Remember Me

Chapter Eight

The sun radiates its warm embrace, a chorus of birds serenades the air, frogs croak in harmony, and insects hum their melodic tunes. Lingering in the atmosphere is the faint scent of citronella, remnants of the candles that warded off the bugs yesterday night. Without uttering a single word, both our families gather together for breakfast. As I glance around at each person, a realization dawns upon me—it will be a day unlike any other. The anticipation is palpable as we all anxiously await the unfolding of this extraordinary day.

If I strain my gaze, I can glimpse the tranquil lake beyond the trees. Its surface is as calm as a mirror, reflecting a surreal world. Vibrant foliage adorns the trees, their colors more vivid than ever, harmonizing with the azure sky undisturbed by the breeze. The scarce clouds radiate with a kaleidoscope of hues. Silence envelops us all, a profound awe rendering us speechless. The only audible sounds are the melodies of nature's symphony. Intriguingly, those melodies begin to take shape, whispering a tune that captures my attention.

As I listen intently, the music crescendos. I divert my gaze back to the trees and observe their continuing vibrations. Upon closer inspection, intricate patterns emerge within the leaves. It suddenly dawns on me that beauty can be found in every detail, awaiting discovery if one looks closely enough. Motivated by this newfound realization, I rise from my seat and venture toward the edge of the hill. Peering past the mirror-like expanse of the water, a whole new world unfurls beneath me. The riverbed is adorned with smooth, multicolored stones, and towering green plants emerge from their midst, swaying in a synchronized dance as if beckoning me to join. Imagining myself gliding through the water like an alligator, I extend my hand to the plants, waltzing in perfect harmony with the resounding melody echoing in my mind.

A wave of euphoria washes over me, overwhelming in its embrace. Everything at this moment is simply perfect. It feels as if I have entered another realm where imperfections cease to exist, where everything coalesces in flawless harmony. My surroundings collaborate effortlessly, creating a picture-perfect scene for my personal utopia, while the melodies caress my blissful ears. In this instance, I become the center of the universe, surrounded by a symphony of happiness orchestrated by everyone and everything around me.

"What are we going to do today?" I hear Charlie ask back at the campsite.

"We, my friend, are starting things off strong by having the annual Ruck n' Rumble bocce competition. How does that sound?" My father responds and laughs as he does so.

I look back to the campsite to see the two little boys nodding their heads in pure joy. Just the thought of the annual Ruck n' Rumble bocce games makes them happy. I guess it makes me happy too. I can't wait to get into the atmosphere of the game and wash all the penetrating memories away. The game will clear my mind and let me forget the burning fate of reality.

I wander back to our campsite when the smell of bacon and eggs wafts through the air and to my nose. My father, Lizzie, Roman, Charlie, Eric, and Simon are all sitting around the picnic table and I take a seat at the end myself.

"Took you long enough," my brother smirks, getting a laugh from the younger boys.

"I was just taking in the scenery, alright? Is that not allowed or what? I haven't been here for four years and yet I forgot how stunning this place is."

"Okay, okay, miss nature girl, what would you like for breakfast on this sunny day?" My father asks as he takes the eggs off of the stove and onto a cloth on the cooking table.

"Ha ha very funny," I roll my eyes playfully. "I'll have a little bit of bacon and some eggs please," I say, eying the food as my father dishes up my plate.

"Could I have a peach, Simon?" My sister questions eyeing the pack of peaches which are in the middle of the table.

"Knock yourself out kid," he answers. "And if anyone else wants a peach please by all means do so. They are for everyone."