finished story of Asheville by Cheryl V.

ASHEVILLE
CHAPTER I
I jus happened to be living with my parents as the only sibling in the family. And until I reached the age of twelve, I had a hard time living with being the only sibling in the family. So, then, at the tender age of ten, I was sitting outside on the front porch of the family house.
And jus as I was doing so, this young boy, at first, I assumed was a girl. He, apparently, was a new neighbor of the family. Who appeared to be not much older than I, about twelve years old? And as he walked across the street with much pride in his walk, there was so little traffic on the street. Only, moments later, he arrived in front of the family house which was a typical lake house, but the outside made with various colors of imbedded stone.
As he reached the porch, I happened to recognize him as the one, I’ve seen, lately, at the same type of house right across the street from the family house.
And I, still, assumed he’s a young boy, the way, he wore her blond hair, cropped so short. Also, it accented his hair; he had on guys’ clothes, a jean jacket along with jean slacks. His cropped hair, also, made all those freckles, stand out on his face.
Although, I happened to be sitting on the porch in a wooden rocker. And jus because my parents were nowhere in sight. Then, the young boy took a seat in the adjacent rocker near me. And then, for a few moments, he jus sat, there, looking me in the eye like he’s trying to figure out if I was a tomboy jus like I thought, he, actually, was.
So, jus in being I needed someone in my life to be a sister to me. I jus said to him, thinking he’s a tomboy, “What’s your name, girl? Are you one of the neighbors from across the street?”
“My name jus happens to be Martin, and I’m not a tomboy because I know, you’re having the impression of me, being a tomboy which I, certainly, am not.”
“That, really, surprises me, Martin, because, at first, I thought jus by the way, you’re dressed and have your hair…well, my first impression was of you, being a girl, trying to act and dress like a boy.”
This, really, perturbed him, at first, and he wouldn’t even say one more word to her, at first. However, at the same time, he has this sly smile on his face. And this unwanted anger is starting to build up inside him.
So, in order, to set him in his place, in noticing he has this angry look on his face like his eyes are ready to pop out of his head. I, then, said to him, very politely, “Well, Martin, it’s nice meeting you. And for some uncanny reason, it seems, as though, for meeting for the first time, that I’ve known you all my life. Would you like to take a walk on the lake with me? It’s such a nice and sunny day, today.”
After thinking hard for a few moments, he, then, replied jus as I was aware of his anger, simmering down, “I jus was going to ask you, the same thing. But before we do, do you so happen to have another boy in your life?”
“In fact, I never had a boy in my life, not even as a friend until now.”
“What do you mean by, ‘until now?’?”
Jus after twiddling my fingers for a few moments, although, I wasn’t aware of doing it, I, then, said, “What I’m referring to is that for some odd reason, I can’t figure out. You jus seem to, already, be wearing off on me. I jus can feel it in my bones that we are going to get along good together jus like peas and carrots.”
“Is that so? You, still, haven’t told me, your name, yet? How do you expect for me, to get to know you, if I don’t even know your name?”
“You’re so right about that, Martin. My name so happens to be Cherry.”
“That’s both an odd and at the same time, a few pretty name. Do you have any brothers or sisters, may I ask?”
“No, I have neither; I’m the only sibling in the family. By the way, I’m at the tender age of ten. May I ask how old are you?”
“I jus turned twelve, a couple days ago. So, what I think is that we both are going to become good friends. Its jus this odd feeling, I’m having as I’m sitting beside you.”
“Look, my parents are inside the house, both busy doing something at this time. So, I, really, don’t need either of their approval to do anything, right now. So, c’mon while we have the chance to not be interrupted. Let’s go for that walk on the lake.”
So, then, for a moment, we stared into each other eyes. Then, it seemed so natural for both of us, to take each other’s hand.
Then, upon us, walking off the front porch jus after I peered inside the house to see if my parents were trying to spy on me. Hand-in-hand, Martin and I, then, proceeded to walk through the soft sand on our way to the back of the house. Then, as we reached near the shore. Martin and I, then, were both feeling as snug beside each other as we started our walk near the shore.
While we’re walking along the shoreline, the waves seem to be bouncing off the shore. And there are numerous seagulls, flying above our heads at this time. The horizon seems to be so peaceful because there doesn’t appear to be a soul around the docks. And there are very few boats, a boat here and there, so far away into the water.
In the meantime, my parents happened to look outside for me jus as I left with Martin on a walk by the lake. So, being desperate for my whereabouts, my dad, then, walked from the bathroom into the living room. He had jus been trying to freshen himself up. And cool off as today seemed to be a hot one. As he arrived inside the living room, he came in with a sad look on his face along with anger. And this anger seemed to be welling up inside of him being he didn’t spot me, sitting outside on the front porch.
He, then, picked up the phone, and called the police. Since, he didn’t know what else to do; he put in a missing person’s report on me. So, as soon as he’s able to get someone on the phone, the policeman started asking him, questions.
“This is Lieutenant Boyd, what can I do for you?”
“Well, my daughter, Cherry, seems to be missing. And I have no idea where she could have gone. She was sitting out on the porch, relaxing and enjoying the nice, sunny day. However, about twelve noons when I walked out the front door to get her for lunch, she was gone.”
“Tell me, try to describe what she was wearing, and anything else, you can tell me.”
“Well, she’s ten years ago, and, usually, doesn’t go anywhere without either telling me or her mom about it. I don’t know what’s been with her, lately. She’s never pulled anything like this before in her life. Well, she has long, blond hair and she’s wearing jeans and a white tee shirt along with white tennis shoes which seem to light up when she’s walking.”
“What else can you tell me about her? Has there by chance, been any boy or another girl in the neighborhood, which you’ve or her mother, have seen her, hanging around with? And does she have any favorite pastimes like walking by the shore or maybe fishing?”
“Yes, she does like to take walks near the shore, and, occasionally, when I and her mother go fishing, she jus loves to come along with us. I guess she’s starting to change into a tomboy in not having had a boy in her life, yet. If she does, she hasn’t told me about meeting any boy, or any boy, she’s taken a liking to.”
“Well, who, if any boy or girl does her, usually, hang around with in the neighborhood?”
“There’s been a new neighbor about her age across the street. However, as far as I know, she hasn’t gone over there to see the boy, yet. And I’ve never seen the boy over here at the house, either, yet.”
“Well, jus tell me, what this boy looks like?”
“The last time, I’ve seen him walking down the street; his hair was in a cropped hair style. And at the time, he happened to be wearing a jeans outfit, too.”
“Okay, I’ll send some cops out to look for Cherry and this boy, right away. At this time, the two of them could even be somewhere along in the area, together, like either at his house or even along the lake somewhere.”
So, then, as soon as the cop hanged up the phone, immediately, he said to the Captain, “I want you to send two of the cops, well I would prefer Lieutenants Scott and David out on the streets to look for this young girl with long blond hair, 10 years of age in jeans. Also, I want you to look for this young boy, who her dad suspects, she could be hanging around with. And by the way, he has cropped hair, and is wearing a jean outfit, himself.”
Lieutenant Scott answered to him, “Right on, I and Lieutenant David, immediately, will go on the run through the streets near where the Davidson’s live. And we will search for both of the kids.”
As the two cops were walking out the doors of the police station, Lieutenant Scott said to Lieutenant David, “By the way, I’ve seen that other kid, that boy before, but I don’t know what he’s been over here at the police station for. I’ll drive right over there to where he lives. And when we arrive, there, I’ll talk to his parents. And see if they happen to know where this boy has taken off to.”
The house where the boy was living with his parents wasn’t far away from the station. And upon the cops, arriving, there, Lieutenant David stayed inside the car while the other cop hopped out of the car, and walked up to the front door.
Lieutenant Scott, casually, knocked on the front door, and he didn’t seem to get any answer at first. However, after knocking on the door, a little harder, this knocking seemed to the parents of the Davidson boy, to echo throughout the whole house.
This seemed to anger Mr. Davidson, at first, until he arrived at the front door after putting down his cup of chamomile tea. He loves to drink this tea at night, especially, in the early evening to relax himself after the day’s stress from his job because he jus happens to have his own business. He sells office products right over the internet on his home computer. And at the time, he had to answer the door; he jus got finished wrapping up the sales for the rest of the evening.
So, as he opened the front door, at first, he felt kind of cold-hearted towards the cop at the door. However, the cop jus happened to have some curious look on his face which made Mr. Davidson seem to simmer down.
So, then, he asked the cop, trying to be polite, although, he’s upset over his son not arriving home, yet, because he has this feeling inside, he’s gone somewhere without telling him where he wanted to go, “Yes sir, what is it, I may do for you? I assume you’re here because someone called you about my son’s disappearance is that right?”
“Yes, it is sir, Mr. Davidson, the neighbors’ jus across the street; also, seem to be missing their young daughter. And her parents’ jus happened to call over at the police station. And they have this feeling, your son could be somewhere at this time with their daughter. Do you have any idea where your son may have gone, and if he has been seeing the girl across the street?”
“I know one thing, and that’s that he loves to take walks near the shore on jus about every afternoon after lunch. So, he jus may be with your daughter at this time.”
“Okay, then, Mr. Davidson, before it starts getting dark outside, me and my partner, who’s waiting inside the cop car… Well, we’ll jus go ahead and check along the lake. And when and if we find your son near the lake, we’ll bring him, right back home to you. So, don’t worry about your son. We’ll make sure he gets back home safe and secure.”
“Thank you, officer, I and my wife appreciate you two cops. Doing this for us.”
