~The Broken Parachute~
Chapter 1 - January 7, 2012
Part I
It’s amazing how clear this day sticks out in my memory. It was two days before my oldest brother was headed back to school to begin his second semester. My parents went into the city to have dinner with some old friends. My brothers and I were home alone when a few of their friends showed up. I sat quietly in our family room watching television while they screwed around in our upstairs playroom. I knew they were drinking. I had never seen either of my brothers drunk before. I never figured it would be a big deal especially when it came to witnessing my oldest brother in that state.
“Hallie, Reed and I are kind of having a party tonight so there might be people down here,” My oldest brother, Ben, explained, “Don’t worry too much about it. Also, don’t text mom and dad about it.”
My brothers and I had this “you keep my secret, I keep yours” policy. They honestly weren’t bad people. They were simply just normal college students who partied and got drunk. I didn’t think too much of it. I knew they planned to tell our parents eventually.
While I was alone downstairs, three seniors from my school showed up in the kitchen. One I recognized. He was a boy from the neighborhood, Garrett. I had known him since I was little. Another boy walked into the room in which I was sitting. He started talking to me and going off about how popular he was. It amused me.
As the night went on, I watched as the boys drank. I watched as my brothers drank. Slowly, more people entered the kitchen, more beer bottles were opened, and more sips were taken. I started to feel a little overwhelmed. I was a fourteen year old high school freshman surrounded by drunken high school seniors and college students. I didn’t know what to do.
Finally my oldest brother entered the room. He started talking to me and asking questions. I didn’t respond. He wasn’t completely wasted. He may have actually been the furthest from it. He looked at me and asked, “What’s wrong?” I remand silent and simply turn my head into a pillow. He came around, sat down, and put his arm around me as a cried into his shoulder. I explained how I didn’t like the atmosphere I was in. I didn’t like being around these people who I barely knew while they were intoxicated. I explained how I didn’t like seeing my two brothers, especially him, in this state.
“Listen, this is what teenagers do. Believe it or not, this will be you one day,” he explained. He then walked me through the crowd of people and to my best friend's house who lived right through the woods. I hugged my brother goodbye and thanked him.
Sometimes I look back on this date and wish that it would leave my memory. Then I look back on it and realize this was the day I met you.
Thoughts? Comments? Questions?
Some of you may have read my short story, The Broken Parachute. Well now I am beginning to write a full version. It will be much different and include a lot more detail. Also, don't expect to read the same ending. If you have not read my short story and would like to, the links will be found below:
Part I: http://www.wittyprofiles.com/q/6830068
Part II: http://www.wittyprofiles.com/q/6830986
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