The Story - Comfort Food: Part 3

By this time the Oreos were completely devoured, we had finished going through 4 months of style magazines, putting in new resolution to be trendy for our Senior year, and had begun watching our go to video for hot guys. It was all action, only one cute girl to compete with, and 5 hunky men. We each had our favorites, for different reasons. Megan had only recently admitted that the 60 pack brunette with long hair was her movie crush, Daniella had always loved the rebel blonde who had a witty comeback for everything. My favorite was the reserved, mysterious lead with dark hair & eyes. We were giggling over the school pool scene, which we believe had only been added to give an opportunity to show off their muscular physic, when Danny suddenly let out a groan & flopped her back on the bed.

Megan & I gave each other curious looks & paused the film.

"You ok?" Megan asked getting into a kneel off the floor.

"We can watch something else," I offered.

"Its not that," Danny said closing her eyes. "I broke up with Chase." Megan's mouth became a perfect o in shock. She looked at me, unsure what to say. I waited to see if she would go on.

"What happened?" I said after a moment, still not sure if she just needed to vent, or wanted to cry.

"Nothing," Danny said, finally opening her eyes, one tiny tear rolling out of the corner. "Nothing big or anything. I just, I just realized that I don't know what I feel about us anymore."

"What do you mean?" Meg said stroking Danny's hair that fell over the edge of the bed.

"When I first met Chase, he was amazing to me. He was hot, and sent goosebumps across my skin just by thinking his name. The first time he kissed me was... and it was like ... and I felt perfect. I don't think I really feel anything when we kiss anymore, its just a reaction now. Not to mention I'm constantly frustrated with him! Every thoughtless slip up drives me crazy & makes me more irritated than before. Then he would come over, smile and hold me, and it feels really nice to be in his warm arms. Nice enough that I want to forget the argument ever happened." Danny sighed rolled over onto her belly. "But I don't."

"Its ok to break up," I said, "it happens, and its normal."

"I know that!" Danny yelled and began pacing the tiny room, "I feel completely justified in my decision! It only makes sense to break up with him! I mean, I'm being fair here! Its just ... why do I still feel so bad? ... Why does it feel like I still have feelings for him?" She was wiping away the angry tears. After a few moments of staring at us, she sat back on the edge of the bed with another exasperated huff. Almost simultaneously Meg & I got up to wrap our arms around her.

"It's ok to still love him, and not be in love with him." Megan said, Danny squeezed us tighter. We put back on the movie & continued with our night as though nothing had interrupted it.

The Story - Comfort Food: Part 2

It didn't take to long before I was parked across from Danny's blue house. Danny's brother was just leaving so I let myself into the open house, straight to Danny's room. I opened the door to find her smiling, sitting on the floor, painting her nails. Not the scene I was expecting. There was no sign of stress, no pacing the room, no grunts of frustration, no angry scowl.

"Whats up?" I hesitantly said, surprised at her coolness.

"What do you think? Its called Haute Chocolate," she wiggled her dark red toes, "I like it." Pulling out her bin of multicolored polish she said, "What about my fingers?" I didn't understand. Wasn't the reason I was here because it was serious? If this was about picking out nail polish I'm going to be pissed.

"Ta-da?" I held up the plastic bag of treats. Just then Megan came into the room. She was the picture of health in her green pajama pants & tank top. She had a freshly washed faced with her hair in a low ponytail. She looked me after seeing Danny cool & collected, her face completely confused. "I brought Oreos," I said.

"Ya, whats up?" Megan said.

"Just wanted to have a Girls Night, thats all." Danny said selecting a sea foam green for her fingers. I took a quick scan around her room, it seemed meticulous. Danny was normally tidy, but this seemed especially... pristine. I looked back at Meg & shrugged my shoulders, going to her desk to set up the Oreos & whipped cream. I left to grab milk from the kitchen. While passing back near the front door I realized it was still propped open from when we had come in.

There was a familiar red truck parked across the street, with the engine softly running. I set the gallon down & walked over.

"Hey Chase," I smiled at Danny's boyfriend. We've known eachother since freshman year when Danny & Chase began dating. "We're actually having a sleep over, so you'll have to make out another night. Sorry."

"What are you talking about?" Chase said suddenly angry. "She broke up with me!" I suddenly realized his eyes were puffy & red. Suddenly the Oreos made a lot more sense.

"Chase, I'm sorry. I really didn't know. Meg & I just got here. Danny didn't..."

"I know she didn't tell you. Its because she's... She just told me to come over, when I got here she had a box of things," he pointed to the box of prom corsages & jewelry, baseball cap & a t-shirt or two, "No explanation. Just gave it to me and walked back inside." He was madder than I had ever seen him. I didn't know what to say, I just stood there feeling stupid that I had even come outside. I should have just closed the door & let Danny tell me this. Instead I was hearing it from Chase. He looked at the house a second longer & then back at me, revved the engine & was off down the street.

