The suburban life ain't what it seems

"The Suburban Life Ain't What it Seems"

2008-08-25T10:29:00.000-07:00

My Entire life has been sheltered. Mainly due to my mother, I have barely been able to breathe outside of her consciousness. From the day I was born to the day I left for college, it has always been the same. Finally after two years of living three hours, fifteen minutes, and two hundred and fifty-seven miles away in Vermont, I have been allowed to explore the world and get in a little trouble while I was at it.

Trust me, we needed some trouble and it was gonna start by getting out of the suburbs of Beverly Massachusetts. You'd think living on the ocean, with plenty of beach in all the surrounding towns, including your own, would be enough to keep oneself satisfied...Well that's generally not the case, its not what it seems, and what we wanted was a way out...but only for a little while.

My story has the potential to go many ways, It could have gone exactly the way we planned or ended up exactly how our parents thought it would go. But that is up to you to decide. Good luck...at least make it back alive?

A Little Background Info for ya

Let's get ouuuuuutaah heraah!

2008-08-24T08:39:00.000-07:00

::breathe::
You will get out of this town, even if its for one week.

[Sam's pool in her backyard- Steve's just chillin' while we sit on the side tanning]

Kate: "This summer has the potential to be great I can feel it"
Fran:"You know, I think you're right on this one for once Kate"
Kate:"Hey! shut up Fran, at least I'm going to make the best of it, even if 6 out of the seven days of the week I'll be working.
Fran:"You're friggen nuts"
Kate:"I know but I need the money for my apartment, speaking of, you guys wanna head up there soon for a weekend?"
Fran:"Yeah definitely...how about the weekend after the fourth?"
Kate:"Sure why not."
Fran:"Sam....? "

...

Kate: "Hello? wake up jerk face, are you in or what"
Sam: "BAH, that's cold!"
Kate: "Hahaha sorry, you asked to get splashed. So, Vermont the weekend after the fourth? Lets get a crew together and go up there"
Sam: "Yeah sounds great, hand me that towel will ya, We need to get out of here, I cant take it much longer and its only been 3 weeks since we all got back."
Kate: "Yeah the club is stressing me out, the pool is still green and the pipes to the main pump have a leak...not that you care but the members are breathing down our necks, I almost like the days that I get to wake up at 6am and go to the hospital."
Fran: "Just quit"
Kate: "Ohhh great idea Fran"
Sam: "I have a better one, Fran? Meg? how about a little trip to Marco? Sit on the beach, hang out at my Uncles Restaurant, take the boat to Key Leiden, tube, jet ski, shopping? Anything sounding up your alley?"
Kate: "I believe I'll take all of the above, sooo lets leave tomorrow...?"
Sam: "Haha how about August, my cousins will be there, Ill let you know the dates."
Kate: "Sounds amazing! I gotta go to work though, call me later about the definite plans"
Sam & Fran: "Alright, see ya"
"Bye"

Or...not.

2007-10-08T23:30:00.000-07:00

At least until their parents found out they did not come home on the 4pm plane to Boston. Instead they made it as far as outside the airport before they realize they had no money, no car, and had no idea where else to go besides Marco...

They returned on the next flight ...with heavy hearts, but damnit they sure felt like rebels.
Although their parents never found out why they missed their flight...

Muahahaha

Hott boy can dance

2007-10-08T23:11:00.000-07:00

Kate: "I think I want a mixed drink, what do you say? And then dance floor. Thanks for the offer Rico, we can take care of ourselves, maybe we'll see you out there"

[Starring at Fran's ass] Rico: "No problem ladies"

Fran: "Loook over there, look at him Kate"

Kate: "Already on it"

So I may have noticed probably the best looking man in the bar scene and proceeded to walk towards him, struttin'' my stuff, or at least trying the best I knew how.

He looked me over and I guess was liking what he was seeing, as he bought my a couple drinks and proceeded to bring me out onto the dance floor.

My god is this man a good dancer. Uhhh I can feel his six pack, Jesus.

~~Music~~
I’m bringing sexy back
Them other boys don’t know how to act
I think you're special, what's behind your back?
So turn around and I'll pick up the slack.
Take 'em to the bridge
Dirty babe
You see the shackles
Baby I’m your slave
I’ll let you whip me if I misbehave
It’s just that no one makes me feel this way
~~

I don't think I can stand up anymore, my god, this man does not stop. What the hell time is it, and where are the rest of the girls?

Oh there's Fran...ew who is she dancing with. Time for some rescuing.
Sorry hot boy, gotta go. Ill just dance my way over there...

[yelling over music] Kate: "Hey, I think we're leaving"

Fran: "Okay, I'm definitely ready to go"

Kate: "Let's find the rest of the girls"

All the sudden I am twirled around and there are lips on my lips. I open my eyes slightly, and its hot boy. My god, a good kisser too. I don't think this night could get better.

He slips something into my hand and walks away.

[Alex 1-902-239-850]

Hahaha. LOVE LIFE.

Back to the car

The

2007-10-08T23:02:00.001-07:00

End.

Plane Home

2007-10-08T22:53:00.000-07:00

"Gate 26 is now boarding seats ten through sixteen please, seats ten through sixteen"

Kate: "Well, that's us."

Sam: "Yup...let's go"

Fran: "Back to boredom...bleggh"

Kate: "Do I hear someone not wanting to go home? What!?! Preposterous...what about Anthony?"

Fran: "OH YEAH, OH MY GOD I COMPLETELY FORGOT"

Sam: "HAhahah, you did not."

Fran: "Ok for like five minutes"

Sam: "Neither of you will be falling asleep on this plane, got it?"

[salutes Sam] Kate & Fran: "Yes Ma'am!"

[On Plane]

Kate: "I can't believe you brought Puppy..."

Sam: "Shut up, he goes everywhere."

[mocking Puppy]Kate: "Byyye Marco"

Bye

What?

2007-10-08T22:50:00.000-07:00

Muahahaha, THE ADVENTURE IS NOT OVER!

Yup, I am not going home. HAH! Nope, I'm going to live here for a while. Check things out, maybe become a Floridian. I mean why not, pretty much Sam's whole family has moved down here from Mass.

Kate: "What do you guys think? Lets not get on the plane...and go cause some more trouble"

Fran [smiles]

Sam [hesitant but...]: "HELL YES"

And off they go...on more adventures...never to return home

2007-10-08T22:48:00.000-07:00

[Sitting out on the deck with some breakfast]

Well, I'd say this vacation was definitely what we needed. It may have been crazy at times, but it sure did beat the life back home. Suburban life, is certainly not what it seems. No matter what part of the world you are in. Whether its Marco Island where the houses are all the same on one side of the island, or back at home in our old neighborhoods where it seems nothing interesting ever happens. But then again, who woulda thought Marco Island could have brought us this much fun... in one week?

Plane Home

What?

Well Rise and Shine

2007-10-08T22:44:00.000-07:00

[As she walks by to go to the laundry room] Grandma: "Goooood Morning ladies"

Sam: "Ugggh, my head"

Kate: "How ya feeling?"

Sam: "Better, minus this pounding headache"

[Under the pillow] Fran: "What time is it?"

Sam: "About 11...we gotta get up though and pack. We need to leave here at 2 to get to the airport"

Kate: "All right, lets have breakfast first though"

Packing

Shots

2007-10-08T22:22:00.000-07:00

Sam: "No Thanks"

Fran: "Sure!"

Kate: "All right"

Mariea: "I think I'll stick around for this, yeah sure, Whiskey sours please Rico?"

[Huge grin] Rico: "Suuuure"

Rico: "Bottoms up Ladies"

Fran: "Mmm I love these."

Kate: "I think I want a mixed drink, what do you say? And then dance floor. Thanks Rico, maybe we'll see you out there"

[Starring at Fran's ass] Rico: "No problem ladies"

Fran: "Loook at him Kate"

Kate: "Already on it"

So I may have noticed probably the best looking man in the bar scene and proceeded to walk towards him, struttin' my stuff, or at least trying the best I knew how.

He looked me over and I guess was liking what he was seeing, as he bought my a couple drinks and proceeded to bring me out onto the dance floor.

My god is this man a good dancer. Uhhh I can feel his six pack, Jesus.

Fran: "Can I just steal you for a minute pleaaase"

[giving her the worst look I could" Kate: "Umm in a minute?"

Fran: "No. Now."

Kate: "I'll be right back Alex"

Alex: "Ok"

Kate: "WHAT THE HELL FRAN"

Fran: "Cool it, we have worse problems then you grinding up on some extremely hot Australian looking man."

[making their way towards the exit]

Kate: "Oh really, I can't imagine, 'cause he even had the accent. You're a jerk, this better be good"

Fran: "Well you know those shots we took with Rico"

[out the front door]

Kate: "Yeah...what about them"

Fran: "Well You know how Sam said no?"

