A Summer to Remember
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CHAPTER 1: A Fresh Start
“What’s that grin for?” Linda asked as they drove through the countryside.
“Oh nothing, just relieved I guess.” Steven replied.
“Well, you should be sweetheart. Everything’s finally out in the open...And so are you”,
She chuckled.
“Linda, why do I put up with you?”
“Because. We’re neighbors. It comes with the territory.”
They both laughed. Linda was very relieved also. She was glad to see Steven so happy again. Behind all of those jokes and sarcastic remarks, she really did care about him and love him. It was a sort of motherly love, but one that only a friend could possess.
“So where to now?” She asked.
“Well, I guess home.”
“Steve, babe, you just pronounced in an assembly that you’re a flaming homosexual, you just broke off what is sure to be one of the most painful relationships of your life, and you’ve just said toodle-loo to your junior year of school.... WE’RE CELEBRATING!”
“Well Linds I really do hate to break it to you but we seem to be in Basingstoke. What celebrating?” Steven asked.
“Hmm...Let me think. Steve, have you ever told your parents you were going somewhere but you were really going somewhere else?”
“Um...”
“DON’T answer that. I almost forgot-YOU wrote the book on lying to your parents.” Linda smiled, “but darling, have you ever just jumped up and left, on impulse. Just to get out, and escape for a while?”
“Well, no, not really. I think I always needed to...I just haven’t done it. Why?”
Steve pondered.
“I was just thinking of something, a little scheme, if you will.”
“Oh God in heaven, WHAT is it?”
“Well, you’re in dire need of a vacation and so am I, and with me finally getting my license and all...”
“Just what are you implying?”
“ROAD TRIP!”
“Linds, my parents would shit! Have you lost it?”
“Nope, not in the least. I’m taking you home, you’re packing, and then you’re ‘staying over at a friends house for the rest of the weekend’.” said Linda.
“Linda, Linda, Linda, what are we going to do with you?” Steven asked.
“Nothing, and if you try I’ll break your legs, and you know I can do it.”
“Well I guess that puts me in my place. But what if my parents say no?”
“I don’t think they will. You father probably needs time to relax also. I think a weekend alone with his wife will help him out a lot. He won’t be too much trouble. Just don’t give yourself away.” Linda preached.
Linda swerved recklessly into her driveway, almost hitting her mailbox.
“Now go in there and face your fear, you’ve done it once already today. Your father loves you very much, I’m sure he understands why you did what you did. I love you, and I’ll see you in about thirty minutes.”
“Thanks Linds” Steven replied.
“Well sweetie, you’re perfectly welcome. I’ll see you soon.”
Steven walked across the lawn of his home. He wasn’t that scared; he already knew his mom would take up for him. She had already proved that when she told off Kevin and Dave. He was so thankful for her. She was a wonderful mother. He just hoped his dad would be as understanding as she was. He opened the door to see his father sitting at the table as usual, but this time he didn’t have any of his Dr.Who memorabilia out. That made Steven worry a little.
“Hi dad”
“Hello son. Take a seat.”
Expecting this, Steven sat down.
“Listen, son, I wasn’t pleased with what happened today.”
“Dad, look...” Steven interrupted.
“Let me finish,” his dad countered. “As I was saying...I wasn’t very happy with what happened today, I just don’t realize how you could have been so worried about telling us. You know I love you, and I always will, no matter what. Why did you do that?”
“I don’t know. I just had a lot of things happen, and I just felt like screaming. I was just hurt so bad...”
“Hurt? Who hurt you? By god, I’ll murder every last one of them.” He was actually serious!
“Oh don’t worry about it. It wasn’t as near as much physical as it was emotional pain. Anyway. I’d rather not talk about it.”
“Ok son. I understand. But I want you to know that if you ever do feel like talking about anything, anything at all, I will be there to listen. I love you, nothing is going to change that.”
“Thanks dad.”
Steven was about to retreat to his room when he realized he had other business to talk about.
“Oh dad. I forgot. Is it ok if I stay the weekend with a friend?”
“Not John Dixon again?”
“No, I don’t think I’ll be staying with him again for a very long time, if at all. It’s one of my other friends from school. Linda is giving me a ride.”
“Well then you have fun. Don’t get into any trouble, and don’t make any speeches!” His dad laughed.
“I won’t dad.” Steven replied. He felt warmth in his father’s humor. He was glad to have his father’s understanding and love, but in the meantime, he had packing to do. He raced up to his room and got his bags together. When he heard the doorbell ring his heart started racing. He slid down the stairs and rushed out the door.
“Oh Linda am I glad to see you!”
“What darling is something wrong, how did your dad take it? Are you ok?”
“I’m fine, he took it great. Now enough chit chat lets get on the road.”
They stepped into the racy little sports-car and headed on. Steven and Linda both were thinking of how much fun this was going to be, and of how much trouble the might get themselves into. It was surely a great way to start off the summer break.
“Um...Linds, I seem to have forgotten a very important detail to this trip. How are we paying for it?”
“Relax honey, I’ve got that all taken care of. Mum has been on these new pills lately and she seems to be leaving her billfold all over the place. Now I don’t have much cash currency, but I’ve got enough credit cards to pay for Elton Johns costume collection and still have enough to buy a hotel suite and have a little shopping spree of our own.”
“Won’t she find out?”
“I’m not too worried about it. I check the mail everyday and when I get a bill from Visa I’ll just slip a couple of those pills the doctor keeps prescribing her in her drink and I think we’ll be ok.”
“I love you Linda.”
“I know sweetheart, I know, and I love you too. Very much.”
With that she cranked up the radio and pushed on the pedal. In less that an hour now they would be in London, and they would be free for one weekend without the worries of everyday life. Steven knew he needed this. He needed some time away from it all, away from John, Kevin and Dave, his parents, and certainly his school. He loved the fact that he was finally free from the clutches of fear. He didn’t know what to do about John, but despite his feelings of sadness, he had to put that behind him for a little while. This was his chance to unwind. He didn’t want any sadness to be involved with it. He wanted to remember this weekend for the rest of his life.
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