The life I have lived so far has been dull and empty, maybe that's why I don't have many friends. Or maybe it's just because I don't live my life to the fullest, watching as opportunities pass me by that never again will come. I'm used to be unnoticed, have been for awhile now; every since my existence to be exact. My older brother Jack is the center of my parent's world. If they were so satisfied with him why did they try for me? So many unanswered questions overflow my mind, today isn't any different.
A Soldier's Weakness…A Teddy Duchamp Love Story
"Carmen please put that book down and go outside, we've been here for 7 hours and all you've done is read." I pulled my book away from my hungry eyes to look up at my mother. "I want to finish this chapter first, then I will." I compromised. As my mother shook her head, her blond curls bounced back and forth. "You will go outside now and finish the chapter later. Your brother doesn't sit for hours waisting time like this." She complained. I set my copy of East Of Eden down and trudged out the door, not wanting to discuss the matter anymore. We moved from our homey community of Boise Idaho to the deserted plains of Castle Rock Oregon. You see my father is a logger and he was given the opportunity to widen his career or in my words "paycheck" if he was willing to move to Oregon, apparently there is a higher demand for tree killers in this state. I could smell the fragrance of freshly cut grass; I spotted Jack fiddling with the lawn mower. His hands were covered with oil and when he wiped his sweating brow, oil speared across it. I crossed the yard to where he stood. "Jack I'm going to check out the town, want to come?" He cussed under his breath as he struggled with the machine. "Carmen can't you see I'm busy? Please leave me alone." I backed away slowly from my raging brother and then scurried down the street. I was used to being the person others took their anger out on, so it was only natural for me to take it like a morning pill. As I walked around my new town I couldn't help but picture it being in one of John Wayne's movies. "A fella could mistake you for a half-breed." I chuckled. As I examined my new surroundings, my stomach growled. "Just great I'm miles away from home and not a cent with me." I ignored my starvation and carried forth. The dusty roads of Castle Rock left my eyes watery and the musty air clogged my lungs. "Home sweet home." I joked. Across town there was a diner entitled Blue Point which only increased my appetite. "I would have finished my book by now." I mumbled. "What did you say?" I jolted back, snapping me into reality once more. "Who said that?" I squeaked. A boy with slicked blond hair and a handsome face approached me from behind. "I'm sorry; I didn't mean to startle you. Are you alright?" He asked. I breathed a sigh of relieve before responding. "It's okay. I'm fine." His soft brown eyes stared at me, squinting as if in thought. "My name's Chris, Chris Chambers. What's yours?" I relaxed my tensed muscles and smiled. "Carmen McKenzie, nice to meet you." Chris put on a heartwarming face. "The pleasure is all mine Carmen." I blushed as my stomach roared with annoyance. "Sounds like you're hungry, how about we get something to eat?" "I'd love to but I have no money with me." I explained. Chris chuckled before responding. "Not to worry, I've got plenty for the both of us." I shook my head in disagreement. "No, I couldn't possibly take your money, It isn't right." Chris laughed. "Nonsense, consider it a token of our new friendship." This boy is serious; he really wants to be my friend. "I guess if you put it that way…" "Great, I know a swell place you'll love." Chris said, grabbing my arm and pulling me towards the Blue Point diner. Once inside we sat down and ordered our meals. "So where you from originally?" Chris questioned. "Boise Idaho. My father got promoted up here to chop down even more trees." I spoke. Chris chuckled. "My old man is a drunk all hours of the day." I felt sympathy for this boy. "I'm sorry to hear that Chris." He shrugged his shoulders. "It's alright, people round here don't expect nothing else from the Chambers family." I frowned. "Chris, you're a good person. I believe your better than that and I'm from around here now." Chris smiled his heart stopping smile once more. "You're not so bad yourself Carmen." After we finished our meals he showed me around Castle Rock. "And this is the best part of the tour, the tree house." I stood in awe of the masterpiece in front of me, sure it wasn't perfect but it came pretty close to it. "This is amazing, did you build this?" Chris smiled with pride. "Yeah, with the help of my buddies." I grazed my hand on the aging tree and took in its beauty. "Do you wanna see the inside Carmen?" I turned to Chris happily. "I would love to." It was scattered with empty cans of beer and gum wrappers, the walls were covered with a variety of miscellaneous posters and included a table that appeared to be made of cardboard. "Sorry the place is a mess." Chris apologized. I took in all the surrounding had to offer. "Chris it's lovely, messy or not. "Take a seat." He suggested. I looked down at the world through the small window, I felt free up here. "I come up here to get away from it all." Chris shared. "I can see why, it's like the whole earth stops for a moment when you're here." Chris grinned. "Exactly."