Caitlyn wrote this for her creative writing class. We got a kick out of it because it all happened. In my defense, it made perfect sense at the time to send her on her bike, in the dark, on a two-mile adventure.
"I can’t go to Zach’s game tonight," Breanne glumly said.
"What?" I said into my cell phone. It sounded more like a demand than a question. Zach is my 12 year old brother who has football games every Wednesday evening, which is how Breanne and I hang out. You could say I use him to my own advantage, just so I could see my cousin.
"I can’t go," she repeated. "I can only get a ride from Grandma and Grandpa, and they are going on a date before the game. And...so...I would have to go with them." I knew she wouldn’t accompany them on a date. Ever.
I sighed loudly so she could hear. She laughed.
"Just...come. Please?" I begged.
"No," she giggled. "Who would want to go on a date with two old people?"
I agreed. "Fine," I mumbled. "Now I have to go to dance class."
"Ok...bye!" she sang.
I hung up on her.
I sat down at the kitchen table as my mom brought in groceries. Underneath the table, I texted Breanne saying, "U ruined my night!" Even though I was serious, she probably thought I was kidding. I sighed and walked over to the opposite side of the island counter top where my mom was. She looked weary, yet full of energy.
"Bree can’t go," I said.
"What?" she asked as she hurriedly walked over to the dishes that were in the sink.
"Breanne. Isn’t. Going." I hate repeating myself.
Ignoring my attitude, she continued the conversation. "Do you want to go to dance then? Or the game?"
"Eh...," I turned my back to her and walked, again, to the kitchen table and sat down where I once was. I slouched. I don’t want to go to the game. There really is no point now considering Breanne isn’t going. So I should go to dance. After all, I haven’t been for two weeks. Maddie better be there though!
"Ya...I’ll go to dance," I answered.
"Alright. Well, I can’t give you a ride because I’ll be at the game." It sounded like it was a question. She stopped doing the dishes and turned to face me, leaning against the counter top. She exhaled as she thought.
I could almost see the lightbulb go off as she asked, "Could you ride your bike?" My mom put enthusiasm into the question, but it didn’t help.
"Sure," I answered, turning the word into 4 syllables.
"Ok. You do know how to get there, right?"
"Hmm...yes," I lied, wanting to be done with the conversation.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
When it was time to leave, I put my dog into her kennel, turned all the lights off, and locked all the doors.
There, standing in the garage, I examined the 3 possible bikes I would ride. I immediately excluded my own due to the fact that while riding it I look like a clown in a parade. I grew out of it when I was like, eight.
Goldilocks came to mind while I thought. Mom’s bike: seat wiggled. Dad’s bike: seat too high. Zach’s bike: perfect.
Without thinking I jumped on the muddy blue culprit, closed the garage door, and rode off down the street which was already darkening.
After riding a few blocks from my house I felt optimist. "I’m almost there," I thought, "Of course..its getting darker and darker by the minute, and there is a chance I will get kidnapped, but I’m O.K.! At least..for now! I just need to get there and Mom will pick me after dance. Alright. No need to worry. What the...?" I screeched to a halt and looked around.
Where am I? I think I got side tracked, "Crap."
I nervously called my mom, and getting directions I made it to the correct street. I looked at my phone. 7:38. I did a double take. 7:38!? Ugh! I am already late! I HATE being late! Breanne....
When I got there, I was late of course, and tired. And guess who wasn’t there? Maddie. Yep. I thought that mini-nightmare couldn’t get any worse.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The cold air felt nice as I walked out of dance. I looked around the empty parking lot. Where’s mom? Its 8:45. She’s usually here. Even though I knew where this was going I still called her.
"Where are you?" I asked. What a stupid question to ask, considering I could hear people cheering and a whistle blowing in the background.
"Oh, come on!" my mother yelled unattractively.
I continued to look around me. My bike was against the fence and the dance studio was closing up. It was pitch black everywhere. I kid you not.
"I’m still at the game," my mom said. Duh.
"Oh.,"I mumbled.
"Can Maddie give you a ride?" her voice was hoarse.
"Nope. She isn’t here." Perfect. Out of all the nights to not be here...she picks tonight? Just my luck.
"Well, I can call a neighbor to come get you," she suggested.
"No, mom. That would be a stupid thing to ask, no offense. Its almost 9 o’clock. I don’t want to bother them."
"I’m sure it’ll be ok. Brook, look up the Vick’s number on your phone," I could hear my mom tell my dad.
"No, Mom."I interrupted. "I might as well bike home." Even though I was kidding and hoping she would hear the sarcasm in my voice, she didn’t. I had just committed to riding my bike home. In the dark. By myself. Ugh.
I biked slowly down the dark street, lined with houses on each side. I felt like I was in some horror movie from the 70's, like the girl who gets stalked and when she turns around there’s never anything there. I passed bushes that seemed perfect for serial killers to hide in. I swear I could feel their eyes on my back, giving me the chills. I passed houses that were dark and mysterious. I pedaled past abandoned cars with their sound proof doors and bodies in the back seat. I was nearly hyperventilating. This is stupid., I thought to myself. I’m freaking myself out. I tried to laugh.
