[Jimmyjimjim]

Haven't been around in awhile. Thought I'd share my writing for Short Story class. It's meant to be a journal entry, hence casual writing and fragmented sentences. Hope you enjoy!

April 24th, 1993

Dave, Brian, Jared and I decided to go up to the park last night to burn some time, like we do most of our Saturday nights. My parents went to a party at the Hollinger's and I thought I could take advantage of the freedom, make some trouble, all that crap. Wanted to make up for Dave's birthday on Friday- shitty party that was. All of ten people, his parents didn�t even leave.

We all met at Dave's at 9. I picked up Jared and Brian on the way. Dave's house is the last place I like spending time. He's got about 10 brothers- all of them assholes. At least Dinky is gone now. On his Mission, or some bullshit. Can't believe that guy is named Dinky. He's about 300 pounds. And their house stinks. Never smelled anything like it. You have to hold your breath on the way to Dave's room. Maybe that's why there were only 10 people at his party.

Dave's room is in the garage. Literally in the garage. It isn't even really converted or anything. They threw carpet remnants on the floor and covered the walls with old sheets. The amount of stuff we get away with in there, though. You'd think it was separated from the house by 5 miles.

Shayna was there, of course. Shayna's been around us as long as we've all been friends. She's been taking turns being Jared, Brian, and Dave's girlfriend, at different times usually. I don't like her very much. She's one of those annoying, clingy types of people. Dave's been going out with her the longest, since our sophomore year. Dave was the one to take the thing all the way. I think Jared and Brian are still pissed.

We left to go up to Crestmont Park at about 9:30. Finally managed to pry Dave and Shayna off each other. On the way up Brian said he had a surprise. I knew exactly what he was talking about. I always expect this from Brian. Good guy, he just always likes to make things a little more interesting. Jared wasn't thrilled, though. He didn't say anything, but I know that this kind of thing pisses him off. He told me once that one of his favorite things to do is hang out at Crestmont with all of us. I don't really understand why- we've been doing the same shit since we were in 8th grade.

We got to the park pretty quick. It's only about a 5-minute walk from Dave's house. The place was deserted, of course. All the mommies and kiddies had been good enough to leave us to whatever it was we were going to do.

Brian broke out the pot. We smoked it in this little pipe Brian made in Woodshop. The guy is pretty handy when he wants to be. With the right motivation, I guess. We got very philosophical. Had an in-depth conversation about the benefits of legalization. Dave and Shayna disappeared after a few minutes. I didn't have to guess at what they were doing.

Brian, Jared and I took seats at the giant swing set. Crestmont Park has about the last one anywhere. All the other parks have taken them down as kids get broken limbs and parents get litigious. Our favorite ritual. The swings. Still fun.

I got off the swings to take a piss after awhile. I stumbled up to the bathrooms next to the picnic area, met Dave and Shayna on the way up. The warned me to watch my step in there. Yuck. I used the tree instead, then made it back to the swings.

I knew we were being ridiculously loud. All the shouting, whooping, and laughing was bound to have been heard. It still made us crap our pants when a searchlight was ignited in our direction. The Cop told us to get off the swings and come over to the car. Guess there was no point in running.

We stood there with the light in our faces as The Cop asked us questions. Brian was pretty calm. He didn't really give The Cop any straight answers, which was getting The Cop pretty ticked. Jared was shivering. I didn't know if it was nerves or the cool spring air. I was a mixture of both pissed and scared. Where the hell were Dave and Shayna? Did The Cop know we were stoned? Were we going to get arrested?

I didn't have too much time to think about it. I heard a WHUMP sound to my left and looked over to see Jared on the ground. The Cop ran over and started calling for an ambulance. I kept thinking, "FUCKFUCKFUCKFUCKFUCK." Jared kind of rolled over and told The Cop he was OK. No fucking way. He FAINTED. Jared is never going to hear the end of this from me. The Cop called off the ambulance and told us he was going to take us home. 10 o'clock. Great time we had. I guess at least we didn't have to walk.

Dave and Shayna got off scot-free. They didn't come back after The Cop showed up. I don't know if they were busy again, or saw everything happen from wherever it was they were hiding. Just like Dave to disappear on us. I imagine that by the time we were being put in the back of the car, they were back in Dave's smelly house. Asshole's gonna tell me about it Monday.

Jared turned into a blubbering idiot in the police car. He was crying the whole way home about what his mom would say. When we got to his house, he started fumbling around. He asked The Cop where the door handle was. Really. I think I laughed harder than The Cop. He talked to Jared's mom for about 10 minutes. Jared had gone inside. Probably awaiting a heart-to-heart. His Mom is funny that way. All hugs. I think Brian got it the worst. His Dad answered the door. He stared at Brian and nodded his head the entire time the cop was talking. He grabbed Brian by the neck and just short of threw him inside. I'll find out what happened tomorrow, I guess. My house was last. The Cop kept telling me how bad I had been, and how I was lucky he wasn't taking me in, all that bullshit. It's as if nothing like this EVER happened before. My parents weren't home yet, but Jen was. The cop told her all about what happened. I think Jen was about to laugh. When The Cop left Jen told me Mom and Dad would hear everything. My car was still parked at Dave's. Great.

Mom woke me up this morning and told me I was grounded. No phone, no friends, no nothing for two weeks. I can live with that. I'm not missing out on anything.