The Perfect Summer

The Perfect Summer

Drip, drip, drip. Water flew off my body as I raced out of the pool. “Food is ready!” Someone yelled as everyone flocked to gather around the table. The smell of the barbecue filled my nose with all the memories of summer's past. My heart was full. Summer was finally here!

I ran over to the table outside as my stomach grumbled, hungry for a summer meal. Everything always tasted better in summer and I was ready to savor every bite as if it were my last. I was going to make this the best summer yet and enjoy all the pleasures of being a kid. Nothing was going to crash my party, nothing could take away my perfect summer.

I got my plate and went in for the feast. Then it happened, The crowd parted and I saw what was on that table. Like a punch to the gut, my perfect summer started to deflate. My stomach turned as I wanted to make a Beeline for the bathroom. I wore a face of disgust and disappointment. Tears started swelling in my eyes as my stomach thought it was going to starve. Nothing on that table was for me, nothing on that table was edible in the eyes of my stomach. Nothing!

My excitement had faded fast. How can I have the best summer ever without delicious food? How could I survive on what they had put in front of me?

All the parents and kids were eagerly filling their plates and enjoying their tasty treats in the shade of the big oak tree looking satisfied and happy. Laughing as they took mouthfuls of what I could only assume tasted good to them.

I was happy for them. They were enjoying their summer, they were savoring every bite of their summer food, they were having the best summer ever! But not me. I was forgotten. My “picky” taste buds, as people liked to call it, were not thought about and left behind to shrivel up in the summer heat.

I stood there, staring at the food table, all alone, with my empty plate halfway falling from my right hand. A single tear sliding down my cheek. Defeated. What was there to do but wipe away my tears of sorrow and forget about the perfect summer ever. It had ended on the very first day it had started. I will just have to throw in the towel and wait till next summer.

Startled out of my pity party of thoughts, I jumped, almost dropping my plate as someone tapped me on the shoulder. I turned to see a beautiful face smiling down on me, my Mom, holding something in her hand that I couldn’t quite see through my teary eyes. Too blurry to make out, but I knew right away what it was. As the smell of it entered my nostrils like a flowing river of deliciousness. My stomach rumbling with excitement and anticipation for what was yet to be consumed. My mouth started to water knowing it soon will be tasting the best summer food ever!

I gave my mom a bear hug of gratitude as I took the plate and without skipping a beat I shoved a deliciously beautiful bite in my mouth. The birds started to sing a symphony as the wind ruffled the leaves of the trees. The laughter of the people filled the air with joy. The hot summer sun kissed my skin and my mouth full to the brim with pure happiness. The perfect summer was back!

I sat down under the oak tree, feeling free as I savored every last bite of my favorite summer meal, knowing the perfect summer had started with the perfect summer food, Kraft [Camp] macaroni and cheese!