Kate: "Get to the point Fran, what's going on"

Fran: "Sam has no idea what's going on, she is ridiculously drunk and I did not see her take one shot with us, I only saw her sipping on a rum and coke with Rico at the bar"

Kate: "That's really weird, first of all because she didn't need to get drinks from him and secondly she thought he was a creep"

Fran: "Well, it was after 11, so she did need to get drinks from someone other than herself"

Kate: "Shit you're right, why didn't she ask me or you or anyone but someone she thought was creepy...wait wait you said she was acting really drunk?"

Fran: "Yeaaah"

Kate: "Ohhh crap, I think she's been roofied?"

Fran: "Yaaaaa think?!?!"

Kate: "Shut it, lets just go help her, we need to bring her home and keep talking to her until it wears off"

Fran: "Ok"

Kate: "Hi Tere, how is she doing?"

Tere: "She's Okay, I think she got it a while ago so it's starting to wear off, she's been drinking a lot of water too"

Kate: "Ok, Fran do you want to go get Annie and Mariea?"

Fran: "Yeah I'll be right back, give me your phone just in case"

[about 15 minutes later]

Fran: "Sorry, I could not find them for the longest time, they're just going to the bathroom and they'll be right out."

Tere: "Annie's sober so she can drive."

Fran: "You sure?"

Tere: "Yeah she didn't drink, she saw her friends and has just been dancing the whole time"

Fran: "Ok, let's get Sam in the car, how ya feeling honey?"

Sam: "Ok..let's just go home"

Never take a drink offered by anyone with the last name Suave

Spectator's

2007-10-08T22:14:00.000-07:00

Sam: "Well, here we are...drinks anyone?"

Fran: "Umm Rum and Coke?"

Kate: "Same and a couple of shots? Whiskey sours?"

Tere: "Sounds good to me"

Annie: "I think I know those guys over there, I'll check you girls later"

Mariea: "I'm going over to the bar"

[A Puerto Rican Man starts strolling over our way]

"Hellooo ladies, My names Rico...Rico Suave"

Fran: "Oh really, Suave huh?"

Rico: "Well, I do what I can. Can I buy you ladies a shot?"

No, Thanks

Sure, why the hell not?

Grandma's

2007-10-08T21:53:00.000-07:00

Fran: "I call first shower"

Sam: "I am taking a nap, I'll go last"

Kate: "Second then I guess. I need to read some of my book since I brought about four of them."
Sam: "Yeaaah, not much time for reading I guess"

While Sam slept, Fran and I were getting ready. Finally waking up...

Sam: "You guys could have woken me up you know"

Kate: "You just looked so peaceful, lying there, We couldn't send in Max, we wouldn't want to torture you like that...Oh wait, didn't you do that to us?"

Sam: "Umm it was Grandma's idea annnnd you could have gently poked me or something. Whatever I'll be quick"

[yelling through bathroom door] Fran: "It's eight thirrrrty fiiiive"

Sam: "Kate do me a favor and call Tere and tell her we want to go and to get ready"

Kate: "I called her a half hour ago"

Sam: "Oh...well...good job. I'll be out in a minute"

Wow, 7 minute shower, 5 minute outfit decision, 6 minute hair style, and 4 minute makeup apply...not bad. Actually virtually impossible if you ask me...I think Grandma's clock is broken...

Fran: "Saaaaam its 9:26, let's walk down to Annie and Tere's."

Sam: "Ok, grab my camera and my purse, I just need to put on eye liner and I'm done I promise"

Kate: "Ok, lets go."

Grandma: "Have a good time girls, be careful, and not too too late ok?"

Sam: "Ok, see you in the morning, Goodnight Grandma, goodnight Poppa"

Fran & Kate: "Goodnight!"

[Walking down street to Aunt Theresa's and Uncle Mikey's]

[And clearly we had to make a pit stop...every one's mailboxes here are...well, a little out of the ordinary...]

[knock knock]

Sam: "I'll just let myself in, watch out for Diesel."

Fran: "What is Diesel?"

Sam: "You'll see..."

Fran: "...Saaaam...."

Sam: "He's harmless."

Kate: "Mother of Pearl he is large"

Sam: "Tere! You ready to go?"

Tere: "Yup Annie and Mariea are almost ready, they're just doing their makeup"

Sam: "All right, lets go"

[Car ride]

Fran: "Pump up the jams Annie"

Annie: "Oh I'm on it, don't you worry girl"

Fran: "Oh I wasn't. I was just making sure you knew we Beverly girls were here to have a good time."

Annie: "Haha Trust me, I know your kind"

"Wooo!"

Spectators

Dance

2007-10-08T19:40:00.000-07:00

Answer: Dancing. Lots. of. Dancing.

I don't think I can lay still for much longer. The music is pounding in my head, and this energy needs to be let out somehow.

Fran's just lying in the back with a beer, Tere and Sam are in the front lying on the deck and here I am trying to sit still in the sun for at least ten minutes.

Nope. I wont have it. I'm livening up this boat. This beach is too dead for my liking. Let's get this party started.

~~Music~~ EVERY BODY DANCE NOW

Dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun

EVERY BODY DANCE NOW!

Dun dun dun dun dun dun dun

Give me the music! Give me the music!

Dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun

EVERY BODY DANCE NOW!~~

Haha I've never seen three girls get up faster. They knew what I was thinking,

and I was thinking LOUD MUSIC! and above all things...

YOU BETTER GET THE EFF UP AND DANCE

Not only did this dance party start with "Everybody Dance Now" [clearly by C&C Factory] but along came some embarrassing tunes that will include some of the crazier moves you wouldn't want even your parents seeing. I'm not talking about any dirty dancing, I'm talking about drunk, sloppy, only funny when your drunk dancing. Any other time and this would not be okay. But hey! isn't that what every drunk dance party is about? Just moving, and feeling the music? Who cares who's watching, its all about you.

Between 50 cent, Lil' Wayne, Jay-Z, Jim Jones, Mariah, Britney, Justin, you name it. We were bringing back the oldies, the goodies, and introducing the new stuff. We may be making fools of ourselves but god-damn people were enjoying it. Within ten minutes we started a beach dance party with not only people our age but older as well. Not just our parents age, but more like my grandparents age. Who said when you're 70 you can't enjoy a little Kanye West? Apparently Joyce and Walter were loving it... as well as the Tequila shots. They were intrigued with this "Lick, sip, suck" method we were using.

As fun as we are having, I don't think the coastguard is enjoying it too much.
Kate: "Well it didn't take long for Coastguard Jim to come over and ask us to quiet down."
Fran: "It's those people down there who were complaining"
Kate: "We should take the boom box down there and blast it right in front of their boat"
Sam: "Make Peace not War guys"
Fran: "Thanks for that inspirational quote Sam"
Sam: "No problem. Besides we should start heading back anyways. I am STARVING. And we should sober up a bit before heading back to Grandma's"
Tere: "Yeah, good call. Do we have anything in the boat so we can sober up before getting to the restaurant?"
Sam: "Umm...water? and by water, I mean salty ocean water?"
Tere: "I'll take that as a no"
Kate: "Fran grab the anchor, Ill get the noodles."

Ding ding LUUUUNCH

Tanning?

2007-10-08T19:37:00.000-07:00

Tanning? Seriously? I can barely sit by a pool for more than a half hour before I get bored, this is vacation, not my summer job. Let's do something.

Three words for you:

Tequila
Limes
and music.

Equals?

Fish House

2007-10-08T14:33:00.000-07:00

Fran: "I could eat an elephant and a rhino right now."
Sam: "Oh really could you?"
Fran: "Watch me."
Tere: "We don't really serve that here but I'm sure Annie will cook you up something fabulous."
Sam: "Oh is she working today?"
Tere: "I believe so...she's standing on the dock."

[in the distance...]Annie: "Saaaaaaamanthaaaaaaaa!"
Sam: "Annniiiiiiie"
Annie: "I made you some wiiiiings"
Sam: "Thanks for announcing it to the whole restaurant Ann"
[Now at the dock]
Annie: "No prob."

[Turns towards me] Fran: Oh look who it is..."
Kate: "Oh greaaat..."

[hushed, only to Fran] Kate: "As usual, smoking a Marlboro...you'd think someone would say something to her...I mean I know Sam's Aunt and Uncle are laid back but they definitely wouldn't want their girls smoking cigarettes.

Fran: "I just don't like her, she gives me that b*tch-wh*re vibe. You know like those prissy "popular" girls from BHS (Beverly High School), all they did was drink and smoke Reds like it's going to attract the next guy walking by. Like he's gonna take a whiff and be like 'Ohhh Girl, you look so fine smoking that cancer into your lungs, lets make out so I have some of that stale smokey taste in my mouth.' Paaaalease."

Sam: "Sooo...where are those wings?"

Annie: "Umm...right here?...I ..saved you ...some...."

Sam: "Hahaha Annie! Whatever its fine, can i have calamari instead?

Annie: "Yeah, sure. What do you girls want Ill go put in the order"

Fran: "Ohh yeahhh chicken fingers and fries PLEASE"

Tere: "Chicken Cesar Salad wrap Ann...por favor"

Kate: "Umm, how about a turkey club with extra fries, and a Laaaarge glass of water"

Mariea: "I'm good. I had a salad earlier."

