Time of a life time

this story is about a boy who just want to get away from the problems at home. so the chance he gets to finally gets away from all it seems all to real.

Time of a Life Time 

 

The sun rises with a lively shine. Blue jays singing their perfect tones through the morning glow. The weather is perfect. I woke up this morning, August 31, 2012 pretty amp and excited. I couldn't wait for this day to go as it was planned. A week ago my cousin called me and ask me do I want to go to the lake upstate New York. I was so please when he asked me because I love going up there. It’s such a different environment. Everyone is nice, the air so much calmer and the open road is magnificent and to die for. He told me to ask my nephew if he wanted to come. My nephew is a year younger than me. We both went last year to the lake and it was fun. My cousin and his boyfriend taught us how to swim. We walked around the lake, which is approximately 310 acres, to where it was open and no lifeguards. The water was in tranquility and a beautiful blue. It wasn't as deep as by where the camp is at because there were rocks and algae but the father you go out it did get deeper so my nephew and I didn't go out that far. It was impossible to drown over by this area unless you jumped into the water and hit your head on a rock and then get unconscious. Ha-ha but that’s besides the point. So I was stoked about this trip. I got up, showered, and then looked at my nephew who was helplessly sleeping the day away. “Darrel!” I yelled at him. “What?” he replied. “Are you still coming with us?” “No” he answered and went back to sleep. That was annoying. How is he just going to quit on us like that and on the day we were suppose to leave. Walking around the house thinking and panicking because I don’t know what to do. How do I tell Stefan this. I then thought about my younger nephew who is 15 years old now. I asked him did he want to go with us since his brother bitched out. Calvin said yes. I told him to go pack his things because we are leaving soon. 

Two hours later my cousin Stefan pulled up to the house with his boyfriend Dave. We all greeted each other then packed the car. The car was so small. You would think we were trying to store food for the winter the way we had that car packed up haha. We said our goodbyes and left for the adventure into the wild. In the car, windows down, awesome music playing on the stereo and its a beautiful day out. Speeding down the blocks until we got on the highway. It had a lot of traffic but it was perfect because all the sites to see. I sat in the back seat taking pictures of almost everything but not everything because we was moving way to fast. Calvin is looking out his window while the wind is hitting him in the face. U can tell he enjoys it just like a dog. He turns to me and smiles the brightest smile I have ever seen on him. There was nothing else to do but smile back and nod. Im glad he’s enjoying himself. Its what he needs. Stefan and our driver Dave were singing their favorite tunes. We finally got out of NYC and into New Jersey then Upstate New York. We stopped at a convenience store in Sloatsburg, NY to pick up some extra things we needed for the cabin. As if we don’t already have enough. We had to stop because there isn't another store around for miles. Back on the road again we finally got to the lake. It was more beautiful than ever before. Our first cabin had nothing on this one. This one was better than the last one and it had a kitchen. Food!! We went inside the cabin and unpacked everything from the car. The first thing I do after we unpacked everything and choose which bed was mine. Of course I picked the bigger one ha. Then I took my nephew to show him around the lake. The cabin was right next  to the lake and so was the basketball court and ping pong tables. So what can I say except we had it good here. There was so much to do so you couldn’t really get bored. “Hey! I want to go in the water,” he said. “Not yet man we have to meet everyone first.” We met all the adults first then took him to the kids who was around his age and left him there. We didn’t really do anything the first day except me. I had to write a paper for class, which was a drag. Who does work when they’re suppose to have fun on a vacation? Psh whatever. I finished it as fast as I can. Then went to sleep. 

