9
Jun

Revisions

   Posted by: Ben   in Daily Grind

Summer Camp Pirates

QUICK!

Pick up the fishing rods and stifle that giggle.

Hold it in.

Hold it…

Oh my god, did I just snort?

I’ll…I’ll just pretend like I’m coughing and try to muffle it in my jacket.

(What kind of fisherman wears an army jacket anyways?)

SHHH! There’s no way they believe that’s a cough.

My stomach is doing somersaults wrestling this laugh.

I can’t even exhale without snickering. I’ll have to hold my breath.

Crap, I’m gonna pass out.

Okay, they’ve gone back inside to sleep.

Deep breaths. Let the chuckle out a little at a time.

Slow measured breaths, drawn out and methodical.

Set the poles down and load up another water balloon in the slingshot.

Eyes narrow while my smirk fights my dimples for face space.

Careful not to rock the boat.

Take aim.

Steady.

Steady…

WHACK!

Poles back up!

We’re simply innocent fisherman appreciating the summer night.

Just three guys enjoying the cool, humid breeze that smells a bit like turtles.

Nope, no debauchery afloat here.

None whatsoever.

Look at them scatter from their cabin like ants from a hill.

That one there looks more confused than my dog when I throw the ball behind the couch.

No Billy, there aren’t any ninjas. Probably just a raccoon.”

The lights go out again.

Load up another.

Steady…

2
Jun

Summer Camp Pirates

   Posted by: Ben   in Non-fiction

QUICK!

Pick up the fishing rods, and stifle the laugh.

Hold it in.

Hold it…

Oh my God, I can’t stop giggling.

I’ll…I’ll just pretend like I’m coughing and try to muffle it in my jacket.

(What kind of fisherman wears an army jacket anyways?)

My stomach is doing somersaults as it wrestles with the laugh.

SHHHHH! There’s no way they believe that’s a cough.

I can’t even exhale without snickering. I have to hold my breath.

Crap, I think I’m going to pass out.

My head feels like a hot air balloon.

Either the laugh escapes in its full glory soon or my head explodes.

Okay, they’ve gone back inside to sleep.

Deep breaths. Let the laugh out a little at a time.

Set the poles down and load up another water balloon in the slingshot.

Careful not to rock the boat.

Take aim.

Steady.

Steady…

WHACK!

Poles back up!

We’re just a couple of innocent fisherman appreciating the summer night.

Just a couple guys enjoying that cool, humid breeze that smells a bit like turtles.

Nope, no pirates here.

No debauchery afloat.

Don’t laugh. Don’t you dare laugh. Fishing isn’t funny remember?

Watch them scatter from their cabin like ants from a hill.

That one there looks as confused as my dog does when I throw his ball behind the couch.

Do they think their hut got hit by a meteor shower?

Probably just a raccoon.”

Lights are off again.

Load up another…

12
May

School

   Posted by: Ben   in Daily Grind

After going to my first class tonight, I’m officially back in school. When I walked outside afterwards, it felt like I exhaled stale breath that has been stuck inside me for two years.