In a dejavu like haze I walked back to the house, grabbed the milk & glasses from the floor, and went into the bedroom. Meg looked up from her hot pink toes to notice my stunned expression.

"Whats wrong with you?" I ignored her & looked closely at the bedroom, noticing that all of the pictures of Danny & Chase had been removed from the dart board & replaced with more photos of the three of us & some from water polo. I just sat down & picked out the same Haute Chocolate Danny had used for my toes. I knew Danny would let me know what she was feeling eventually, and as much as I wanted, I needed to let it come out on her terms.

"Oreos?" I smiled.

The Story - Comfort Food: Part 1

Danny sent me a text at 8pm on Thursday.

Sleep Over - my house

I had been lying on my bed, doodling in my notepad, grateful that my window faced west because I loved when my room became orange from the setting sun. It only lasted a few minutes, but I always felt especially creative afterwards.

I was about to ask permission to go over when another message came through.

Can you bring oreos?

This was more serious than I thought. Oreos were her go to food when she wasn't herself. She had dieted on nothing but them when preparing for our finals, or after losing the Regional Waterpolo Title. I knew there hadn't been a game and it was summertime, so no school or tests.

Before asking my mother, I called Megan.

"Hey Meg, did you hear about the sleepover."

"Ya, but I have to babysit tomorrow afternoon, and I don't want to be tired, so I might pass this time."

"She asked me to bring oreos..." I almost whispered.

"Seriously? Whats wrong?" Megan gasped.

"I was hoping you might know"

"Let me ask my parents & call you back."

We hung up and I sauntered into the kitchen. My mom was playing solitaire at the living room computer, next to the kitchen. Pandora was letting Michael Buble soothe a stressful day away.

"Hey mom, can I spend the night at Danny's tonight?" She turned around to look at me with tired, frustrated eyes. "

"It's the first week of summer, can't you spend just a little time at home first?" Doing what? Mom was here in the kitchen playing games, Marty was in her room practicing her guitar & writing song lyrics, Aaron was playing his PS3 on the TV, this was spending time together?

"I'll be home all summer," I smiled, now was not the time for sarcastic remarks, "and Danny kind of needs us tonight." She turned back to the screen & waved her hand, giving me permission.

Grabbing my makeup bag & throwing in my toothbrush, retainer, and contact case I headed out to my car. Quickly texting Danny & Meg that I was on my way over, but would be making a quick stop at the grocery store.

I stopped at the old familiar Save Mart. Red Aprons & name tags lined up at the registers. Smells like bread & stale milk. It doesn't take long to grab some packages of Oreos & some whipped cream before I am in line ready to check out. I'm admiring Carrie Underwood's new hair-do on a magazine when I notice Gavin. He smiles & continues bagging groceries for the woman ahead of me. After paying for my treats, Gavin grabs the bag & starts walking me outside.

"Are you following me?" I smile.

"No, I'm just picking up some of the carts in the parking lot."

"Always working?" I almost always saw Gavin there & he usually made sure to bag my items as we had casual small talk. This was the first time we ever talked outside of school.

"Saving up," he started collecting carts as we headed over to the car. "Where you headed?"

"Girls night out," I gestured to my baggy pajama pants & fluffy slippers. Gavin looked me up and down and laughed low. He smiled & nodded, heading off to grab the other carts scattered across the lot.

[to be continued...]

The Story - Shopping

I walked aimlessly down the aisles with my mom. I was bathing suit shopping. I hate to shop. Mostly because I hate my abnormal body. Nothing would fit. I had long since outgrown the trendy Juniors section of the store the other skinny shapeless girls my age shopped at and had been demoted to the Womens Section. Ugh. Mom jeans & non-flattering floral printed suits were lined up for me. Vomit.

"This isn't so bad," my mom said holding out a pale pink one piece with magenta roses. Into the cart went the suit, along with my dreams of being Homecoming Queen. My mom picked up on my dissatisfied glares at the article and point blank asked, "What are you looking for then?"

Something youthful, something bright, something thats not cut to make me look like I have recently given birth. But I shrugged and agreed to try it on. Along with the navy blue textured disaster & the black death.

"I promise they'll look better once you put them on."

They weren't any better. My boobs sat in the wimpy padded spots with no lift & my girl shoulders couldn't keep the long straps from slipping down my arms & possibly allowing for a flashing at the pool. But we agreed to sew the straps & settled on the pink. I hate shopping.

The Story - Hired

Dear Lucia Ella Quinn,
We are pleased to inform you that we have carefully reviewed your application form and look forward to working with you this summer.
Sincerely,
Margie Leak
Manager of the
Nine Strike Bowling Ally

The Story - First Plunge

At four Daniella calls.

