Thank you, Brian. It’s funny, I began the story with that exact thought in my mind. It was my original intention! April’s character emerged in the moment as I wrote the first draft, and I enjoyed where things ended up. 😄
Beautiful imagery. I felt as though I were right there with April and Jameis. For me, summer nights were looking for fireflies and waiting for the ice cream truck with my brother.
This story felt like the tightrope we walk between the innocence of youth and jarring reality of adulthood.
And April’s comment about moving: I thought things would be different here...that took me back to my father’s wanderlust and all the places we lived in my teens.
I love the way you phrased that, Amie. I agree. It definitely lands somewhere in that realm. April is a strong character and I’m hopeful that she’ll pull through. Thank you for reading and commenting!
A delightful story, Justin! I felt like a teenager again, for a few moments. I had some summer moments similar to Jameis and April. Thanks for the sentimental journey.
Ooooh -- I love the beginning of a new romance. Maybe a FIRST romance. You're ending the story there, right? It is a good ending. But this got to me: “My parents got into a big fight, so I slipped out of the house,” April said. “They don’t even know I’m gone – both drunk off their asses. I thought maybe things would be different here, you know? But so far everything’s the same.” Drinkers just have no idea what they do to their children. Unfortunately, a new location never changes anything. I know first hand.
Thank you, Sharron! Yeah, that’s the end of the story. I don’t think I’ll come back to this one because I wanted to leave Jameis (and the reader) in a hopeful state of mind.
I hear you, and I’m sorry to hear about your experience. For six years I taught in a specialized program for at-risk youth. My students and their families dealt with all types of drug/alcohol abuse, as well as everything else under the sun. That job drained me in many ways, but I loved those kids. Sometimes glimpses of my former students and their lives find their way into my stories.
I spent my summers roaming around the city often with friends, sometimes by myself. Summer has always been my favorite time of the year. I loved this story! I pictured the park at the end of my block in the house we moved to right before I started high school and I thought about a chance encounter with a girl named Jennifer at Golfland, our local arcade and mini-golf place when I was 14.
Thanks, Jason! Summer has always been my favorite season, too. My summers were very similar, except I roamed country roads with my friends instead. I loved the random experiences and events that always seemed to pop up.
I’m happy this story brought you back, even if for a moment!
I was waiting for the abduction from space, but I like your version much better.
Thank you, Brian. It’s funny, I began the story with that exact thought in my mind. It was my original intention! April’s character emerged in the moment as I wrote the first draft, and I enjoyed where things ended up. 😄
Beautiful imagery. I felt as though I were right there with April and Jameis. For me, summer nights were looking for fireflies and waiting for the ice cream truck with my brother.
Thank you, Andrea! Ahh...those sound like the best nights. I vividly remember catching fireflies with my brother in old mason jars.
Nice one, Justin. One of my faves.
Thanks, Jim! I’m happy to hear it.
This story felt like the tightrope we walk between the innocence of youth and jarring reality of adulthood.
And April’s comment about moving: I thought things would be different here...that took me back to my father’s wanderlust and all the places we lived in my teens.
I love the way you phrased that, Amie. I agree. It definitely lands somewhere in that realm. April is a strong character and I’m hopeful that she’ll pull through. Thank you for reading and commenting!
A delightful story, Justin! I felt like a teenager again, for a few moments. I had some summer moments similar to Jameis and April. Thanks for the sentimental journey.
Thank you for reading, Jenise! I’m happy it brought you back. 😊
Ooooh -- I love the beginning of a new romance. Maybe a FIRST romance. You're ending the story there, right? It is a good ending. But this got to me: “My parents got into a big fight, so I slipped out of the house,” April said. “They don’t even know I’m gone – both drunk off their asses. I thought maybe things would be different here, you know? But so far everything’s the same.” Drinkers just have no idea what they do to their children. Unfortunately, a new location never changes anything. I know first hand.
Thank you, Sharron! Yeah, that’s the end of the story. I don’t think I’ll come back to this one because I wanted to leave Jameis (and the reader) in a hopeful state of mind.
I hear you, and I’m sorry to hear about your experience. For six years I taught in a specialized program for at-risk youth. My students and their families dealt with all types of drug/alcohol abuse, as well as everything else under the sun. That job drained me in many ways, but I loved those kids. Sometimes glimpses of my former students and their lives find their way into my stories.
The tone of this one hit perfect for me today. I especially enjoy when stories end with little sparks of hope. Job well done!
Awesome, I’m happy to hear that, Claire! Thanks so much for the kind words. I like hopeful endings, too. 😊
I spent my summers roaming around the city often with friends, sometimes by myself. Summer has always been my favorite time of the year. I loved this story! I pictured the park at the end of my block in the house we moved to right before I started high school and I thought about a chance encounter with a girl named Jennifer at Golfland, our local arcade and mini-golf place when I was 14.
Thanks, Jason! Summer has always been my favorite season, too. My summers were very similar, except I roamed country roads with my friends instead. I loved the random experiences and events that always seemed to pop up.
I’m happy this story brought you back, even if for a moment!
Aww, that was beautiful, Justin…I felt like I was right there with them!
Thank you so much, Kim!