[to Kate only] Fran: "Yeah...I bet she did"

[grin on her face] Kate: "Shhhh"

Fran: "Well, I am stufffffed. Can we go back to Grandma's now? I need a shower to finalize my sober-ization"

Sam: "Definitely...and maybe a nap.

Tere: "What do you girls want to do on your last night?"

Fran: "Well...let's decide when my brain stops hurting...what time is it?

Kate: "Two"

Fran: "That's it? Wow. Times a lot slower here I guess,...which is awesome obviously"

Tere: "Well, there is a club in Naples that Mariea and I usually go to on Monday nights if you guys are interested."

Mariea: "Besides the occasional creepy man, its a fun time."

Fran: "Oh are you coming too?"

Mariea: "Umm yeah."

Kate: "What time should we leave for this? Ya know so we can be ready and stuff"

Tere: "We usually leave around 1000 so that we get there by 1030ish. It's free for ladies before 11."

Fran: "When does it open?"

Tere: "10"

Fran: "We should try and leave earlier so we can get free drinks and not have to worry about buying drinks...since most of us are not 21 yet or do not own fake I.D.'s"

Sam: "True, lets leave around 930ish if we are ready"

Tere: "Just call me by 8 if you want to go and I'll be ready by 9, and pick you up at 930"

Sam: "All right, are you staying here?"

Tere: "Yeah I'm gonna help Annie out for a bit so Daddy and Mommy will let me go. And plus Annie will have a fit if I go without helping out at all today"

Sam: "All right Ill call ya around 8ish"

Oh Boy

Back to the Boat

2007-10-07T20:50:00.000-07:00

I definitely needed a change of...hmm lets say topic? She's driving me nuts...where is Sam, at least she keeps her mouth shut about her boyfriend...or whatever she's calling him this week.

Kate: "Heyyyy"

Sam: "Oh Hi, how was shell hunting?"

Kate: "Oh, you know"

Sam: "Well, I don't but okay...Anyone up for a swim slash go back to the fish house for some lunch?"

Kate: "Oh thank god, I'm starving. Can we skip the swim and jump in your grandma's pool later? Her pool is probably cooler than this water anyways."

Sam: "True...yeah. Is that ok Tere?"

Tere: "Hold up hold up, Let's chill for a min. I need to dry off, I just jumped in"

Fran: "Yeah, Can we just chill for a few minutes. I want to finish my beer. The water's nice Kate, it's not as warm if you lay in the sun for a min."

Kate: "Um, we've been walking in the heat for an hour, I don't think I could get hotter."

Fran: "Well just chill out for a few. Lets enjoy the weather, we're only here for two more days. Besides you're not even that tan..."

Sam: "Are you serious?!? She's as dark as night."

Kate: "Well sooorry...I can't help it. I sit in the sun for 8 straight hours at work, What do you expect?"

Sam: "All right all right, Kate's tan, end of story. Lets get some freakin lunch already."

Fish House

Shipwreck

2007-10-06T20:51:00.000-07:00

Fran: "You think we can swim out to it?"
Kate: "I think we will only have to swim a couple feet, the boats on a sandbar"
Fran: "O0oohh, all right let's go then, bring that bag so we can put whatever we find in it"

Kate: "I have a bad feeling about this, the coast guard is right over there too"
Fran: "Where I don't see him, he's way out of sight."
Kate: "He has binoculars Fran"
Fran: "Well arrest me for all I care, I'm swimming and I found a boat. Curiosity is leading me to this boat, I will find treasure, or at least something to take back"
Kate: "I guess it'd make a good story either way. Getting arrested or finding something fabulous"
Fran: "Or not finding anything at all...that'd suck. The least we can hope for is a coconut that's floated from shore and somehow gotten trapped between something on there"
Kate: "Can you swim a little faster, I'm getting a weird feeling something is following us"
Fran: "What are you talking about, like a person?"
Kate: "No, I see a dark shadow every once in a while about twenty feet behind or to the right of us."
Fran: "Let's not freak me out Kate, you know how I feel about large fish"
Kate: "Trust me, I'm right there with ya, just swim faster and get on the boat"
Fran: "F*ck I felt it touch my leg"
Kate: "Shut up Fran"
Fran: "No I'm dead serious it was leathery feeling and large. I know it was large, what kind of fish feels like leather, ew"
Kate: "I don't even want to go there, my imagination is running wild right now"
Fran: "You go first"
Kate: "Yeah right, here I'll give you a boost, I can touch if I go under water. Then you can help pull me up"
Fran: "OK, on three dunk"
"One, two, three.."
Fran: "Uggh, ouch my leg. Give me your hand, watch out for that nail right there"
Kate: "Thanks. Whoa this is definitely not very sturdy, be really careful as you walk around on the part that's slightly submerged 'cause its probably water logged and not as sturdy anymore"
Fran: "Who are you Jon Ballou? Jesus woman."
Kate: "Well I have lived with the man for 20 years as basically his understudy when it comes to this kind of stuff....or its common sense dumb ass"
Fran: "Shut it. Let's look down here, there nothing up here but rope"
Kate: "Just be careful going down those steps into the cabin"
Fran: "Ya ya ya."
Kate: "See anything...?"

::Splash::

Kate: "Fran?!? Are you okay" FRAN! What the hell happened? FRAAAAN??!?!"
Fran: "I--can't-----gurrghhlll---"
Kate: "Grab onto something, hold on I'm coming!"

My thought process is everywhere right now, where the hell are the stairs? How did she get down here, skinny b*tch, Quit splashing already, can't you stand. WOAAAAH what the hell was that? There's no floor to this boat, f*ck, this is not on an entire sandbar either. Fran, oh god, Fran please be okay.

Kate: "Grab my hand god damnit!...Here...No! let go of that. F*ck what's on your leg"
Fran: "I--do--don't know, b-blood maybe, some wood, ho-how ab-bout FREAKING SHARK'S TEETH what does it look like!"
Kate: "I under stand the circumstances but is there really a need to yell, I just saved your life"
Fran: "S-s-sorry....What th-the hell was that?"
Kate: "Oh that dark shadow I was seeing before, yeah I'm gonna go ahead and say it could have been a shark. But then again its teeth were in your leg, let me take a look at that"
Fran: "I'm the nursing student, I'll do it..."
Kate: "Have you been CPR certified yet? Saved any one's life before?...hmm?"
Fran: "Fine, look at it. But I will be more qualified than you someday.."
Kate: "Honestly this attitude thing is not helping...there's definitely laceration here. Do you mind if I dunk it in the water here, yeah that's it, wash off the blood...I don't see any teeth tho, just a bunch of scratches, no bite marks."
Fran: "It hurts a lot"
Kate: "Can you walk on it?"
Fran: "Nope, well not really"
Kate : "All right well lets try and Ill float you over to the beach on this piece of driftwood, it'll be like the titanic..."Promise me you'll survive. That you won't give up, no matter what happens, no matter how hopeless. Promise me now, Fran, and never let go of that promise."
Fran: "Haha I promise"
Kate: "Never let go Fran, never let go"
Fran: "If I wasn't in so much pain I'd punch you...but you're too far away and that exerts much more energy than I have."
Kate: "All right all right, come on, let's get back to the boat and have the coast guard take a look at it"

Coastguard Jim: "Well, it is very bruised and swollen. You do have quite a scratch there, we'll clean it up and bandage it so you won't leave more entrails all over the beach here."
Kate: "What should she do when we get home?"
Jim: "Bring her to the ER and just have them take a look at it to double check, the cuts aren't really that deep but if they are causing her as much pain as she says then she may need to take something for it, otherwise you are free to go."

[Running out of breath]Sam: "Is everything okay?"
Tere: "We saw you guys hobbling over to the coastguard boat what happened Fran?"
Fran [giving me the eye] : "Oh its nothing..."
Kate [catching on] : "Yeah, we just were looking around some rock for bigger shells and Fran slipped and cut herself. We just had the coastguard take a look at it and clean it up a bit, that's all."
Sam: "Oh, well is it okay?"
Fran: "Oh yeah its fine, just stings a little, can we head back though I want to take some Advil and I'm starving"
Tere: "Yeah sure, its almost 2...you guys were gone for a while"
Sam: "Did you find a lot of shells?"
Kate: "Oh crap, we left them down the beach, bahh Ill go get them, meet me with the boat, it's kind of a far walk"
Tere: "All right, but I can't go all the way over there, it turns into a sand bar."
Kate: "Oh yeah we noticed that, sure thing, I'll walk to the farthest you can go."
Tere: "K...see ya in a few...don't fall on any rocks"
Kate: "Haha..."

Fish House

Keep on Trekin'

2007-10-06T20:16:00.000-07:00

Sam and Tere are still on the boat tanning themselves and listening to the spice girls, so Fran and I continue down the beach.