“Hello is Lucy there?” She says.
“Hi Danny.”
“Hey Lu. You ready?”
“Right now?”
“I’m outside.” she says it like I should have known it already.
“Um, hold on,” covering the phone I talk to mom. “Mom can I go over to Danny’s house?” she turns around from the chicken, oven-mitted hands on her apron covered hips, scowling at me.
“Honey, I could use your help with dinner. Besides it will be ready in an hour.” I pucker my lips and with my sweetest voice ask her pretty please.
“Alright,” she smiles at me. I run back to my room and grab my tankini, chap stick, mascara, some money, and my green purse. I kiss mom on the way out as she yells to eat dinner at Danny’s. “Not junk food!”

Megan was already in the front seat with her feet on the dashboard. Danny turns on the car as I jump in the back. “Cant Touch This” blares as we drive down the road to Danny’s house. She lives in the rural part of town near Megan in a normal sized blue house. Both her parents work and her house was usually quiet and deserted, except for her younger brother who was usually playing some video game in the bedroom. This Saturday was no different. Immediately we changed into our bathing suits and headed for Danny’s pool. Danny took the blow up recliner and I took the inner tube. Meg went right to the diving board and gracefully dove in, shooting across the pool where she succeeded in dumping Danny in. It was followed shouts and screams as water was splashed in our eyes and up our noses. Our laughing and yelling died to giggling and whining until we once again retired to our inflatable furniture and floated above the water. Danny’s tan body lay seductively on her plastic couch. Her brown hair in two braids ending at her shoulders. Meg lay on her stomach outside the pool, her slender arms dangling near the water, stroking its surface. Her legs were tapping to some beat and her brown curls lay in a mess around her face. I sat inside my pink inner tube, head and feet and arms sticking out while my butt cooled off in the water.

“Today is beautiful,” Danny said not opening her eyes. Meg and I nodded, looking up at the sky. Clear blue. No clouds. They were gone once spring was over, and that’s when the sun came out. Sun and heat, pounding down seven days a week, four weeks a month, six months of the year.
“Summer is so close I can almost taste it.” I said smiling, #4 swim everyday.
“I know,” Meg said sitting up and grinning. “I’m going to Pismo in July. What are you guys doing?”
“I’m going to do summer water polo and work at my dad’s office again.” Danny said with her eyes still closed. At the moment Danny looked like a harmless athlete, but when provoked her hard polo training was revealed and she was unstoppable.
“I’ll get a job.” I said.
“Where at?” Megan asked her brown eyes curious.
“I don’t know. Where are you applying?”
“I've already got a job, I'm babysitting the McKenneth's again,” Meg said lying back down.
“Where do you want to work?” Danny asked half asleep.
“The grocery store, the library, the bowling ally, the…”
“What about the bowling ally?” Meg asked. I shrugged my shoulders.
“You should do it.” Danny yawned.
“I’ll apply Monday,” I smiled #1 Get a job. Then I let myself slide through the bottom of the tube into the cool water. My first plunge into summer.

The Story

I wrote this in High School, however, I still think its a fairly good story. I'm going to start posting the bits that I have on here, and you guys can tell me what you think. There are big chunks of the story missing, but I figure now is as good a time as any to start this up again. So some of these may be older, some newer, all hopefully will combine together to eventually make a book.

Just FYI, its loosely based off my own life, mostly my two best friends Sam & Anna, whom I grew up with. Enjoy

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *


The summer of Lucy’s seventeenth year was the same as it had been every other year, aside from the fact that she could now drive and had her own job. She had been preparing for her three month break since Christmas. Her summer was short and simple and consisted of ten things she wanted and was going to get done:

1. Get job
2. Convince mom I need a car
3. Take road trip with Danny and Meg
4. Swim every day
5. Fit into size 6 jeans
6. Get Boyfriend
7. Become a real artist
8. Get cell phone
9. ?
10. See dad



Its hot… so hot. I can feel the sweat slowly sliding down my back. Once again we turned off the air conditioning to save money. Its not helping that mom is cooking chicken. On a Saturday morning two weeks before summer the temperature already is over 100 degrees. My shirt is moist and heavy. It sticks to my chest and legs as I paint my toes bright red to match my fingernails. I keep checking the clock, 3:13…3:14 …3:16…
I blow my nails and lay flat, letting my body heat spread in hopes that I will cool off. My soft long, thin hair stays on my neck and forehead. 3:23. I sigh and sit up, searching the floor for my drawing pad. Bingo. I open my latest sketch. Soft, graphite lines reveal a shoulder, a chin, a nose. My step-sisters face, Marty. Her full name is Marthiellus Ruth Grant. She’s named after both her grandparents. Her mom isn’t a creative creature & didn’t quite understand what she was getting her daughter into by naming her after the ancient women. My picture doesn’t give her credit though; she is fiery and sweet, smart yet bold, she smiles while glaring… somehow, I have to portray that through my picture. When I learn how to do that, I will be an artist. #7. Next to draw is her eyes, they are like almonds, her small brown eyelashes soften the shape and her eyebrows define them. I am just working on the second eye when someone knocks.
“Who is it?”
Aaron, my eight year old brother peers into my room. “Mom says she needs you.” I glance at my drawing. Sighing I close the book and head for the kitchen. She wants to teach me to cook, I’m sure.