So, then, jus as the two cops were heading down near the lake. And one of the cops parked the car, somewhere, across the street. Then, immediately, the two cops jumped on a motorcycle which the neighbor across the street, have lend to them to find their daughter and the Davidson son.
Jus as they were going at, almost, full speed near the shore, suddenly, one of the cop’s jus happened to spot Martin and me. At the time, we were having the time of our life walking like neither one of us, has a worry in the world, along the shoreline. And when the cops spotted us, we were jus about to head right into the lake to take a swim with our clothes on being it turned out to be such a hot day.
As we happened to notice the cops had caught up with us. We stopped right in our tracks as neither Martin nor I wanted to give any of the cops, any trouble. So, the two of us jus stopped right there on the shoreline near the water. Then, without any trouble, us to, then, jus happened to figure out what the cops were around the lake for.
So, then, Martin and I jus hopped into the back seat of the cop car, as one of the cops, opened the back door for us. Besides the motorcycle, a cop car has jus pulled up near Martin and me.
After we were inside the cop car, then, one of the cops said to us, “What are you two doing near the lake without telling your parents, where you two were heading? Are you two trying to get into trouble with your parents?”
“No,” answered the boy, “We’ve jus met each other on the porch of her parents’ house. In fact, we both are in such head-over-heels over each other. That neither of us even thought to tell our parents, we were going for a walk near the lake, tonight.”
As the cop car reached my parents’ house, then, jus as Martin and I were getting out of the car. One of the cops, then, said to us, “You’d both better go see your parents, quickly, because I’m sure, they have been worried sick over both of you. Now, you, my boy, since, it’s getting dark outside, I’ll escort you over to your parents’ house. And jus hope, that neither one of them are mad at you when you arrive home.”
So, then, Martin headed right across the street with one of the cops, while I didn’t waste any time. I, then, headed inside the house through the back entrance.
CHAPTER II
As I bumped into my parents inside the living room, both of them said at once, “Now, Cherry…” Then, my mother said to me in a worried voice, “Cherry, dear, both your dad and I have been worried sick about you. Where in the world, have you been, all this time, you’ve been gone. When we both had looked out the front window to get you for lunch, we, almost, panicked jus because we thought, you agreed to wait there for lunch.” “
Then, my dad said to me in a desperate voice as if the end of the world was at hand, “Don’t ever do this to us again, my dear, Cherry. We both got the idea you and that boy across the street. Had been kidnapped because Mr. Davidson jus happened to call over here about his son being gone, and not knowing where he had gone, either. Your mom or I could have had a heart attack over worrying about you.”
“Now, jus for not telling where you went before, you are to go right to your room right after supper. And you are to stay there, and be in bed early for your punishment. Jus be glad that neither of us are the type, who spank you whenever you happen to be bad.”
Jus after the whole family had supper in silence. Then, with tears in my eyes at being angry at her parents, who should have been angry at me, instead. I, then, stormed up the stairs and upon arriving inside my bedroom. I, then, plopped herself on my bed.
Since, at the time, I was lost at what to do with myself being I’m feeling so distraught over the whole situation involving around my walk with Martin near the lake. I then, turned my television on. And I watched what my parents, always, refer to as the boob tube, the rest of the evening until it was time to go to sleep.
This was very boring for me being that neither my dad nor my mom. Wanted to catch me, playing any of my computer games on my laptop.
This was because I was very aware that one of them might during the course of the night. Come upstairs and check on me to make sure, I’m not trying to go against my punishment.
However, I could say one thing for myself. And that was that my parents couldn’t hound on me to do my homework, that night. This was being that I didn’t have to go back to school until September came around. And this was one good thing about it being summertime, anyways. So, doing homework was one thing off my mind until it was school time, again.
In the meantime, the cop has jus escorted the boy to his parents’ house. And upon him, rapping at the front door, his parents weren’t the least big angry at their boy. Although, they both noticed that a cop dropped him off at the family house. Saying, “Thank you, sir,” to the cop as he’s leaving the porch, his parents both have tears in their eyes.
And neither of them was mad at their son. They both jus took turns, hugging him, jus being glad that he was back home and safe and sound. Neither of them even punished him for forgetting to tell them where he went, that afternoon until the early evening.
Later on, that same week, my parents’ jus happened to find what they called their “dream home”, in the newspaper, a log cabin right in the heart of Asheville, North Carolina. And since, they and even I, for one thing, wanted a change of life, although, she has enjoyed living right on the lake. My parents are having me, call right over at the house across the street. This is jus so I can let my new friend on the good news.
So, jus as I got Martin on the phone, I, with much exuberance in my voice, said to him, “Guess what, Martin, my mom and dad have happened to look in the local paper, recently. And they jus have happened to find what they now refer to as their dream home right in the heart of North Carolina, in the city of Asheville.”
“Boy,” he replied with much happiness in his voice for her, although, he was aware he might be missing her so much very soon, “This sure is one big surprise for me. So, when is it that you and your family will be moving, there? And isn’t North Carolina a bit of a ways from St. Clair?”
“The thing is that I and my family will be moving, there, very soon, like maybe tomorrow morning. It jus so happens that they, practically, have everything packed to move. And by tomorrow morning, well, they, already, having a moving van lined up for moving, tomorrow.”
After a pause, trying to get her breath, she, then, proceeded to say to him, “Another thing is that my parents have, already, told me. That if you, really, wanted to, that you can move, there, with me and my mom and dad. Since, you have, already, mentioned to me about wanting to live in the mountains. Here is your big chance to live with me and the rest of the family, my mom and dad.”
“Boy, I jus would love moving, there, however, my parents have jus told me. That they, already, have talked to your mom and dad. And that it’s alright for me to move down there with your mom and dad.”
So, then, I said to Martin, “Both of my parents jus got finishing telling me jus before this phone call. That they both have been sensing that ever since, we have been seeing each other for a couple of weeks, now. Well, they have sensed in us that we both have become good friends. And that we both will become jus like peas and carrots if you know what that means.”
“To me, we both, already, in a sense, have become like peas and carrots. And I want to move, there, jus so that we stay like that all our lives. And another thing is that I jus happened to mention to them. That I have been too lonely without any brothers and sisters in my life, ever since, being a baby.
My parents have wanted us, lately, jus because we have been seeing each other, every day. That they want me and Martin to move together to North Carolina, partly, because I want the luxurious cabin in Asheville to become mine and Martin’s dream, too. And that I know, myself, that Martin, definitely, is going to love living in the same cabin with me. And he jus is going to, of all things, love mountain life, himself. And jus because Martin and I have been seeing each other, every day. My parents, for one thing, think and know that Martin and I are going to get along good together.
So, then, Martin said to me,” Why do your parents, all of a sudden, want me to move, there, with you when my parents might think differently about the situation?”
“Don’t worry about anything, my boy. My parents talked to your parents, lately. In fact, they have jus gotten through talking to them. And your parents don’t mind, you moving, there, to North Carolina with me. This is, although, they’ll, certainly, miss you a lot. And another thing is that they, always, are welcome to come and visit us, there, at any time. Although, it’s a very long trip to North Carolina, to begin with. So, since, we both have feelings for each other, will you move, there, with me, then?”
“This is a last minute decision for me. However, I would jus love to move, there, with your and your parents. As you, already, know, for a long time, I have had numerous dreams about living in the mountains with you and your parents. So, the answer is yes. I’m very excited about going on this trip to North Carolina with you. In fact, I’ve been, there, a couple times before in my life jus to visit an old friend of mine, whom I used to know from school.”
“Boy, Martin, I’m so glad, you’ve accepted my invitation. And tell your parents, a big thank you, for me. That’s for allowing you to come and live with me in the mountains.”
The next morning, Martin and his parents walked over to my parents’ house with Martin’s things being he didn’t have much to begin with to bring with him to Asheville. And his parents helped my parents load everything into the family van including food and drinks for what my parents figured would be, at least, a twelve hour trip to North Carolina. And what couldn’t fit in the van like, of course, furniture and my computer went into the moving van.
So, on a nice, sunny day after everything was packed inside the van along with the moving van. My mom and dad and I said goodbye to Martin’s parents. And then, my mom said to his parents, “It’s been nice living across you from the lake. And be sure to come to North Carolina to visit us, some time.”
Then, my dad said, with tears in his eyes, to his parents, “It’s been nice having you for neighbors, and as she jus said, be sure to pay us, a visit, some time, if you get a chance to do so with his business. I know it could be hard, though, to get away to visit us. Bye, for now.”
Then, I said to his parents, “I’ve been more than glad to have you, allow your boy to become my best friend and also, good neighbors, you all have been to me and my family.”
So, then, upon everyone hopping into the van, early that morning, we all were on our way, finally, to Asheville, North Carolina with the moving van following them. And the whole trip took more than twelve hours being we had to make a few stops for something to eat and drink. Also, a couple of stops were made for gas and for the rest area, too.
The whole family along with Martin, finally, arrived late at night in Asheville in North Carolina around eleven o’clock at night. And because it’s so late at night, and all of us were quite tired from traveling, we all jus unpacked what they needed for the night. And then, upon bringing the food and drinks and sleeping bags inside the cabin. We all were surprised at how spacious the cabin was.
And there was a porch built all around the cabin, so that cabin has to have cost the family, a good lot of money. The roof and the whole fence around the cabin have all been painted a bright red color. And the outside stairs lead up to the upper floor where the porch has been built.
Jus standing on the porch, one can get a good overlook of the mountains, nearby.
