~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