Kate: "You know we've gone pretty far, do you think we should turn around?"
Fran: "Nah, I don't feel like laying around, plus standing up we'll get tan all around and not have to bother switching sides and whatnot"
Kate: "I guess..."
Fran: "Honestly though, don't you think Anthony should make a little more time for me. Ive gone up to Lowell so many times after work, after waking up at 530am and working an eight hour shift wiping old people's asses, and barely getting a lunch break, and he's come down here, what, twice?"
Kate: "Well-"
Fran: "Annd I've gone to see all his concerts, had you guys come with me to one, and he can't even come down for my cousin's confirmation party?"
Kate: "Well it is just your cous-"
Fran: "Not to mention he's in two freaking bands, and works all day, then goes to both practices and is too tired to hang out with me, but not too tired to have a few beers with his friends after practice."
Kate: "Well-"
Fran: "I just don't get why he..."

As she continued I noticed something in the distance. As we got closer it began to take the shape of a mast and part of what would have been the sailboat. Its stern was about two feet under water and the hull just slightly less submerged.

Fran: "Oh wow, that sucks."
Kate: "Yeah, whoever owned this boat now owns nothing. Once a boat is shipwrecked it open for commercial salvaging, or at least in Mass that's true."
Fran: "So what you're saying is we should go find some treasure on this sunken ship"
Kate: "Well if you insist"
Fran: "Haha Lets go!"
Kate: "Should we go get Sam and Tere?"

Kate: "Nah, they won't want to do anything like this, plus we get all the treasure for ourselves muahahaha"

Shell Hunting

2007-10-06T18:37:00.001-07:00

Walking around the island we kept ourselves occupied by looking for sea shells. One would think you'd outgrow this fetish at age ten or twelve but I think every child who's grown up near the ocean, spent too much time away from it, will always come back and want to bring home some souvenirs. At least in my case, spending 3/4 of each year in a landlocked state with only a lake to admire with mountains in the background. Beautiful yes, idealistic almost, buuuut the ocean gives a whole different meaning to breathtaking. Sparkling salty water that extends beyond the horizon is a picturesque view in my opinion, and Marco made me feel right at home, minus the over one-hundred degree weather. Searching for sea shells was just another way to get in touch with a place I missed all year and to calm me down a bit from the adventures we'd encountered thus far. Hopefully things would wind down a bit and we could just relax.

While collecting I had a lot on my mind. The thing is although Fran and Sam have grown up just as close to the ocean as I have and say they have missed it just as much, they haven't had the childhood I have. The ocean is a part of me. I have grown up at Nana Mimi's house right on the ocean, with a salt-water pool, and playing on the numerous boats she's had tied to the dock. Then there is my father's boat, a 36' Catalina sailboat, we take out every weekend and on several trips up and down the coast. While I've shared these places with Sam and Fran they haven't got it in their souls like I do. I was fortunate and I thank my parents for teaching me to love the ocean as much as they do. Which is probably why they don't understand why collecting shells and stupid little things like this quiet my frantic mind. The one thing I can count on is Francesca for going on little adventures with me, even if it is just to find the perfect shells to cover a frame to put in for my new apartment in downtown Burlington Vt.

Meanwhile, as I'm contemplating life, rightfully so I should say, Fran is lagging behind blabbing on about Anthony. They will have been dating for a year on the Monday two weeks from tomorrow. Normally Fran's life fascinates me, however when it comes to Anthony its like my brain shuts up and some automatic answering machine takes over. It's not that I don't care about my best friends 'beau,' I think it's more a realization I am not finding anyone who'd I'd like to spend more than an hour with. None-the-less I keep on trekkin' down the beach while she explains how difficult it is to have a long distance summer boyfriend, who she is attached at the hip with when at school... for 9 months out of the year...

Keep searching...

Go back to the boat...

Key Weiden Round 2

2007-10-04T10:52:00.000-07:00

The sun is shining and that's all that counts ...

Sam: "Let's not stay here late today...just in case, and let's also no go wondering other than in plain view of the ocean."

Kate: "Agreed"

Fran: "I do want to look for shells though...and a coconut. I'm not going home without at least one"

Kate: "Yeah I need some shells for a project I want to do in my photography class."

Fran: "But more importantly, the coconut"

Kate: "Ya ya ya, the coconut."

Sam: "I wish Annie didn't have to go back to Chicago"

Kate: "Yeah that must be rough traveling back and forth between home and school so much this summer...but I bet she loves it"

Tere: "Yeah but we miss her...sometimes."

Fran: "There aren't a lot of people here today, I'm surprised."

Kate: "Maybe they know something we don't know"

Tere: "Well there is this lovely couple behind me...looks like they have a cooler full of fun"
Fran: "Lets steal it!"
Kate: "You are such a lush"
Fran: " I can't help it if I have good taste is beverages that happen to have a high alcoholic percentage"
Kate: "There's beer in the cooler on the boat, drink that. We brought limes for the Coronas."
Fran: "Fine, fine fine. I guess that'll do."
Kate: "Well I'm going shell hunting....anyone wanna come?"
Sam: "No thanks, I want some sun"
Fran: "I'll come, hold on a sec"

Shell Hunting

Tanning on the boat? Reaaally?

Sunday

2007-10-04T10:42:00.000-07:00

Sam: "So you guys want to head to the beach again? I will not be going home pale I'll tell you that much"
Kate: "As long as we have plenty of gas, the battery is charged, we bring food, and we don't use the radio."
Fran: "Yeah let's not run into some sketchy old man again..."
Sam: "You know he looked reaaally familiar, didn't we see him at the restaurant the other night at dinner?"
Kate: "I think you're right Sam...he was sitting in the corner near the band."
Fran: "We should ask your Uncle about him"

Grandma: "Girls! Rise and shine!"
Sam: "We're all awake Grandma"
Fran: "No need to send in the dogs...especially Max"
Grandma: "We're going to head on over to the Fish house for Brunch, Poppa loves going there on Sunday mornings. Get up! Get dressed! Lets get a move on!"

Restaurant

Uncle Mikey pulls through

2007-10-04T07:35:00.000-07:00

::ringring::ringring::ringring::

Uncle Mike: "Hello?"
[Mariea hands over the phone...]
Tere: "Dad?"
Uncle M: "Yeah Tere, what's up, where are you guys, its almost 9 o'clock honey, we're getting worried"
Tere: "Yeah I know, our cell phone's are going in and out of service, I'm on Mariea's phone. Our battery ran out of power so we can't get back, what do we do?"
Uncle M: "I'll come pick you up with the Jet ski, hold on tight for a bit, I got to make sure the restaurant is Okay if I leave for a bit and grab the jet ski at home. Ill call Mommy and let her know y'all all right...you're all okay right?"
Tere: "Yeah of course, just starving"

~About 45 minutes later...

Uncle Mikey: "You guys hanging in there?"
Nick: "Yeah we're all good sir"
Sam: "Sorry about this Uncle Mikey, I didn't realize we should have just used the boom box and not the radio all day"
Uncle Mikey: "No problem guys...I had the kitchen make you guys some food, ya hungry?" Fran: "I AM STARVING"
All: " Hahaha"
Kate: "Fran is delirious, don't mind her"
Uncle Mikey: " Oh the lush needs some sobering up food huh?"
Fran: "I am not a lush! I'm just hungry.
Uncle Mikey: "Uh huh... lets go ladies and gentlemen, bring up the anchor and load the boat."

Fish House

Run to the car quick girls!

2007-10-04T07:18:00.000-07:00

Grandma: "Get in, get in quick quick"

Sam: "Ugh we didn't close the windows all the way, shoot my seat is soaked"

Fran: "There's towels in the trunk, Ill go get them"

Grandma: "No, no time, weather girl said get home!"

Kate: "Here we can reach through the seat if you pull out the middle thing."

Fran: "Here Sam"

Route 41 South

Sam: "It's letting up"

Fran: "It's stopped..."

Kate: "What? That was ridiculously quick"

Sam: "Look a rainbow!"

Kate: "It's the whole arch, wow I've never seen that before"

Fran: "Its a double whole arched rainbow, that's amazing"

Kate: "Take a picture Sam"

Grandma: "Oh that's gorgeous!"

Home again, home again

Waiting it Out

2007-10-04T06:36:00.001-07:00

::Newsflash on TV::
"We have suddenly received news there is a storm in southern Naples. Several buildings have been hit on the southeastern coast including major shopping centers. Please find a safe place in your home and do not go outsi-"

Fran: "Oh my God! Look at how hard the rain is coming down I cant even see our car it's coming down so hard."

::crack::bang:bo0o0ooooom::

Girl [swallowed her gum, choking over her words]: "Look out, stand away from the door"

As the customers jump towards to counter just in time to avoid a tree falling over from the parking lot into the front glass windows, branches and glass are flying everywhere. The girl behind the counter opens the counter door and they all hide behind it. She reaches into her purse and grabs her cell phone.