As I turned a corner, I gulped. Baseball fields, basketball courts, and a park. These all seemed harmless in daylight but not so much at night. Two lights flickered on and off as I quickly biked through. My eyesight made me see blurry images that turned out to be trash cans or trees. I quickly called Breanne. No answer.
"Hi. This is Bree. You know what to do. Leave a message after the tone." BEEP!
"I hope you’re happy. I didn’t get a ride to dance, so I had to ride my bike. The ride was like a billion miles. So I was already tired when I got there, and I got lost, of course. Then my mom couldn’t give me a ride home, it’s pitch black, and...where am I?! I’m probably gonna get kidnapped... Just because you didn’t go to the game! I hope you’re happy, Breanne. I hope you’re happy." I emphasized on the last word. Loud and clear.
Who should I call next? I don’t want to ride alone. My thoughts will get to me again. And......What the? It’s raining! Since when!?
The rain stopped suddenly. Oh. Perfect. Sprinklers. Joy. I rode down the road, getting pelted by sprinklers, as I called Mary (BFF). No answer. Why won’t anyone answer?
"Mary...," I started. "I might die tonight. Just wanted to tell you bye. Love ya." I hung up. The bike then started squeaking, and rocking back and forth. Napoleon Dynamite on his bike quickly came to mind.
My phone vibrated. Calling from...Breanne.
She laughed hysterically when I answered.
"Jayden...thinks...it’s funny too,." she giggled. Jayden! As in her best guy friend who is practically one of my brothers? That Jayden?! This would ruin me. For sure. He would never let this go.
"Why?" I yelled to myself.
She laughed. For the first time that night, I laughed at myself too.
"Holy cow!" I interrupted as I swerved. "I almost ran into a ditch," I laughed.
When I got home, my mother and Breanne called, making sure I was O.K. Was I O.K.? I was cold. My clothes were soaked. My hair was plastered across my face from the wind. The bike had squeaked the entire ride home. I was tired, scared, and really wanting to go to bed.. "Ya, I’m O.K." I assured them.
"What?" I said into my cell phone. It sounded more like a demand than a question. Zach is my 12 year old brother who has football games every Wednesday evening, which is how Breanne and I hang out. You could say I use him to my own advantage, just so I could see my cousin.
"I can’t go," she repeated. "I can only get a ride from Grandma and Grandpa, and they are going on a date before the game. And...so...I would have to go with them." I knew she wouldn’t accompany them on a date. Ever.
I sighed loudly so she could hear. She laughed.
"Just...come. Please?" I begged.
"No," she giggled. "Who would want to go on a date with two old people?"
I agreed. "Fine," I mumbled. "Now I have to go to dance class."
"Ok...bye!" she sang.
I hung up on her.
I sat down at the kitchen table as my mom brought in groceries. Underneath the table, I texted Breanne saying, "U ruined my night!" Even though I was serious, she probably thought I was kidding. I sighed and walked over to the opposite side of the island counter top where my mom was. She looked weary, yet full of energy.
"Bree can’t go," I said.
"What?" she asked as she hurriedly walked over to the dishes that were in the sink.
"Breanne. Isn’t. Going." I hate repeating myself.
Ignoring my attitude, she continued the conversation. "Do you want to go to dance then? Or the game?"
"Eh...," I turned my back to her and walked, again, to the kitchen table and sat down where I once was. I slouched. I don’t want to go to the game. There really is no point now considering Breanne isn’t going. So I should go to dance. After all, I haven’t been for two weeks. Maddie better be there though!
"Ya...I’ll go to dance," I answered.
"Alright. Well, I can’t give you a ride because I’ll be at the game." It sounded like it was a question. She stopped doing the dishes and turned to face me, leaning against the counter top. She exhaled as she thought.
I could almost see the lightbulb go off as she asked, "Could you ride your bike?" My mom put enthusiasm into the question, but it didn’t help.
"Sure," I answered, turning the word into 4 syllables.
"Ok. You do know how to get there, right?"
"Hmm...yes," I lied, wanting to be done with the conversation.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
When it was time to leave, I put my dog into her kennel, turned all the lights off, and locked all the doors.
There, standing in the garage, I examined the 3 possible bikes I would ride. I immediately excluded my own due to the fact that while riding it I look like a clown in a parade. I grew out of it when I was like, eight.
Goldilocks came to mind while I thought. Mom’s bike: seat wiggled. Dad’s bike: seat too high. Zach’s bike: perfect.
Without thinking I jumped on the muddy blue culprit, closed the garage door, and rode off down the street which was already darkening.
After riding a few blocks from my house I felt optimist. "I’m almost there," I thought, "Of course..its getting darker and darker by the minute, and there is a chance I will get kidnapped, but I’m O.K.! At least..for now! I just need to get there and Mom will pick me after dance. Alright. No need to worry. What the...?" I screeched to a halt and looked around.
