Chapter 6

The first week of summer was so relaxing, up until the heatwave hit. It was almost four in the morning. The front of my nightshirt was drenched in sweat. I got up out of bed and turned my overhead fan on. I then took off my shirt and threw it in a pile of clothes. I went back to bed in my boxer shorts. Just then a few pebbles hit my window. I looked up and a few more pebbles hit my window. I sighed and got up to open it. The air was actually cool. Dew had begun to appear on the grass, and I heard the occasional bird. It was Harvey.

"Harv? What are you doing here?"

"They're opening the city pool today!"

"Yeah like after nine, do you have any idea what time it is, go home!" I whispered loudly.

"But if we go now, the entire pool will belong to us."

"That's trespassing. Now go home!"

"Not when your Uncle's a lifeguard...come on man!"

I ran my fingers through my bangs.

"Alright. Alright."

I met Harvey at the pool. He actually had a key to get in. Which was way better than standing around nervously while he picked the lock. We swam for about an hour. The water felt great. It was cool, but not too cold, and felt soothing to the skin. For another week and a half, Harvey and I went for a morning swim every morning. No one but his Uncle knew about it. Afterwards we'd change into a set of new clothes and go get waffles at the café.

"And then Mom says Rod, you haven't even touched your dinner, and Dad goes-"

Harvey demonstrated what his Dad did by touching the bacon on his plate.

"Okay I touched it." Harvey replied with a laugh. I laughed with him.

"And it's always something like that. Like yesterday mom says honey you got to think positive, and dad says i'm pretty positive it's gonna be a bad day."

We laughed as we sat at a booth eating our breakfast.

"And hey guess what, that car they bought me for my birthday, I'll be able to drive it soon. I'm taking my test next week!"

"That's awesome Harv! You'll be able to drive yourself to school."

"Forget school, I can take Lola anywhere she wants to go...even though Jetray is faster it'll be great having my own car. You're taking your test next year aren't you?"

"Yeah. I would have this year but stuffed happened."

"Boy did it. I'm suprised we're still alive. Especially you. That knee wound and your last attack was nasty dude."

"I know...but I got through it."

"That's only because you got balls of steel."

I smirked and took a sip of my water, when all of a sudden I felt a sharp jolt of pain in my head. I then heard a ringing in my ears. It was so strong I knocked over my glass, startling Harvey.

"Bry? Bry!"

I held my head. It was a vision. I couldn't really tell what was happening in the vision. I was underwater somewhere. I could see an array of sunshine through the surface of the water. It was a lake. I was in the lake. I don't know how I got there or what I was even doing there. It flashed and I was back at the café looking at Harvey and a waitress. She had tended to the mess I made on the table. Harvey had a piece of candy with him, and was holding it out in front of me.

"I'll get you another glass...are you alright?" The waitress asked.

"Yeah..." I replied breathlessly. As she walked away Harvey sat back down.

"What was that?! You had a vision didn't you?" He began putting the piece of candy back in his pocket.

"Yeah I was- you always carry glucose tablets in your pocket?"

"Well as of recently I do...you know...just in case..."

I smiled at him.

"Thanks."

"Forget it. Now what happened?"

"I...I don't know I was underwater."

"That's it? You probably thinking about swimming some more."

"Proabably. I mean yeah I was just...drifting..."

We grew quiet. We were even quiet when the waitess brought me another glass of water.

"My manager wants to know if you're alright."

"I'm fine. I just have attacks sometimes."

"Yeah he's diabetic!" Harvey interrupted.

"Oh okay. Well if you're sure. He told me you can have anything you want from the menu for free."

"Thanks."

As she walked away Harvey leaned forward.

"You feel good enough to still go to the arcade?"

"Sure. It's over now. I'll sort out the vision later. I don't think it's anything to worry about."

"Hey! you know what? You should ask your mom to take you to visit Rosie, maybe you're missing her so bad you feel like your drowning or something. Maybe that's what the vision meant?"

"Maybe...but I couldn't do that...I'll just upset her when I have to leave."

I smiled shyly at Harvey. The following afternoon I stayed in bed reading. I thought of Rosie often and the days that followed. I did miss her. A lot. We've spent more time apart than we originally intended for our relationship. All I wanted was her by my side doing all the things she and I enjoyed. Living and learning together. I wanted her more than anything else in the world. May turned to June, and June turned to July. Isa was now four months pregnant. Her queasy days are over, but now she can't get enough food. We decided to take a family trip up in the mountains for a summer vacation. It was to be a three hour drive. The cabin also didn't allow dogs, so Juju was going to stay with my Grampa Ben. Mom entered the master bedroom with a list. She had a full suitcase on her bed. I decided to talk to her about the vision I had.

"Let's see three pairs of pants, shirts, shorts, my flip flops. Check. Check."

"Hey mom."

"Hey sweetie. All packed?"

"Almost."

"Well don't forget your snacks and your emergency kit. And your storage wallet!"

"I got it mom."

"And your underwear, undershirts, and socks?"

"In my bag."

"Good. I'll still have to pack a few things."

"Mom...this cabin we're staying in...is it near a lake?"

"Not really."

"Oh okay...good."