Girl: "Dammit, service is out"

Fran: "Try the store phone"

[Picks up receiver....silence]

Girl: "Those lines are out too, the tree must have knocked them down"

Grandma: "We'll just have to wait it out until the fire department comes...which could be hours depending on when this storm will end"

Fran: "Well Look on the bright side...at least we won't go hungry..."

Kate: " Um yeah is we all don't want to fit through the door when they come rescue us..."

Girl: " Haha we have other things here besides ice cream if you really get hungry...but yeah go help yourself I doubt Ben and Jerry's will get pissed if we are trapped in here and eat their ice cream"

Sam: "Screw half baked...I'm gonna go try eat one until I find new favorite"

Fran: "I'll help you."

4 hours 27 minutes and 53 seconds later...

"Is anybody in there?!?!"

"YESSS!"

"Alright, we are gonna start cutting the tree so we can move it out of the window and get you guys out of there. Is everyone all right? Is anyone hurt?"

"No!"

"Okay, we'll work as fast as we can."

52 minutes later

Firefighter# 1: "Alright ladies, come right over here"

Firefighter# 2: "Any chance you can bring some of that ice cream"

Firefighter# 1[punches #2 in the leg]: "Shut up Cowan, help these ladies out"

Firefighter# 2: "Just step over this... and come through here, watch your head! Good good."

Sam: "Ughh I don't think I can make it, I feel so sick"

Kate: "I told you it was a bad idea"

Sam: "Just get me out of heraaah"

Grandma: "Is everyone OK?"

Kate: "I'm good...I can't find my bags though"

Fran: "I'm OK, very full."

Sam: "We all know how I feel...Kate I have them over here"

Girl: "I'm OK, does any one's cell phones work?"

Kate: "Mine has service, here you go"

Girl: "Thanks"

Grandma: "All right ladies lets go home...wheres the car?"

Sam: "Well the tree just missed it, thank god. I'm tired of getting stuck in places"

Kate[with a sigh]: "Mother of pearl. Let's go home."

Home

Todays a new day...

2007-10-04T05:53:00.001-07:00

After yesterdays little extravaganza we decided to take a day off from the hot weather to go shopping. Wooo! Clearly a girls day, Poppa, sorry but you've got to stay at home.

Grandma: "So girls, I need a new outfit for the wedding. Sam's cousin is getting married and I want to look beaaaautiful."

Sam: "Oh yeaah, I don't have anything to wear either."

Grandma: "Well, I need some youthful expertise so you're all coming along with me. If you;d like to stop in other stores just give a holler and go right ahead."

The day was looking gorgeous, and although we wished we were soaking up the sun to create a golden tan...we knew this was just what we needed after the stress of yesterdays mishaps.

After spending $162.54 ( at Bikini Hut, Buckle, and Raspberry Sunshine), which was beyond what I needed to spend but made me feel a little better...we headed to get some lunch.

And yes that meant skipping right to dessert. That's what I love about Grandma's. They always have the best ideas...its like you turn into a kid again or something when you pass 70. Who cares what you do now right?

Girl [snapping her Bubblicious]: "What can I get ya"

Sam: "Umm I cant decide, go ahead"

Grandma" "Step aside girls, this lady knows what she wants. Can I have New York Super Fudge Chunk in a waffle cone dipped in chocolate please?"

Girl [snapping her Bubblicious]:: "Sprinkles?"

Grandma: "Why the hell not, chocolate jimmies? Throw 'em on there"

Girl [snapping her Bubblicious]: "Next"

Kate: "Coffee coffee buzz buzz buzz please in a sugar cone, with chocolate jimmies...I love lunchtime with Grandma"

Fran: "I'll have the same please"

Grandma: "Sam have you made up your mind yet darlin'"

Sam"...uhh... errr.... can't there just be a button that says 'This is what you want because I know what your craving and it'll hit the spot, I swear it"

Grandma: "I think those come out next year...but we don't have until then for you to decide. Just pick your usual favorite, you know you'll like it, how can you go wrong"

Sam: "Well, I wanted to try something new.... how about Bananas on the rum...I mean no Chunky Monkey...WAIT no...Half baked."

Fran: " You always get that"

Grandma: "See...you can't go wrong"

::crack::shhhh::

Grandma: "O0o0 I heard it was going to rain hard today, lets get back to the car girls, bring your ice creams, and run!"

[Running through the sheets of rain]
[Wait it out]

Leaveleaveleave

2007-10-04T00:00:00.001-07:00

Fran: "Well Steve as much as we'd love to stay and chat around this campfire to help you keep warm and have a place to sleep, we must be going, the coastguard may have shown up, we'll tell him to send someone down here to help you"

Steve: "All right, thanks sweetheart"

The crew gets up and walks briskly away from the fire back towards the boat.
Sam: "Hey wait before we get too far from the only civilization we know, check your phones, do any of them work?"

Mariea: "Mine is!"

::ringring::

2007-10-03T23:50:00.000-07:00

The end.

Don't move please

2007-10-03T23:47:00.001-07:00

Kate: "F*cking are you serious Annie!"

::bangbangbang::

I cant bare to watch this, what the fuck...why couldn't they just have stayed still and listened to the man.

"My god, just listen to Ste-"

::Bangbang::

Holy Shit what the f*ck do I do now...there's only three of us left"
[whispers]
Kate: "Sam, hold my hand, Fran you too, just pray to god okay...hard, pray really hard"

Steve: "You f*cking little kids think you can mess with an old man, I don't think so. Take this home baby."

::bangbangbang::

Oh no you Wont...

2007-10-03T23:36:00.000-07:00

Steve: " Don't think you can fool me, I ain't as think as you drunk I am"
Nick: "No way are we staying here, Ill go Mike Tyson on yo' ass son, you get out of my way"
Steve: "I wouldn't try anything with me son"

And then he pulled out an AK-47...where the hell he got this thing I haven't a f*cking clue. My palms were getting sweaty and I could see Annie and Sam tearing up behind Tere and Nick. Fran looked as though she had frozen in time while Zach was on the verge of passing out. This is an old man, I could take him. Whaaat is he, about 62, yeah I think that's about right.

Here this guy is with a friggen AK-47, the kind of shit you see in the movies and this drunken B*stard probably doesn't even have it loaded.

He takes one shot in the air...

OK then, its loaded, hopefully that's the last bullet and he's been shooting birds all day but we'll just wait and see.

::Don't move...or say anything...please:: PLEASE!

Leave Steve

2007-10-03T23:32:00.001-07:00

[Whispers]
Nick: "Yo lets get out of here I don't trust this f*cker"

Sam: "He's just trying to get us drunk...well drunker...and then he's gonna do something bad to us...Nick do something"
Zach: "Someone tell him we are leaving, nowww"

Steve: "...and that's when I found this old place...not too shabby, I found a wine cellar so I've just been drunk for the past four days and can't find my way back home, I try every morning but I just can't see for damn straight."

Fran: "Well Steve, we will come back in the morning and try and help you home"

"Oh No you won't you'll be staying right here, all of ya's"

"{Hiccup}All right now, you better keep yo' promise to me, or I'll be coming afta' ya's"

Fooooood

2007-10-03T23:24:00.001-07:00

Uncle Mike: "Foods on me kids, chow down"
Kate: "Thank you so much for getting us Mr. Castellano."
Uncle Mike: "Call me Uncle Mike or Mikey or something, Mr. doesn't work around here, no one will know what the hell you're talking about"
Kate: "Haha OK Uncle Mikey"

Uncle Mike: "Annie I need you to wait some tables OK? We're getting busy and you haven't been around all day..."

Annie: "Ughh...only if I can get me some wingsss"

After stuffing our faces we headed back to Grandma's to take a long nap...which then in turn led to sleeping until the next morning....

Wake up Sleepyhead

Answer

2007-10-03T22:53:00.000-07:00

::ringring::ringring::ringring::

Uncle Mike: "Hello?"
Tere: "Dad?"
UM: "Yeah Tere, what's up, where are you guys, its almost 7 o'clocl honey, we're getting worried"
T: "Yeah I know, our cell phone's are going in and out of service, I'm on Mariea's phone. Our battery ran out of power so we can't get back, what do we do?"
UM: "I'll come pick you up with the Jetski, hold on tight for a bit, I got to make sure the restaurant is Okay if I leave for a bit and grab the jetski at home. Ill call Mommy and let her know y'all all right...you're all okay right?"
T: "Yeah of course, just starving"

~About 35 minutes later...a couple more songs on the radio before the battery on the boombox runs out and we hear a motor in the distance

UMikey: "You guys hanging in there?"
Nick: "Yeah we're all good sir"
Sam: "Sorry about this Uncle Mikey, I didn't realize we should have just used the boombox and not the radio all day"
"UMikey: "No problem guys...I had the kitchen make you guys some food, ya hungary?"
Fran: "I AM STARVING"
All: " Hahaha"
Kate: "Fran is delirious, don't mind her"
Uncle Mikey: " Oh the lush needs some sobering up food huh?"
Fran: "I am not a lush! I had thwee drunks, Im fiiiiine Mikey my boy"
Uncle Mikey: "Uh huh... lets go ladies and gentlemen, bring up the anchor and load the boat . Lets get ouuuuutaaah here."

