You're supposed to work for us now, how is that not going to get messy and complicated?!" I shook my head, tears falling down my face. "I don't know, Sammy, it just happened and... I love him! Ok? I don't know the logistics yet but... I have to hope that he feels the same way. This doesn't change anything, Sammy, please." I begged my best friend. "I need to sleep, we'll talk about it when we get home... keep Joshua away from me, I don't want to hit him." Sammy shut his door and I felt my emotions boil up and I ran to my room. I shut the door and fell onto my bed. I ruined everything and my head was spinning. I flipped over and quickly grabbed my trash can and threw up. Another rough morning ahead of me.