The next morning, I woke up to a great aroma in the air. The smell of breakfast cooking always made me feel good. But first before I eat I must go take shower(insert caveman joke here). See up here everyone in this campsite had to share showers. Theres only one shower for the guys and I don’t know how much for the ladies but I wouldn’t dare try to figure out unless I want to be beat to pulp then kicked out this camp. I always waited until everyone went so I couldn’t be rushed out. Everyone usually goes early early morning because they think it’s the best time to go. This time I went to shower and this old guy was naked in the bathroom. “Oh my God,” I said. “What? Is it not a men’s bathroom? We are all men here.” For some reason that made me laugh and we both started to chuckle and I honestly don’t know why which was weird. He left and I went to take my shower and It felt so good. The water was blazing hot, just how I like it. A spider that wanted to join the party then interrupted my shower. He was a big one. I felt like he was staring into my soul like he was waiting for confirmation from me to say, “oh what are you waiting for jump right in.” Nope, I yelled out. I s**t you not. I screamed so loud. See upstate there aren’t normal size anything. Everything is freakishly huge. I turned the shower off, dried myself up, got dressed, and then left the bathroom. There were girls sitting out there and just looking at me laughing because they heard the scream. They knew it came from me. I was so embarrass. All I could say was spider then I ran back to the cabin. “Ugh story of my life.” I sighed. Walking back to my cabin that is when I saw her. Sylvia. She was so pretty. Pretty young light skin face. Glasses that made her eyes glow in the sunlight, which escapes its way through the trees. She had long hair that flows down like a whistling waterfall. Her smiles lets people know that shes really friendly and loves to get to know people. We getting closer to each other but I couldn’t bring myself to say anything being the shy person that I am. “Hi” she says while smiling, showing her perfect white teeth. I just waved my hand and went inside my cabin. That was such child play what I just did. Sigh. Calvin was outside in the back of the cabin setting up the table for breakfast. Stefan is just about finish cooking and Dave is by the lake reading the paper. I wasn’t really doing anything so I went to join dave by the lakeside. “Hey Ohayo” I said(woohoo high five to self for knowing a little Japanese). “What?” he answered. I forgot he doesn’t know Japanese, I mean no one around here does haha.  “Gomen…Sorry. I kind of myself and where I’m at. I was saying good morning in Japanese.” He laughed, Good morning Tony”. “How are you this morning Dave?” “I’m great, just relaxing here by the lake. Isn’t it just amazing and quiet?” “yeah it is really. I love to be out here.” “Oh, and why is that?” “it’s a place for me to get away from problems at home and I can also clear my mind. I never thanked you the first time for letting me come, so thank you Dave. It means a lot to have me tag along.” “It’s no problem Tony, you’re always welcome to come. About your problems, you are still young. Don’t let these problems take over your whole life. You have to hold your ground. You are the one in control of your own life and the minute you understand that, things will start coming easier for you and things will start looking up. Just look at these problems as stepping stones. Like look at me now. I have a big problem in the kitchen.” We both laughed at his joke about Stefan. Stefan then came out with the food and said breakfast is ready. Dave and I both got up and went to eat. Omg was the first words from my mouth once I saw the food. There was pancakes, sausages, eggs, baby carrots, hummus, oranges, and hot butter rolls, for staying out in the woods we did eat good. We all ate big because we were going hiking soon and only God knows how long that will take. Our big breakfast sadly ended by a swarm of bees. They came and started touching everything. We were full anyway so it was okay. The leftovers, the bees had but then raccoons came. Didn’t plan for them come to this breakfast party but what the hay. We clean the table then went back into the cabin. Calvin and I were on dishes duty while stefan and dave went to get dress from the hiking trip. As calvin and I were washing and drying these girls came up to the cabin and ask if we can come out. The girls as mostly around calvin age. “You can go Calvin, I got this. Go have fun.” “Are you sure?” “Yeah man, it’s your first time here. Go ahead but once im done here with the dishes I’m coming to get you because we are still going hiking.” He runs off with them laughing and smiling. I continue to wash the remaining dishes that were left. I had my music so I was okay doing them by myself. I had to get more water. Outside the cabin there’s this water pump you have to use to get water. Because you know you have a full kitchen but yet not a working sink nice! I filled the bucket up and turned around to go back to the cabin. As I turned around I bumped into someone and I split water on them. I looked up and it was Sylvia. “Oh my God, im so sorry I didn’t see you there.” She giggled. “It’s okay, hey I never got your name.” “ its Tony.” “Hey Tony. I’m….” “Sylvia, yeah I know.” She just starred at me. “I hope that didn’t make me sound like a stalker, creep, or anything because I swear I’m not one.” “Yeah you kind of do.” “Wh-what. I’m sorry.” She laughed, “i’m joking Tony.” “Oh I knew that hehe,” I laughed nervously. “So Tony, what are you doing with all that water anyway?” “Well I’m washing dished so we can go hiking, however long that will take.” “Oh!! Need any help?” she asked me. As much as I wanted to say yes just to spend time with her but I couldn’t say it. “No I have it, but thanks for asking.” “Okay then ill let you finish them dishes. See you later.” “Yeah, later.” We parted ways but she called me back. “Hey um, you should come by the lake later on today. Were having this big canoe race thing and it would be cool if you well y’all can come along too.  It’s okay if you don’t want to.” “No I’ll be there I swear.” “Awesome! Meet me by the far right side of the lake.” “Okay, ill see you there.” 