Fish House

No answer

2007-10-03T22:27:00.001-07:00

::ringring::

Tere: "F*ck, there's no service here, what the hell do we do, its already six now, the coastguard left and there isn't anyone else here"

Fran: "Guys, check your phones see if anyone gets at least one bar"

Mariea: "Mine clearly will... hold on."

::ringring::

Mariea: "Ok so I lied...F*ck, someone give me a ciggerette"

Annie: "What do we do, is there anyone on this island?"

Nick: "Uhh does it look like it?"

Annie: "...no.

Zach: "If we swim across the channel to the other side maybe we can find a house or something."

Kate: "Lets bring the boat onto the beach more incase the tide comes in. I dont think we should leave the boat and if we do, lets not go into the water when its dark out, and also if we want to look for a house why not just stay on Key Waiden..."

Fran: "Umm I agree, Im not one for getting my leg bit off by a shark"

Kate: "Fran there are no sharksss, we've gone over this, you're fine, as long as you're not bleeding...then I might be a little worried."

[Fran rolls her eyes]

Annie: "Okay, one boy come with Kate, Fran and I and the other stay on the boat with Mariea and Tere, ok?"

Nick: "Well I definitely am not staying."

Zach: "Neither am I, 'eff that"

Tere: "Looks like we're going too"

Mariea: "Yeah I'd say so..."

Kate: "Grab a flashlight or at least your cell phones, but lets not use them all at once, we need to conserve energy incase we need light later on or if one of us gets service."

So we started up the beach and made it half way around when there was a faint light in the distance. We crept up and found a house that looked like the one we had passed earlier in the day

[Flashback pic -->]

When we got to the front door, the only one brave enough was Zach...Oh wait...

Nick: "You go man, you're older"
Zach: "By a whopping two minutes, you're such a puss man"
Nick: "F- that Zach."
Fran: "Shutup, I'll go. I'm freaking starving, this guy better be home."
Sam: "Fran be carefullll"
Fran: "Oh it's fine, Kate come with me"
Kate: "If this guy doesnt at least have crackers and we all get killed Im blaming Fran..or in the least the puss-twins over here"

::dingdong::

Nick: "Haha that reminds me of something...I feel the need to run away"
Sam: "This is not the time for ding dong ditch...unless he comes to the door with a rifle or knife, deal?"
Nick: "You're sucking the fun out of this"
Sam: "If I was still drunk....or even buzzeed I'd probably be right there with ya.
But I'm not.
Nick: "Fine...I'll stand right here and not move"

::creeeeeek:: [door opens an inch and a half]

"Can I help'r you kids? What the hell you doin' on my prop'ty"
Fran: "Well Kate was wondering if you had any food, you see our Battery died and our cell phones dont have service so we cant call the coastguard or our parents to come rescue us...can you help us?"
[Kate kicks Fran in the shins and gives her the evil eye]
[mumbles under her breath] Kate: "You're hungary too idiot..."
"Well..I see..How many of ya's there?"
Fran: "Eight ma'am..sir...mister i mean...shit."
"Shit?"
Kate: "What she meant to say was Mister..."
"Jackson...Steve Jackson. Well Come in, I guess there's nothing mo' I can do to help yers. I ain't got no phone 'round herr'. I cert'nly don' have much food neither. Sorry 'bout that...I dont live here usually, I'm also just stopping by"

Okay now he's giving me the creeps. If it wasnt for his lazy eye I think I'd be okay but the Vodka was really starting to get to me, that last shot before our venture out into the darkness was not doing me good. Drinking on only breakfast was not gunna last till mornin'. F*ck.

Steve
Leave

The Crew

2007-10-03T21:43:00.000-07:00

Recap:

You know them:
Kate
Fran
Sam
(left to right)

Refresher:

Zach (Annie's friend from high school)(Left)

Annie (Sam's cousin) (Right)

Nick (Zach's twin brother)

Tere (Annie's younger sister) (right)
Mariea (Tere's friend from high school) (Left)

Back

Goooood Morning Everyone!

2007-10-03T20:27:00.001-07:00

Fran: "Uuuuuuuggggh...what the-"

Kate: "Who..in...gods..."

Grandma: "Goooooood Morning girls! I hope you slept all right. Time for breakfast, Poppa's made you waffles! "

Sam [quoting Shrek]: "And in the morning...I'm making waffles!"

[Muffled voice coming from a lump shaped like] Fran: "How are you awake right now?"

[Muffled voice under a pillow] Kate: "Seriously..."

Sam: "I dunno, but GET UP or I'll start jumping on you"

Fran: "Five more minuuuuutes"

Sam: "K, fine."

Grandma: "Come into the Kitchen girls when you're ready"

Kate: "Poppa these are sooooo good!"

Fran: "Pass me the strawberries and whip cream please"

Grandma: "Homemade cream ladies"

Sam: "Nothing better than Grandma's cream, Mmm Mm Mmmmmm"

Kate: "So beachin' it today?"

Sam: "Yeah I'll call Tere after breakfast and we'll head down to the fish house"

Fran: "Why the restaurant?"

Grandpa: "They keep their boat on the dock at the fish house because it's easier to get to Key Waiden"

Kate: "Ohhh I see...well lets go get ready shall we?"

Boating

Look at how they shine for you...

2007-10-03T20:15:00.000-07:00

Tere: "I love coming out here at night, Mariea and I come all the time just to watch for shooting stars"
Sam: "How romantic"
Tere: "Shut up Sam!
Sam: "Clearly I'm kidding. O0o Look! I saw one"
Kate: "Me too"
Fran: "I didn't..."
Kate: "Just watch a small area, don't scan the whole sky or you might miss it"
Sam: "What are you an astrologist"
Kate: "Uh I cannot predict the future...so you mean astronomer? Yes. Didn't you know? I changed my major"
Fran: "You did?!?!?"
Kate: "Hahaha no, are you joking...please. Although I can predict the future..."
Sam: "Oh yeah What's going to happen on this vacation, anything bad?"
Fran: "You're such a pessimist Sam"
Kate: "Well something is leading me to believe that, I had a negative vibe flowing throughout my body when you asked me that question"
Tere: "It was probably Grandma's sausage and peppers"
Kate: "Maybe you're right...hah, oh well"
Sam: "I'm getting tired...Let's go to bed and go on the boat tomorrow early in the morning so we can get in as much sun as possible...I'm not going home pale thanks"
Tere: "Mmm my bed sounds amazing right now compared to this sand"
Kate: "Yeah why is it so coarse I thought the sand on this beach was supposed to be really soft while and fine?"
Tere: "Well it is...at the other end. They brought special sand from Australia but only for one side, the more touristy side"

Bedtime...beach tomorrow!

Yo I got a fake ID tho

2007-10-03T19:49:00.000-07:00

Mercedes Benz to South Beach

This is a long path. Why did we park so far away? Ugh, I can't see a thing, flashlight anyone? Cell phone will have to do...

Kate: "So is there anyone ever on this beach?"

Tere: "Sometimes, but not many, the beach is about three miles long. Look lightening!"

Kate: "That's crazy, Sam can I see your camera?"

I'm going to capture this...meanwhile they find Nick, Zach and Mareia and the Cuervo is being kicked back as I try and capture the lightening...not as easy as those photographers make it seem....

and clearly the photographers of the evening were a bit tipsy

Fran: "Kate, come take a shot with me, give up on the light-hiccup-ening"

Kate: "Haha stop taking pictures of my ass... how many have you had and yeah pour me one"

Fran: "Three, and you'll be taking a haircut"

Nick: "What the hell is a haircut?"

Kate: "Hahah welllll...First you sit down and lean your head back"

Fran: "Then I pour in a little bit of juice first."

Kate: "And I have to close my throat...or basically don't swallow any of the juice"

Fran: "Then I pour in some tequila and she swallows both, not tasting anything but the juice"

Kate: "Um, Hey numero dos por favor?"

Nick: " Umm me next?"

Besides the fact we finished two liters of Tequila we were acting a little silly. Lets just say a little Ding dong ditch started in the hotels lining the beach.

Annnd there may have been a contest to see who could get the angriest customers out into the hallway...and who's to say Fran and I may have won...but then again this could have been Jose making this up.

Or perhaps we were chased on the beach by the Po-Po ... in our underwear....

Apparently Jose thought it was necessary to play such games in our delicates...