"The locals call it a creek, but its still pretty deep the farther you go out. It's close by; so you and your sisters can go swimming anytime you want while we're there. Why is something wrong?"

"Uh...Mom I had a vision months ago about the lake."

She stopped what she was doing. She looked at me and we both sat on the edge of her bed."

"Bad?"

"Not really...I was just sort of drifting under the water...I didn't seem to be struggling...I think I was alone...I never came up out of the water in the vision but I...I was just wondering, do you think it means something bad is gonna happen?"

"I...I don't know honey...but you know I'll be there...and your father will be there too. Not to mention your sisters. If there is any trouble we'll stop it. Okay?"

I nodded.

"Don't be afraid. I'm sure your vision just wanted to show you a sneak peek into our fun little adventure we're gonna have."

I nodded. This time with a smile. I believed mom to be right. We loaded up our van and off we went. Mom was in charge of the radio. She didn't want us kids fighting over it. Dad drove and my sisters and I talked and ate snacks in the back.

"Okay Mira it's your turn. What's one thing you like about Isa?" Anna asked.

"Hm...probably her ability to dance...I can do all kinds of sports but not that one."

"Aww thanks Mira!" Isa cried and placed her hand over her heart. Mira's face lit up.

"Okay Isa, same question...but for Bryan."

She looked deeply into my eyes. She and I have grown closer due to all of our quandaries.

"Bubba taught me chivalry. I've seen how he treats Mom and Rosie...he's created a standard that I hold all men to if they want to date me."

"Awwww...he taught me that too! But he also taught me how to be tough literally and figuratively." Anna replied.

"He taught me all that plus how to compete, and introduced me to basketball." Mira said after.

"And I wonder who taught him all that." We heard Dad say as he drove. He briefly looked in rear-view mirror. Mom smiled and stroked Dad's shoulder.

"Of course you did Daddy...but you forgot to teach him some personal style." Isa retorted.

"I agree...and how to clean his clothes. His room smells like an old sock." Anna agreed.

"Not to mention the way he walks. His feet are too far apart or something." Mira chimed in. My smile slowly faded as they began to pick out more of my flaws. Dad just shook his head.

"And shyness!" Isa exclaimed. "Oh and we forgot the biggest one!"

"He's so weird!" They said at the same time.

"And every girl in our grade has a stupid la dee da crush on him! Ack! That is so gross!" Mira attempted making vomiting noises.

"Right?! Like he's got those brown eyes...and every girl says oh I love his eyes blah! Ewww!" Isa shuddered.

"And he looks just like Dad so that's even worse!" Anna said in disgust.

"Hey! What's wrong with the way I look?" Dad asked joining the conversation again.

"Nothing Daddy! It's just the girls in our grade are 12...and you're so old!" Isa exclaimed.

"Oh well...gee thanks. So you calling your brother old?"

"He's old...he's not you old but you're almost twins that's why it's so weird." Mira added.

"Wow..." I breathed.

"Oh now girls stop it...there's a lot of similarities between Bryan and your Daddy, but they have their differences too. And besides I married your Dad...He's a good man...Bryan is too and one day you'll find one just like him."

"Doubt it."

"That's gross mom."

"Maybe."

I noticed Mom stroking Dad's shoulder with her thumb in a very romantic gesture. I definitely wanted what they had.

"Okay, okay let's turn the tables...Bry what annoys you about your sisters?" Dad asked.

"Charlie!"

"Hey its fair! Go ahead son."

"Gosh where do I start?"

Dad laughed. My sisters didn't take kindly to it. About an hour in a half into our drive we stopped for lunch a burger and sea food place. It was a small little place that kinda looked like a place to rent boats on the outside. Fresh wood painted in a navy blue. Beautiful woodlen plants, and white manufactured rocks adorned the foundation and walkways. There was red neon in the window, and a flag on the roof. On the inside dark black linoleum floors and wooden tables, chairs, and booths. The booths were red just like the sign out front. On the walls typical paint the color of sky blue and bright yellow on the backwall. The windows were large and open. It was brightly lit, and cool when we entered. They had all of their ceiling fans running on high. We could smell the fresh fish, and the hot French fries being cooked; and we could almost feel the cold of their soft servered ice cream. We ate a great lunch. My sisters and Dad slept the next few miles. Mom drove and I sat next to her on the passengers side. I rolled down the window.

"Hey Mom?"

"Yeah?"

"You said that you and Dad had to be apart...and that it was hard."

"I did yeah."

"When did...when did you stop missing him?"

"Aww sweetie...you miss Rosie?"

"Terribly. You think she sees all that stuff my sisters were saying about what I taught them?"

"She sees those flaws too...but she loves every part of you...Just remember that when you think of her again."

I smiled shyly and propped my arm up on the window, and placed my fist on the side of my head.

"And you...Bryan Jay LeMay are a great kid. Punch buggy!"

She lightly punched my arm as a beetle car drove by us. She laughed and I laughed back.

"Mom...I love you."

"Well you better!"

She then tickled my side as she drove one handed.

"Aw Mom stop! Ha ha! Watch the road!"

"I'm watching it!"

Shen tickled me again.

"Mom! Mom stop I can't stand it! Quit!"

I grabbed her hand and she just laughed.