“Summer night ball hm?”

“Yes please can we go?” My name is Summer Night, I’m seventeen and I’ve never been to a summer ball even though every girl in my class has been to one. It’s not that I haven’t got anyone to go with, on the contrary my boyfriend is sitting opposite me and I’m desperate for him to come with me. “Please Daniel.” I put my hands together like one would when they prayed to their god and put on the puppy dog eyes, no one can resist the puppy dog treatment.

“I suppose…” He put the leaflet I gave him back down on the café table. “Although, would your parents allow you?” I shook my head. My parents are stupidly strict and they won’t let me out in the summer past eight o’clock. They never gave me a reason, just said never to ask them again.

“But, I can probably escape though my window…” I looked at him with a sly smile. “You can hold my dress in your car and I can change there.” He smiled at the thought of me in his car changing clothes.

“Sure. Won’t your parents know you’re gone?”

“Nope, they never check if I’m in my room.” I curled one of my dark brunette curls around my finger. “Besides, I’ll make sure to lock my door before I leave, then they can’t come in and check.” I pulled my finger out of the curl and let it rest around my waist. I have long hair, I have to curl it to make it look shorter than it is, but my parents won’t let me cut it. Another thing they are stupid about, they don’t let me be an individual. At least Daniel allows me to be who I really am.

“Summer, you are one sly girl.” Daniel bent over the table and put his lips on mine. The taste of summer in my opinion; a cold drink at my favorite café followed by the kiss from my boyfriend. What more could a girl ask for?

“I know and you love me for it.” I put my hands on his shoulders and kissed him on the cheek. My parent’s don’t know I am in love with this boy, they also don’t know he’s two years older then me. I have kept a lot hidden from my parents, they don’t ask so I don’t say, simple as.

“Do your parent’s know about this Summer Night Ball then?” I shrugged and pushed him back down in his chair. “There is one flaw to this master plan of yours, what if your parents are at this ball.” I laughed at him. “What? It could happen.”

“My parents are the most anti-social people I know. They don’t even pick me up from late nights at school.” They try to make me grow up faster by giving me independence to travel to and from school, they forget that I hate public transport and so I end up walking for an hour both ways. On the late nights when I stay in and do extra work, I get Daniel to pick me up and he will drop me off at the end of my road and I will walk to mine from there.

“I know, I was just wondering. Trying to find holes which will spoil this plan of yours.”

“And you won’t find any.” I picked up the leaflet and put it in my bag. “Can you walk me to the end of my road please?” He nodded and stood up.

“Let me pay for our drinks first then I will.” I smiled and let him walk back inside the small café and pay for my can of fizzy orange and his can of beer. The taste of summer, something which can be captured in a can. I watched the people across the road; many had little kids holding their parent’s hands or their grandparents enjoying the warm summer day. I felt envious of those little kids, they had their parents interacting with them from a young age. Mine did interact with me indoors, they partly taught me up to the age of five. It’s due to them that I learn a lot slower than everyone else the doctor told me last year, he said it was the lack of interact with other children at a younger age. I didn’t learn to walk until I was four, reading and writing was later. I’m still struggling now to read harder books, my parents had a say in what I read as well. I wonder if those kids across the road know how to read and write better than I do.

“Ready to go then?” I looked up Daniel was behind me, his summer shirt was now un-done right to the bottom and he had rolled up the long sleeves on them. “What’s up? You seemed down.”

“I was just thinking.” He took in a sharp breath as if too say; A woman thinking? I glared up at him. He was there when I went to the doctors to find out what was wrong with me. I also have a form of social disorder, I can’t remember which one the doctor said it all a bit too fast for me to understand. Due to this disorder I have, my life is now reduced to living off pills to keep me sane. “Come on, walk me home.” I stood up and held out my hand for him too take it.

“Got you. I’m not going to let go, promise.” He started walking towards the crossing. On the other side of the road, a group of parents and little kids were patiently waiting for the green man to say that they can cross.

“Daniel, lets go this way.” I started walking along the path and stopped unable to walk any further. When he says that he won’t let go, he means it. “Please.” I gave him the puppy eyes again.

“Come on.” He pulled me over and put his other arm around me and waited for the green man. “You can do this, it’s a small crowd.” I closed my eyes and tried to get him off. “Summer come on.” I opened my eyes and looked over again, that ‘small crowd’ looked a little bit more like a ‘big crowd’ in my eyes.

“Please Daniel, I really want to go to the other crossing.” The man turned green and the beeping sound for people who were blind and had blind dogs knew they could cross safely sounded.

