We were somewhere in South Dakota. I had gone o a cross-country trip with my dad, step-mom and stepbrother one summer. I’m not real sure how old I was, but I was still in high school, so I was in the prime of my stupid teenage years. After a week or so of riding we had arrived in the very lovely state of South Dakota, my favorite state, so far. I had seen the Badlands, beautiful grasslands and a sky that looked so big and wonderful that words are inadequate to describe it.
This Story is about the two loveliest sights I saw. We were in the hotels’ hot tub, my dad, myself, some old couple, one loud-mouthed braggart and two very pretty college girls.
I was smooth as butter. (Apparently I was capable of being quite charming in my teenage years.) I had everyone in the hot tub laughing, with tales of my home in the south. The braggart didn’t enjoy my humor, since it was taking attention away from his own stories of self-accomplishment. He was annoying everyone, but I was managing to keep everyone, more importantly the girls, interested in me.
Gradually the group began to thin out. First, my dad left, then the older couple, so it was just the braggart, the ladies and my humble self. And I was laying it down thick and smooth. I had those girls right where I wanted them. Good eye contact, small talk and they were giggling at everything I said. Okay, so maybe they were laughing at me, but I’m telling you I had them.
Then finally the braggart announced that he was leaving shortly. The girls smiled at me and my heart began to race in anticipation as I began to think that I may be losing my virginity in style. Unfortunately, he wasn’t leaving fast enough.
“Get out you bastard,” I wanted to scream, “Go away.”
Then suddenly my father appeared.
“Chad come here,” he said.
“ No,” I responded.
“C’mon, hurry up.”
“Why? What do you want?”
“Just come here.”
“Can’t it wait?”
“No, c’mon, Now.” His tone left me no option, but to obey.
I gave the girls one last glance before getting out of the hot tub.
I wrapped up in a towel and followed my dad outside. A Storm was coming across the plains, a big one. Lightning flashed spectacularly in the huge dark clouds and thunder began to rumble ominously. The wind was blowing hard and I could see small objects being blown about the parking lot. It was an awe-inspiring sight. It was also completely lost on me.
“What is it pops?” I demanded impatiently.
“Look at that,” my father pointed at the approaching storm and grinned.
“What?” I couldn’t believe it.
“Look at than storm. Look how hard the winds’ blowing.”
I resisted the urge to attack him.
“Yeah, pops, that’s great, can I go now.”
He looked crestfallen by lack of enthusiasm, but nodded.
“Yeah, go ahead.”
I practically ran back to the hot tub, which was, of course, empty. I looked around frantically, hoping to catch a glimpse of the ladies. It was hopeless. I never saw them again. Grumbling to myself, I returned to my room empty handed.
Used by permission of the author |
