The Lake Willowberry: A Short Story

“Todd, come sit,” Mr. Tuck says as he pats a chair that is next to his desk. “What was the outburst about in class?”

“Just don’t.” mumbled Todd as he turn away from Kevin and walked holding his head all the way down back to class.

Here I stand upon the northern shore of Lake Superior, I look waiting expectantly to see some monster of lore, The foaming spray of its clammy waters hits my unwav'ring skin. Instead all I see is the flashing of a fish's gleaming fin. All I see as I look around jutting from the lake

had been turned into an ass head while he was away from the play practice. He also said, “I see

“After I shut the door and started back to the living room, he yelled something at me, but I couldn't exactly hear him. I'm pretty sure he yelled "Good luck!" at me. I hope not. I hope to hell not. I'd never yell "Good luck!" at anybody. It sounds terrible, when you think about it.”

“Well, do you really want to get a whole week of detention again ”, a very bossy, Nathan said.

“Coach K, from Kentucky just called. He said that you are going to be a star one day, and offered you a full scholarship to their school!”

One day, during the summer in Texas, my mom got a text from my aunt.

Clear Lake was almost always a tough opponent, especially at tournaments. Sometimes, they destroy us. Sometimes, we destroy them. But this day, I destroyed them.

“And Ethan I saw some good shots from you. I hope you decide to trial.” The teacher noted. Same gave him a smile for the compliment.

“Lester” the old man said. “ How about we take you somewhere safe.” Lester said in a sly tone.

"Well, I never really gave it much thought. I’ve been a bit preoccupied with what’s happening now.” Todd's voice is small in his mouth, he rolls the words around, tastes them. They mock him, calling: timid, shy, you'll never be able to stand up for yourself...

"Considering the pain in the ass you are Frankie boy," Leo retorted. "You're right, it's a wonder you made it this far."

Let me tell you about the time I got pulled over trying to retrieve a bouncy ball.

Seemingly in the middle of nowhere, the Barren River Lake glittered in the sun, beckoning me from the rustic, airy, lakeside cabin I stayed in over spring break. Hearing talk of a hidden boat dock, my boyfriend and I set out in the sparse, hilly forest on an expedition to discover it. As we trekked along, a moss-tinged wooden staircase sprouted from one of the sloping hilltops. From the top of the aged stairsteps, we spotted the dock, gleaming white against the glistening water. Exhilarated, I hurried down the steps, only to be filled with disappointment. A sea of driftwood met our feet at the bottom of the stairs, muddled by an eclectic collection of trash: chunks of styrofoam, soda bottles, plastic netting, and plastic containers of all