I go back inside and finish the dishes. I went to get calvin and then we both got ready to go hiking. There we are hiking through the woods on a trail that soon split into two trails. We took a right thinking that was the right way. Wrong! It was totally the wrong way. We ended up getting lost. We walked and climbed for about five hours straight. Stefan and Dave started to argue about why its their fault we are lost. I got tired so I just laid on the grass. The grass was green, calm and wet. Wet! That means theres water around. I suggest we keep walking straight ahead. We will soon run into someone or something maybe even water and eventually we did. We found the lake again. Just that we was on the opposite side of the camp site. We rest along rocks and ate snacks that we had because believe it or not we was starving and couldn’t walk any longer and when I say we I mean mostly me. The air was so comfortable and hot at the same time, But it wasn’t something you can complain about. As we sat there we heard guys making noises and splashing in the water. We went over to be nosey because that’s what we like to do and when I say ‘we’ I mean my cousins lol. We ran into three guys who were tree swinging into the lake. We stopped and started talking to them. It was the most amazing thing I have ever seen. The tree swing was so fun. It was something I never experience before. After we finish having our fun we asked them which way was back to the camp. They told us and we followed the road back to the campsite. “Tony, do you know how to tell time by looking at the sun?” “No not really.” “Well I’m going to teach right now. Stop walking and look up.” “Okay I’m looking up.” “Good. Now look at how the sun is position and now imagine a clock. Depending on where the sun is position that’s what time it is like if its directly over your head that’s how you know its 12pm.” “Hmm, that’s very interesting. I would probably never use that but thanks anyway.” Honestly I was too tired to hear that. On our way back way we had seen deers. They were so astonishing. We took pictures of them but it was like they were waiting for us to take their pictures because they wasn’t moving until we did haha. Crazy deers. That remind me of when I was here last year with my other nephew Darrel. We actually seen a bob cat. It was pretty scary but cool. We then saw other sights that were amusing to the eye. We finally made it back to the camp. The canoe race was just about over. “Crap!” I yelled out. I ran to the far right of the lake knowing I was already tired from the hike but I had to see if she was still there. There she was just sitting there. I went up to her and told her why I was late. She started to laugh and said its okay. The race was over and everyone was leaving back to their cabin. She then again invited me to go this dance tonight and demanded I show up early (which I didn’t because I’m black). She giggled then left. I went back to the cabin to rest. I wanted to sleep but Stefan wanted to talk to me about things. I was tired and The Lord knows I wasn’t in the mood to talk. Why does he want to talk now? So we are talking and every time I talk he is always correcting me on how I should say things and whats the proper way to say it and etc. it was getting on my nerves. I was tired of him always acting as if I was a kid. Like he looks down on me. I got upset and told him to leave me alone and left. I went to the lake and sat there by myself for an hr or so. Don’t really remember. The sun was setting and the sky was a beautiful blue and pink color. There storks flying around and one landed right next to me on the boardwalk. They’re are pretty tall up close. It soon flew away to join its family im guessing. I just stared into the sky and thought about the stork coming here to get away from their family but later soon return because at the end of the day. They still are your family. This cheered me up a little but I still wanted to be alone. Stefan came out to talk to me again. “Tony, I’m sorry I wasn’t changing the way you are. I was just trying to get you ready for the future.” “……” I said nothing. I was still upset. I just didn’t care even. I knew he was right though. I was being ignorant honestly. Calvin came over with his fight to try and make me go to the dance. I kept telling them no I didn’t wanna go because I was tired and didn’t want to go. He left and went ahead to the dance. Thirty minutes late Sylvia came over. “So much about you not being late. What are you doing over here?” she said while putting her hand on my head. Damn she smelled good. How did she know I was over here. Damn you Calvin I thought to myself. “I-I don’t know. I just don’t feel like going anymore.” “Fine then, I’m not going either.” She sat down next to me and starred into the ocean. “what you have to go. You wanted to go.” “well if you aren’t going anymore then there’s no reason for me to go.” Ugh, did she have to play that card on me? “Fine i’ll go.” “yay, lets go.” This woman and her trickery. It’s bad enough I don’t dance but it’s worst that we doing the Cotton Eye Joe. Did I mention that most the people up here were white and when I say most I mean everyone besides my cousin, nephew, and I. the only time I heard of this dance was in this show called Hannah Montana. I don’t know what I’m doing. Sylvia said she would teach me. We had a good night dancing and snacking. Kids were climbing on me and the adults were joking with us. It was cool. I needed this. I would never forget this night ever. 