Looking over the mountains near one end of the porch. There is an overhang which over the cabin is situated. And not far from one end of the fence, over the edge of the mountains, is a pretty good view of all the trees in a forest down below. This view is possible because the cabin is way above sea level.
In the early, morning, there is, always, a whitish haze over the mountains in the distance which seems to, always, hang over the mountains. Then, as the sun starts to break through the whitish haze, the sun seems to come from behind the mountains.
Then, once the sun is from behind the mountains, there appears a bluish haze which seems to cover the mountains in the distance. Which mountains seem to be hundreds of miles away from the cabin? And then, the clouds jus seemed to meet the mountains in the distance at the tops in such a way. It creates this blueness like if it came out of this huge spider web from the porch, one could get a good of the bluish cast over the mountains in the distance.
And right from the cabin, down below the forest trees are quite tall, and the forest seems to go on for hundreds of miles. Which happens to be one huge forest near the mountains on which the cabin is situated, appearing to be to the naked eye to be never-ending? And right near the cabin, itself, and it seemed like one never-ending mountain.
Upon Martin and me walking down a few flight of steps, coming from the edge of the porch, felt very invigorating to us. And then, we were on our way up and down the hilly street over the mountains. We wanted to take our walk down the street a ways away from the cabin. However, Martin and I didn’t make it, that far down the street being it’s so hilly.
So, then, we took our walk, only, down the hill and back because it’s enough of a walk for us being it’s starting to become a bit hot, already. This is because the climate in North Carolina, usually, turns quite hot and humid by nine o’clock in the morning before the middle of the afternoon has come by.
While Martin and I were taking their walk, we both got the sensation of our ears, popping, as we were doing so. And the highest part of the mountains where the hilly part was at, gave us, the biggest thrill of our life. It’s because this is the first time, either of us have experience such an invigorating walk in our lives.
And as we walked up and down the hilly street, on either side of us were, mostly, trees on the highest part above sea level. And at the bottom of the hill, we both happened to notice this blue house with a red roof, so elegant-looking out in the mountains. And in right in front of this blue house, were some cows, grazing on the land.
Also, we came across this area where a bunch of chickens and a rooster were fenced in. And the rooster’s sounds seemed to echo right through the mountains for many miles.
Martin and I went for walks, every morning. And every time, we would walk down the hills to where the chickens and rooster were at. We would never fail to hear the sounds of the fowls, especially, the rooster. The rooster, at dawn, would, continuously, seem to be crowing long after the walk was over with being a lot of times. Martin and I would start walking at the break of dawn.
The two of us would never fail to take our morning walks up and down the hills. Until that one morning, when we were walking back to the cabin where we have been living.
It seemed that jus as we reached the cabin, that morning. Some gal, I’ve never seen before in my life, although, a very friendly and talkative gal, by the name Lisa. Had enough guts that morning to say to me, “Would you mind, now, whatever your name is? I would like to talk to your boy friend, here.”
“Okay, however, I’ll introduce myself to you? Well, I’m Cherry and my friend, here, is Martin. Now, tell me, your name, my gal.”
“My name so happens to be Mona Lisa. I’ve been named after that famous painting. However, everyone seems to call me, Lisa.”
Then, with this weird look on her face, she said to me, “Do you two live, here, in this cabin?”
“By chance, we do, however, we aren’t sister and brother. Although, we’re close enough to each other. That we are like a sister and brother to each other.”
Then, Martin, bore a curious look on his face which caused some anger to boil inside me. Although, Martin and I were jus coming back from our walk through the hilly streets of Asheville.
Then he said to Lisa, “Now, we are about to walk back up to the porch up there which overlooks the mountains near the cabin. Would you like to join us up there on the porch?”
“I think I will, in fact, you two walk up there, first. Since, I’m, only, trying to be courteous to both of you.”
So, then, first Martin and I walked up the three flights of stairs. And as we reached the porch, Lisa was right behind us.
So, upon her, reaching us on the porch, then, with much flair, she said to Martin, “Is this girl, here…,” but Martin interrupted with, “By the way, this is Cherry. We aren’t sister and brother, if that’s what you’re thinking. We’re jus good friends at heart.”
“Now, that is one thing, I like to hear from you, ‘good friends at heart,” however, she continued with to me, “Is it alright if you jus go inside the cabin for a few minutes or so? It’s jus that I would like to get acquainted with Martin, here.”
“Now, I feel much obliged,” said me with much anger in my voice.
However, she, then, said, “I’m jus asking you to be polite, Cherry. I would jus like to make friends with him.
“Then, why,” I continued, “Do you want me to go inside the cabin? I live, here, you know, and have every right to be out on this porch. You don’t own this porch, you know.”
“I told you I jus want to get acquainted with him. And I jus don’t want you to get in the way. I mean get the idea that I’m trying to steal him from you. Because you jus said that you two are jus best friends, is that right?”
“Yes, that’s right, Lisa,” then, taking Martin aside for a minute, I said to him, trying to be cautious, “Martin, before you get acquainted with her, jus watch yourself. I don’t want her to steal you away from me. Because after all, we are like peas and carrots, and I want us to stay that way.”
“Okay, Cherry, don’t worry about anything. I am going to watch how I talk to her. I won’t flirt or anything with her, either.”
CHAPTER III
So, then, since, I, now, was burning up inside with anger at having allowed Lisa on the porch of the cabin. I jus stormed inside the cabin, jus so I wouldn’t blow my top at either Lisa or Martin. Although, I wanted to put Lisa down for demanding that I leave the porch when Martin isn’t the only one who lives, here, at the cabin, so do I, in fact.
So, I stayed near the door, listening to what Lisa and Martin were saying to each other. As I was, I overheard Lisa telling him, “I, really, would like to get to know you. Since, Cherry is only a friend to you. And I don’t think she would mind if I came up here on the porch without being asked if I wanted to do this.”
So, then, I, really, couldn’t stand the way, she was talking to him. So, then, I stormed back outside. Then, I said to Lisa, “If all you’re going to do is flirt with him. Then, I’m asking you to leave. I won’t put up with your flirting at any time. And then, if you have the heart to agree to stop flirting with him. It happens to be the only condition on which my parents and I will allow you to come up here, again.”
“Okay, if that’s what you, really, want, Cherry. Then, I’ll jus take my business, elsewhere. I don’t want to make you or anyone else mad for that matter. Well, it was nice talking to you, Martin. And if you want me to see you again as a friend, then say so.”
“Yes, Lisa, no matter what Cherry says, I know my parents won’t mind if you come, here, again. Because you are very friendly, and polite, and seem to be a very nice gal.”
Jus as I walked back inside the cabin, still, feeling perturbed, and thought Lisa was leaving. I, then, jus walked over to my bedroom to do some heavy thinking after grabbing some breakfast, a pop tart. Because I didn’t want to wake my parents yet because they, still, were sound asleep.
I didn’t want to bring up what jus went on outside the cabin to my parents. If I woke them up, deliberately, then, they, really, would be made at me. And I jus seemed to be able to sense what they would do next if I did. But I was going to bring up the situation of Lisa to them when I got the chance to do so.
However, since, I put the situation in back of my mind, and hoped that Lisa wouldn’t show up, here, at the cabin, anymore. It, then, happened to slip my mind.
And every morning when Martin and I were on our way down the stairs to take our walk, who should show up at the cabin, was Lisa. And then, I kind of got the message. She wanted to take her walk with Martin jus because she knew that he and I have been taking our early morning walks. And from what I sensed about this, was that she, somehow, has grown jealous of me, walking with Martin in the early morning And I didn’t think that bringing up the situation with my parents would do any good.
However, since, Lisa insisted on going for a walk with Martin. I, then, couldn’t do anything to stop her from going on one with him. However, before they left, I brought him aside on the porch.
Then, I said to Martin, boiling with anger inside me, “Now, be careful, Martin, this gal seems to be a nice one. But she may be up to something, like trying to steal you away from me. So, watch yourself, and don’t allow her to plead with you to have any making love or the like with her. I don’t want her to ruin our relationship, together.”
“You won’t mind if I take a walk with her, this morning?”
“No, I don’t mind, however, she may have something up her sleeve. So, what ever you do, don’t give into her.”
So, then, as I walked back up the three flights of stairs. I jus stood, there, on the porch, watching Martin and Lisa walk down the hilly street. And then, I was hoping that he didn’t stop at that blue house, not far down the street, because I knew that she lived, there.
My parents, already, have talked about Lisa, as the girl who seems extra friendly, and loves walking in the morning because they have seen her, themselves, on the street. It’s jus that they, upon looking out the front window, have seen her, walking by herself, several times. That is, ever since, I, Martin, and my parents have moved to this cabin.
So, in noticing that Lisa and Martin were out of view, I, then, couldn’t get that Martin off my mind. Although, I tried to chase him out of my mind. And I didn’t think I was falling in love with him, either, because both he and I are at a tender young age to even get ourselves involved in such a thing.
At least, I have been getting the impression. He’s the type who won’t be, easily, stirred into falling in love jus because, like me, he’s quite young to be able to understand what love is, in the first place. And if ever one of us, ever felt, as though, we were falling in love with each other. This love, most likely, would, only, turn out like jus being some wayward dream.
That morning, I had no idea what the two would talk about to each other. But I knew one thing. That Martin even told me about right before the walk with Lisa. Upon him, taking me, aside, jus before the two left on their walk. And that was he has a lot of feelings for me.
I knew that the two, every morning, were walking near the blue house. And that they could be going to that house behind my back, being up to something.