Home again, home again...time to rest up

A little background info for ya

2007-10-03T18:27:00.000-07:00

Home:
Beverly Ma, about 20 min North of Boston. Good sized town on the ocean with not much more to do than work and go to the beach.
Samantha's house: pool and kitchen
Kate's house: bedroom

Vacation:
Marco Island, off the coast of South-western Florida. About and hour south of Fort Meyers (where the airport is).
Sam's grandparents house
Sam's cousins house
Sam's Uncle's restaurant
Several different beaches and islands
Night club in Naples

Characters

Kate Lachance: Narrator (Left in picture)
20 years old, born in Salem Ma. DOB: November 7 1886. Lived in Beverly Ma nearly all her life. Brown curly hair, brown eyes, about 5'7 and at a healthy weight. Huge sense of humor, but usually she isn't that funny. Fran just happens to laugh at everything. Kate is one of those people who try to tell stories but in the middle realize it wasn't that interesting so they lose sight of where it was going, and end up with blank stares from her listeners at the end. She means well, but some things just never go her way.
Now attends the University of Vermont: English major, Art minor. Junior
Her family is very strict but extremely loving. Her parents kept her curfew intact until this particular summer. Although it increased every year, it was still painful to have to say "Well I gotta be home in ten minutes, think you can get me home by then?" Kate did not start drinking Alcohol until the end of her senior year at Beverly High School, along with most of her friends. She played three sports, field hockey, lacrosse, and swam for her school. She was involved in all sorts of clubs; the Ledger; the newspaper, Aegis: a literary magazine, Key Club (volunteer work), chorus and in National Honors Society. She had a fun loving personality that drew people towards her, even if she is terrible at telling stories.

Francesca Eramo: (Middle of picture)
Kate's best friend since the 6Th grade when they sat next to each other in Ms. Steele's English class.
20 years old. DOB: June 8th 1987 Brown curly hair, brown eyes about 5'6
Now attends the University of Massachusetts, Lowell. Nursing Major. Junior
Fran comes from a full on Sicilian family (Italian) with parents who are also strict but she never had a curfew, she just chose to come home when Kate usually did to respect her family by not coming home at the wee bit hours of the morning. Fran wasn't as involved as Kate was but she did a few things for the school on and off, depending on her mood I guess. Brown hair, brown eyes, very Italian looking, she had two other sisters Marcella and Liana. Her parents, Nina and Umberto Eramo were only strict with Fran with her grades and family events. However I think Fran rebelled against her parents more than Kate had...go figure.

Samantha Deborah Harris: (Right of picture)
Best friend since June 22 1987, Sam's birth (naturally because Kate was born first).
Basically Kate's second home since she was young. They didn't start being as close until high school because they always went to different schools until then. Their Mom's had worked at New Perspective's together when they were little, and always attended each others birthday parties and had play dates.

Brown curly hair, Brown eyes, about 5'6
Freshman year attended: Colby Sawyer College in NH, Sophomore year took second semester off to figure out what she wanted to do, CSC too small and didn't offer what she wanted. Junior year: Lesley College in Boston, Child and Family Studies

Sam is a one of Kate's best friends, but because they've known each other for so long, and are practically sisters, its clear they can get on each others nerves easily.

Sam also wasn't as involved as Kate in high school but tried a whole bunch of things. She is rather shy and hardly likes trying new things, unlike the other two who love meeting new people all the time and seeing new things. She also comes from an Italian family, whom mostly live in Marco Island, Florida.

Marige and Steve Harris: Sam's parents
Stef: Sam's little sister
Mom and Dad: aka Kathie and Jon: Kate's parents
Kim: Kate's little sister
Nina and Umberto Eramo: Francesca's parents
Marcella and Liana: Fran's sisters

Grandma and Poppa: Margie's mom and dad, Sam's grandparents, where the girls stay on vaca
Uncle Mikey and Auntie Theresa: Sam's aunt and uncle
Tere: aka Little Theresa, Mikey and Aunt Teresa's daughter, Sam's cousin
Annie: Tere's sister, Sam's cousin
Little Mikey: Annie and Tere's little brother, Sam's cousin
Nick and Zack Goodchild: friends of Annie and Tere
Mariea: Tere's best friend

Back

Club

2007-09-24T22:13:00.001-07:00

annie and little teresa (sams cousins) go to the club every thursday night with mariea. end up getting drinks from sleezy guys

choice of which drink
mixed
shot

one of them is roofied ...most likely Mariea

adventure with that perhaps.

next

Key Weiden

2007-09-24T22:07:00.000-07:00

Tere: "I'll drive!"
Uncle Mikey: "Okay, did you use all the gas up last Thursday?"
Tere: "Nope...We're all set, thanks Daddy."
Uncle Mikey: "Alight, go grab some drinks from the fridge in the Tiki Bar ladies"
Sam: "Let's get some ice too"

With a full cooler of Corona, Captain Morgan's, and Absolute Mandarin, the crew all in the boat, was underway.

Rounding the bends of the 'canals,' we made it to Key Weiden, where the sun was shining, people were laughing, singing, drinking, and enjoying the sun.

We pulled the boat right up onto the beach and jumped off the back into the warm 82 degree water. Sam jumped out the front and anchored us into the beach to make sure our boat wouldn't float into our neighbors.

Annie: "Tere, crank up the jams man!"

Tere: "As long as its not techno"

Annie: "Of course it will be techno"

All: "Uhh..."

~~Music~~The way, you are. Away, afar. We've had, our past. I hope, it lasts. I know, you though. This love, can grow. We've reached, our peak. We're strong not weak. Don't leave me hanging cause you know what I'm feeling. I'll go crazy, I'll go crazy. And if I asked you to stop my from falling. Would you save me? Would you save me? Don't leave me hanging cause you know what I'm feeling. I'll go crazy, I'll go crazyyyyy~~

Nick: "Oh god, turn it off."

Annie: "But its Scott Brown..."

Nick: "How about some Chris Brown?"

Tere: "Already on it.."

~~Music~~Momma you may be 3 years older but you hot GIMME THAT. You be talking like you like what I got GIMME THAT. I know you like it how I lean in the 'lac, You could be in the back saying GIMME GIMME GIMME GIMME~~

Sam: "Thankgod"

Fran: "Um Kate, can you make me another drink?"

Tere: "Is this my drink?"

Fran: "Yeah, cause I drank all mine...Kate? ...Drink? ....Please?..."

Kate: "Hold on lush, Nick wants to funnel a beer through this noodle"

Fran: "Hahaha, this should be interesting"

Kate: Ready? 1-2-3 GO!

[GulpGulpGulp] Nick: "Um numero dos?"

Kate: "Haha yeah after I make Fran's drink because she clearly is incapable of climbing in the boat...get some sea legs girl"

Nick: "Who needs sea legs to climb onto the back of a boat? We aren't even moving"

Fran: Giggles her drunken laugh

Kate: "Annnnd she's definitely tipsy"

Fran: "Drink please?"

Kate: "Captain and coke...coming right up ma'am"

Tere: "So, what's next Britney Spears? or Spice Girls?"

Kate: "Umm lets put my Ipod in"

Zach: "Cam'ron, Jim Jones, Mike Jones anyone? Gimme something to work with here."

5:00pm

Tere: "So I think we should probably head back now...I'm starving, the cooler is empty and we did not bring food. Fish house on my dad?

Zach: "Loooovin' that idea"

Nick: "Mmm hamburgerrr and friesss"

Sam: "Calamariiiii"

Kate: "With rum? Are you crazy that's gross Sam"

Sam: "Not if you've tasted the Calamari before"

Fran: "Ehh...good luck with that later on tonight"

Start Engine [ka-chug-chug-chghfshh]

Tere: "Uhh guys..."

~~Music cuts out~~

Tere: "Yeah, this ain't startin'"

Kate: "Did you put the battery on full?"

Tere: "Yeah, its on full"

Kate: "How about putting it in neutral, starting it and then put it in gas?"

Tere: "Umm yeah I think the batteries dead...'cause of the radio..."

Annie "Frick"

Sam: "Uhh what do we do?"

Fran: "Try calling your dad Tere"

::ringring::

First Night: Hmm What shall we do

2007-09-24T22:06:00.000-07:00

Guest bedroom: four girls piled on one bed + two yorkies toppling over everyone's intertwined legs

Tere: "Well we could always go to the beach, the stars are pretty to look at."
Sam: "Yeah..."
Fran: "Let's do something exciting! Please, I know it's our first night but I mean come'on let's get this party started"
Kate: I'm down for whatever, we have all week, lets not get too crazy.."
Fran: "Kate since when are you not all about getting into some trouble?"
Kate: "Ok, Ok, so I'm always up for that. Jeez sorry lay off okay, my mind's somewhere else."
Sam: "Haha I know where it is"
Kate: "Shut up...I can't help it if I'm attracted to good looking men."
Sam: "But can you at least wait till we get off the plane, jesus woman."
Kate: "Wellllll.....no."
Fran: "I love this girl, let's go find some boys on the beach"
Kate: "My kinda girl."
Sam: "Ugh, here we go. Um Fran isn't there a boy back home you should be thinking about...dark hair, italian, I dunno, maybe someone named...Anthony?"
Fran: "I'm allowed to look at the menu, I don't have to order"
"Hahahaha"
Tere: "Alright lets go...should Jose come with us?"
Fran: "If by Jose, you mean Jose Cuervo and some limes, then yes."
Tere: "Haha Well I meant my friend Nick, we call him Jose...but that's because he's never without his Cuervo, so I guess you'll be getting both."
Fran: "Woooonderful!"

