Holding on to Summer.

In the short amount of time it took to fall in love with her, she was already on her way home. Maybe I was too young and maybe I only had a vague comprehension of what love was, but to me the love of my life washed up on the Jersey shore the Summer I turned sixteen. 1

It was still particularly cool outside. A faint residue of spring still lingered in the early June air. Nothing significant was happening in my household. My mom was still quiet, with that same eerie blank stare she casts into the corners of the house, attentively washing dishes and vacuuming floors. My step dad was still getting drunk and planning to move us out into the country with his redneck family but never following threw, thank god. 2

I lived in Wild wood. Pretty close to the boardwalk but my house was a disaster. Everything wobbled when you walked by and broke when you leaned on it. Gray shingles fell of the sides of the house and wooden paneling peeled at the corners on the inside walls.3

I worked at a small restaurant called "The Green Wave" it was owned by an older Turkish man named Harem with quiet brown eyes and thick black hair. I was a busboy, I could have been a waiter but I hate people. It was early Sunday morning and the restaurant was soaked with people, loud and happy like people on vacations always are. Don't they know my whole life is this beach? Can't they understand the burden of repetition it claims like Christmas songs in December? No, they can only eat and laugh and be happy like I never could.4

I was quickly clearing tables and wiping counters while trying to pay attention to Harem, his long thin body jerked in agitation, he ran his enormous hands through his hair that resembled hot tar. He hurried toward me.5

"I need you take order and clear table." He said his accent clear and smooth not pronouncing the T's.6

"I'm not a waiter." I said gesturing to the bus pan with my long lanky arm.7

"Too busy. I pay you more, no time argue." He shoved a order pad and pen into my chest and ran off to take orders himself. I finished clearing my table and got to work. 8

I immediately noticed a girl walk in while I was waiting on my fifth table. I wasn't’t alone, all of the other guys locked eyes on her to, and some of the girls. I got nervous; I didn't want to wait on her. I must appear like a comic book geek to a girl like that. My large thick black rimmed glasses blocking my large hazel eyes. Long brown hair, drenched with sweat, sea salt and the sand that we were always sweeping out of the restaurant but never stayed away long before the wind cast it back into the air like smoke. I was tall, too thin and awkward. I brushed away the sweat growing on my forehead with the back of my hand.9

I avoided her for ten minutes when Harem came hassling me.10

"Pay attention to customer!" He lectured.11

"Can't you get that table?" I pleaded.12

"Your section, your work!" He reasoned.13

"But-"14

"Come on lan, she pretty girl maybe you get date and no more cold shower, eh?" He smiled and went off to his table while I went off to mine.15

"Hi, I-I'm Vernon I'll be your waiter this morning." I recited threw shaky lips. She had been waiting long but she smiled, perfect threw her full cherry lips.16