I could sense that something was going on between them at the house. However, I couldn’t pinpoint anything between the two.
So, then, I started taking my walk the other way, every time, I would bump into Lisa, on her way to the cabin. And this seemed to happen jus about every morning. So, it got so I didn’t want to bump into her, anymore, because there was something about her that I didn’t like.
So, when I took my walk in the morning, in walking the other way, I seemed to have a better view of the mountains. And I got used to my ears, popping, every time, I went on my walk. In fact, on my walk I was so high above sea level. That it made me, dizzy to look down at the trees and the river which ran through one side of the mountains. However, that river was so low that one could, actually, walk through this river. Also, all of the rocks seemed to show in the river because of the water level being so low due to lack of rain in North Carolina.
After a couple of weeks of Lisa’s and Martin’s morning walking, Lisa said to Martin, one morning, as they neared the blue house where she happened to be living, “C’mon Martin, you’re not in a hurry to get back to the cabin, are you?”
“No, not at this moment, I’m not. Why in the world would I want to hurry back to the cabin? I, surely, don’t ever want to hurry over this hilly street or any of the hilly streets in Asheville, for that matter. I, surely, don’t want to end up pulling a muscle or something.”
After catching his breath, he, then, proceeded to say to her,” Why, what do you have on your mind at this time? Is it that you want to show me around your house? Do you live with your parents, or by yourself, because I, surely, don’t to butt into your parents’ business?”
“It jus so happens that I live by myself. Although, my parents live in the house further up the mountains, in that white house. I’m renting the blue house from my parents at this time. So, you don’t mind if I show you around the place, do you?”
“No, I don’t; in fact, I think it would be a good idea. Since, I don’t need to get back to the cabin right now. I, surely, don’t want to wake Cherry’s parents up because I might if I go back now. They, usually, don’t get up until about after nine thirty, and it’s, only, eight thirty right now.”
So, then, from the street, Lisa led him up some ever-winding hilly road up to the blue house. And on the way, they happened to pass some noisy chickens and roosters wanting to be fed. And that was the next thing for her to do in about a half hour or so unless her sister did it. And Lisa figured if she let the feeding go, that the noise of the chickens and rooster would alert her sister to feed them, which sister of hers, lived with her parents further up the mountains.
So, as Lisa and Martin arrived at the blue house, Lisa, carefully, opened the door as not to stir the chickens and rooster any more than necessary because there’s a noisy rapper on the door. And this rapper alerts the chickens and rooster besides the cows, every time, she happens to open this door.
Then, as the two walked inside, Martin was surprised of the air which the house gave him. It seemed very friendly inside, and the red walls of the house, really, were very comforting to him, not like the green walls of the house, he used to live in back in St. Clair with his parents.
“So, as I take you from room to room, jus notice how relaxing the atmosphere is as we enter the bedroom. And for added relaxation which helps me, sleep every night, is this scented candle by my bed. Before I tell you anything more about this house, allow me to light this candle.”
So, then, jus after she lit the candle, he, suddenly, felt like crawling into her bed with a light blue quilt on it. However, he tried to resist this feeling; however, she said to him in a lovely voice, flirting a little with him, “How do you like my bedroom? I know you must be feeling like you want to lie on my bed because the walls and bed quilt jus seem to meet each other at the head of the bed.”
“How did you guess this? Boy, you must have one smart mind, I mean brain, some ESP inside you. You’re one smart gal, if I say so.”
“How do I compare to Cherry? Who do you think is smarter, me or Cherry?”
“I think that you seem to be a lot smarter than Cherry. In fact, since, you, once, have told me your age, seventeen. That even your age seems to say something about you and that you must possess some ESP inside your brain.”
“That was a nice thing to say about me, my dear.”
“Please don’t get very personal with me. I’m sure Cherry, if she were here, she would resent you, acting like that towards me.”
“Oh, I’m sure she wouldn’t. In fact, since, she’s ten years old; she’s a lot younger than I, too. Don’t forget that she’s only ten and I’m seventeen. That’s seven years all together which I think makes a difference.”
Then, after pausing for a moment or two, she then, said to him in a loving voice, “C’mon don’t be afraid to try out my bed. It’s a water bed and it’s very comforting. Lying on it, makes you feel as though you’re floating on water.”
So, then, without another word, he jus lay down on the bed like he hasn’t a worry in the world. However, he didn’t know that she has something up her sleeve, either. And the bed felt so smooth to him that he didn’t want to get up off the bed either for a few minutes.
And while he’s dreaming of floating on water, she then, without asking him first. She then, started to plump herself on the bed, too, and then, before he realized what she’s up to, he then, started to feel this odd feeling inside him. He’s feeling, as though, he can’t resist her, although, he has Cherry as his best friend.
However, to him, Lisa felt something more to him. What crept inside him at this time were some odd feelings of affection for Lisa which he’s trying to push aside but can’t seem to do it.
So, then, he felt he must push her away from him if she even tries anything. However, he, still, couldn’t resist the feeling, that he might be falling for her. And this feeling, really, was grabbing him inside to the extent. That he realized he was having feelings for her which he felt, he couldn’t resist at this time.
So, before he even was aware of what was going on between him and Lisa, he, first, started to feel guilty. Because after all, I was supposed to be the one who he should be having feelings of affection for, shouldn’t he? However, then, some confusion entered his mind. And before he knew what was happening to him, he, actually, was feeling even guiltier this time. However, on the long run, he was finding himself caught between Lisa and me. And he was having a hard time, deciding who he has more feelings for, me or Lisa.
However, all he could manage to do to stop from feeling guilty about what was going on in his mind. Was to jus push me into the back of his mind for now because he couldn’t even push me, completely, out of mind. This was because he and I have become very closely knit friends. And he doesn’t want anything, not even any hanky-panky with Lisa to ruin this friendship.
However, then, he, finally, realized that he has been lying on Lisa’s bed for, at least, a half hour now. And because it has seemed like a long time to him, he, suddenly, realized, that Lisa has been up to something, all morning long. Ever since, he laid eyes on her when he, first, noticed her, staring into his eyes. This was when Lisa, first, arrived over at the spacious cabin which he’s been living in.
Then, in not being able to free himself of these feelings of affection. He’s been having for Lisa, lately, he found himself, giving in to her. So, then, since, she could sense these feelings of affection for her. Then, she kept staring into his eyes until he felt, as though, she jus has cast her spell on him. And whatever he does, he jus can’t seem to get out of this spell.
To him, it’s like, now, as if she has been bewitching him, all the way down the road to her house. And now, he can’t understand this burning feeling. He’s having inside him at this time.
So, then, in not being able to get himself up off the water bed because of the way, the bed has relaxed him. She, then, started touching him all over. And while she’s doing this to him, in the back of his mind. He, then, realizes that he’s, actually, giving into her touch.
And at the same time, this weird anger is boiling up inside him because, now, he’s feeling, as though, he’s into something, he shouldn’t be into. And because he’s aware that he’s been so close to me. That he’s feeling, as though, he’s betraying me by allowing Lisa to feel him all over like this.
Finally, after another half hour, he’s able to break free from her touching before she can get into anything else with him like kissing or even making love.
So, then, he said to Lisa, “Well, Lisa, I didn’t know until now that me and Cherry were so close to each other. So, I have to get up out of your bed before we get any farther. Because if Cherry ever finds out I’ve been at your house, or even in bed with you. She’ll jus go ahead, and probably, tell her parents about it. And then, the next thing, I know, her parents will be making me, move out of that cabin which has turned into like a dream house and a happy home for me.”
So, then, she said to him, “I think it’s jus that I’m trying to move too fast with you. I should give you, more time, to figure out if you’ve been falling in love with me, yet. You’re not falling in love with Cherry, now, are you, Martin?”
“No, I don’t think so, Lisa; it’s jus that we’ve gotten so close to each other. And I don’t want anything to ruin that for us. However, don’t get me wrong; I must confess that I have been having some feelings of affection for you, especially, realizing this today. This came upon me as I was lying in bed with you, today.
There has been no harm done, here. I’ll figure out, some day, whether I’m falling in love with you. However, don’t forget, here, Cherry is, only, like a sister to me.
So, there’s no way, I’ll ever fall in true love with her because she’s jus too young for me. And you seem to be the right age for me.”
“I’m glad to hear that from you, Martin. This is because I think; I might be, really, falling for you because you’re so tender when you’re with me.”
“And for one thing, I think that you have shown that tenderness to me, today, as we have been lying in your bed, together. Well, we’d better walk back to the cabin, that’s if you want to walk back with me.”
“No, I don’t think it’s a good idea, right now. Cherry’s parents are, probably, awake by now. However, there’s no way telling for sure if they are. So, this time, jus go back by yourself. That way, I’m sure; her parents will never figure out that you have been with me all this time. But if they happen to ask where you have been, jus tell them. That you decided to talk a walk by yourself because I know that Cherry didn’t see us, walking over here. That’s because my house is a ways away from the cabin.”
CHAPTER IV
Martin is standing by her bed, and she’s, still, lying on her bed. However, she, finally, got out of bed. And then, she led him to the door so he wouldn’t get lost in her house being that it’s a little big. And he doesn’t know his way around the place, yet, either.
So, then, she said to him, “Well, Martin, I hope you have had a good day with me. I’ll be seeing you, tomorrow, then, is that right? Goodbye, for now.”
