by David Harp
Chapter 18
The Last Summer
Haley was completely transformed when she returned from Texas. It was more than her appearance. She could take a pleasant stroll through a crowded market or drive a car for the first time. The yellow eyes which made her self-conscious were now an alluring green. Her quiet, shy demeanor was replaced by a joyful effervescent confidence. She no longer felt awkward or out of place.
When she walked into a room, people were drawn to her. If there was a conversation on any subject, she would be in the middle with everyone listening to her. Male or female, it didn’t matter. Even before the contact lenses, her sweet personality had made Haley the most loved teenager in the community. Now she was one of the most admired.
Haley had been home schooled her entire life. Public schools weren’t a good fit for a girl with glowing eyes, but there was more to it than her appearance. The main reason Becky and Ben decided to educate her at home was to spend more time with her. They also believed the personal attention would produce better results. It did.
Her SAT scores were the highest possible. Tutors helped her become fluent in Spanish and Mandarin Chinese. Haley was attractive, charming, and had a photographic memory, but few people other than Chris noticed how gifted she was until now.
When Haley agreed to let IMICRON publish a series of articles describing her eyes, she became famous within a month. Television talk shows were begging for an interview. Prestigious colleges offered her full scholarships. Brian and Matt watched anxiously as Haley blossomed from a mousy little girl into a poised, self-assured woman.
Chris was more surprised than anyone at Haley’s transformation. He thought she was perfect before the changes, but came to realize their relationship was more like a hero rescuing a damsel in distress. Now she was the strong secure partner he would need. He had no idea how strong and secure Haley would become.
Despite or maybe because of the changes in their lives, the summer of 2001 was a special time. Haley, the boys, and a few other friends were at the river the week of July fourth. They spent the entire time swimming or hiking the deep woods near the Adams’ family shack.
The holiday fell on a Wednesday. It was still dark when Dan was startled awake by the sound of motorboats idling slowly down the river. They cruised past the cabin and on toward the Gulf of Mexico. The serious anglers were rushing to their favorite fishing holes in time for the rising tide.
Dan jumped out of bed, pulled up his shorts and ran out onto the balcony to see if he recognized anyone.
“Good morning,” bellowed Bill Wynn from his sleek fishing boat as it cruised by. He revved the motor to make sure Dan noticed his new toy.
“Good morning Mr. Wynn,” he shouted back. “Good luck with the fishing.”
“Good morning Bill,” Mr. Naidoo shouted from the seawall while pulling in a trap full of blue crabs. He was up every day before dawn tending to his crab traps.
“Mornin Ernie, looks like you’ve already got a big haul,” Bill responded.
“Got five more traps just like it.” His face filled with pride. “You bring the fish, I’ll bring the crabs, and we’ll have a cookout tonight. What do you say?”
“Deal,” Bill shouted. “I’ll stop by on our way back to work out the details.”
“Yabadabadoooo,” Mr. Naidoo sang out as the boat pulled away. Fish fry cookouts with the neighbors were common at the Naidoo’s place.
Mr. Naidoo called Dan on the balcony, “glad to see you’re up Dan. Steve called to say he’s running a little late. He said to tell you Linda’s coming.”
“I’ll be right down Dad,” Dan replied. The kids had been planning this day for months. Ashley Sagan, Steve’s long-time friend from science camp would be there along with Brian’s sister Jamie. Jamie was dating Matt while Brian had gathered enough courage to invite Jessica from next door. As for Dan, he had a crush on Steve’s little sister Linda. He hadn’t seen her in six months.
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Dan remembered the first time he met Linda. The boys were celebrating their seventh birthday at Steve’s house. Linda was only six. A year made a big difference at that age. She had already picked out her Halloween costume and was proudly modeling the little nurse’s outfit at the party.
Steve had requested a piñata, so he was given the stick to break it. Matt, Brian, Chris and Dan were trying to misdirect him. Dan received a nasty rap on the head when he got too close. Steve’s mom came to the rescue, but Linda applied the bandage. Dan called her Nurse Linda ever since.
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It was a little before 10 a.m. when Steve and Linda arrived. Dan was getting fishing gear out of the old bus when Steve surprised him from behind as he liked to do. Steve took enormous joy in scaring the wits out of people.
“Gotcha,” He hollered. Fishing rods, sinkers, hooks, and other assorted gear went flying as Dan fell back on his rear bouncing down the bus steps onto the ground.
Steve was laughing so hard, he fell down the steps too. As they wrestled, Dan looked up and there stood Linda. It wasn’t Nurse Linda, but Whooooa Linda! Her jeans didn’t fit like that before.
“Hello Dan,” she said in a sultry voice. As his mouth fell open, he stared at her, mind blown, body paralyzed with excitement. Steve applied a playful slap to the back of Dan’s head and whispered, “Get your act together, that’s my little sister.”
Dan jumped to his feet, “Hello Linda!” It was the first time since their seventh birthday he didn’t call her Nurse Linda. Dan thought, this is turning out to be a great day!
The boys had it carefully planned. The goal was to paddle five miles up-river to the Weeki Wachee Springs tourist attraction.
Chris brought two canoes, Mr. Naidoo provided two, and Jessica brought one from next door. The expedition was geared up and ready to go after lunch. They planned to swim at a couple springs along the way, then float back with the current. The boys knew it would be a difficult slough for a casual afternoon excursion, but picturing the girls on a hot day in wet bikinis provided more than enough motivation.