College Bound
By Caley M., Elmira, NY
As the radiant sun rose over the hillside,
I jolted awake with pure excitement.
After months of counting down, and
crossing off calendar days, the day had finally come.
A once sports-indulged bedroom was waiting
to be splashed with vibrant pinks and greens,
the front seat had my name written all over it,
and a clean bathroom was ready to greet me each morning.
I bolted to the room of my college-bound brother,
to find boxes piled as high as skyscrapers, and a suitcase
engulfed in a sea of clothing.
Every poster was rolled, and ready to meet its new
home, and the shelves of never-ending trophies had
been deserted, and left alone. As I so eagerly gazed upon the
room that I was soon to claim, I realized that this was no
longer just a game.
I dashed down the stairs to find my mother in tears,
as she studied the photos of his life throughout
his youthful years. We sat for hours laughing, and catching
tears that flowed like rapid waterfalls.
Time became so fragile, and quickly slipped
away, and the bitter words, “I’m ready,” echoed down the halls.
It felt as if a dagger had been shot into my heart, and a frosty
chill fell over me that was not supposed to be a part.
Something I had taken for granted for so many years was
rapidly melting away, like an ice-cream cone on a sunny day.
He was a friend, as loyal as a servant to his master, and he had a
face that brought
smiles, love, and constant laughter. With each step that he took down
the seemingly small stairs, I found a small bit of courage, which for
him I could spare. The excitement in his eyes, and his smile from ear to ear
showed the anxiety he had, with such little fear. I wished him, “Good luck,
a fun-filled sports career,” and reminded him that we would always be here.
As he turned his back, and made his way to the door,
I realized that our hearty family of five had become a somber four.
Although the bathroom sparkled like a diamond, it never felt quite the same.
The toothpaste left on the counter, or a towel on the floor, provided a
comfort unknown, that only my heart had the ability to store.
Times had changed, and life was different,
but it was, and is, always nice to see that shining face come
through the kitchen door.
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