“Yes, Lisa, my darling, this has been one perfect day for me. And you can come over to the cabin, tomorrow, like you have been. And I’ll be sure to be waiting for you. And I’ll make sure; Cherry doesn’t suspect us being together. Because if she ever does, it’ll be the end for us. And be sure to come here at the break of dawn because neither Cherry nor her parents are ever up before that time. Goodbye for now.”
“Since, it is starting to get hot; I’ll drop you off, almost, to the cabin jus around the corner from the cabin. That way, neither Cherry nor her parents will suspect of us having been together all this time. If either one asks where you have been jus tell them. You have jus gone on a later walk. Or jus tell them, you jus didn’t go for a walk. That you, also, decided to stop at the river. And that you wanted to get some freshening river water on you before it turned, unbearably, hot.”
So, then, the two, Lisa and Martin got onto her four-wheeler. And before he realized it, they were bouncing up and down the hill over to the corner jus before where the cabin is situated on the hill.
Upon the two arriving there, she stayed on the four wheeler as he hopped off it. And in a few minutes, he was walking over to the cabin where he jus went over to the front of the cabin for a few minutes.
And he, actually, peeked into the windows with his binoculars to see where I and my parents were at. And since, we were all sitting in the dining room area, he jus, casually, walked into the cabin.
And jus before coming inside, he got his feet wet through spraying some water from the hose on them. And jus before this, he rolled up his jeans as if he has been wading in the river.
As he walked inside the cabin, I jus happened to hear him, coming inside. So, then, I couldn’t help noticing, he has his jeans rolled up. And that he’s barefoot, and has wet feet.
So, then, I said to him, “What in the world, have you been doing this morning? In fact, you’ve jus missed breakfast. So, you are going to have to help yourself to some breakfast. I and my parents have gotten the idea, this morning that you and Lisa have gone out to eat.”
“To tell you, the truth,” He said, being he knew he couldn’t lie to me, he, then said to me, “No, I haven’t had any breakfast, yet, and that’s because I went on a longer walk than usual with Lisa.” And then, trying to get away with a little lie, he said to her, “And she even suggested that I go for a wade in the river being that it’s starting to get quite hot, outside. I know, you’re wondering where I’ve been all this time.”
So, then, I said to him, “I know for sure that you couldn’t have been wading all this time in the river. However, if you have, you, certainly, must be waterlogged by now.”
Then, now, he knew, he must tell me, one more little lie, because if it was the last thing in the world. He, surely, didn’t want either me or my parents, finding out; he’s been over at Lisa’s house. And that she’s been living on her own.
So, then, he said to me, “I went on my usual walk, this morning, but being it started getting hot earlier than usual.”
So, that I wouldn’t find out she was living alone, he, then, said to me, “We got as far as the blue house where she’s living with her parents. And since, she didn’t want to walk all that way back to the cabin. She, then, jus said goodbye to me. And then, I walked all that way back by myself. But upon approaching the river, I had to cool off. So, then, I rolled up my jeans, and did some wading in the cold river which felt good to me.”
“Well, then, Martin, come with me into the dining room. And when we get there, since, I’m not through eating yet being I was worried about you, getting lost, somewhere. I haven’t, completely, finished eating.”
So, upon us reaching the dining room, then, I was polite enough to have him, sit at the table, there, while I went out of my way, and made some breakfast for him. That was being I happened to change my mind about it, although, he seemed to have been gone for a few hours, that morning.
So, then, while he jus waited at the table, and listened to some music being I turned on the stereo in the dining room. I, then, allowed him to make himself at home while I walked into the kitchen.
And in the meantime, he jus seemed to feel his mind, drifting away. He started daydreaming about Lisa. And his dream was a pleasant one about being in bed with her. And he even fell asleep in the chair like he’s meditating about North Carolina and Lisa at the same time.
So, then, I was nice enough to get out some eggs from the refrigerator. And, although, I didn’t know, exactly, why I was doing all this for him. Anyways, I, then, got the pan out of the sink after washing it out a little. Then, after turning the stove back on, I, then, threw a few eggs and butter into the frying pan. While the eggs were cooking, I went ahead and got the orange juice out of the refrigerator. And I poured some into a glass for him. And then, brought the glass over to him, and set it on the table.
So, since, he overheard me, walking into the dining room, and up to him, he, then, grabbed the glass from me. And then, he gave me, this brief kiss which felt very good to me.
And once, I was back inside the kitchen, I, then, took the cooked eggs out of the pan. And then, I jus set the pan in the sink, and placed some water inside it. Then, I took the toast out of the toaster. And upon doing so, I set all of the eggs, and toast on a plate for him. Next, I poured him, a cup of coffee, then, brought the plate and coffee over to him.
Once, I set everything down on the table, I, then, sat down with him to keep him, company. But neither one of us talked to each other which was unusual for us to do. So, he ate his breakfast in silence jus enjoying the quietness around him and the music which was very soothing to him.
After he was done eating, then, I, finally, started talking to him, again, jus after I brought all of the utensils and things into the kitchen. And then, walked back into the dining room, again.
So, since, he, still, has his jeans rolled up. And I jus happened to be in the mood for doing something special with him. I, then, said to him, “I know it’s quite hot outside by now. However, I was thinking, why don’t us two do some wading in the river. How does this sound to you?”
“Okay, I think we should do something like that, together. Jus think of this as something to help get us closer together.”
“Okay, my dear Cherry, I know you are quite young for me. However, as a brother to you, I’ll go with you to the river.”
So, then, the two of us took each other by the hand. And then, I pulled away from him not aware I was doing so, and said to him, “Well, I think that I should bring a towel with me. Would you like a towel, too?”
“Yes, my dear, I think that’s a good idea.”
So, then, Martin jus stood there by the doorway. And then, I walked right into my parents’ bedroom, very slowly, so that I wouldn’t disturb them. They weren’t sleeping; they jus happened to be lying in bed next to each other. But I think I should have knocked on the door before entering being the door to their bedroom, originally, had been closed.
But, anyways, in my mom, seeing me, getting a towel off of the dresser, she didn’t get mad at me. In fact, she said to me, “My dear, where are you going, now? Are you going to take a shower?”
“No, mother, Martin and I are going to do some wading in the river because we want to cool off. So, I’m bringing a towel for the two of us to use. We won’t be gone long. We’ll come right back after a few minutes of wading because I don’t want to be burnt to a crisp.”
“Okay, my dear, but please close the door when you leave the room.”
And my dad said to me, “my dear, now, be careful, don’t’ fall into the river because some of the rocks could be sharp. And don’t go near any rapids either because they can pull you under. See you and Martin, later on, too.”
So, then, after grabbing a nice long orange and blue towel. I, then, closed the door to my parents’ bedroom as to give my parents, their much needed privacy.
And then, I proceeded through the cabin over to the door where Martin has been waiting for me.
So, then, he said to me, “I thought you fell inside the bathtub or something. You didn’t disturb your parents when you got the towel, did you?”
“No, I didn’t, Martin, they jus were lying in bed, watching some television. But I should have knocked before entering because the door was closed.”
Then, we two proceeded out the side door, leading to the porch. And without taking his hand, he and I walked down the three flights of stairs. And once, we reached the grass. We walked down the street, a little ways. And once, we reached the river, before going into the river, we, carefully, felt the water.
Since, the water felt so soothing to us. We, then, very slowly, walked into the river away from the rocks. We tried to be very careful as we could come across rapids in the river. Jus as we entered the river, we took each other’s hand. Then, us two took our good old time as we waded through the water. It felt very cold but, anyways, it felt so wonderful to us being it’s so hot and humid outside.
Jus as us two reached the area where there were some rocks. Then, all of a sudden, rapids seemed to, suddenly, come right at us from nowhere. And it was pulling us two through the water at great speed, as we were gasping for breath. And the rapids, quickly, pulled both of us right under. And for what seemed like a long time, it seemed like some great unknown force was taking us with the rapids right through the river. And at times, it seemed like we both came awfully close to the sharp rocks in the waters. This happened as the waves seemed to have a power all their own, as they swirled around the rocks.
However, the rapids ended about a half mile down the river. And once, we reached that point, we found ourselves, struggling to get ourselves up on their feet. But us two managed to get onto our feet. And as we were, both of us thought, we were feeling some strong hands, helping us out. And as we did, then, the sun seemed to, really, be beating on us, and really, penetrating our skin.
The two of us were feeling half dazed, at first, from being sucked into the river for which seemed like a long time. But it, really, couldn’t have been that long because, otherwise, the two of us would have drowned. And it was a good thing that we were able to hold our breaths, all the time, we were under water. Otherwise, both of us would have been goners.
And it was a good thing, that where we ended up at was near the cabin. Because all we had to do was walk a little ways, and there was the cabin, the back part. We felt so relieved that neither of us has gotten lost because it could have happened that we might not have survived long in this heat.
As soon as the two of us were back onto our feet, it seemed that, suddenly, Lisa was jus standing, there, right near us. And, at first, I thought that Martin and I were caught in some wayward dream, at first. Because I didn’t know, exactly, how Lisa could have timed this so right. That she was, there, to rescue both of us from the rapids when I, surely, knew she resented the two of us even being together.
However, then, she said to me, “I don’t know why I have to be the one to rescue both of you from this river. Because after all, both of you should know by now, that in living in the mountains, there are some dangers which you both should have been aware of. So, are you two jus going to stand, there, right in front of me in a state of awe? Or are you both going to say something to me for saving both of your lives.”