“Right come on.” Daniel pulled me out into the road walking with me step by step across not letting go as the little children passed around us and the mother with their prams pushed around us. “Almost over.” We put our feet on the other side of the road and the cars behind us passed over as if nothing happened. “See, that wasn’t so bad, was it?” He rubbed my upper arm trying to calm me down. “Come on.”

“No, just wait here a bit longer.” I pulled his hand around me and stood there in his embrace, something which felt like it was protecting me. “That was really scary Daniel, please say that you won’t do that again.”

“Alright, I promise.” He kissed me on the cheek in apology. “Maybe the Summer Night Ball might not be a possibility at this moment.” I nodded. “Movie night at mine? Me, you, pizza, alcohol and a few good rented films?” I nodded again. “Okay, ready to head home?” I nodded.

Slowly he lead me down the back alleys we took when he walked me home during the summer time. The way I acted back at the crossing is normal behaviour for me, I panic when I see crowds and I try to avoid them. It’s not a fear of looking stupid it’s more a fear of being kept within that crowd and not being able to make it out. This fear has reduced me to being kept in side or near Daniel. My summer spent in fear of being outside with other people, year after year. He stopped and I looked around, the street was the one before my house.

“This is where I leave you.” He kissed me one last time letting me know that he does love me and he won’t leave me alone again. “Call me later if your parents say yes.” I nodded and he let go of me. I stood there waiting listening to the sounds of his footsteps fade away. My parents won’t let me go to his, unless I sneak out. Slowly I turned the corner and walked up to the doorstep. I knocked on the door and waited for a response. My parents should be in, they never go out.

“Summer, your home early.” My dad opened the door and moved out of the way letting me in.

“I know, I wanted to come home and check my emails and get a shower.” I walked up the stairs. I don’t talk to my parents much, they never want to talk about anything interesting, they just wanted to talk about my birthday which happens to be on the night of the Summer Night Ball. I’ll be eighteen then. Alright, for a girl I should be taking some interest in my own birthday party, but what I want is different to theirs; they want the whole family around for a meal here and they will be able to shower me with gifts and words of wisdom. What I want, is to be with Daniel having that movie night with him.

“Summer, me and your mother need to talk to you.” I stopped and turned around both of my parents were at the bottom of the stairs looking up at me. My brown hair came from my father and my blue eyes came from my mother, a perfect mix of both of them. “It’s important.” Slowly I came towards them. “You can stay there the news isn’t that big.” I stopped and gripped the railing tight, if it’s about my birthday then they are going to hear me scream at them. “We’re moving on the day of your birthday.” I stood there in shock, moving? How can they consider this without asking me, without thinking about my future? What are they thinking?

“NO! That’s not fair!” I started shaking. I hated them for doing this, my summer holiday ruined by the fact that we are moving away. “I have plans with Daniel.”

“Daniel?” My mum looked at me quizzically and I felt all the blood drain from my face. “Who is this Daniel?”

“My…” I wanted to tell them that he was just a friend from school, but they know most of my friends anyway since my friends come here instead of making me come to them. “Boyfriend.” I closed my eyes and waited for the lecture. For them to make me sit down at the table with them and listen to them explain why I can’t have a boyfriend.

“For how long?”

“My birthday would be the third year I’ve been with him.” I sat on the stairs and waited for them to start talking. “Aren’t you two mad at me?”

“Summer, you know you can’t have a boyfriend.” I rolled my eyes and waited for the long winded explanation about my family heritage. “But, you’re eighteen soon so I can’t say anything about this.” I looked up at them, was they actually letting me be a solo person, someone able to think and fend for themselves?

“So, I can stay with Daniel?” The nodded. “I don’t have to move with you?” The shock their heads. I jumped up and turned around ready to run up the stairs.

“But, we want a phone call or a message of some form each night so that we know you’re okay.” I smiled, Daniel will be happy at least.

Two Hours later my bags are packed and ready to go. I don’t know how Daniel’s flatmate going to take me moving in, hopefully he will be alright with me. I’m not that much of a bother. Now I’m moving out, I can cut my hair after its been growing since I was born, I probably have enough hair to make into several wigs. I told Daniel my parents wanted to meet him so they know the kind of man I am seeing, although he thought I was having a laugh and really didn’t mean it. I looked around our front room, nothing has left it’s place since I remember it gaining a place, nothing was covered with dust everything was spotlessly clean. My parents were looking straight ahead of them, nothing was there if there was a snake in front of them it would a long and very boring competition to see who would win. I jumped at the sound of our front door bell ringing, breaking into the deadly silence.

“I’ll get it.” I stood up and slowly walked towards the front door. Shakily I pulled the handle down and let Daniel in. “Hey.” I kissed him on the cheek and leant towards his ear. “My parents are being odd, don’t worry if they don’t respond first time.” I put my arms around his neck and felt his lips against my skin.

