Summer Evening Memories

Last night, the activities I had hoped to do were suspended - not by choice, but necessity, so I needed to make new plans for myself. We've had such a cool summer so far most people don't consider it summer-like at all. I have wanted to spend time on our back deck; it's the first summer I've had one, but...well...like I said, it's been so cool. Last night I decided was a good night - not too hot, a breeze to keep the bugs away and enough clouds to make a pretty sunset. Being out there brought memories of summers past flooding to my mind. As a child I spent every summer evening outside - sometimes alone, sometimes playing hide-and-go-seek with the other neighborhood kids. When I was alone I would often sit on the front porch and read -like tonight- or just watch the clouds as they changed shape. Mom would be in the living room with the window and door open watching whatever favorite show was on TV. I remember the feeling of security I had - knowing she was just on the other side of the wall - that we could still carry on a conversation if we chose - last night I felt especially lonely. At sunset I would walk to the corner to better see the changing colors over the mountains. Like clockwork it would rain about the time Mom would put supper on the table and stop after it was all cleaned up, so my walk to the corner was usually done in my bare feet through the running water in the gutter. Locusts...I remember the sound they made. I never hear them here, but the sound of them filled the air in the suburb I lived in then. I rarely went inside until Mom called me, usually shortly after dark, especially if I was alone. Summer nights...the fresh scent of rain, water on my bare feet, clouds, stars, locusts, sunsets, stillness, the muffled sounds of TV, Mom's presence - always there.

"Julie honey, I think it's time you came in now."

"Okay Momma, I'm coming."