That Wild Summer

Jack

December 15 was the day that River went off the rails. I mean, though I would too if that happened to me.

Michael was an 18-year-old senior who ended up taking his life last December. I never knew the real reason but I figured it had to be something big. He was always the nicest to anybody. It was a shame to hear about it. He will forever be missed at least in my book.

The week before he died, he gave me a box of letters addressed to River, there, at least had to be about 6 of them.

I was told to give them to her when she needed them most. What messed me up most was how I knew the right time.

River falling, how the rails hurt all of us, but no one hurt more than Johnathan. It honestly hurt him so badly. She used to be this happy girl. Who always made Johnathan crack a smile after he was beaten up. Now everything and everyone is so gloomy.

Michael's funeral was rough for everyone. Especially River, she didn't cry at the funeral. But her parents were balling their eyes out. Of course, I thought they were over the top and it was all bullshit.

I mean they're never home. They barely even acknowledged they had children. I mean what kinda person does that to their children? They should have been loving and caring. Being active participants in their kids' lives.

Parents are supposed to take time out of their schedules to be there for their children. They're supposed to go to parent-teacher nights, Sporting events, and class graduations. They're supposed to be there for you on big milestones. They are supposed to show up and be front and center.

But maybe that's why Michael and I got along so well because our parents never showed up to them. Because we know what it's like to be abandoned and left in the dust for their jobs or just because they didn't want us in the first place.

I wish I could have stopped him that way, he could still be here because he deserves to be. He was taken from us way too early and for that, I will forever hate December 15th and for that matter Christmas.

Why Christmas you ask because it sucks and you're supposed to enjoy it and celebrate with family. My family wasn't even home. Neither was River's brother lying in the morgue with a gunshot wound to his head. We were alone.