West Virginia Young Writers 2012 Anthology - Marshall University

Honeysuckle AirRebekah HonceBridgeport High School, Harrison County3 rd Place Winner (Grades 11-12)The screen door slid open, rattling along its track. I stepped onto the mossy front porch.The overgrown field was before me, the tree stumps to my right, the fence to my left. I lookedtoward the cloudless summer sky, the sun forcing my eyes shut. The perfumed wind kissed mybody, enveloping me in my honeysuckle-scented childhood“Just wait a little longer, Samantha,” the wind carried her sweet voice through the valleysand hills, through the many summers passing since I had been there. My eyes would not open asmemories flooded my mind.“Please hurry!” I felt my mouth say, but my ears heard the cry of a seven-year-old girl.“Just let me take these pepperoni rolls out of the oven.” I could hear the oven doorclosing, her steps growing louder as she approached the front door. I felt the warmth of hergrasp, and I opened my eyes. I had gone back. Before me was Anna, her blond hair coiffed into ared bandanna, a blue flannel shirt tucked into her faded blue jeans. With her hand in mine, weset off to explore her farmland, and I set off to relive my childhood.“C’mon let’s go,” I pleaded as she grasped the picnic basket in her hand. We skipped offthe porch, and letting go of her hand, I raced toward the fields. Climbing the split rail fenceboard by board and carefully jumping down to avoid an electric shock, I never lost momentum.Anna was behind, a grin blossoming on her face.“Slow down, Samantha. You don’t want me to drop our lunch.” Scarcely slowing, I ranthrough the fields, the summer wind forming mauve waves in the uncut hay. My blonde hairflowing behind me, I raced toward the creek. I splashed into its murky water, silky mud oozingbetween my toes, water lapping at the hem of my cotton dress.In ankle deep water, I chased frogsand minnows, my feet slipping on the mossy rocks.Fresh pepperoni rolls and sweet tea waitedfor me on the bank.“Samantha, come here before the ants get to it!” At Anna’s command, I splashed out, myfeet coated with sandy dirt. I plopped down on the quilt, my stomach craving the fresh potatobread and pepperoni. Anna untied her bandana; blond tendrils fell around her chin. She wipedmy muddy hands and allowed me to devour lunch. Stomach full, I laid on the quilt, the grassbeneath cradling my head. The trees filtered the bright sunlight reaching my face; I felt itswarmth as I shut my eyes.***I realized I had walked to the fence-line. The barn’s roof had collapsed since my last visitnearly ten years ago; a disappointed sigh escaped my lips. In the distance, I could hear the32 32