The Best Summer Ever (Sort Of)

Summer.

The day had finally arrived. Heat shimmered in the air, the sun blazed overhead, and water splashed at the edge of the pool. Everything was perfect. The first day of summer was here.

Even the cat—usually somber and aloof—was happily pouncing around on the cool, green grass down by the house. The dog lounged contentedly in the shade of a wide oak tree, thumping its tail lazily every now and then.

It was the perfect day.

Caleb’s eyes settled on the hammock strung between two trees. It swayed gently in the breeze, inviting him to relax and spend the day within its safe embrace.

Then he felt it—that instinct.

He turned. His sister was watching him.

Their eyes locked.

And in that one captivating moment, without a word spoken, both lunged.

Caleb’s legs kicked into motion just as his sister sprang forward.

The race was on. They were neck and neck.

Caleb’s feet lurched forward as he turned back to see where his sister was.

She wasn’t behind him—she was in front, and by a decent distance. Her ponytail swung back and forth. She had this in the bag.

“No!” screamed Caleb, pushing his legs harder to make it before she did.

The hammock casually swayed in the wind, taunting its soon-to-be victor to relax in its safe cocoon.

His sister placed her hands out in front, as if she’d just become an Olympic diver. Caleb, only steps behind, dove forward and launched into the air.

He was going to make it. Both now airborne, Caleb reached out to grab the rope. His sister was landing within the bounds of the hammock.

Caleb was still airborne.

He’d missed the hammock by a few metres.

There was a sudden snap, followed by a squeal and a yelp.

The hammock couldn’t withstand the sudden weight of its new occupant. The ropes on either side gave way—as did the middle of the fabric, ripping itself into two pieces. His sister fell to the ground, landing in a pile of dirt.

Caleb had landed in a bush, twigs and leaves decorating his hair like a floral headpiece.

Silence—and the shock of what had just happened—hit them before his sister started laughing.

“You broke it!” Caleb shouted, before starting to laugh himself.

“No I didn’t!” she screamed back, picking herself up from the dirt.

The cat, no longer happily pouncing around, looked on in amusement. The dog lifted its head, opened one eye, assessed the situation, and then went back to sleep.

“Well, today couldn’t get any worse,” remarked Caleb, as he began pulling leaves from his hair.

“It’s fine! I know what will make it better—ice cream!” his sister replied, as they both began walking back towards the house.

The sprinklers were spraying a lovely, gentle mist around the edge of the garden path, keeping the green grass as luscious as could be.

His sister walked ahead of Caleb.

Caleb, still fixated on the debris covering his head, didn’t notice where he was stepping.

One small patch of grass had dipped, creating a slippery puddle unbeknownst to him.

One leg took off in front of him as his arms flapped in the wind like a bird attempting to take off.

He fell headfirst into the dirt—and straight into the sprinkler head.

Water filled his face as he attempted to get up. His sister, looking back after hearing the thud, was cackling with laughter.

Caleb tried to gather himself. The dog had retreated into the house and the cat had decided to hide behind one of the trees.

His sister came over to help Caleb to his feet, but as he stood up and took his first step, his foot got tangled in the garden hose. The hose ripped off the tap, and the water shot up like a majestic water cannon.

The water, which Caleb and his sister now paid very close attention to, launched into a beautiful, dazzling arc—before making its landfall on the table.

The table covered with plates of food.

And their clean towels.

And their mother’s brand-new phone.

Caleb looked at his sister, panicked and terrified.

He whispered quietly, “Oops.”

Ice cream would make the day better. Surely!

Their mother had popped out for last-minute snacks and had left the two kids at home.

Regardless, Caleb wanted that ice cream before reality hit him. This was summer. It still had to be the perfect day.

He ran inside and grabbed two ice creams from the freezer. They weren’t completely frozen, but just enough to still enjoy on such a hot day.

As he returned outside, the dog ran in front—this time much livelier than before. The dog followed him down to the trampoline and sat by its side.

His sister climbed up and grabbed one of the ice creams from Caleb.

“Ouch! It’s hot! The trampoline’s hot!” she screamed as she still attempted to bounce.

“You’re such a sook!” Caleb responded.

“Shut up! You get up here then!” she replied, egging him on more than supporting him.

“Fine!” he snapped back and climbed on.

His bare foot touched the trampoline with a hissing sound, almost cooking him. Without thinking, he flung his hand up in pain—and so did the ice cream.

He looked up, trying to process the scorching trampoline mat and the flying ice cream simultaneously.

They both watched as it hurtled through the air like a graceful gazelle.

Then the dog looked up.

Its eyes widened.

Caleb screamed.

His sister’s mouth dropped open.

And the cat? Made a quick getaway to another tree.

The ice cream came flying down like a projectile missile, splattering all over the back of the dog.

The dog shrieked and barked—more confused than surprised.

Caleb looked at his lost frozen treat, now smothered on the dog, climbed off the trampoline and sat down on the grass.

His sister followed suit and sat next to him.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, as Caleb held his head in his hands.

“It was meant to be the best summer ever, and it’s just been a disaster of a day! Especially the first day of summer!” he replied, face still in his hands.

“It can still be good! Look! We have the pool we can jump into! That’ll be fun,” his sister offered, quietly suggesting anything to brighten the mood.

Caleb lifted his head and looked toward the large inflatable family-size pool.

Yeah… she’s right, he thought.

“I’ll race you there!”

“Done!”

They both got to their feet and made a run for it.

The pool came closer. Caleb was going to jump. His sister was probably going to push him—and probably away from the pool.

In a beautiful slow-motion sequence, the cat appeared from behind the tree and made a run for it - ultimately crossing paths with the siblings.

Both Caleb and his sister were charging toward the pool.

So was the cat.

In fear, not excitement.

Without warning, Caleb’s sister inadvertently stepped on the cat’s tail.

“MEOW!” shrieked the cat. It launched into the air, twisted mid-flight, and changed course - splashing directly into the pool.

Caleb and his sister grabbed the edge of the pool and leapt in after it.

The cat, clawing desperately to free itself from impending doom, flailed at the pool’s edge.

RIPPPPPP!

Caleb looked at his sister, and she looked back.

“Oh no,” they said in perfect harmony, as the sound of the ripping pool liner continued under the pressure of the water.

Then,

A flood. A glorious, thundering backyard tsunami.

The water surged forward, down the backyard…

and toward the opened sliding door of the house.

Their mother appeared in the doorway. First smiling… then confused… then horrified.

She looked at the table. The food. Her phone. And the still running tap with the impromptu water feature.

The dog appeared from underneath the table covered in ice cream.

Then her eyes locked onto the tsunami headed straight for her.

“What is going on here?!” she screamed.

Caleb grinned.

His sister smiled.

The dog barked.

And the cat made a run for it.

“…Actually, this has been the best summer ever!” shouted Caleb.

His sister replied, “...Run?”

Caleb laughed, nodded, and shouted back -

“RUN!”