It was getting late. Everyone was leaving to bed. As I was leaving I notice I didn’t have my iPod in my pocket.. I must have dropped it somewhere in the dark when I was chasing this kid who took my hat. I went around to look for it but I couldn’t find it. My flashlight wasn’t bright enough to in the dark. I went in the bathroom to see if I dropped it there but it wasn’t there. I left the bathroom and bumped into Sylvia outside. I notice I bump into her a lot. I told her that I lost my iPod and she offered to help me and wasn’t taking a no for an answer. We searched all over but nothing. I was starting to get upset. She calmed me down though. We finally found it in front of my cabin. I felt dumb because I passed by it like three times by myself. After u got my iPod we walked to the lake because it was a nice night and also it was a blue moon tonight. I never understood what a blue moon was until she explained it to me. A blue moon is when a month has two full moons in it. I rarely happens. Only like once every two to three years. That’s where the saying ‘once in a blue moon’ come from. Sylvia and I laid out on the boardwalk looking at the sky. The moon was so big and it shined so bright that it beamed iff the lake for miles. You can see the craters on the moon so clear. “So where are you from?” I asked to break the silence. “I’m from Brooklyn, NY.” “No way, so am i.” it was nice to know we both came from that same place. We started talking about our lives and etc. “How long have you been coming up here for?” I asked. “Umm for about 6 years. I'm apart of the canoe team for this campsite. We compete in races and tournaments all over.” “wow that’s must be really challenging yet fun.” “Yeah it is.” “You’re lucky that you get to do all that stuff. I wish I knew how to swim and canoe. I mean I know how to swim just I cant float. Don’t ask me why I don’t know how to float. I just don’t know.” She laughed at me. “That’s so backwards. You can always still learn though.” “Yeah I guess so.” “So how about you. How long you been coming up here for?” she asked me. “This is my second year coming here. Last year I came with my other nephew. This year I brought my younger nephew to get him out of Brooklyn to show him that there's more to just being in the house playing games. My sister told me to look after him so that’s what I’m doing. He’s enjoying himself so I’m happy. I also love to come up here because its so free from life back home. I'm having fun here and you made this trip more fun for me. Thank you.” “Aww you’re welcome,” she said with a flirtatious smile. The moon was set right in front of us. Shinning bright on us. The mood was right. We both looked at each other in the eyes then slowly went in to kiss. We kissing and rolling around then suddenly we fell into the water. She's floating and laughing at me and I’m holding on to the side of the boardwalk laughing at her. Her mother comes and says she has to go. “Goodnight” and she kisses me. I got out the water and headed back to the cabin. Calvin was still outside with this girl that has been taking him everywhere. I stayed outside a little while longer with them until we had to come inside. 

