Safe Retreat

I pull over my cozy blue jumper that fits snugly over me and run down the stairs. I can not stay here while they continue to fight like this. It is driving me over the edge. I yank open the oak wood front door and slam it loudly as I make my exit. A little part of me hopes that by some miracle my mother will have noticed my disappearance and will wait up for me. I run nearly a mile blinded by anger in order to clear my mind. I vent out all my frustration by running until pain shoots through my legs. I run towards Vineyard Hills. My secret hiding place. My sole safe haven.

Vineyard Hills has been my favorite place to go to since I was five. When things used to be better and we were one exuberant, happy family who used to come here religiously for our weekly picnics. Yet ever since Lake Elizabeth was opened, this once bright, beautiful beloved park has turned into a deserted, lonely piece of land. I strode up to my favorite sitting spot as my legs were beginning to give in. Damn lactic acid and muscle cramps. I plunked down onto the lush, green grass and lay under the great sycamore tree. I threw off my shoes and let the cool grass tickle my toes until I reached a point of complete bliss. Slowly and gently, I lay my head on the grand trunk of the tree. The smoky smell of burnt wood wafted in and out, causing my nose to tingle. I reached over and ran my smooth finger tips along the trunk’s surface. The corrugated, rough surface felt foreign yet soothingly strange under my dainty fingers.

I looked out into the distance in order to catch a glimpse of sun before it settled its warm golden rays. I gasped at the scene as it unfolded in front of me and stared in utter amazement. Streaks of warm peach melted into swirls of light blue. The huge orb of bright yellow dimmed into a calming orange as its rays softened, slowly diminishing. The sun was tranquilly setting and beckoning nightlight to come.

Before I knew it a blanket of onyx blackness covered the sky above. A blanket of jagged clouds trailed obediently as the moon sat like a queen in the sky. Tiny specks of sparkling light delicately decorated the vast space above and I realized as I closed my eyes leaning back into the tree again. I wish I could stay here forever. This is the only place where I could feel so light, so serene. Vineyard Hills was my escape. My safe retreat.