So, then, I said to her with weary eyes, “I can’t believe that you even would have any guts to save either of us from the rapids because, after all, I know for sure. That you have resented us being together from the first day on which I noticed you on the porch outside this cabin. So, if you are jus going to do these things to get either of our attention. Then, I think you should jus go about your own way, and get back home before your parents say anything about you and Martin, having been together each and every morning.”
“Now, Cherry, I know you don’t like me in any way. However, this is no way to treat me today or any day for that matter. If you want me to be around when you are ever in trouble. Then, I suggest that you start acting like I’m welcome over at the cabin. Or I’ll jus go ahead and tell your parents, that you have been getting in Martin’s and my way. Also, I’ll go ahead and tell both of them that you are trying to ruin our friendship with each other when he’s been approving of me being around him.”
“Now, Lisa, jus remember that you don’t own this cabin which me and Martin has been living in. Now, I’m sorry that I’ve talked to you like this. I don’t mind you and Martin having a relationship together. However, I ask that you don’t try anything to break us up as brother and sister. Because if you do, the first thing you know, my parents will be forbidding you to see Martin. Isn’t this the truth, Martin?”
“Yes, it is, Cherry, now, Lisa, I have feelings for you. However, I ask you, one favor. That you never get in my or Cherry’s way. Because if you do, it could break me and you up. And I never want that to happen at any time. And I want you to know, now, Cherry. That Lisa and I have been getting very friendly with each other.”
After a brief pause, trying to get his composure, he, then, said to me, “And I don’t want you to try to throw our relationship as brother and sister down the drain. So, please, respect our love for each other along with me and Lisa, having a relationship with each other. I’m sorry I feel this way.”
After a brief pause in trying to get himself, together, he, then, said to me, “However, any kind of relationship like Lisa and I have been caught in would never last between you jus because… Well, you’re going to have to face the fact, sooner or later, that a love relationship such as this would never last between us. You’re not even a teenager, yet, so you’re jus too young for me.”
“Okay, Martin, I’ve had enough of this. I admit that I love you as a sister. And respect you being with Lisa. So, please let’s drop the subject. And again, Lisa, I thank you for saving both me and Martin from disaster.”
So, then, Lisa left for home, and me and Martin have had enough of wading for now. So, then, Martin and I, very carefully, waded back through the river over to where we, first, entered the river.
CHAPTER IV
And upon us two, reaching that point of the river, we, then, upon coming out of the river. Didn’t, really, want to dry ourselves off because, by now, the sun was getting quite hot. So, then, we jus kept what clothes, we had on at the time. That way, in keeping our jeans, rolled up, would help keep us, cool. Hopefully, we wouldn’t dry off, too quickly, in the hot sun.
So, then, since, now we were around the corner from the cabin. We jus walked together, slowly, until us, almost, got lost in trying to find the cabin. Somehow, we ended up in back of the cabin. And it was a good thing, we didn’t get lost. Because if we did, we, probably, wouldn’t survive long in this heat.
So, the two of us jus walked through the grass in our bare feet. That’s because we had to take off our sandals. They were soaking wet, so, then, we jus set our sandals right on the porch which was near the back door. And then, being we were, fairly, dry by now. We two walked through the cabin. As we did, we happened to bump into my parents, who were, now, jus coming inside from the porch.
My parents had, for a little bit of time, been out on the top porch. They had been sitting out there, trying to keep cool under an umbrella. This was a special sun umbrella which my mom has made for outside on the porch.
So, then, as my parents bumped into us, my dad, being curious, said to us, “Where in the world, have you two been? Both your mom and I were worried about you two, being out in this heat?”
“Well,” said Cherry, “the two of us decided after Martin, coming back from his walk with Lisa. That him and I wanted to try out the river being it’s, only, around the corner. So, after he had some breakfast which I made for him. Then, the two of us walked over to the river.”
Martin proceeded with, “Then, upon us two, reaching the river, we waded in the river for awhile to cool off. After about ten minutes or so, though, the rapids came at us from nowhere. And the two of us, almost, drowned. And then, Lisa, that gal, who I, really, like, saved us from drowning. And here, we are back home, safe again. Next time, if we ever decide to go wading, it won’t be in that river because of the rapids.”
Then, I said to them, “Next time, the two of us are going to cool off the simple way. We are going to use the pond, next door, because I’m sure the neighbors won’t mind if we do. However, Martin and I have had enough wading for today. However, we jus might make use of the pond, tonight, before it gets dark. How does that sound to you, Martin?”
“Yes, I never have ever thought of using the pond. However, let me think it over. And I jus might want to wade in the pond, later on tonight. However, if either of us decides to do it, we’ll, surely, tell you two, mom and dad, before we do.”
Then, my mom said to us, “Why are you two, so daring, when it comes to doing things? You two could have drowned in that river if it wasn’t for Lisa.”
I said to my mom and dad, “It’s jus that I have been feeling like Lisa has been trying to take over through trying to take Martin away from me. So, I felt I had to do something with him, today, to stop me from keeping feeling like this. So, I felt that wading in the river was the perfect thing for me and Martin to do. Although, I had no idea that it would end up going this far. That both of us would end up, almost, drowning in that river. Don’t you think it’s kind of odd that Lisa happened to show up to rescue us from the river?”
“No, I don’t think so, there are such things as coincidences,” said her mother with a curious look on her face, “And that’s why I think Lisa happened jus to be there jus in time to rescue you and Martin from the river.”
“I, still, think that something funny is going on, here, because Lisa has resented me from the very first time on which she and Martin went for a walk, together. In fact, then, she didn’t even want me to be around when she was talking to Martin. At the time, she was acting as if she owned him.”
“Well, I think she’s a very nice, Southern gal, and I know from experience. That Southern gals happened to, always, be helpful whenever a disaster is at hand. Also, they, always, tend to be very friendly, too.”
However, what I thought about this situation was that Lisa was jus trying to steal Martin away from me. So, then, after some heavy thinking, that night, as I lay in my bed, resting after a tiring day in the river, caught up with me. Thought, in trying to be daring, I sneaked over to Martin’s room being he wasn’t in there at this time. And, very sneakily, I happened to know where he kept Lisa’s phone number or anyone’s phone number, for that matter.
So, upon entering his room, I, hurriedly, opened his desk drawer on the desk where he, usually, did any personal stuff. And right there on the top of the desk, I happened to find some letters. Lisa has been writing to Martin after copying on a piece of a note pad, the phone number of Lisa’s.
And upon picking up one of her recent letters, I, then, overheard my mom, saying something to Martin, “C’mon Martin, I’ll meet you outside under the umbrella. I have something talking to do with you.”
So, then, while she was taking him outside being it’s starting to cool down out there, a lot, I read one of Lisa’s letters. So, the letter went like this: “I know that you have been enjoying a lot of daily walks with me. However, I think that all these weeks, we’ve gotten to know each other. That you and I have become more than friends. I know, very well, that you have some type of relationship with Cherry. But, since, you two are jus like sister and brother, peas and carrots; I don’t want to interfere with that relationship. But for one thing, you seem to have been enjoying spend time with me over at my house. So, then, I think it’s about time. That we start getting more serious with each other. I don’t know all your feelings. So, please let me in on these feelings, soon. So, that I know where to proceed in our relationship with each other.”
Then, it jus happened to be beside that letter, his reply to that one which letter read: “Right now, I think that it’s time I have a good talk with Cherry because things have been very close between me and her. So, then, I better approach her, soon, so that she knows what’s going on between us. I don’t know if I’m falling in love with you because I, really, don’t know anything about love. But I would like you to let me know, soon, what your feelings are concerning love. Because if you don’t have any feelings of love for me. Then, I think it’s time, we either do something about this. Or jus break up, and forget we ever met each other. Please give me, your opinion about love.”
So, then, I, carefully, and quietly, put Lisa’s letter back inside the drawer. So, that Martin wouldn’t suspect. That I went through his drawer, today, jus to get that phone number of Lisa’s.
However, since, I wanted to find out what has been going on between Martin and Lisa. And give her, a piece of my mind which I wanted to do from the very beginning when Martin and Lisa jus bumped into each other. I, then, sneaked out of Martin’s room being that I knew. That my parents and Martin, still, were outside, talking, and enjoying the evening.
So, then, I walked into my bedroom, and closed the door. So, that jus in case either of my parents or Martin walked inside the cabin. That none of them would suspect what I was up to inside my bedroom.
Then, I pulled Lisa’s phone number out of my pocket. And then, I paused for a couple of minutes to think this over of what I was about to do to interfere into Martin’s and Lisa’s business.
After a few minutes passed by, then, I grabbed the receiver of my phone. And upon hearing my parents and Martin, walking inside the cabin. I, then, walked inside my closet, and closed the door. So, in case, Martin or either of my parents walked inside my bedroom. That none of them would even suspect me of being inside as I had, first, left a note near the door on a little table. Saying that I had gone to sleep, earlier than usual, because I was overtired from wading in the river, that day.
Then, I had the guts to dial Lisa’s phone number. And when she happened to answer the phone, I. then, did something weird. I changed the tone of my voice, so, that she would never suspect; it was me on the phone.
So, then, I said to her in my disguised voice, “You don’t remember meeting me, however, we have met before back in high school. And I don’t want to give you, my name, because if you happened to remember me. Then, jus hearing what I’m about to tell you, could ruin your relationship with Martin. And I don’t want that to happen between the two of you.”
After a few moments of pausing, I, then, said to her, “You, Lisa, do you remember when I used to write you, letters? Well, in one of them, which you won’t remember because I hypnotized you not to remember it. Well, lately, through some unknown source which I don’t even know, I happened to find out that you and some guy named Martin. Have been seeing each other for awhile, now. And, also, in one of your old letters which I’ve gone over, lately, has revealed that you have some ESP to read others’ minds. If you don’t stop seeing Martin, then, something bad is going to happen to you because I’m the one, who hypnotized you, back then.”
