Glory Days

summer begins

June 28, 1987

"Do you have everything packed?"

"Yeah, mom."

"Are you sure you've got everything packed?"

Summertime. You almost couldn't believe that it was here. Finally. You just completed her first year of university. During the school year, it felt as if it would never be summer again. Your days were completely taken up with studying. You knew college wouldn't be easy, but, shit, you didn't think it would be this difficult. Of course, you stayed afloat and managed to make pretty good grades. That didn't mean you weren't struggling. Anyways, you're relieved summer came along again.

You swing your bag over your shoulder. You take one more look at herself in the mirror of your childhood dresser. Standing in your adolescent bedroom only reminds you of how old you truly are. There was a time you couldn't even see over the top of the dresser. Now you're standing here, a grown woman with a year of university under her belt. Oh, how the time flies.

You eyes flicker from your reflection to a magazine clipping of Billy Idol you taped to the mirror a few years ago. You went through a pretty intense Billy Idol phase in '83 when Rebel Yell came out. Who could blame you? His snarky attitude could make any pubescent girl squirm. Then you look at a small drawing you carved into the dresser with a nail file when you were around six or seven. Nostalgia hits differently when you've been away for a while.

This summer, you are working as a camp counselor at Camp Barnes. You've worked there every summer since sophomore year of high school. Natasha and Wanda always worked with you. You guys actually went to camp there together when you were around seven years old. That's how you three met and ever since then, you've been inseparable. You remember that summer fondly. Swimming in the lake, braiding each other's hair, telling ghost stories. You also remember having the biggest crush on Mr. Barnes's son. He was 14 when you spent the summer there so there was no way he even knew you existed. You haven't seen Mr. Barnes's son since that summer. Last you heard, you got some fancy teaching job in Brooklyn and that was like four years ago. You can't even recall his name. What was his name?

"(Y/N)?" Your mother's voice calls out. You realize that you got completely sidetracked and forgot to answer her. It's been 12 years since you've seen Mr. Barnes's son and yet you're still losing your train of thought over him. Jesus, (Y/N), pull yourself together.

"I've got everything, mom." You call out irritably before walking out of your bedroom and down to where your mother waited by the door. You donned your typical summer attire. A "Camp Barnes Staff" t-shirt, pink short shorts, and your favorite pair of sneakers. Man, if these shoes could talk. You've been wearing them since your freshman year of high school. They're like your ruby slippers. Except they're dirty, Nike running shoes.

Your mother smiles warmly as she takes in the familiarity of your outfit. It reminded her of the three other summers she shared this identical moment with you.

"I can't believe you've been back for only a week and you're already leaving again." The older woman sighs, brushing your hair behind your ear. You shrug and lift the shirt off of your chest, displaying the bold "STAFF" printed across it.

"Duty calls." You say with faux rectitude, laughing when she rolls her eyes and shoves you playfully.

"Don't make fun of your mother. I miss you when you're gone and you're making a mockery of my heartache." She huffs, folding her arms. "To think I bought you a present for your homecoming." Her voice trails off, a smirk appearing on her face as your expression changes into one of intrigue.

"Present?"

"Dear God, you're worse than your father, you know."

"Spare me the lecture and give me my present, woman!" You demand, laughing when the smile she was holding back takes over her face. She reaches for something off of the bookshelf that's by the door. The older woman holds it behind her back as she turns back to you.