Teen drinking is very bad, yo I got a fake ID tho

Look at the stars, look how they shine for you

Marco

2007-09-23T16:17:00.000-07:00

Ugh more traveling...but at least we are here. Five person cars with six people in them, four in the back 2 comfortably in the front...not so good after a plane ride. God it is hot out. Thank god for air conditioning.

Ive been to Florida numerous times. Obviously to see Mickey Mouse and his friends but also to visit my Aunt and Uncle who had a home somewhere near Cinderella's castle. They live in one of those neighborhood where all the houses look pretty much the same. Generally that would be Marco Island. Separated into four parts. The condo/hotel side, the Pleasant ville looking side, the rich and famous people, and the middle where all the shops are. The place is gorgeous, you'd think after the hurricane hit still be a mess but those Marco Islanders are determined to make it look better than ever.

No wonder Gloria Estefan chose to have one of her many homes off the coast of Florida. I'm talking big money houses that are gorgeous. It was like following MTV cribs around an entire neighborhood of celeb houses.

[Grandma's House]

Finally arriving at Grandma's we were greeted with hugs and questions about our travel and not to mention hyperactive Max who loved to lick Francesca and quiet Lily who hovered in the corner. We unpacked a little bit and helped make a fabulous three course Italian meal. Grandma loves to cook and shove as much as she can on your plate. Not always the best for someone with a small appetite, I felt like I offended her for denying a third helping of her garlic mash potatoes.

After cleaning up the leftovers of what could have fed the Patriots and the Chargers, we went to our side of the house. Now Grandma and Poppa may be almost 70 but they do know how to have a good time, not to mention Sam's aunt and uncle, Hah Ive never seen a man shack so many beers back with dinner. This is definitely something I'd expect from the Harris family however totally different from mine. According to Kathy, "one beer will get ya drunk Meg, it only takes one." Great advice, Mom, thanks I'll be sure to spread the word to my fellow college friends while we play Beirut; "Hey guys, limits one okay, we don't want anyone getting out of hand."

Of course it has been made very clear to us that we must act responsibly and don't get me wrong here, I do not want Auntie Teresa and Uncle Mikey to return the message to Margie who fortunately is my second mother but unfortunately does not keep secrets with Kathy. It's been a fighting battle since Sam and I were little and sneaking extra snacks from the pantry all the way to the truth about where we really were on those late Friday nights. Either way I don't plan on embarrassing myself...but there's always room for fun right?

First night out

Ft Meyers

2007-09-23T16:12:00.001-07:00

Aaaaand we are here!!! Thank god, enough was enough.
Not only did we have the typical screaming kicking five year old boy behind us but I was on the isle seat and we all know from The Wedding Singer that this seat is not the one to choose.
Fortunately for me there was a cute boy sitting to my right who clearly had it worse off than me.

"Bag claim?"
"Downstairs to the right."
"Thanks"

Sam: "Kate I knew that, Ive only been here Oh I dunno about three times a year since I was little."
Kate: "Jeeeez sorry, lead the way your highness"
Sam: "Very funny..."
Kate: "I'm serious, the woman's directions were awful, please help us find our bags before its too late"
Sam: "Shut up, you're so dramatic...lets get lunch soon, I'm starving"
Fran: "I liiike your thinking"

On the plane....

2007-09-23T16:02:00.000-07:00

~~ Music~~If you'll be my bodyguard I can be your long lost pal. I can call you Betty and Betty you can call me Al, call m-~~

Sam: "Kate, wake up"
Kate: "Huh...what what? quit poking at me I was awake the whole time"
Sam: "I don't like it"
::grabs onto my arm::
Kate: "Sam it's just a little turbulence, its alright, you're fine."
Sam:"I know I just don't like it"
Kate:"Put your Ipod on and read your book you'll be fine."
Sam: "Okay."
::2 min later::
Kate:"Snhgggg snhggg"
Sam: "Kaaaaate"
Kate: "What? What ? I was just about to be kissed by Rya-- Oh right sorry, I fell asleep, I'm tiiiired OK."
Sam: "Dreaming huh...well can you just stay awake were almost there, and this turbulence crap you're feeding me is still making me uncomfortable."
Kate: "OK sorry, do you have the magazine, let's look through it. Actually let's watch this tv thing. This is sweet. Are there any music videos?

Sam: "Yeah, what do you want to watch?"

Kate: "TI?"

Sam: "Hahaha ok."

Doo doo do

Plane Ride

2007-09-23T15:53:00.000-07:00

Tuesday August 14 5:15am BuzZzZzzz!

Ugh...really? I just want to sleep a little mooore...

::door opens::
Mom: "Kate, get uppppp, time to go. I'm driving you to Sam's, Margie is going to drive you to the airport on her way to work."
Kate: "Okay okay fine."

6:00am Arrived at 2 Tall Tree Lane home of Steve and Margie Harris, parents of my best friend Sam, since June 22 1987.

::sleep walking into the house, handed a bagel, get into other car..::

Sam: "Mom I don't know if I can do this."
Margie: "Sam, you'll be fine honey. You always are and you have Meg and Francesca right there with you. Did you take your anxiety medication?"
Sam: "No...it's the new kind and I was too afraid to try it."
Margie: "Alright well I think you'll be fine, don't think about it so much. Just think about the white sandy beaches, Grandma and Poppa and your cousins. Auntie Teresa is picking you up from the airport, and Annie is coming in on a flight from Chicago a half hour after you alright? So get some lunch and meet her by the bag claim"

"Ticket and identification please ma'am"
"OK, how many carry ons?"
"One."
"Alright, you're all set, NEXT!"

Margie: "OK girls, be safe, have fun, give grandma and poppa a big hug and kiss from us and stay out of trouble, but most importantly ENJOY yourselves!"

All three girls: "Thanks Margie, see you next Tuesday."

Buy Ticket

2007-09-23T11:27:00.000-07:00

OUCH!

That definitely hurt.
Two-hundred and fifty dollars, god damn that hurt the bank account.
Good thing I'm a workaholic...who is awful as saving her money...

Well, it's not that bad...I almost feel good about it, first plane ticket I've ever bought, for a trip without my parents...god love them but good lord I cant wait. FREEDOM.

::ringring::

Sam:"ARE YOU COMING"
Kate:"Yup I am, just bought my ticket. Did you and Fran get yours?
Sam: "Yeah but it cost us an extra fifty dollars because we picked the wrong week, I have orientation the Friday before we actually leave."
Kate: "Ohhh, right. Well its August 14Th tho right, row 20? I called your mom and she told me how to pick your seats so we are together. I hate sitting next to the fat smelly man who brings salami sandwiches from subway. Ugh every time I'm on a plane I swear I get split up and end up next to someone or something that won't just let me read my book."
Sam: "Hahaha well unless Fran likes salami I think you ll be okay."
Kate:"Well she is Italian...Oh well we will make her sit on the aisle seat. Three more weeks and off to the warm tropical isles of Florida"
Sam: "Wooooo!"
Kate: "Call me tomorrow"
Sam: "K bye."
::click::

Can I go?

2007-09-23T10:10:00.000-07:00

Kate: "Mom...what do you think about me going to Marco Island with Sam and Francesca for a week?..."

Long pause...followed by huge sigh...Is there really a need for a dramatic answer, ahhh but of course.

Mom: "I don't see why not...ask your father though first."

Grrr

So basically that will be a no...god dammit, I should just plan the trip and leave.
Hah! What would they say to that.
Never mind I know exactly what they'd do...drag me home, yell, tell me how irresponsible and disrespectful I am...I can hear it already
I guess I'll just ask...

Two days later...

Kate: "Dad?"
Dad: "Yes Kate?"
Kate: "Can I go on a fun, learning, horizon broadening trip with some friends?"
Dad: "...Uh Kate what do you ta-"
Kate: "OK. OK! So Sam asked me to go to Marco Island with her and Francesca to sit on the beach be lazy and swim in water that's 80 degrees."
Dad: "Haha well if you'd like to subject yourself to that and not the cooling waters of 65 degrees here, go ahead. How are you paying for this trip though..." he asked with a rather curious smirk that said, 'I know you want my money but you cant have it! No way no how!'
Obviously realizing this "Want to split the plane ticket with me half and half?" earnestly asking with the nicest daughterly loving smile and warm opening arms ready for a hug.
Dad:"No."
That's what I figured. Well.."I've got some money saved up from working at the hospital for the past couple weeks, I can afford it but money will be tight I'm sure if I do spend it."
Dad: "Well I trust you'll make the right decision for yourself Kate, Have fun."

Buy Ticket
Don't Buy Ticket

Don't Buy Ticket

2007-09-20T08:49:00.000-07:00

Well I guess that concludes what we will now know as a boring summer. You suck.
Thanks a lot for ruining my summer....back to work, 6 out of 7 days a week.

Try Again...you know you wanna