The next morning was the day we were leaving sadly. I didn’t want to leave today. I had so much fun last night that I didn’t want it to end. But we had to. Stefan was cooking breakfast while Dave was setting the table with Calvin. Everyone at the camp packed their bags this morning so I worked on mines. I took a shower then came to eat. During our breakfast we were talking about taking one last dip before we hit the road. Dave, Calvin and I went for a swim. It was Sunday so the lifeguard wasn’t there. Dave jumped out first and swam across the lake to the platform far out. I got in and held on to the deck when I felt myself not floating. Calvin was positioning his self to do a flip in the lake. I told him not to because he never been in water this deep before. He doesn’t listen to me and runs and jumps into the water. Splash. The water comes up be he never came up. “Okay Calvin get up here” I said but he didn’t come back up. “Calvin. CALVIN!” I yelled but nothing. I yelled for Dave. He saw and swam over. “What happen?” “I don’t know. Calvin never came back up. You gotta go down and get him please.” I said nervously. Dave goes under to get him. He was under there for about a minute or two. Dave finally came back up but Calvin wasn’t breathing. We went back on the deck and call for help. People came to help and to resuscitate him but no good. “No help him please, someone please!” I yelled. Sylvia tried to calm me down but I couldn’t calm down. How can I. I go over to Calvin and give him mouth to mouth then press on his chest but nothing still. I didn’t know what else to do. I couldn’t save him. Oh my God. How am I going to tell his mom? She told me to watch over him. She told me to protect him and there was nothing I can do. Everyone left and went home. I was still there holding Calvin. He’s gone because of me. I don’t know what to do. A part of me didn’t want him to jump but a part of me wanted him to do it just to see if he could really do it. I should have tried harder to stop him. How could I be so dumb? Sylvia came over to talk to me but I completely shut her out. I wasn’t thinking about anything else. She kissed me on my head and told me sorry then left with her parents. I never heard or saw her again after. Stefan was saying that we have to go. “It’s all my fault.” Was all I could say. “We cant just leave him here. We have to take him back to his mother. It’s the right thing to do.” Dave said. I finally got myself together but completely shut my emotions off and told them lets go. We packed the car and the body went in the ambulance. On the way back home there was nothing but silence in the car. I could see Stefan looking at me through the rear mirror. “Are you Alright?” he asked. “Are you seriously asking that question right now?” Dave Replied. “I just wanted to know. I mean look at him.” Silence once again fell upon us. “Can you stop the car Dave?” I asked. Dave stopped the car on the side. I got out an gathered my things. There was no way I can go back home not now. I cant deal with the crying and the depression and the blaming right now. I just cant. “Tony, what are you doing?” Stefan asked me. “I cant go back. You two go and tell what happen. Don’t worry about me. I cant right now.” “Are you crazy. Get back in the car now!” “No, im not getting in.” “Everything is going to be okay Tony, just have to work it…” “It will never be okay. What kind of world do you live in. its not okay for people to die and not feel anything. Its never going to be the same again. Every time I wake up and see his bed empty. Will it okay then? Its not just his mom I have to tell. What about his sister, brother, friends! It’s never going to be okay so don’t lie to me. Stop hiding the truth. Im not going back! Do as you please but this may be the last time you see me ever.” I walk away from them “Tony come back. Come back!” Stefan yells out crying. Stefan gets back in the car and they drive off slowly. They went back to Brooklyn and told the family what had happen. I well I’m gone and never heard of again. Whenever people think of me they will think of me being nothing more of the coward who ran away when coming to face judgment.