At this time, Lisa wasn’t able to figure out; it was me on the phone. So, then, she did something drastic, and called up Martin. Upon him, answering the phone, she, then, said to him, “Guess what, Martin, someone I knew back in high school, has jus called me. And I wasn’t able to recognize the voice. And whoever it is, is threatening to break us up if we don’t stop doing our hanky panky over at my house. So, what do you think we should do about this?”
“I don’t even know, myself, who would have the guts to pull such a thing. But do you remember anyone, hypnotizing you when you were in high school, who would try to break us up?”
“I remember someone hypnotizing me, however, I don’t have any idea, how long ago, it happened to me. It couldn’t have been Cherry, because she doesn’t have a deep voice. So, it must have been that girl, I met back in high school, which didn’t ever seem to like me at any time. And that girl didn’t even end up graduating because she was not smart enough to get through school.”
“What do you think; we should do about this situation? Well, I think that you should go to some hypnotist. And that way, you’ll find out if someone, really, did hypnotize, or if someone is jus trying to lead you on.”
“I think I’ll talk to Cherry’s parents, and I’m sure they can tell me of a hypnotist in the area.”
So, then, Martin, in noticing that Cherry’s parents’ jus walked back inside the cabin. He, then, said to her mom, “Lisa is on the phone, and someone is trying to threaten to break me and her up. So, she needs a number of a hypnotist who can help her out, as she claims, someone jus has told her over her phone. That she was back in high school, and needs to find out through hypnosis, which this person was.”
“Okay, I’ll give you, the name of one, and you give the number to Lisa. And after she meets with the hypnotist, I, then, want you to let me know how the situation turned out.”
So, then, he got Lisa back on the phone, and said to her, “I jus talked with Cherry’ mom, and she jus happened to know of a hypnotist in the area. And the woman’s office is jus down a few streets in the next city, city of Blue Ridge. And she happens to be Indonesian as I can tell by her name. So, would you like the name of this hypnotist, Lisa?”
“Yes, I would, I feel as though I’m in the middle of a big mess. And a hypnotist is the only way of getting me out of this situation. And you should come with me as she might need you to help me through the session.”
“Well, do you have some note pad in front of you besides a pen?”
“Yes, I do, Martin, so, please give me, the name of the woman and her phone number if you have it.”
“I don’t know the number for this hypnotist; however, her name is, well, she is, actually, Indonesian. And her name is Florence Smith, and look up her name under hypnotists in the phone book. And then, you’ll find her phone number, or you can look under the residence listings because she lives right in Blue Ridge.”
“Okay, I wish I had more time to talk to you. However, it’s time that I got back to my homework which I have to do, tonight. I don’t mean school homework being its school homework in a way. I am taking courses off the internet, online, and even though, some of the courses are a little hard. I, still, seem to be doing pretty good as far as my grades go. Bye, see you, tomorrow morning like usual.”
“Okay, it was nice talking to you, Lisa. In fact, I’ll have my letter for you by tomorrow morning. See you, then, my darling.”
In fact, I was in my room, overhearing their conversation. So, then, I, in knowing Lisa would be up at the crack of dawn. I, then, decided to pull something on her and Martin like run into them on purpose. And then, I was going to decide what to do from there.
So, I, then, jus lay on my bed for awhile, listening to some meditation music of mine. And this music, really, calmed down to the extent. That my mind, after about a half an hour, was clear enough to be able to think my plan out.
So, then, I jus kept lying, there, on my bed for a little while. Then, after a little while, since, I, then, felt, I have to write down my plan on paper. I, then, grabbed some note pad from my nightstand near my bed. Then, I grabbed a hold of a pen, nearby, the note pad.
Then, sitting up in my bed with my pillows, situated behind my head. I was, now, comfortable enough to be able to do some serious thinking. And as I was sitting, there, on my bed for what seemed like a couple of hours. I, then, wrote down my plan.
And my plan was written down like this: “First, in the early morning, since, you know by now, and, always, have sensed both Martin and Lisa. Leaving early enough at the crack at dawn. You’re to do this without feeling guilty in any way, or worrying about your parents, throwing you out of the cabin. This is because you know, by now, that your parents love you way too much to get rid of you in the family for any reason unless it’s so rash. That anyone in the family could end up getting either mentally or physically.”
After I paused for a few minutes, trying to get my composure, then, I continued with my notes, “Then, when you bump into both Martin and Lisa at the bottom of the stairs in front of the cabin after waiting for them. Then, you are to approach Martin, and tell him, you have to take him aside. And Lisa is to wait, patiently, there, or if she can’t, allow her to storm off back home. And then, that way, you won’t have to worry about being responsible for her and Martin, breaking up if they decided to do that.”
After pausing again, to rest my fingers, then, I wrote down on the pad, “After you get Martin aside, you are to tell him. That it’s not a good idea to go for a walk in the morning because the weather’s supposed to get; really, bad which it is, possibly, tornado weather. Then, when he agrees to doing this, go back down to Lisa, and tell her about the weather. Then, Lisa, being a smart girl, will take off for home, again. And then, from there, is to be decided tomorrow.”
So, then, in the morning, I decided to, still, follow my plan, and suffer the consequences of, possibly, losing Martin as a brother. So, what I did was not having any breakfast when I woke up, that morning at the crack of dawn because I didn’t want to miss running into Martin and Lisa.
CHAPTER VI
Then, when the crack of dawn came along, and I overheard Martin, and saw him, walking out the side door of the cabin. I, then, followed him without saying a word and all the way down the stairs, all three flights of stairs. However, upon arriving at the end of the stairs, I didn’t approach Martin, right away. I backed away, and walked right through the front door on the first floor of the cabin. And then, I peeked out the front window, waiting until I could see Lisa, approaching the cabin.
At that point, I, then, casually, walked outside, and seeing some threatening clouds, tornado clouds, I, then, became desperate. I walked up to Martin, and before Lisa could approach him or even notice him. I, then, took him inside the cabin.
Then, I said to him in a desperate voice, “Martin, I am worried about you and Lisa, taking a walk, this morning. See the clouds in the distance? There’s a funnel over there, ready to come down to the ground, and in North Carolina, tornadoes are common this time of year. So, quickly, go outside, and tell Lisa about that cloud. Then, I’ll leave it to you what to do from there.”
Martin was so shocked upon looking out the front window. That he didn’t even see Lisa, approaching the cabin. Though, he walked outside, and then, jus happened to bump into Lisa. And he, really, I noticed, had a worried look on his face. So, then, I jus stayed by the window, and hoped that he wouldn’t go for a walk with her.
I, really, heard him say to her near the door, partly, cracked open, “Lisa, look at that funnel cloud in the distance. We’d better forget our walk, this morning. C’mon, run with me over to the ditch, and then, upon getting there, cover your head with your arms. I’ll show you how when we get there.”
So, then, I was worried for them, however, I jus hoped that they were going to be alright because a funnel cloud, I saw touched ground. So, then, I opened the front windows, part way, and then, ran into my parents’ room.
When they awoke, I, then, said to them, “Mom and dad get up right away. We have to go to the hall and lay on the floor. A funnel cloud has jus touched ground. And we have to protect ourselves.”
So, none of us said one word, and, quickly, walked into the hall, and lay on the floor with a radio near us until all was clear.
In the meantime, Martin and Lisa have reached the ditch, and I happened to notice the two, lying inside the ditch.
Before I realized what was going on, the funnel cloud seemed to be coming closer. So, then, I looked out a window while in the hall, and noticed that the funnel cloud jus brushed the cabin. At the same time, I saw a gray cloud
along with rain following it, making a noise like a train.
Then, after the rain and noise disappeared, so suddenly, then I realized that the tornado storm was over. So, then, I said to Martin and my parents, who, still, were in the hall of the cabin, “I wonder how Lisa and Martin are doing.
And where they are at, at this time. Because they happened to be outside when the tornado, suddenly, had touched ground. Also, I happened to see the two, lying in the ditch nearby the cabin.”
“That’s right, Cherry, I jus realized, myself,” answered my mom, “Martin and Lisa, always, seem to want to go for their walk at this time of the morning. Now, that the tornado warning is over with, why don’t you, Cherry, go over to the ditch where you saw them two, lying down in front of the cabin?”
I seemed to not to be hasty about going outside at this time because I was afraid that another tornado or storm jus might occur, unexpectedly. However, I was very worried about Martin. So, then, I, first, peeked out the front window, and made sure, I didn’t seen any more threatening clouds in the direction from where the tornado had come from.
However, upon looking out the window, there weren’t any more signs of any funnel clouds or even any more grayish or bluish clouds for that matter. So, then, along with my mom and dad, we all, carefully, walked outside because it was flooded all over the place, especially, in the ditches.
So, upon all of us approaching the ditch, none of us even could find either Martin or Lisa inside the ditch. So, now, we all, really, were worried about those two. They could have gone on for their walk. However, I, really, doubted they would try to do their walk right after a severe storm.
So, then, my parents and I broke up, and each of them walked towards the back of the cabin while I checked around the sides of the place. However, all we all happened to see was some damage to the porch area right near the one side of the cabin where I had seen the tornado clouds go by. There jus happened to be some debris on the ground which had come from side where part of the roof had been hanging down.
