Summer in Abaddon

We ran. As fast as we could. Clinging to the stolen watermelons never thinking to look back. I started to cramp immediately but did not dare to stop. A frenzy of emotions was fizzing inside of each of us, a stick of dynamite ignited and set off with this impulsive act of thievery. Adrenaline came out on top in the fight for control, effortlessly squashing the fear of being caught. We were with our friends and the moon was the only one watching.

Larry hadn’t noticed a thing. The burly, thickly mustached manager was too engrossed in his closing duties to see the six master thieves rob him for all he’s worth. If his worth was in watermelons. Someone had shouted Tugman behind me, giving an objective to my already sprinting feet. Get to Tugman, my brain told them. You got it boss, they replied.

The path to the park was pretty straightforward as far as paths go and my legs knew it well. A left and then a right, then another left and then down the bike path and over a bridge and there you are, Tugman.

My friends were all huffing and puffing on the basketball court, hunched over and clutching their knees. The prized melons were strewn all about. It didn’t matter which one was which or whos were whos. They belonged to each and every one of us. Plopping myself down I laid flat on my back, letting my melons roll away. After a moment I sat myself up and gazed around. The park was empty. Being midnight and all, it was hardly surprising. Occasionally a rival group of kids would be encroaching on our turf but not on this night. On this night we were kings. A new guild of master thieves who had made out with the crown jewels. Each man essential to the whole with no part any less important than another. Our finest job had been effortlessly executed. Not a soul knew about it. No one except for the participants. These teenage scallywags who had started the night so innocently, playing video games and talking shit. Drinkin’ sodas and eatin’ candy. Phil had been the one to suggested we go out on a stroll. That was usual as nothing could hold that ADHD riddled red-head's attention for long. He was also the one who had made the first grab for the melons. I don’t believe he planned to do it. It was a spur of the moment thing as he was a spur of the moment fella.

Well there was nothing quite like a midnight stroll through the quiet streets of our little suburban neighborhood. We all gladly accepted our reckless friend's suggestion and before we knew it we were upon the doors of our local Safeway. Larry was inside muddling about but luckily he paid no mind to the front entrance. Nor to the bins of melons nestled beside it shrouded in shadow. They were like giant oysters. Mouths wide open with huge, green pearls ripe for the taking. What would have expected us to do?

The adrenaline finally subsided and joyous elation took over. High fives and Fuck yeahs all around. There were twelve watermelons total. Two per man. We didn’t know what to do with them all. None of us had been this melon rich before. Some of them we smashed upon the ground and ate. Others we tossed back and forth and then up and into the hoop in a frantic game of melon-ball. It made no matter, all the melons ended up as pile of exploded gore. The whole court had turned into the scene of a grizzly fruit slaughter. We were ravenous after our exhausting adventure. Dining upon the juicy red flesh we let the rinds fall carelessly from our hands. We didn't care if we got all sticky and gross. We were having too much fun.

Every so often I'll think about that night. It respite it gave me from my woes. The hole inside of me was filled and all my troubles had melted away. It helped me remember that things were gonna be ok. These are the memories that make up our lives. These are the memories that push us through the aching dark and into a world of whimsy.

I love watermelon. It's about time I stole another.