A_Winter_to_Remember

A Winter to Remember I ran as fast as my two legs would carry me. I never looked back as I left my footprints in the snow. If I did I might have got caught, or so that’s what my mind kept repeating over and over. “Patrick and I are in trouble. Patrick and I are in trouble.” I didn’t think something so little would be big enough for the Police to show up. Or maybe I was wrong. Fifty more feet until I reached my house, where I knew I’d be safe from trouble. Christmas break had started off as planned. The Christmas tree was up, the snow was about shin high, temperatures reached fifteen degrees, people were traveling to visit family, fire places were being overused, people all over went from door to door caroling, and Christmas movies were being over played many times. My mom had, like always, sporadically placed Christmas scented candles around the house. The smells would linger in the air, and my mind would immediately think Christmas morning. When I heard the chorus of Winter Wonderland echo into my room from downstairs, I knew that my mom was up and probably cleaning. I figured it almost impossible to get back to sleep. So, I slowly took one foot at a time and gently placed them on the ground beneath me as the clock read 11:15 AM. I then changed into something more warm and comfortable. Like a slinky, down the stairs I went. I made my way into the kitchen where I delighted myself to a strawberry pop tart. After a good breakfast my next move was to get all geared up to go outside. Finding the right size in snow pants was always quite the challenge. I spent several hours out in the snow before my face froze, and my stomach hollowed out. It was nearly 6:00 PM by the time I got back indoors. I never left the fireplace’s side, as if we were best friends. Supper was on the table by the time I thawed out. I don’t ever recall taking many breaths between each bite. After dinner I had received a call from Patrick asking if I wanted to go out in the snow with him. I didn’t even hesitate to answer. I threw on the same ensemble as earlier. I couldn’t find my shoes so I had to throw on my mom’s big moon boots that had taken one too many beatings. When I reached Patrick’s house he had already hooked up a sled to the back of his four-wheeler. After I got all situated on the sled we were ready and set to go. He dragged me through the snow going about 30 miles per hour. But when you’re the one on the sled trying to keep your grip on the rope, with snow hitting your face, it seems like you’re going 90. I would get tossed off the sled whenever Patrick would make a sharp turn around a corner. My body bounced a few times in the snow as if I were a Raggedy Ann doll, then I’d come to a halt. But, I always jumped right back up and was ready for more. I had been holding on for a period of minutes. It was probably the best I had done all night. I had the feeling that nothing would stop me. Until I saw the Police car pull into Patrick’s driveway. My eyes immediately spotted the car. Without any hesitation I quickly scurried off into the woods. I can only guess what was going through Patrick’s mind as he saw me trotting away into the dark. I ran as fast as my two legs would carry me. I never looked back as I left my footprints in the snow. If I did I might have got caught, or so that’s what my mind kept repeating over and over. “Patrick and I are in trouble. Patrick and I are in trouble.” I didn’t think something so little would be big enough for the Police to show up. Or maybe I was wrong. Fifty more feet until I reached my house, where I knew I’d be safe from trouble. When I got inside I didn’t act any different then I normally would. I didn’t want my parents to be suspicious. My heart was racing fast, but I couldn’t think of any logical reason as to why Patrick and I would be in trouble. I sat in front of the fireplace with a dumbfounded face. I couldn’t stop shaking for the next two hours. Later on that night my Uncle Jim called over to break the news. When my mom got off the phone she was laughing hysterically. I was confused and thought maybe he didn’t tell her about the Police. My mom sat me down, and told me that there had recently been a stolen bow and arrow set which was around eight hundred dollars. Leading up to the spot where it had last been were four-wheeler tracks. When the Police man drove by and saw Patrick driving the four-wheeler, he assumed that Patrick may have been a suspect of the crime. But, there’s no need to fret. He never stole the bow and arrow set. I learned many things from my experience. Always let your parents know when you might be in trouble, or when you do something wrong. Never let it grow bigger and bigger by keeping it tucked inside. Having the feeling of being in trouble is not something you would like to experience. I felt as if I was a fugitive on the loose and I didn’t even do anything. This experience is definitely something to look back on when I get older. Sara Doxsey