Where am I? I think I got side tracked, "Crap."
I nervously called my mom, and getting directions I made it to the correct street. I looked at my phone. 7:38. I did a double take. 7:38!? Ugh! I am already late! I HATE being late! Breanne....
When I got there, I was late of course, and tired. And guess who wasn’t there? Maddie. Yep. I thought that mini-nightmare couldn’t get any worse.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The cold air felt nice as I walked out of dance. I looked around the empty parking lot. Where’s mom? Its 8:45. She’s usually here. Even though I knew where this was going I still called her.
"Where are you?" I asked. What a stupid question to ask, considering I could hear people cheering and a whistle blowing in the background.
"Oh, come on!" my mother yelled unattractively.
I continued to look around me. My bike was against the fence and the dance studio was closing up. It was pitch black everywhere. I kid you not.
"I’m still at the game," my mom said. Duh.
"Oh.,"I mumbled.
"Can Maddie give you a ride?" her voice was hoarse.
"Nope. She isn’t here." Perfect. Out of all the nights to not be here...she picks tonight? Just my luck.
"Well, I can call a neighbor to come get you," she suggested.
"No, mom. That would be a stupid thing to ask, no offense. Its almost 9 o’clock. I don’t want to bother them."
"I’m sure it’ll be ok. Brook, look up the Vick’s number on your phone," I could hear my mom tell my dad.
"No, Mom."I interrupted. "I might as well bike home." Even though I was kidding and hoping she would hear the sarcasm in my voice, she didn’t. I had just committed to riding my bike home. In the dark. By myself. Ugh.
I biked slowly down the dark street, lined with houses on each side. I felt like I was in some horror movie from the 70's, like the girl who gets stalked and when she turns around there’s never anything there. I passed bushes that seemed perfect for serial killers to hide in. I swear I could feel their eyes on my back, giving me the chills. I passed houses that were dark and mysterious. I pedaled past abandoned cars with their sound proof doors and bodies in the back seat. I was nearly hyperventilating. This is stupid., I thought to myself. I’m freaking myself out. I tried to laugh.
As I turned a corner, I gulped. Baseball fields, basketball courts, and a park. These all seemed harmless in daylight but not so much at night. Two lights flickered on and off as I quickly biked through. My eyesight made me see blurry images that turned out to be trash cans or trees. I quickly called Breanne. No answer.
"Hi. This is Bree. You know what to do. Leave a message after the tone." BEEP!
"I hope you’re happy. I didn’t get a ride to dance, so I had to ride my bike. The ride was like a billion miles. So I was already tired when I got there, and I got lost, of course. Then my mom couldn’t give me a ride home, it’s pitch black, and...where am I?! I’m probably gonna get kidnapped... Just because you didn’t go to the game! I hope you’re happy, Breanne. I hope you’re happy." I emphasized on the last word. Loud and clear.
Who should I call next? I don’t want to ride alone. My thoughts will get to me again. And......What the? It’s raining! Since when!?
The rain stopped suddenly. Oh. Perfect. Sprinklers. Joy. I rode down the road, getting pelted by sprinklers, as I called Mary (BFF). No answer. Why won’t anyone answer?
"Mary...," I started. "I might die tonight. Just wanted to tell you bye. Love ya." I hung up. The bike then started squeaking, and rocking back and forth. Napoleon Dynamite on his bike quickly came to mind.
My phone vibrated. Calling from...Breanne.
She laughed hysterically when I answered.
"Jayden...thinks...it’s funny too,." she giggled. Jayden! As in her best guy friend who is practically one of my brothers? That Jayden?! This would ruin me. For sure. He would never let this go.
"Why?" I yelled to myself.
She laughed. For the first time that night, I laughed at myself too.
"Holy cow!" I interrupted as I swerved. "I almost ran into a ditch," I laughed.
When I got home, my mother and Breanne called, making sure I was O.K. Was I O.K.? I was cold. My clothes were soaked. My hair was plastered across my face from the wind. The bike had squeaked the entire ride home. I was tired, scared, and really wanting to go to bed.. "Ya, I’m O.K." I assured them.
3 comments:
Although I don't know what kind of a mother would allow her daughter to do such a thing (jk - I once left three small children in the rain for two hours) I have to say that Caitlyn scores a 5 out of 5 on the writing rubric I used to use when teaching school. What a great writer she is!
WOW-ZERS! Great story...So sad it's true. Sprinklers...Really. I am laughing so hard right now! Caitlyn is a good writer! Man I sure miss that kid! Thanks for sharing that. I really am glad that I am not the only one who psychs myself out.
Caitlyn.... you are such a great writer! (Gee, Gretch, I wonder where she gets her talent??) I loved the details and I, too, was laughing so hard! You'd better get an A on that piece. Great job!! Gretch, should I call social services now or give you one more chance?! (Just kidding!)
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