However, it seemed weird that neither my parents nor I could find either Martin or Lisa, anywhere. So, then, we all checked, again, where the ditch was at in front of the cabin as well as next door on both sides of the cabin. However, none of us, still, couldn’t find any signs of either Martin or Lisa.
So, then, my parents and I noticed some other threatening clouds in the sky. So, we all, quickly, walked back inside the cabin, taking off our sandals jus before walking inside.
Not knowing what else to do, I jus allowed my parents to handle the situation. I jus walked into my bedroom, feeling upset, that something could have happened to Martin, however I wasn’t worried about Lisa. And didn’t know why I wasn’t concerned about her. Because after all, she had saved both Martin and I from drowning in the river when the rapids seemed to hit us.
In the meantime, my mom made a phone call in the living room while my dad waited on a couch, nearby, trying to keep cool because it’s very humid from the storm outside at this time, yet.
So, upon my mom getting the police on the phone, she said to the Captain, “A tornado storm jus hit the area where the cabin is at in Asheville. And both Martin who is like a son to me, and his friend, Lisa, seem to be missing, They were inside the ditch in front of the cabin when the storm hit, however neither my husband nor Cherry have been able to find their whereabouts.
“Describe what the two were wearing if you can at the time of the storm?”
“Here, I’ll get Cherry on the phone. She’s the one, who saw them two lying in the ditch not long ago.”
“Hey, Cherry,” my mom said to me in a desperate voice, “The Captain wants to talk to you. He wants to ask you some questions.”
“Okay, mom,” I said to her in a frantic voice, in being worried about Martin.
Then, upon taking the phone from her mom, she said to the Captain, “Okay, what is it you want to know? Do you want to know some things about Martin and Lisa?”
“That’s right,” said the Captain, in a concerned voice, “Where, exactly, did you see them right before the tornado touched ground?”
“Upon looking outside, I happened to notice the two, getting into the ditch right in front of the cabin.”
“Okay, can you describe what the two were wearing right at that time?”
“Yes, I remember Martin, wearing a blue tee shirt along with blue jeans, that’s cutoffs. And Lisa, if I can remember right, had on some yellow sundress with white polka dots on it.”
“Okay, let me, talk to your mom, again,” said to the Captain to me.
As soon as I handed the phone back to my mom, she said, “Okay, Captain, please do anything you can to search for Martin and Lisa around the area. In fact, Martin has brown curly hair, and Lisa has long blond hair, if that will help you out, any.”
So, then, as soon as she was through talking to the Captain, he said to her, “What I’ll do is send a search team along with a dog around the area of Asheville, right away. Although, they may not be able to do too long of a search being that it’s dangerous for them to be out in this heat, too long. But we’ll do the best we can to find Martin and Lisa. I’ll start the team out in Asheville, right after I hang up the phone. As soon as I hear anything or find out any information as to their whereabouts, I’ll give you, a phone call.”
“Thank you, Captain, for sending out a search team for us. Your help will be deeply appreciated.”
So, upon hanging up the phone, my mom and dad jus walked outside for a few minutes to inspect the damage near the cabin.
But I was so upset that I couldn’t even think straight. This told me that I could be in love with Martin being I missed him, badly, at this time. It’s not that I was considering marriage or having babies, either, at any time, at least, not at this time. Right now, I was concerned for Martin’s safety at this point.
So, then, the search team was looking around the cabin area, especially, in the river. When the search team looked around the cabin, especially, where the debris was lying around, they couldn’t find any signs of either Martin or Lisa.
So, then, because the dog was, then, starting to run for the river in back of the cabin. The search team followed the dog. And as soon as the search team reached the river, the dog ran inside the river. So, the team followed the dog. And upon them, catching up to the search team, one of them happened to find one of their bodies, Lisa’s body, lying near a rock. And further down the stream, the dog led them to another body which one of the search team identified as Martin.
So, then, the search team carried the bodies over near the cabin. And before they were about to take the bodies away to the morgue to have autopsies down on them. The other members of the search team remained outside the cabin while the main member walked inside the cabin. And upon him, entering the cabin, jus before entering, he took off his shoes. So, he wouldn’t track water and mud through the cabin.
And upon him, approaching my parents, who were sitting in the living room, he, then, said to them, while I was, still, in my bedroom, very upset, “I hate to tell you two this bad news. However, the dog led us all into the river. And upon arriving inside the river, the dog found both bodies of Lisa and Martin, too. And it appeared that the tornado must have, somehow, sucked them out of the ditch. And since, they were caught inside the tornado, their bodies ended up right inside the river. And both bodies were found near the rocks, sticking up inside the river.”
Then, allowing both of my parents to get a hold of themselves about to break into tears, he, then, said to them, “Apparently, both of them, probably, had the wind, knocked out of them. And then, they must have hit the rocks, head on, because neither of them has been able to survive the storm. And if you all would like one last time to say goodbye to them, their bodies, currently, are lying out on the grass near the debris.”
Neither of my parents could talk at first; both of them were choked up. Then, my dad said to the member of the search team, “Please have them hold the bodies out there on the grass for now. I would like to go to Cherry’s bedroom, and get her. I’m sure she would like to say goodbye Martin, who has been like a brother to her. And I know, she’s been very upset over the whole thing, ever since, the end of the storm when she was unable to find them in the ditch.”
So, then, upon my dad walking into my room, I jus happened to be lying there on my bed, listening to the radio. I have been able to sense all along after the storm. That both Martin and Lisa had been swept out of the ditch by the storm all this time.
So, my dad said to me in a frantic voice, “Well, one of the search team is here. And he’s jus told your mother and I. That both Martin and Lisa were spotted by the dog. And that they are both, apparently, dead, and lying outside on the grass. So, I know you would like to say goodbye to Martin. So, please come outside with your mom and me.”
“What do you two have in mind? Can we have a brief funeral for him? I would like to have something to remember him by.”
“Of course, we will, but we are going to have to make it short because the team is waiting to take the bodies to the morgue. And both your mother and I have agreed for them to do an autopsy on him. Do you agree with this?”
“No, I, really, don’t because he was like a brother to me. And I couldn’t bear them to do such a thing to my brother. And did they check them out real good? They might jus be unconscious for now.”
“Okay, c’mon Cherry, come outside with us. And we’ll make sure that they have checked to see if either one, still, has a pulse.”
So, then, I found this hard to do. However, I went ahead, and walked outside with my parents. And as they arrived near the bodies, one of the search team said to me, “We have jus happened to find a pulse in Martin. However, Lisa is very cold, so, she has no pulse in her at this time. What we are going to do is waiting for an ambulance to get here for Martin. And as soon as it arrives here, me plus the whole family is going to go along in the ambulance.”
After a brief pause while, once more, a member of the search team checked for a pulse in both Martin and Lisa, then, one of them said to my parents and me.
As Martin was starting to turn around, the guy continued, “And the whole family is allowed to follow us to the hospital. However, since, it would be hard to you all to keep up with us; all of the search team is going there in their cars. And the family is allowed to be with Martin inside the ambulance.
So, then, I wished to stay right at Martin’s side while the paramedics kept an eye on him while on the way to the hospital by helicopter.
As soon as the helicopter arrived at the hospital, then, my parents and I followed the paramedics into the hospital while Lisa’s body was being taken over to the morgue.
As we all along with the paramedics arrived inside the emergency entrance, then, we all had to wait in another area as Martin was getting taken of.
While we were doing so, I was crying some happy tears as I happened to have the feeling. Martin’s going to make it through his turmoil. However, I have no idea if he’ll suffer any brain damage from having been thrown against the rocks before during the storm.
Not too much time, one of the doctors came into the lobby. Then, in a frantic voice, he said to all of us in the family , “As far as things look at this time for Martin, he’s going to survive. However, it’s possible he might end up on a ventilator for the rest of his living days. He’s jus come out of his coma, and time will tell if he’s ever going to be himself, again.”
So, then, we all followed him back into the emergency room. And upon arriving where Martin was lying on a bed, there, he, then, was able to speak. So, not being aware of where he’s at, yet, he said to me, “I find it hard to believe what was told by one of the doctors. I jus realized I was thrown against those rocks by a storm. I remember being tossed through the air into the river. So, I’m going to be alright, my sister, Cherry.”
I was lost for words. And I didn’t know how to respond, at first. but then, he held out his hand to me while my parents were standing nearby on the other side of the bed. He has jus been taken off the ventilator, and it’s a miracle for him. That he’s survived the turmoil, he’s been through.
However, the doctor has told him. That in him, having been in a coma, there might end up being some brain damage. However, to Martin, he could think and talk alright plus being able to feed himself.
However, it was apparent that he’s going to have to spend the rest of his living days in a wheelchair. And now, I don’t know how I’m going to live with this.
However, right now, I’m jus thanking God for saving my brother’s life, my Martin because he’s been like a brother to me for some time, now.
Another thing is that I didn’t know that it would take this long for me to realize my love for him. And that it was going to take him, having had to go throw a near death situation over in the river. For me, to realize that all this time, he and I have been in love. Ever since, he started seeing this girl, Lisa.
However, I know that Lisa’s out of his life. So, I won’t know right away if he’s going to be able to put Lisa behind him. And how long, it’s going to take for him to forget about ever knowing her. That’s if he’s going to be able to do such a thing. And then, concentrate on his love for me which I know at this time, has been true love between us.
That’s, although, I, still, don’t know, in us two, jus being so young, if love even is going to ever survive between us. And another thing is I, probably, don’t even know anything about feeling true love. And I don’t think he does either.