“Hey, it’s fine if they don’t respond. I’m going to shake there hands, take your bags, take you and we are going to mine. Liam said it’s alright he doesn’t mind you coming to stay with us.” I nodded and leant onto him. “You alright? Have you had dinner yet?” I shock my head. “Okay, I’ll get you something to eat on the way to mine.” He put his hands on mine and pulled me off him. “This will only take a few minutes.”

I pulled on his hand to the front room and sat back in the chair I was sitting in. From my chair I could see Daniel slowly walk over to my parents holding out his hand to try and impress them, they didn’t move even when he introduced himself to them. They didn’t move. He looked over at me and shrugged as if too say; I’ve tried to talk to them, they aren’t talking to me.

“Its fine, they are being silly.” I stood up and walked over to my bags he came over and picked them up. “I can carry them to your car they aren’t heavy at all.”

“I know, but I want to look good in front of your parents.” He winked at me. “Can’t let a little girl like you carry them down to my car.”

“Little? I’m quite tall thank you very much.” I put my nose up in the air in a snobbish manner then smiled. There was nothing to worry about, my parents should feel reassured that he’s not going to hurt me in any way, that he will look after me like they want him to. I helped him carry my bags back to his car and I ran inside to bid my parents my final goodbye. “Mum, Dad….” I walked into the front room and stood in front of them. “I’m going now.” I walked away from them and back to Daniel who was outside waiting.

“Did your parents cry?” I shock my head.

“They didn’t say anything, just sat there.” I sighed and leaned against the window. I was no free, but somehow, somewhere something didn’t feel normal. “Daniel, turn back.”

“Why?”

“Something doesn’t feel right. Turn this car around or I’m getting out.” He tuted and did a quick U-Turn. “I think, my parents. Might be.” He pulled up and unlocked the door.

“Are you sure your ready to move in with me, if you think this is a bit sudden, you can say. I’m not going to be mad with you.”

“I do want to move in with you, but it’s just.” I looked at my front door. “Something doesn’t feel right.” I opened the car door and opened the front door and walked back into the front room. “Mum? Dad?” The front room was the same as how I left it. My parents were still sitting in there chairs. I ran over to them, hoping praying that they wasn’t dead. “Mum?” I grabbed her hand and shook it. “Come on mum, wake up it’s me, Summer.”

“Summer?” Daniel came into the room. “Is everything alright?” I wanted to cry, I didn’t want them dead, if they died then I would be left alone. I don’t like the other members of my family and Daniel is all I have left then. “Summer…I think your parents are dead.”

“No, no they are just sleeping with there eyes open.” I put my hand on my mum’s face. “Come on mum, wake up it’s me.” Tears started to fall down my cheeks. “Mum? Mum, please wake up.”

“I’m calling the ambulance, stay there.” I nodded as Daniel pulled out his phone. “Hello? I need an ambulance. Address, it’s 97 Clover field road, I will be waiting outside.” He put the phone back in his pocket. “They said in ten minutes.” He put his hands on my shoulders and whispered in my ear. “It will be alright, I will look after you. I’m here for you every step of the way.”

“I know.” I sat down on the floor looking up at my parents. “I don’t want them dead.” He’s hands withdrew from my shoulders and his footsteps went to the front door. “Please, wake up.” From the corner of my eye, flashing lights could be seen and the sound of car doors opening and closing coming from outside.

“They are in here.” Daniels voice carried itself into my ears. I felt useless, all I could do was sit there and watch. “Summer, it’s going to be fine.” I watched as the ambulance people tried to help my parents. One of them turned around and bent down to my level, she was female; blonde hair and green eyed.

“I am afraid, your parents are dead.” She put her hand on top of mine and gave me a sympathy look. “We will take your parents to the hospital so that they can be put in a safe place, you can come with us if you want?” I looked at her, in shock.

My parents were dead. I didn’t want them dead, I never wanted this to happen, this isn’t how it should happen, they are meant to wait for when I marry. The time when Dad has to hand me over to whoever I shall marry, the day when I have my first child for them to be grandparents and to visit us when they can. This isn’t how it’s supposed to end, how their lives are supposed to end.

“Summer, it’s fine, I will come with you.” Daniel held onto my hands and helped me up he looked at the female. “I can drive us there if you want…” The rest of the conversation seemed like a low buzzing of noise, nothing seemed to make sense. Nothing did make sense, not even the drive to the hospital made sense the lights seemed to flash by colors faded into each other, streaks of light were made by the other cars as they passed us. The waiting in the hospital seemed to fade as Daniel pulled me from one room to the next in what seemed like a continuous never ending cycle.

My summer night.

Impressum

Tag der Veröffentlichung: 30.06.2010

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